9:30 game, NIT season tipoff in Brooklyn. Memphis and it's 2 ultra talented young stars Jalen Duren and Emoni Bates, 18 and 17 and who otherwise would still be in H.S. going up against a talented, veteran Hokie squad who start 3 seniors and 2 juniors, Aluma, Mutts, and Murphy are 5th year seniors.
We've seen Penny land big-time talent at Memphis before but under him their best conference finish was 3rd and they haven't been to the big dance in 3 seasons.
Mike Young, HC/VATECH is the reigning ACC coach of the year, he spent 17 years at Wofford, Hokies were an NCAA tournament participant last year, and transfer PG/grad student Storm Murphy, 18 PPG, 4.3 assists and 41% 3 pt FG, joins his old coach this season.
Both teams have yet to lose early on but faced clearly inferior opponents so what a great litmus test for both, the Hokies are 5-0 ATS this far. This team will compete for the ACC title, they can shoot the 3, they have a stud big man, 6'9" Aluma, grad student, 2nd team all ACC, 15 PPG, 8 rpg and he can swat shots too, along with early season fav for conference defensive player of the year Justyn Mutts. This is a well rounded team who if they stay healthy will be a force to be reckoned with come March.
Memphis has the future stars but they have questions in the backcourt, Alex Lomax is the starting PG and has been with the Tigers 4 years but he'll need to elevate his play for Memphis to be a national force. Transfer Tyler Harris, Iowa St, returns back to Memphis to add depth but at 5' 9" he'll have defensive challenges.
I look at experience especially early on and the Hokies have that. They're a good passing team too and take care of the ball. Consider Memphis in the last 3 games committed 26, 22, and 18 turnovers, that won't work against quality opposition. The Tigers want to get up and down the court while the Hokies are methodical, so pace of play will be interesting.
This line has been bet from -1 up to -3, Memphis, people luv the highlight team with the future NBA stars easy to be enamored with them but I'll back the better "team" right now getting points, and I like taking points early on, except against Gonzaga, I'm not stupid
HOKIES +3, -110
As always good luck to all and hope you all have alot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving holiday!