NCAAB December 9 Previews

Look, Gonzaga might not be the juggernaut they were in the 2021 undefeated run, but Mark Few still knows how to build a squad that can absolutely torch you from everywhere on the floor. The Zags are 8-2 heading into this one, and McCarthey Athletic Center is going to be absolutely electric. Oregon State is coming in with a 5-5 record, and honestly, they've shown flashes of competence but nothing that suggests they can hang with a top-20 team on the road.

Here's the thing about Gonzaga this year - they're shooting 38% from three as a team, and when you combine that with their ability to push tempo, it creates mismatches that mid-major programs simply can't handle. Oregon State has been decent defensively in their wins, but those came against teams ranked outside the top 150 in KenPom. This is a different animal entirely. The Bulldogs' frontcourt is going to feast inside, and their guards will have open looks all night.

The Kennel is one of the toughest places to play in all of college basketball, and the Beavers are walking into a buzzsaw. Gonzaga should control this from the opening tip, and I'd expect them to build a double-digit lead by halftime. Oregon State will compete, but the talent gap is too significant. This spread feels about right - Gonzaga wins comfortably but probably doesn't blow it out of the water.

There's something special about Georgetown-Syracuse games, even when neither program is at their peak. This rivalry runs deep - we're talking about decades of history, memorable games, and genuine animosity between the fanbases. Syracuse has been playing better than expected this year at 7-3, while Georgetown is sitting at 6-4 and still trying to find consistency under Ed Cooley. The Dome is going to be rocking for this one, and that crowd factor matters.

Syracuse's 2-3 zone continues to give opposing offenses fits, especially when they haven't seen it recently. Georgetown has the offensive talent to attack it, but they've been turnover-prone this season, averaging nearly 14 per game. That's a recipe for disaster against a zone that extends and traps. The Hoyas need to be patient, move the ball, and hit the high-post shots when they're open. Easier said than done with 20,000 screaming fans in your face.

I love Syracuse at home in rivalry games. The Orange have won four straight in this series, and they've got the experience and crowd advantage to make it five. Georgetown will hang around because they've got pride and talent, but Syracuse should pull away in the second half when the zone starts to wear on the Hoyas' legs. This is a classic Big East slugfest waiting to happen.

This is going to be a grinder. Iowa State and Creighton both play elite defense, both have disciplined offenses, and neither team is going to give you easy buckets. The Cyclones are 8-2 at home where Hilton Coliseum creates one of the most intimidating atmospheres in the country. That place gets LOUD, and opposing teams have struggled to communicate on defense. Creighton comes in at 7-3, battle-tested from a tough non-conference schedule.

T.J. Otzelberger has built Iowa State into a defensive monster. They're holding opponents to under 63 points per game and forcing turnovers at an elite rate. The Cyclones don't need to score 80 to win - they grind you down, make you take tough shots, and capitalize on your mistakes. Creighton is similar in philosophy but perhaps a tick more talented offensively. Greg McDermott's squad can shoot the lights out on any given night, but they need clean possessions to do it.

I'm expecting a rock fight here. Both teams are going to struggle to score, and this one might come down to who hits free throws in the final five minutes. Iowa State's home-court advantage is significant, but Creighton is battle-tested. The under looks appealing given both defensive profiles, and I think Iowa State's physicality eventually wears down the Bluejays. Close game, but the Cyclones find a way at home.

Tennessee has been a revelation this season, racing out to a 9-1 start and looking like a legitimate Final Four contender. Rick Barnes has this squad playing championship-caliber defense, and Thompson-Boling Arena is going to be absolutely rocking for this SEC showdown. Florida comes in at 7-3, a solid start under Todd Golden, but the Gators haven't faced anything like what they're about to walk into in Knoxville.

Here's what makes Tennessee so dangerous - they don't just beat you, they suffocate you. The Volunteers are holding opponents to 58 points per game, the second-best mark in the country. Their length on the perimeter disrupts passing lanes, and their bigs protect the rim at an elite level. Florida has the offensive talent to compete, but can they handle the physicality and intensity that Tennessee brings every single possession? That's the question.

I love Tennessee at home in games like this. The crowd is going to be into it from the opening tip, and the Volunteers have a way of making opponents uncomfortable. Florida will compete because Golden has instilled toughness in this program, but Tennessee's defense is just too good. Expect a low-scoring affair where the Vols pull away in the second half. The spread is probably right - Tennessee wins by 8-10.