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Every weekday, a panel of our college hoops experts discusses the biggest issues, trends and themes happening in and around college basketball.
1. Any chance Richard Pitino's Minnesota team upsets Rick Pitino's Louisville team?
Andy Katz: After watching both teams practice here in Puerto Rico, there is no way you would pick Minnesota. The Cardinals were getting after it, trapping and pushing the basketball while the Gophers were a bit sluggish. But a lot of that was because the Cardinals practiced early while Minnesota went to the beach and had a heavy lunch prior to practice. Minnesota will need to board to win, and that means containing Montrezl Harrell.
Eamonn Brennan: Beyond the obvious fact that anything can happen in any 40-minute basketball game -- especially on the first night of the season -- the Gophers absolutely have a chance to spring the upset. Minnesota's backcourt is its greatest strength, and one that gives you a chance against the up-tempo Louisville pressure. Andre Hollins and Deandre Mathieu have to limit their turnovers, but sure, Minnesota has a shot.
Myron Medcalf: Definitely a chance. The Gophers finished the season strong, and they didn't even have Hollins at 100 percent down the stretch. Now that Hollins is healthy, Minnesota will be a better team. The Gophers can stretch the floor (37.2 percent from beyond the arc in the postseason last year) with Hollins and Mathieu, and they're big inside with Mo Walker and Elliott Eliason. An upset could happen.
2. Of all the other teams in action on opening night, which one has you the most interested?
Katz: The Georgia-Georgia Tech game slipped in there without much fanfare. This is a game between two teams with realistic NCAA aspirations. Georgia has a bit more experience, but the Yellow Jackets have key transfers. This is the type of game which could have March significance for the winner.
Brennan: I'm interested in VCU, not just because it's the only other ranked team with a semi-interesting opponent (Tennessee), but also because the Rams' rotation could be fascinating. This group may well be Shaka Smart's deepest and most talented, and it wouldn't be totally shocking if Smart played his 10th and 11th guys off the bench with some regularity.
Medcalf: I want to see Arizona with a healthy Brandon Ashley and a talented freshman in Stanley Johnson. It'll be interesting to see what Sean Miller does with Johnson. He can play shooting guard, but he's probably a more natural small forward. Although Rondae Hollis-Jefferson has an argument for that slot.
3. Of all the players in action Friday night, which one can you not wait to see for the first time this season?
Katz: Michigan State's Branden Dawson. He needs to be more assertive for the Spartans to make a real run this season. He should be able to put up huge numbers at Navy.
Brennan: Jahlil Okafor was the only player rated more highly than Texas' Myles Turner in the incoming recruiting class -- and Okafor looks like the player of the year front-runner, so that's saying something -- but Turner's challenge is to fit into a crowded Longhorns frontcourt, and that makes his debut slightly more intriguing. Compared to many of the freshmen, I'm not sure we know quite as much about just how good he'll be right away. But I'm excited to find out.
Medcalf: Tyler Ulis might be the most important player on Kentucky's roster. He's the engine for the second wave in Calipari's platoon system, and he might be the best point guard on that talented roster. The platoon system only works if Ulis is efficient and consistent.
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