Friday's games
Louisville (3-2) at Old Dominion (2-1), 7 p.m.
If nothing else this should be a fun game to watch, as the Cardinals love to get up and down and shoot 3s (they've made at least 7 in each of their last four games). Heralded freshman point guard Shoni Schimmel in particular can operate with Ticha-like flair and has great range on her 3-ball. Louisville also has a horse inside with preseason All-Big East first teamer Monique Reid (17.2 ppg, 6.0 rpg). Defensively, the Lady Monarchs need to keep the Cardinals' 3-point game in check, and they'll also need a much more committed rebounding effort than they managed in Tuesday's 62-60 loss at N.C. State. Assuming bigs Tia Lewis and Alena Voronina can stay out of foul trouble, they should get it. Then question then becomes, can the Lady Monarchs make enough shots? Several of them are in line for bounce-back games after struggling in Raleigh. Now back in their friendly confines, we expect a few more of their shots to go down. Almost a year ago to the day (Nov. 28, 2009) in Cancun, the Lady Monarchs rallied from 23 down in the first half to get within three before falling 82-75. Lewis and Shadasia Green each scored 24 points. Old Dominion 69, Louisville 63
Radford (1-2) at George Mason (2-2), 7 p.m.
A reunion game of sorts, as Patriots head coach Jeri Porter, point guard Taleia Moton and assistants Greg Pulliam, Jana Ashley and Simone Edwards were all Highlanders three years ago. We doubt the coaching staff has pulled out any ''win one for us" speeches, but they won't have to. The Patriots know the deal and should have plenty of extra juice for this matchup, particularly Moton. While only a few of the current Highlanders played for Porter or with Moton, we expect Radford to come out with something to prove, too. We're just not sure where the points will come from. After struggling offensively throughout the 2009-10 season, the Highlanders are shooting just 30.6 from the field through three games and are 5 of 34 from 3-point range. The Highlanders appear to be working hard at the other end. But it's tough to beat Division I teams when you consistently score in the 40s. George Mason 58, Radford 47
Liberty (2-3) at No. 2 Baylor (5-1), 8 p.m.
The Bears have won their five home games by an average of 42 points, so.... But how often do you get to play against a once-a-generation talent like 6-8 phenom Brittney Griner? Play with confidence and without fear, and let's see what happens. Most of all, enjoy the experience. We suspect that one day, you'll be telling your kids about the time you scored - or even that you got your shot swatted - by Brittney Griner. Baylor 82, Liberty 52
Cancun Thanksgiving Classic, Cancun, Mexico
William and Mary (0-3) vs. Bradley (2-2), 5 p.m.
The Tribe should have an enriching off-the-court experience in Mexico; coach Debbie Taylor typically sees to that. But can they also bring home a W or two? Bradley is solid and guard Raisa Taylor (16.3 ppg, 4.3 apg) is a tough cover, but the Braves are turning it over nearly 25 times a game so an active Tribe defense could pay big dividends. We're used to good Tribe defense, though. It's the offense we wonder about. It would help if Taysha Pye would heat up. The preseason All-CAA first teamer averages 14 ppg but is shooting just 31.8 percent from the field. Typically Pye doesn't really get it going until January. But with the Tribe currently shooting 28.6 percent, here's hoping Pye moves up that timetable this year. Bradley 73, William and Mary 55
Central Florida Thanksgiving Classic, at Central Florida
Richmond (4-1) at Central Florida (1-2), 2:30 p.m.
Credit UCF for putting together a quality field - Michigan State reached the NCAA Tournament last year while Western Kentucky and Richmond were 20-win WNIT qualifiers. UCF showed its toughness by taking JMU to overtime last week in Harrisonburg, and the Knights should be stoked to play at home for the first time this season. Still, the Spiders have already proven they can play well anywhere as their four victories have come at three different sites (Appalachian State, Hampton and Richmond). Win or lose, the Spiders will get a crack at No. 25 Michigan State on Saturday. We're sure they'd love to go into that matchup with the momentum of a four-game winning streak. Richmond 69, UCF 58
In other games involving teams that played Thursday:
Paradise Jam, the Virgin Islands
Virginia (3-2) vs. No. 10 West Virginia (4-0), 2 p.m.
The Cavaliers continue running through their gauntlet of ranked opponents. The Mountaineers easily dispatched TCU on Thursday; the Cavs will try to rebound from a 66-48 loss to Iowa State. West Virginia 75, Virginia 61
Caribbean Challenge, Riviera Maya, Mexico
Montana (2-2) vs. James Madison (2-2), 5 p.m.
The Dukes narrowly missed springing the upset over Iowa Thursday. The Grizzlies were supposed to face Purdue Thursday night before Boilermakers guard Drey Mingo contracted meningitis and the team canceled its trip. Montana will now face Florida Gulf Coast on Saturday. James Madison 66, Montana 56
No. 20 Iowa (6-0) vs. Virginia Tech (4-1), 7:30 p.m.
A day after their 73-65 loss to Florida Gulf Coast, the Hokies face an even stiffer test with the unbeaten Hawkeyes. Iowa 77, Virginia Tech 58
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