The second annual Coaches vs. Cancer Classic Men’s Division I college basketball tournament returns to the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. This year’s event will feature Oklahoma, Seton Hall, Virginia Tech and top-ranked Michigan State in a battle for supremacy and, more importantly, to raise awareness and help cure cancer.
In their respective semifinal matchups on Nov. 22, Oklahoma (3-0) and Seton Hall (3-1) will battle to kick off festivities with Michigan State (4-0) and Virginia Tech (3-1) going head to head shortly thereafter. The winner of each game will meet in a final on Nov. 23 following the consolation game, during which the losers of the semifinal games compete.
In last year’s tournament, the Florida State Seminoles staked their claim as the inaugural champions, defeating BYU in the semifinals before disposing of St. Joseph’s in a tight championship meeting. Guard Michael Snaer was the tournament’s MVP, as he averaged 15 points per game for the Seminoles.
FIVE PLAYERS TO WATCH
Adreian Payne, Michigan State: A preseason first-team All-American and one of 15 players on the watch list for the Oscar Robinson Trophy, Payne currently leads the team in scoring with 17.5 points per game. The center chose to fore-go an opportunity to enter the NBA Draft this past summer and returns for his senior season looking to guide the No. 1 Spartans to the Promised Land.
Buddy Hield, Oklahoma: The sophomore guard leads the Sooners with 18.3 points per game, currently connecting on over 48 percent of his field goal attempts. Hield is a lethal threat from three-point range and could prove to be the difference maker for an Oklahoma offense that currently features four players averaging over 10 points per game.
Branden Dawson, Michigan State: Back at 100 percent health, this junior has great potential to star for the Spartans this season. He is averaging 9.5 rebounds per game while displaying outstanding athleticism. His clutch tip-in basket with five seconds remaining in the team’s big win over then-No.1 Kentucky is the type of play they’d like to expect from Dawson.
Jarell Eddie, Virginia Tech: The 6-foot-7 forward has been dominant in the Hokies’ hot start, averaging a team-high 16.5 points per game behind 43 percent shooting. His defensive play has been key and he’s doing work on the boards as well, notching 5.8 rebounds per game. This senior is coming off a 21-point performance in a win over VMI during which five Hokies scored double digits.
Patrik Auda, Seton Hall: The junior forward enters the tournament riding high off of an impressive 27-point performance in a win against Monmouth. Through four games, he is the Big East leader with a 77.3 percent field goal percentage. Auda should play a key role in the Pirates’ rebounding endeavors against the Sooners in the opening match-up. Oklahoma is currently out-rebounding its opponents by three per contest.
PREDICTIONS
Semifinals: Oklahoma over Seton Hall and Michigan State over Virginia Tech, setting up the championship bout between the Sooners and the Spartans that most people would like to see in Brooklyn.
Consolation Game: Virginia Tech over Seton Hall. The Pirates are a team very much on the rise, but the Hokies are just a better team all around. Led by Jarell Eddie, the Hokies present a challenge that the Pirates simply do not have the talent to stop.
Championship Game: Michigan State over Oklahoma. In an exciting early-season clash, the Sooners should be able to give the Spartans a run for their money. Buddy Hield and company are a dangerous all-around unit, but it’s going to be difficult to overcome the best college basketball team in the country. With head coach Tom Izzo at the helm, the Spartans have the advantage in nearly every meaningful department. Their huge win over the Kentucky Wildcats just over a week ago shows what they’re capable of on any given night.
Louis Musto is a reporter and sports talk host for the Sports Journey Broadcast Network. He is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America. All quotes were acquired first hand or via team press releases unless otherwise noted. You can follow him on Twitter @LouisMusto.