Every weekday, a panel of our college hoops experts discusses the biggest issues, trends and themes in and around college basketball.
Andy Katz: Texas. Cal could easily take down the Longhorns. I would also watch out for UConn in Puerto Rico. The Huskies have flirted with danger so far this season.
Myron Medcalf: Boise State possesses an offense that's ranked 25th in adjusted efficiency, per Ken Pomeroy. It's never easy to win in Madison, and the Badgers are one of the best teams in America. But the Broncos will put up a fight at the Kohl Center.
C.L. Brown: Virginia is at home, but George Washington is sneaky good. With the return of a healthy Kethan Savage, and a healthy-sized chip on their collective shoulder, the Colonials will be looking to make a statement.
Katz: Youth. Remember, Florida had one of the more experienced teams last season. This Gators team needs time to mature and develop as well as get healthy and have everyone eligible.
Medcalf: They're just inexperienced at most positions. Kasey Hill had a bunch of veterans with him last season. That made his job much easier. Chris Walker has to play a bigger role. Even the guys who are back -- Michael Frazier II, Dorian Finney-Smith -- are carrying more weight this season. It's an adjustment for the whole crew.
Brown: I don't really think Florida has any bigger problems right now than any other team at this point in the season. The Gators started last season similarly, and we won't see how good they can be until they get all their missing players back on the court together.
Katz: Nope. This Davidson team isn't ready for prime time yet, and the Tar Heels have one of the best perimeters in the game. This should be a good prep for Atlantis since UNC will see different styles in the Bahamas.
Medcalf: Nah. This isn't De'Mon Brooks & Co. I think UNC will pull away early against a Davidson team that can't match the Heels' size and skill inside.
Brown: If the Tar Heels do, it's a problem. North Carolina shouldn't have the same problems with consistency that it had last season. As for Davidson, this isn't a senior-laden team that Bob McKillop can shape into a giant killer. It's a fledgling group getting ready for its first year in the Atlantic 10.
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After coming up empty against Syracuse in their two previous meetings, the Golden Bears broke through in a big way on Thursday and punched their ticket to the 2K Classic final, where they'll face Myles Turner and Texas.
Everyone knows about North Carolina guard Marcus Paige, but it was the Tar Heels' front line of Brice Johnson and Kennedy Meeks who combined for 44 points in their win over Robert Morris.
The Friars get a quasi-home game here while Notre Dame is out to prove it isn't as far out of the ACC arms race as many think. Fighting Irish forward Zach Auguste is averaging 20 points per game.
How about @calbasketball - Big win tonight over Syracuse. Proud to be a Bear!
— Kevin Johnson (@KJ_MayorJohnson) Nov. 20 2014Andy Katz and Seth Greenberg check in with newsmakers from around college basketball.