Preview Roundups
December 28, 2018
Kennesaw St. at Georgia Tech 4:00 PM ET
Scoring has not come easy for Georgia Tech through its first 11 games, a trend the Yellow Jackets hope to reverse with two games left before entering ACC play, starting with Friday’s home contest against Kennesaw State. The Yellow Jackets have averaged 69.2 points per game, ranking last in the ACC and 283rd in the nation entering the weekend, and have not scored more than 73 points in their past seven contests.
Loyola-Maryland at NC State 7:00 PM ET
North Carolina State received a nice holiday gift as it jumped into the Top 25 for the first time this season when this week’s version of the Coaches Poll was released on Monday. The 24th-ranked Wolfpack will look to extend their winning streak to six when they host Loyola Maryland on Friday evening in their non-conference finale.
Texas Rio Grande Valley at Texas Tech 7:00 PM ET
No. 13 Texas Tech has a chance to add one more game to its long nonconference home win streak Friday before shifting attention to its Big 12 Conference slate. The Red Raiders, 7-0 at home this season, host Texas Rio Grande Valley in their first game since losing to No. 2 Duke in New York.
Maryland - E. Shore at Virginia Tech 7:00 PM ET
With a loss to Penn State the only blemish on Virginia Tech’s blotter thus far in 2018, Hokies coach Buzz Williams is pleased with a team he expects to win 20 games for a fourth consecutive season and advance to a third straight NCAA Tournament. His 10th-ranked Hokies aim for a sixth straight win when Maryland-Eastern Shore visits on Friday.
No.Carolina A&T at East Carolina 7:00 PM ET
East Carolina will play for the first time in 10 days and the third time in the month of December on Friday against visiting North Carolina A&T. The Pirates dropped their most recent gamed Dec. 18 against Charlotte but a win over the Aggies can give them some momentum heading into conference play.
Texas Christian at Hawaii Pacific 7:00 PM ET
TCU served notice that it will be a force to be reckoned with in the highly competitive Big 12 after winning the Diamond Head Classic in Hawaii. The Horned Frogs decided to remain in paradise for a couple more days and will visit Division II member Hawaii Pacific in Honolulu on Friday before kicking off conference play Jan. 5 versus Baylor.
Texas-Arlington at Texas 8:00 PM ET
Texas snapped a three-game losing streak with a pair of impressive wins by finding its touch from 3-point range, but their fortunes took a turn for the worst when their long-range struggles resurfaced. The Longhorns' search for consistency continues Friday when they host Texas-Arlington in their final tune-up before beginning Big 12 play next week.
Austin Peay at Arkansas 8:00 PM ET
Arkansas coach Mike Anderson knew he had only one scorer back from a team that lost 80 percent of its offense, but Mason Jones was somewhat of an unknown. The 6-5 sophomore will attempt to lead the Razorbacks in scoring and assists for a third straight game when Austin Peay visits Friday to conclude the Razorbacks’ non-conference slate.
Louisiana Monroe at Louisiana State 8:00 PM ET
Tremont Waters hasn't been able to duplicate the level of production this season he managed during a record-breaking freshman campaign, but second-year coach Will Wade said he believes his 5-11 guard has rediscovered that form just in time to get ready for SEC play. With their explosive guard recovering from a slow start by his lofty standards, the Tigers conclude their non-conference schedule Friday when they host Louisiana Monroe.
Southern at Marquette 8:00 PM ET
Marquette tries to complete a perfect seven-game homestand when the No. 20 Golden Eagles finish their non-conference schedule Friday against Southern. Junior Markus Howard erupted for 45 points during Marquette’s 103-85 victory over No. 22 Buffalo last Friday, extending the Golden Eagles’ win streak to seven games.
North Alabama at Gonzaga 9:00 PM ET
After losing it's No. 1 ranking following back-to-back losses to No. 3 Tennessee and at No. 14 North Carolina, eighth-ranked Gonzaga went into the Christmas break with a pair of home victories by an average of 52.5 points. The Zags still have two more tuneups before starting what appears to be a very competitive West Coast Conference race starting with Friday night's home game with North Alabama.
