Cavs fans College Basketball Viewing Guide: Week One
Ah it feels like only yesterday that the college football season started with Nebraska finding a way to lose once again. Then we progressed into the NFL season, where the Cleveland Browns have been less than impressive. After a couple weeks of straight football, we finally got to dive head first into the NBA season. However, while others are keeping their eyes on the court, I have one eye watching college basketball, with the Cleveland Cavaliers future in mind.
Yes, the college basketball season will get underway on Tuesday night. Nearly all major programs across the country have a game tonight, but I’ll make it easier for you by giving you three college hoops games to watch this week, and who to watch for in those particular games.
Each week, I will put out an article similar to this one, giving everyone out there some information on how to watch some of the guys that the Cavs front office will have their eyes on this offseason. With the Evan Mobley pick looking like a slam dunk, I think there is finally some trust building between the front office and the fans. On top of that, while we all want to see the Cavaliers win, it’s pretty likely they will not make the playoffs this season, especially with Collin Sexton sidelined for at least a month.
So while Sexton is out, here are some college games you should be watching, and the players you should be watching.
Cavalier Fan College Basketball Viewing Guide
Just like in college football, there are some huge games early in the year that will help us with how we judge the rest of the season. So with that being said, let’s check out some of the best hoops games to watch throughout the week.
#1: (9) Duke vs (10) Kentucky (Tuesday, Nov. 9) (9:30 PM ET, ESPN)
Well if you want to get a look at one of the guys who will be in the conversation for the first overall pick next summer, go no further than ESPN at 9:30 on Tuesday night. Coach K’s Blue Devils will take on John Calipari and Kentucky at Madison Square Garden. The first player to keep an eye on is Duke wing/forward, Paolo Banchero.
The big man was the fourth-ranked prospect in the class of 2021, and has gotten better since arriving in Durham. He’s a big, strong, physical stretch four who can guard nearly every position. On the offensive end he can shoot from pretty much anywhere on the court, and his explosiveness is special because he knows how to use it under control. He doesn’t have any glaring weaknesses, but his range could get better, and he could improve his rebounding.
I do think Banchero will eventually be the first pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, but he will need to have a very good season at Duke if he wants to hear his name called first. Definitely take the opportunity to check this guy out. Players like him don’t come along all the time.
The second player to watch in this matchup is forward A.J. Griffin. This guy could end up being the most talented player at the college level, there’s just a lot of mystery surrounding him. He suffered a knee injury during his junior year of high school, and that set him back almost a full year. With the restrictions in New York due to the COVID-19 pandemic, his senior season didn’t provide much of a background for him coming into the year.
However, he’s a great shooter and is one of the better perimeter defenders in this draft class. If he can stay healthy, he will most certainly be a lottery pick in 2022.