The Old Spice Classic is quickly becoming one of ESPN's premier "Feast Week" tournaments, as the "worldwide Leader" will televise all 12 games live from Orlando. The Minnesota Golden Gophers are invited to this year's affair,w here they will open on the afternoon of Thanksgiving against the DePaul Blue Demons. ESPN's writers pick the Gophers as a heavy favorite to win the tournament which features only one team that played in last year's NCAA Tournament:
Don’t be surprised …
... if Trevor Mbakwe averages a double-double and wins the Old Spice's MVP Award. (Fraschilla)
... if a complete wild-card comes out of the bottom part of the bracket. Fairfield has the most talent, but has struggled so far this season. But Dayton, Wake Forest or Arizona State haven't exactly inspired a lot of confidence either. (Katz)
... if Indiana State ends up in the title game. A first-round victory against Texas Tech and a semifinal win against Minnesota are both doable. (King)
The Indiana State Sycamores are the lone team in the field that made last season's NCAA Tournament. They were the surprise winners of the Missouri Valley Conference tournament, but they lost in the first round of the NCAA's to Syracuse.