The 2024 Fort Myers Tip-Off will feature four Power 5 Conference Teams in a tournament-style play (Beach Division) on Monday, Nov. 25, and Wednesday, Nov. 27.
Michigan is taking on Virginia Tech at 6:00 PM EST Monday, and South Carolina faces off against Xavier at 8:30 PM EST Monday.
5 Players to Watch
Tre Donaldson (Michigan)
A strong physical guard who loves to go downhill, Donaldson leads this Wolverine squad with 13.8 points per game and 4.6 assists per game. He’s also shooting a spectacular 62.2% from the field, and 52.9% from beyond the arc. The junior guard has the potential to take Michigan all the way in Fort Myers.
Ryan Conwell (Xavier)
The Indiana State transfer has wasted no time getting comfortable in Cincinnati. Conwell averages 18.2 points a game, while making four threes a game. He’s made 20 of 38 threes on the young season, shooting a blistering 52.6%. He’s the head of the snake that is the Xavier offense, a top 10 three-point shooting team in the country.
Zach Freemantle (Xavier)
Welcome back to college basketball Zach Freemantle. After missing the last 15 games of the ‘22-’23 season and the entire ‘23-’24 season due to a leg injury and multiple surgeries, Freemantle is finally ready to get back in action. Voted Preseason All-Big East Second Team, this 6’ 9” senior already averages 15.6 points and 7.2 rebounds a game. He was a key player that brought the Musketeers to the Sweet 16 two seasons ago, and he’ll be a key again if Xavier wants to dance in March Madness.
Collin Murray-Boyles (South Carolina)
This 6’ 7” sophomore forward is an extremely efficient rebounder and scorer inside. Murray-Boyles averages 16.2 points a game on 63.8% shooting (40th best in the country), and 9.4 rebounds a game (33rd best in the country). The Columbia native’s skills and size down low could lead South Carolina to some wins in Southwest Florida.
Mylyjael Poteat (Virginia Tech)
Poteat’s a 6’ 9” senior guard averaging 13.6 points a game, leading all Hokies scorers. He shot at least 50% from the floor in 28 games last season. With new faces in Blacksburg, games will be won and lost on the shoulders of Poteat. If Virginia Tech wants to shock this field, they’ll need all they can get from the Rice transfer.
Game Predictions
2024 Ft. Myer’s Tip-Off Predictions – Semifinals
Michigan (4-1) vs Virginia Tech (3-2) – Nov. 25 at 6 p.m. EST on FS1
The Wolverines are a top 10 team in the country in field goal percentage, which has led them to their 4-1 record. Their lone loss game in Greensboro to Wake Forest by 2. Former FAU Head Coach Dusty May makes his return to Florida to see if he can get some quality wins to get Michigan back to the big dance.
The Hokies, voted to finish 14th in the ACC this season, have started off rocky, losing to Penn State on a neutral court by double digits, and losing a buy-game to Jacksonville in Blacksburg. Virginia Tech hasn’t been great the last two seasons, but they’ve been dominant at home (28-6). If they can’t win in Cassell Coliseum this season, I can’t see this trip to Fort Myers going well. One of the faster paced teams in the country in Michigan, should take care of business vs one of the slower teams in Virginia Tech.
Prediction: Michigan by 15
2024 Ft. Myer’s Tip-Off Predictions – Semifinals
South Carolina (3-2) vs. #22 Xavier (5-0) – Nov. 25 at 8:30 p.m. EST on FS1
The Gamecocks started the season with a loss in a buy-game to North Florida (a pretty great mid-major team), but have righted the ship with double digit wins over the rest of their mid-major slate. But they couldn’t handle the Hoosiers in Bloomington, losing by 16.
Xavier on the other hand has smoked their competition, even beating Top 3 ACC Preseason team Wake Forest by 15. Xavier is the best passing team in the country, leading the country with 21.8 assists per game, and a team that shoots the ball extremely well from deep (43.4% – Top 10 in the country). Xavier will be too much for South Carolina, unless the Gamecocks can control the one category they might have an advantage – the glass. But I don’t think it will be enough.
Prediction: Xavier by 14
2024 Ft. Myer’s Tip-Off Predictions – Championship
Michigan vs. #22 Xavier – Nov. 27 at 8:30 p.m. EST on FS1
These two teams are pushing to make it back to March Madness after both taking last year off (and one more for the Wolverines). They’ve both played a common opponent – Wake Forest. One lost to them by 2 on a neutral site, and beat them at home by 15. Xavier was the winner, and Michigan the loser. The Musketeers are the best passing team in the country, leading them to great shots (making them a Top 10 three point shooting team in the country). Coach May will keep the Wolverines around if they can continue to shoot efficiently (Top 7 in the country in field goal percentage), but I think the X-Men will be too much.
Prediction: Xavier by 5