After last year’s thrilling final between Vanderbilt and Oregon State in the Legends Classic, we can only expect another exciting finale to one college basketball’s premier early-season events. This year’s edition of the Legends Classic once again features some of the nation’s best college basketball teams. Indiana, UCLA, Georgetown and Georgia will all compete for the Legends Classic crown in this college basketball preview at the brand-new Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
Since its inaugural year in 2007, the event has been held in New Jersey, but with the Nets’ move for the 2012 season, college basketball in Brooklyn is finally a reality. Who will become the next legends of college basketball? We will find out on November 19th and 20th.
Two of the nation’s most storied basketball programs will square off in the first semi-final game as UCLA battles Georgetown. UCLA basketball is known for its big name players and this year the Bruins will hope to make some new legends out their highly-touted recruiting class, which many experts consider to be the best in the country. Having produced the likes of Patrick Ewing and Allen Iverson, Georgetown basketball is no stranger to high-profile stars either. This year’s Hoyas squad will storm the hardwood of the Barclays Center will a wealth of returning talent that finished last season with a 24-9 record. The winner of this highly-anticipated bout will advance to the Legends Classic final on Nov. 20.
The second semi-final matchup will be just as intense and as competitive with Indiana taking on Georgia. Indiana University basketball has its own unique and rich history that’s winning tradition continued with another stellar season last year. The Hoosiers are returning many of its stars from the 2011-2012 season, including its leading scorer, Cody Zeller, who is entering just his sophomore season. Coming out of the other tunnel will be the fierce and young Georgia Bulldog squad who will be looking to make a splash in the SEC this season. Georgia basketball may not be synonymous with excellence yet, but this fiery 2012-2013 team is likely to change that. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope averaged 13.2 points per game in his freshman season and will only be an improved leader for the Dogs coming into this year’s Legends Classic. Whoever survives this fight will live to play the winner of UCLA-Georgetown for the chance to rule the Barclays Center as Legends Classic Champions.
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