CBE Classic : Preview and Predictions

It’s that time of the year again; the early season basketball tournaments are about to get underway. This is the best week in college basketball until March comes. Here at Roundballchat I will be previewing each of the major tournaments and giving my predictions has to who will win the tournament. I will also give my season previews for each of the major teams involved.

Next up is the CBE Classic. There are two games on Monday and the winners will meet on Tuesday for the championship. Check out my previews and predictions below.

Semifinals

Missouri vs. Notre Dame – Even without inured star Laurence Bowers, Missouri still has a lot more talent than the Irish. Marcus Denmon and Michael Dixon will lead the Tigers past Notre Dame. Notre Dame lacks the star power they had last season.

California vs. Georgia– This is a rebuilding year for the Bulldogs, and this is California year to do things. The Cal Bears should roll in this one shouldn’t even be close.

Championship

Missouri vs. California- California probably has three of the most talented underated players in the country playing for them. Leading the way is star guard Jorge Gutierrez. Allen Crabbe and Harper Kamp can also score it. Here is where the lose of Bowers hurts Misssouri. The Cal Bears win the CBE Classic championship.

Season Team Previews

California

Coach: Mike Montgomery (Three seasons at California 64-37), overall, 420-220, 20 years

2010-11: Record: 18-15 overall, 10-8 in Pac 12 (Tie/4th)

Starters Returning (4) Jorge Gutierrez, Brandon Smith, Harper Kamp, Allen Crabbe

The Golden Bears return their top 3 scorers, who all scored more than 13 points per game. The heart and soul of their team is guard Jorge Gutierrez (14.6 ppg). He led them in points, steals and assists last season. He knows how to get to the free throw line. Brandon Smith (6.4 ppg) also returns at point guard; he is a good shooter. Look for Minnesota transfer Justin Cobbs to compete for playing time with Smith. Providing depth in the backcourt will be redshirt freshman Alex Rossi and Emerson Murray (1 ppg). Allen Crabbe (13.4 ppg) was the conference Freshman of the Year last season. He’s Cal’s best three point shooter at the small forward position. Harper Kamp (14.2 ppg ) leads the way in the frontcourt. Kamp is a smart player that produces every game. Joining him up front will be Richard Solomon (5.6 ppg), who will put up better numbers with more playing time. Depth up front might be an issue for Cal. They brought in two freshman David Kravish and Christian Behrens. Bak Bak (2.6 ppg) has some playing experience.

Missouri

Coach: Frank Haith (First season at Missouri), overall, 129-101, 7 years

2010-11: Record: 23-11 overall, 8-8 in Big 12 (Tie/5th)

Starters Returning (4) Kim English, Marcus Denmon, Ricardo Ratliffe, Michael Dixon

New head coach Frank Haith walks into a pretty good situation. They lose one quality player from last year’s team and they also lose a player to injury for this season. Will Haith’s problems at Miami come back to haunt him? Marcus Denmon (16.9 ppg) is the Tigers best player; he is lethal from the three-point line. Joining him in the backcourt is point guard Michael Dixon (10.3 ppg) who is a very crafty player. Brothers Phil (6.5 ppg) and Matt Pressey (5.7 ppg) are two great backups. Jarrett Sutton  (.8 ppg) might also get some time. In fact Phil led the team in assists last year. Kim English (10 ppg) is a great athlete at small forward. The Tigers took a big blow in the frontcourt when Laurence Bowers (11.6 ppg) tore his ACL and is out for the season. Now Ricardo Ratliffe (10.6 ppg) is the leader in the frontcourt. He was the top freshman in the Big 12 last season. Now with Bowers injury, Steve Moore (2 ppg) will likely start at center. If there is a weakness for the Tigers it is their depth in the frontcourt. Providing the only real depth is freshman Kadeem Green.

Notre Dame

Coach: Mike Brey (11 seasons at Notre Dame 237-119), overall 336-171, 16 years

2010-11 Record: 27-7 overall, 14-4 in Big East (2nd)

Starters Returning (2) Scott Martin, Tim Abromaitis

Head coach Mike Brey was the Big East Coach of the Year last year, if his team finishes in the top 4 in the Big East he will get that award again. The Irish lose 3 of their top 5 scorers. Tim Abromaitis (15.4 ppg) is a big guy who can really stroke it from three. He’s a pretty good rebounder too; he was second on the team last year. He is suspended for the first 4 games of this season because of a silly  NCAA rule. Jack Cooley (3.7 ppg) is a big body at center; he will have to score more. The Irish really lack quality depth here. Mike Broghammer (1.8 ppg) and Tom Knight (1.4 ppg) will be the back ups. Scott Martin (9.7 ppg) is a very solid player at small forward. Backing him up will be talented freshman Patrick Connaughton. Point Guard Eric Atkins (5.8 ppg) will lead the backcourt; he was second on the team in assists last year. Redshirt freshman Jerian Grant should get the nod at shooting guard. The Irish really have no depth in the backcourt especially at point guard. Alex Dragicevich (1.4 ppg) and Joey Brooks (1.6 ppg) will see some minutes.

Georgia

Coach: Mark Fox (Two seasons 35-29), overall 158-72, 7 years

2010-11 Record: 21-12 overall, 9-7 in SEC (Tie 3rd/ East)

Starters Returning (2) Dustin Ware, Gerald Robinson

The Bulldogs played well late to reach the NCAA tournament, but now 3 of their top 4 scorers are gone. The Bulldogs best returning player is versatile guard Gerald Robinson (12.2 ppg). He knows how to get assists and he can attack the basket. Joining him in the backcourt is point guard Dustin Ware (8 ppg). He has led the SEC in assist turnover ratio the last two seasons. The primary backups here will be Sherrard Brantley (2.9ppg) and Vincent Williams (.7 ppg). Starting at the three for the Bulldogs will be highly touted Kentavious Caldwell. He is a very deadly shooter. Backing him up will be Connor Nolte (1.7 ppg). Georgia does not have a lot of experience returning upfront. Marcus Thornton (1.5 ppg) will have to score more at power forward. The starting center spot is up for grabs. The options are Donte’ Williams (.8 ppg), JUCO transfer John Florveus and freshman John Cannon and Tim Dixon. Fellow freshman Nemanja Djurisic will get some minutes at small forward.

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Tags: California, CBE Classic, Missouri