Rant Sports NCAAB Season Preview: CBE Hall of Fame Classic


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Early season tournaments continue to emerge and increase from a competition standpoint. Non-conference schedules have gotten tougher and college basketball fans prepare for premier match-ups and upsets even in November.

Let’s take a look at the CBE Hall of Fame Classic.

 

Tournament Date(s): November 9-21, 2012.

Tournament Location(s): Sprint Center, Kansas City, MO.

Tournament Field: Kansas, Saint Louis, Texas A&M, Washington St., Southeast Missouri St., Chattanooga, Troy, USC Upstate, Santa Clara, Louisiana Tech, Eastern Washington, and Utah Valley.

 

Tournament Summary: The CBE Hall of Fame Classic features a very interesting championship round that could lead to an enticing final. Of course, Kansas vs. Saint Louis is the matchup everyone wants to see. Even after losing Thomas Robinson and Tyshawn Taylor, the Jayhawks reload, as usual. Elijah Johnson and Jeff Withy will be the stalwarts, while Connor Teahan and Travis Releford will step up. As for the Billikens, they had a fantastic season last year and return three of their top four players in Kwamain Mitchell, Cody Ellis, and Dwayne Evans. They’ll dedicate this season to head coach Rick Marjerus.The Aggies and Cougars both had season to forget and are looking to improve. Brock Motum will be a beast down low for Washington St., while the senior duo of Elston Turner and Ray Turner should turn some heads in the Big 12.

 

Player to Watch: Elijah Johnson, Kansas: The senior guard was a revelation in the Big 12 and NCAA tournament last year. Johnson excelled at getting to the basket and made some huge plays. This year, he’ll be the main man with Robinson and Taylor gone. His speed will be an asset and his experience is a microcosm of Jayhawk basketball. Look for head coach Bill Self to be smiling again as Kansas follows Johnson’s lead.

 

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