Michigan State at Seton Hall Odds
Nov. 14, 2019
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Michigan State Preview
Preseason No. 1 Michigan State is dealing with the emotions surrounding the apparent suicide Saturday night of star point guard Cassius Winston’s younger brother, Zachary, who was a member of the Albion (Mich.) College basketball team. Cassius played on Sunday and had 17 points and 11 assists in a 100-47 romp over Binghamton, which came on the heels of the Spartans’ opening-season loss to then-No. 2 Kentucky. Michigan State returns three starters from a Final Four team, including forward Aaron Henry, who is averaging 12.5 points. Post player Xavier Tillman is averaging 12.0 points and 8.5 rebounds.
Seton Hall Preview
Seton Hall has been gearing up for a matchup like this for about 15 years. The Pirates haven’t hosted a ranked nonconference opponent since December 2004, and more than 13,000 season are expected at the Prudential Center. Problem is, Seton Hall isn’t likely to have star guard Myles Powell, the reason for this season’s high ranking and optimism. The senior, who was voted the Big East preseason Player of the Year, suffered a sprained left ankle on Saturday with indications being a multiple-game absence. Quincy McKnight’s defense on Winston will be key; he held Marquette star Markus Howard to six points on 2-of-11 shooting last season.
Penn State at Georgetown Odds
Nov. 14, 2019
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Penn State Preview
Penn State has had two walkover wins in advance of its first meeting against Georgetown since 2004. The Nittany Lions were 14-18 last season but not without optimism heading into this year, even with a prediction of a ninth-place finish in the Big Ten preseason poll. Much of that hope was pinned on senior forward Lamar Stevens, who led the team in scoring (19.9 points per game) and rebounding (7.7) last season. Coach Patrick Chambers likes his team depth — including St. Bonaventure transfer guard Izaiah Brockington, who is averaging 11.0 points off the bench in two games. Mike Watkins is a strong man down low (9.5 rebounds per game).
Georgetown Preview
Legendary alum Patrick Ewing is in his third season as the head coach, trying to build off a 19-14 record last year. He has a star big man in 7-foot junior Omer Yurtseven, a transfer from North Carolina State who recorded double-doubles in each of the two games to begin his Georgetown career, over Mount St. Mary’s and Central Arkansas. The Hoyas had to rally from 19 points down to beat Mount St. Mary’s but coasted in their second game. Yurtseven, who played for a Turkish professional team before coming to college for the 2016-17 season, is averaging 18.5 points and 13.5 rebounds. James Akinjo is at 12.5 points and 6.0 assists per game.
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