Backcourt Duel Headlines Top College Hoops Games This Week

Filed under: Duke, Georgetown, Illinois, Kansas State, Memphis, Michigan State, Mississippi State, Syracuse, Tennessee, Texas, UNLV, USC, Washington State, Missouri

A bit of a short week looms as we head into the holidays, but there are still a batch of solid games featuring teams in search of redemption. It's all about how some teams bounce back this week, because there is not much time before conference play starts.

The eight best:

8. Elon (4-6) at No. 1 Duke (10-0), Monday, 7 p.m.

Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski is again poised to reach yet another coaching milestone in college basketball as he will (probably) get his 879th career win, which would pull him into a tie with longtime UNC coach Dean Smith. Elon, as you might expect, hasn't really been very impressive this year, but they do have a 7-footer! He barely plays, but he's seven feet tall!

If Duke doesn't lose this season, Coach K will tie Bob Knight's record after the ACC Tournament Championship. Just sayin'.

7. Drexel (8-1) at No. 5 Syracuse (11-0), Wednesday, 7 p.m.

Now, I know what you're thinking, and, no, there are no milestones to be reached in this game. This one may actually be close. Syracuse has played most everyone close -- except for Michigan State -- and the Orange are coming off a narrow win over Iona Saturday. Plus Drexel is no slouch, and the Dragons proved that last week when they handed Louisville its first loss of the season. Plus, Syracuse will be playing its third game in five days, something that could have an effect on its play Wednesday.

6. Washington State (8-1) vs. Mississippi State (7-3) in Honolulu, Wednesday, 3 p.m., ESPNU

Mississippi State, now featuring big man Renardo Sidney, could really use a positive outing after getting pasted by Virginia Tech over the weekend. Sidney, who made his career debut against the Hokies and scored 12 points, was a McDonald's All-American before being suspended for the entirety of last season and nine games this year for receiving improper benefits. Chemistry, apparently, is something of a problem for the Bulldogs.

The Cougars avoided an embarrassing loss themselves, narrowly beating Santa Clara Sunday night.

 

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