City of Basketball Love

Will Slover (@WillSlover31)
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It's the return of Tipping Off, our semi-regular morning feature, which we'll use to preview nights with multiple local games throughout the season, as well as take a look at other goings-on in the local hoops world.

Here’s a look at tonight’s trio of games involving City 6 teams:

No. 4 VIllanova (1-0) @ No. 15 Purdue (1-0)
Where: Mackey Arena; Purdue, Illinois
When: 7:00 PM
Watch It: Big Ten Network

The Skinny: The first matchup between nationally ranked squads during the 2016-17 season will definitely be one to tune into as the reigning National Champions travel to face the Boilermakers in the second annual Gavitt Tipoff Games. Villanova, who is coming off of an 88-48 win over Lafayette on Friday, will have to maintain the balance that they showed in their first win if they want to overcome this tough Purdue squad. A standout for the Cats in their recent win was junior forward Mikal Bridges, who turned in a 16 point, eight rebound and four assist performance in just 20 minutes of actions. The Wildcats will have their hands full with Caleb Swanigan, who was in the running for All-America and Conference Player of the Year Candidate along with being selected for the NBA Draft Combine before electing to come back and enter his sophomore year. Swanigan was one of four Boilermakers to score over 15 points in their 109-65 win over McNeese State on Friday.

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Saint Joseph’s (1-0) vs. Columbia (1-0)
Where: Hagan Arena; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
When: 7:00 PM
Watch It: N/A

The Skinny: After getting career-high scoring performances from junior guard Shavar Newkirk (28 points) and sophomore guard Lamarr Kimble (16 points) in their 77-76 win over Toledo on Saturday night, the Hawks will look to see the rest of their squad step up when they take on Columbia. For a Hawks team that doesn’t start any seniors, look for Newkirk and Kimble to handle most of the scoring duties, with the athletic freshman Charlie Brown coming more into his own after a slow start scoring, but still findings ways to contribute to his team’s win. For Columbia, first year head coach Jim Engles kicked off his tenure for the Lions with a 73-66 win over Stony Brook. Carrying the load for Columbia was senior forward Luke Petrasek, who turned in a 20-point performance in just 22 minutes played. The 6-10 big man will present match-up problems for the Hawks, whose tallest starter is just 6-7 in sophomore forward Markell Lodge.

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Temple (1-0) vs. New Hampshire (1-0)
Where: Liacouras Center; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
When: 7:00 PM
Watch It: ESPN3

The Skinny: Offense was not an issue for the Owls in their season-opening 97-92 overtime win over Big 5 opponent La Salle, and they will hope to carry their hot hands into their second game of the young season. Daniel Dingle, Obi Enechionyia, Levan Alston, Ernest Aflakpui, Quinton Rose and Mark Williams all scored double digits. With the absence of Trey Lowe and Josh Brown, Temple coach Fran Dunphy looked to other players for contributions and that’s exactly what he got. New Hampshire comes into this game hot off of an 85-60 triumph over Lesley University on Friday. The Wildcats had four double digit scorers of their own, but none with a more effective performance than senior guard Jaleen Smith, who turned in a 20-point, 10-assist game to kick off his final campaign.