Happy new season! In amidst tonight's sea of 25-point blowouts, made-for-TV dramas and vague semi-regional rivalries: an intriguing MAC-MAAC city game. Mid-American finalist Buffalo moves forward without league POY Turner Battle, and desperately needs a heart transplant. Early donor pick: last year's backup sparkplug, Calvin Cage.
On the other side, this could be the year the Golden Griffins flap upwards through the soft middle of the Metro Atlantic. Look for 6-3 senior combo Kevin Downey (16.5 ppg/5.6 rpg) to make an impact.
