Author: Jack Culberson
Holiday Hoopsgiving was created as a highschool showcase in 2013 by Christopher Williams to show off the great future talent in the sport of basketball. In recent years college teams have started to participate in the showcase as well. Holiday Hoopsgiving is considered to be a top 5 Thanksgiving showcase in the country. Holiday Hoopsgiving takes place in the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia, but it features teams from all over the country. The highschool teams played on November 25 and 26. The college teams will play on December 10 and there will be one game on December 18. All games will be displayed on ESPN networks.
The matchups for December 10 include:
Tulane vs. Buffalo at 11:30am est
Wake Forest vs. LSU at 2:00pm est
Memphis vs. Auburn at 5:00pm est
Clemson vs. Loyola Chicago 7;30pm est
The matchup for December 18:
Georgia vs. Notre Dame 5:30pm est
A closer look into each game:
Tulane vs. Buffalo - Tulane is currently 5-2 and playing great basketball. The games they have lost have been close ones that could have easily gone their way. Buffalo is currently 3-4, but they have lost to good basketball teams. They have been playing solid basketball as well, so it is setting up to be a great game to open up Holiday Hoopsgiving.
Wake Forest vs. LSU - Wake Forest is currently 6-1 and although they haven’t played great basketball teams, they are taking advantage of their schedule and playing good basketball. LSU is almost in the exact same boat as Wake Forest. They are currently 6-1 as well and they are making the most out of their weaker schedule. This game should be really good as both of these teams are evenly matched and have been playing similar basketball.
Memphis vs. Auburn - Memphis is currently 4-2 and they have beat some solid teams. They lost both of their games by 5 or less points, and overall they have been playing good basketball. Auburn is currently 7-0 and playing great basketball. They are currently ranked 15 in the country and they deserve every part of that ranking. This game might not be as good as some of the others, but it will still be a must watch.
Clemson vs. Loyola Chicago - Clemson is currently 6-2 and playing great basketball. They have lost to two solid basketball teams, and they only lost one basket in each game. Loyola Chicago is currently 2-4, but they have lost to solid teams. Loyola is not having an amazing season, but they can definitely bounce back. This game could be really good as well, but Clemson is most likely favored.
Georgia vs. Notre Dame - Georgia is currently 5-2 and they have been playing good basketball. The Bulldogs can definitely be a surprise team this year. Notre Dame is currently 5-1 and they have been playing good basketball as well. This game has potential to be very good, and hopefully it is since it is the only one being played on December 18.