A big part of the thinking behind moving college basketball’s opening night up a few days – the season has typically kicked off on a Friday – was to get these games out from under the considerable shadow cast by college football.
Done. Now the games are only competing with one of the most anticipated mid-term elections in recent history.
Fortunately, it’s quite possible for fans to be involved with both. By all means get out and vote. Then settle in and support your favorite team in its 2018-19 opener. Trust us, the election returns will be there when the games end.
Long after the games end.
So, who’s on tap for tonight? We’re glad you asked….
Tuesday’s games
Loyola (Md.) at George Mason, 4 p.m.
Patriots guard Nicole Cardano-Hillary torched the Greyhounds for 23 points in an 80-72 victory when these teams met last season.But Loyola returns its entire starting five plus redshirt senior guard Bri Betz-White, who appeared in just four games before going down for the season with injury. Edge: Loyola
Old Dominion at Campbell, 5 p.m.
They should call this the Young’uns Bowl – 11 of Campbell’s 14 players are either freshmen or sophomores, while ODU has six freshmen and two sophomores on its 12-player roster. Based on ODU’s performance in Friday’s exhibition game against Christopher Newport, expect some sensational plays and the occasional head-scratching mistake, with everything coming at high speed. Given the energetic style, ODU fans should enjoy watching this team develop – as long as no one expects too much too soon. Edge: Old Dominion (but honestly, with so much youth, who knows?)
VCU at William and Mary, 7 p.m.
The former Colonial Athletic Association rivals have played each other 120 times (VCU leads the series 81-39) so it’s a bit surprising to see this is their first meeting in nearly three years. The Rams have virtually everyone back from a year ago and appear to be trending upward. Still, this is a tough opener on the road against the well-coached Tribe. Edge: William and Mary
Norfolk State at Mississippi, 7 p.m.
With three players – Khadedra Croker, Raven Russell and Alexys Long – earning preseason All-MEAC recognition, the Spartans appear poised to contend for their first conference title since 2001. Meanwhile, Ole Miss is beginning a massive rebuild after a rash of transfers forced new coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin to piece together a roster featuring nine newcomers. Typically, an SEC team hosting a MEAC squad would be one-way traffic for the home side. But in this particular case, well, call us crazy, but… Edge: Norfolk State
USC Upsate at Virginia Tech, 7 p.m.
Of the 31 voters in the Associated Press women’s basketball poll, only veteran analyst Debbie Antonelli gave Virginia Tech a Top 25 nod as she picked the Hokies 24th. With all due respect to USC Upstate, we’re expecting the Hokies to look every bit that caliber of team in this matchup. Edge: Virginia Tech (big)
Georgetown at Richmond, 7 p.m.
Huge advantage in experience for the Hoyas, who figure to start two graduate students (former Virginia standout Mikayla Venson and Dorothy Adomako) and a senior (first team All-Big East guard Dionna White) against a Spiders squad with no seniors and six freshmen among its nine newcomers. Being at home will help, but this is hardly an ideal opening opponent for such a young team. Edge: Georgetown