🚢 College hoops goes nautical

News on nonconference basketball, the Big 12's quest for expansion, the nation's top point guards and more

July 14, 2022

As the college basketball season inches closer, scheduling news and MTE reveals continue to drop. Today’s edition of “Field of 68 Daily” features an update on one of the more notable ones: the return of aircraft carrier basketball — because who didn’t love the bizarreness of the original version in 2011?

Let’s get to the news.

THREE POINTERS

1. Aircraft Carrier basketball is (officially) back!

Rumored to be in the works for weeks, Gonzaga and Michigan State announced they’ll play on November 11 on the USS Abraham Lincoln in San Diego. Maybe it was Maverick who got the deal done.

Teams started aircraft carrier hoops in 2011 — the first Carrier Classic also featured MSU (against North Carolina) — but the showcase stopped after a couple of games got scrapped due to weather issues. It’s worth monitoring again this time around.

Still, it brings a little more shine to early-season college basketball, which is always a plus, given football’s reign over headlines until January. It’s worth experimenting with different avenues to bring different eyes to the glorious sport we love here at the Field of 68.

From a matchup perspective, the Spartans and Bulldogs have different expectations.

They’re two of the sport’s premier brands, but Gonzaga is a top-3 squad, while Michigan State probably isn’t top-25 caliber. Perhaps Jaden Akins emerges as its go-to scorer, but it’s more likely Sparty spends the first few months figuring out their lineup. Meanwhile, Gonzaga will roll out multi-time All-American Drew Timme, and two legit NBA prospects in Julian Strawther and Rasir Bolton.

It’s probably a good thing announcers can focus on the unique court. I would guess Gonzaga opens up as near double-digit betting favorites.

2. Who’s buying what the Big 12 is selling?

During Wednesday’s Big 12 media day, new commissioner Brett Yormark dropped this gem:

“We’re open for business. And optionality is good. And we're vetting through all of them. I think it's fair to say I've received a lot of phone calls, a lot of interest. We're exploring those levels of interest. Nothing is imminent … Sometimes the best deals are the ones that you don't make, because we don't want to just do a deal for sake of the deal. That's not my mindset, and obviously whatever we do needs to be additive and not diluted. But we're being proactive. We're not on our heels. We're engaged in meaningful conversation, and we'll see where it takes us.”

Now, what does that mean? Why would Yormark say that (insert Brian Windhorst meme). Well, Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado, Oregon and Washington were linked to the Big 12 last week, following USC and UCLA’s bolt for the Big Ten. Yormark’s statement confirms the Big 12 would look at any and all potential options to create a super-conference to compete with the Big Ten and SEC, who both add big brands in coming years.

It’s easy to see why schools would find joining the Big 12 intriguing. From a money standpoint, it always starts and ends with football. It’s a league that’s had solid football success recently and they’re the best conference in college basketball. The conference can’t take everybody, but can Yormark expand to 14-ish teams? Surely.

One just hopes the Big 12 maintains its current state of top-flight basketball with any expansion. It does boast the last two national champions and has finished as the top-rated conference in KenPom seven of the last nine seasons.

3. The nation’s top backcourts

We love our countdowns.

Here are Nos. 25-21 and 20-16. Let’s dive a little deeper into the latest post.

Saint Louis pairs facilitator Yuri Collins (11.1 points, 4.1 rebounds and 7.7 assists) with shooter Gibson Jimerson (16.3 points.) Collins is the key here. He does everything for the Billikens, whether it’s scoring, rebounding, passing, or defending. When you add wing Javonte Perkins to the mix, it’s easy to see why SLU could enter the Top 25 at some point this season.

Florida features the first transfer duo on the backcourt rankings. Kyle Lofton spent four years at St. Bonaventure, tallying 1,600 points and 600 assists and one NCAA Tournament appearance. Meanwhile, Will Richard shined at Belmont as a freshman, posting 12.6 points and 6.0 rebounds for the Bruins.

Tyger Campbell never lacked in the playmaking or speed department, but he also never shot above 27 percent from 3 prior to last season. Out of nowhere, Campbell started drilling deep triples, shooting 41 percent from beyond the arc. Joining him at UCLA is five-star recruit Amari Bailey, who looks to replace the scoring production from Johnny Juzang.

Alabama pairs two newcomers: 5-star recruit Jaden Bradley (who looks to find more success than JD Davison did coming out of high school) and Mark Sears (who topped MAC scorers with 19.6 points, while adding 6.0 rebounds and 4.1 assists for Ohio). Sears will have the keys to Nate Oats’ fast-paced offense — at least until Jahvon Quinerly returns from injury.

Arizona point guard Kerr Kriisa might peeve opposing fanbases, but it’s hard to deny his production: 9.7 points, 2.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists, before a nasty ankle injury in the Pac-12 Tournament. A healthy Kriisa could snag all-conference honors. Texas transfer Courtney Ramey brings stability and defense.

Watch The Field of 68 on Instagram and Twitter to see the rest of the guard rankings.

MORE FROM THE ADIDAS 3SSB

Basketball is life

Reed Sheppard is a rising Senior at North Laurel High School in London, Kentucky. His dad, Jeff, won two titles with the ‘Cats in 1996 and 1998. His mom, Stacey, finished among Kentucky’s top 10 all-time leading scorers. Gabe Cupps is a rising senior at Centerville High in Dayton, Ohio. His dad has coached high school hoops for 20 years and is a long-time Indiana fan.

It’s like these two were destined for college hoops. Listen to them explain to Jeff Goodman and Rob Dauster what’s ahead for them in school.

THE FAST BREAK

Links as you Google “The Munsters.”

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