Oral Roberts (0-0) vs. Missouri State (0-0)
JQH Arena; Springfield, MO
8:35 pm CT
Missouri State was able to make some noise last year, even though they had a very young squad. Well, the Bears, including team leader Kyle Weems, are a year older and ready to make some more noise in the MVC. Tabbed to finish second by the coaches, Coach Martin will look to get off on the right foot as they play host to Oral Roberts.
Oral Roberts will enter Friday’s game with thoughts of NCAA tournament in their heads. Picked to finish second in the Summit League, the Golden Eagles should provide a good test for the Bears. This will not be a walk in the park for either side.
TexasA&M-Kingsville (0-0) vs. Bradley (0-0)
Carver Arena; Peoria, IL
8:05 pm CT
Picked 5thin the Valley Pre-Season Poll, Bradley seems to be one of those middle of the pack Valley teams. Unfortunately, with an exhibition loss to Quincy, they seem to be on the lower end to start the season. They will host Texas A&M-Kingsville tonight, who also lost their last exhibition game. The only difference is a team like Kingsville is supposed to lose. We will see if the Braves can get the season started off right tonight.
Syracuse (0-0) vs. Northern Iowa (0-0)
Carrier Dome; Syracuse, NY
7:oo pm ET
ESPN3.com
The Panthers will be playing their second consecutive game in a dome dating back to last season’s Sweet Sixteen game in the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis. They lose three key seniors in Ali F., player of the year Adam Koch, and Jordan Eglseder. Other key members from last year’s tournament run return including preseason All-MVC guard Kwadzo Ahelegbe. Ben Jacobson has a young roster, he’ll need leadership right off the bat to get his team into shape.
Syracuse continues to be at or near the top of attendance in the country. It won’t be an easy trip for Panthers. While the Orangemen lost three seniors of their own, including former ISU Cyclone and current Minnesota Timberwolve Wes Johnson, Jim Boeheim is able to go out and recruit 7-ft guys named Fab Melo. Remember last season Syracuse lost an exhibition to Le Moyne. This isn’t an exhibition game, but don’t count the Panthers out due to their defense.
Indiana St. (0-0) vs. Texas – Pan American (0-0)
Gentile Center; Chicago, IL
5:05 pm CT
Nick Kladis Classic
Coach Greg Lansing takes over as head coach for the Sycamores after former coach Kevin McKenna went to Oregon. Picked 7th in the preseason polls, Lansing has a chance to fly under the radar in his first season. With a healthy Jake Kelly back and Jordan Printy stroking it from the outside, McKenna did not leave the cupboard bare. It’s the first meeting between the schools in the inaugural Nick Kladis Classic where ISU will play three games in three days. Kladis is a former Loyola-Chicago All-American who passed away last November at the age of 81.
