Hey Karma Nation, it’s your resident CBB expert BetKarmaGreg here. The annual Gavitt Tipoff Games start today, which consists of eight Big Ten vs Big East campus games that will take place this week. The first one on the slate is DePaul vs Iowa at 8pm EST in Iowa City and can be seen on Fox Sports 1.
DePaul
The 2019-20 Blue Demons have the most talented roster Dave Leitao has ever had in Chicago. Junior point guard Charlie Moore, who transferred from Kansas, is coming off a 27-point game Friday and is shooting a remarkable 67% from three point range through the first three games. Freshman Romeo Weems is an athletic, lengthy defender was a top fifty recruit who received offers from Michigan State, Michigan, Oregon, Iowa and others. Jalen Coleman-Lands, another former top-100 recruit, returns for his senior season after missing most of last season with a broken hand. The front court is the real question mark for this squad. 6’9” Paul Reed has anchored the front court well through three games nearly averaging a double-double, albeit in ‘cupcake’ games. Iowa will be a huge jump in the level of competition in the paint.
Iowa
The Hawkeyes return a nice core from last year’s NCAA Tournament team with Joe Wieskamp, Luka Garza, and Jordan Bohannon still easing his way back towards starting minutes after rehabbing from hip surgery. I do think it will take some time before Iowa can rely on Bohannon’s clutch shots from deep that consistency showed up in highlight reels last season. Coach Fran McCaffrey keeps it a real family affair with his son Connor returning and welcoming his younger brother Patrick in as a freshman.
The Matchup
Both of these teams will showcase their ability to score this season, and both have real concerns defensively. Moore should be able to score with relative ease to keep DePaul in this game. Iowa’s offense will depend on free throws again this season, as they visit the charity stripe more than most other teams in the country and they sink them at a high percentage. 6’11”, 260 pound Garza made 80% of his free throws last year. However, DePaul actually did a great job last season in limiting opponents’ trips to the free throw line.
This is the fourth game in a week for DePaul, so that could mean they’ve had a chance to shake the rust off, or it could mean tired legs. If freshman Weems can defend without fouling in his first real test, it would force Iowa to depend on sinking outside shots or getting Garza to the line often.
The Spread
Iowa is a 9-point home favorite over DePaul. I have a pick on this game, but you’ll have to check out BetKarma Premium in order to see my pick, gain access to all premium articles, and get in on the 24/7 college basketball chat with fellow members and staff.
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