By Joe Budzelek
6:30 on FS1: Fordham at St. John’s
Both teams are looking to improve from last season following St. John’s NIT invitation and Fordham’s reversal of fortunes the year after Keith Urgo’s 25-win debut season.
The Red Storm are deservedly heavy favorites in this matchup and unveil a new-look roster highlighted by portal additions Kadary Richmond (Seton Hall), Deivon Smith (Utah) and Aaron Scott (North Texas) while two of Fordham’s best players are fifth-year returnees Abdou Tsimbila and Japhet Medor. Much of Fordham’s ceiling lies in the breakout of homegrown juniors Will Richardson — who is expecting to start in the backcourt alongside Medor and UNLV transfer Jackie Johnson III — and Romad Dean, who is a versatile, athletic forward and is one of my favorite A-10 X-factors.
It’ll be a battle of two NYC teams that shape their success from their defense. Can the Rams keep the game close?
7:00 on ESPN+: Iona at Princeton
Entering Tobin Anderson’s second season at the helm, Iona’s brand-new roster looks much more physical and defensively deep compared to Iona’s disappointing season last year. Anderson likes to label Iona as a “mid-major-plus” and the Gaels have filed their non-conference schedule with like-minded programs.
But, Princeton is arguably Iona’s toughest opponent this season as the unanimous Ivy League favorites return the elite junior duo of forward Caden Pierce and point guard Xaivian Lee, both of which have gained the attention of NBA scouts.
Gaels Nation should be excited to see a big game from top portal addition Dejour Reaves, a lightning bolt of a guard while Southern Illinois transfer Clarence Rupert returns to the MAAC after starting his career on the Elite Eight Saint Peter’s Peacocks squad. The physical senior big has already taken on a veteran leadership role and brings moxie to the floor and in the locker room. Outside of these two seniors, there’s a bit of mystery to this team, so fans will anxiously await to see which other players step up in their first game of the season. St. Thomas Aquinas (D2) transfer James Patterson is my pick to have a huge season for the Gaels.
7:30 on ESPN+: Vermont at UAB
Last season, both Vermont and UAB represented their respective conferences in the NCAA Tournament and thanks to a wealth of returning talent fortified with transfer additions, fans of both programs are rightfully excited for this upcoming season.
UAB’s star senior forward Yaxel Lendelborg is one of the most talented bigs in the nation and is surrounded by a handful of talented guards including returners Efrem Johnson and Alejandro Vasquez, as well as JUCO addition Jaboril McGhee and Georgia Southern transfer Tyren Moore. Expect Andy Kennedy’s Blazers to attack the rim and the offensive glass.
On the other hand, Vermont is expected to clash against UAB’s offensive attack with the patented defensive mentality of long-time coach John Becker. His most dangerous defensive hands are senior guard Shamir Bogues and senior forward Ileri Ayo-Faleye, both of which possess tireless motors and defensive switchability. Balancing this defensive attack are junior sharpshooters TJ Long and TJ Hurley while Howard transfer Shy Odom and returning junior Sam Alamutu provide the Catamounts with versatile and physical multi-positional weapons. After four seasons as a reliable backup, Nick Fiorillo returns as a savvy, high-IQ starting center.
UAB’s home court should be rowdy, but Vermont is one perpetually one of the most fearless programs in the nation. This one will be a close one.
8:00 on ESPN+: Quinnipiac at Yale
Located just 10 mies apart, MAAC favorites Quinnipiac visit the ever-steady Yale Bulldogs, whom many project as the second best team in the Ivy League right behind Princeton.
The biggest question for Quinnipiac is who will step up in the offensive load following the graduation of leading scorer Matt Balanc. Junior Amarri Monroe returns as arguably the best two-way player in the MAAC while fifth-year guards Savion Lewis, Doug Young — as well as junior wing Alexis Reyes — are primed for scoring boosts this season.
Yet again, Yale is expected to be a tough, physical defensive team this season led by senior point guard Ben Mbeng while fellow senior John Poulakidas returns as one of the best all-around offensive weapons in the Ivy League. With center Danny Wolf transferring to Michigan and following Matt Knowling’s graduation, watch out for Yale’s new-look frontcourt of the highly touted sophomore Samson Aletan and bruiser junior Nick Townsend.
Yale is the decided favorites, but Quinnipiac has the advantage of returning four starters, so the Bobcats have a continuity advantage that can charge an upset.
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