1. Anaheim Ducks vs. Pittsburgh Penguins
XFINTY’s #5ToFollow - Monday, November 18
Vance McCullough, the voice of @XFINITYSports, delivers his analysis of the five key games to watch online, paired with five Twitter follows to give you insider information on the matchup. Have a matchup that you’d like Vance to feature? Tweet @XFINITYSports with the hashtag #5ToFollow.
Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Details: Monday, November 18 @ 7:30 PM ET - CONSOL Energy Center - Pittsburgh, PA
Watch Here: NBCSN with XFINITY
Why Watch: The Hart Memorial Trophy isn’t something taken lightly, and we’re getting the best seat in the house for two candidates facing off Monday night. The Ducks center, Ryan Getzlaf, has had a hot stick lately with four goals and three assists in his last three games - MVP candidate. Sidney “The Kid” Crosby would be adding another trophy to his mantle, and he’s looking to build upon an impressive early season start (25 points on 9 goals/16 assists). This is a can’t miss matchup, so make sure you’re streaming the #NHLonNBC.
#5ToFollow Insider: Tim Kavanagh - @timjkavanagh
An ESPN Insider and Fantasy associate editor, Kavanagh is your Twitter encyclopedia for the stats of the NHL this season. Make sure you’re following if your a fan of the #Ducks, #Pens, or fantasy hockey.
Follow: @timjkavanagh
2. New England Patriots vs. Carolina Panthers
Details: Monday, November 18 @ 8:30 PM ET - Bank of America Stadium - Charlotte, NC
Watch Here: ESPN on XFINITY
Why Watch: The battle of the quarterbacks is a common them in the NFL, but this primetime matchup is one of the best you’ll see all season long! Tom Brady, owner of multiple Super Bowl rings and MVP trophies, travels south to take on #1 overall pick from the 2011 NFL Draft, Cam Newton. Cam has his Carolina Panthers rolling as of late with a five game win streak and a shutdown defense behind them. Brady will be eager to get out there as his offensive arsenal is finally healthy - Gronkowski, Amendola, and Vereen will be between the numbers on #MNF. Will Carolina claw their way to the top of the NFL’s ranks or will Brady do what he does best - win on Monday night (13-4 all time)?!?!
#5ToFollow Insider: James Dator - @James_Dator
An Australian who lives in North Carolina and blogs about the Panthers for SB Nation’s Cat Scratch Reader, does it get any better? It does once you follow him! For a great look at the Panthers winning run, follow Dator.
Follow: @James_Dator
3. Fairleigh Dickinson vs. Arizona
Details: Monday, November 18 @ 11:00 PM ET - McKale Center - Tucson, AZ
Watch Here: ESPNU on XFINITY
Why Watch: The NIT Season Tip-Off is a highlight of all college basketball fans and Monday night’s matchup between the Fairleigh Dickinson Knights and ZONA Wildcats will be a great one to watch. The Knights have a chance to shock the world by upsetting the No. 6 ranked Cats on their home court as junior Mustafaa Jones will look to lead the way. Jones and the Knights will be faced with the task of trying to shutdown one of the nation’s top freshmen, Aaron Gordon. This game will be Gordon’s first on national TV. It’s going to be a great night of hoops, so make sure you’re streaming Monday night!
#5ToFollow Insider: Greg Byrne - @Greg_Byrne
Arizona’s Athletic Director is one who embraces #smsports and uses Twitter the way all ADs should. Make sure you follow Byrne for a look inside the Arizona program that continues to #BearDown on their competition.
Follow: @Greg_Byrne
4. USMNT vs. Austria
Details: Tuesday, November 19 @ 2:45 PM ET - Ernst-Happel-Stadion - Vienna, Austria
Watch Here: NBCSN with XFINITY
Why Watch: The Captain, Tim Howard will get the gloves and be in goal for the #USMNT’s final match before the 2014 World Cup and they’ll kick off their friendly with a tough Austrian team Tuesday afternoon. We could see Eric Lichaj lining up at right-back, but look for the scoring to come from mid-fielder Michael Bradley and striker Jozy Altidore. Austria has a winning record in the 2014 qualifiers (4-2-1) and will look for an upset on home turf to end their 2013 matches. Can the US rebound with a win in foreign territory or will Austria remain undefeated on home soil in their WCQs?
#5ToFollow Insider: Paul Carr - @PCarrESPN
Paul Carr is ESPN’s senior researcher on football aka soccer. He’s got more factoids and anecdotes on the game than any other expert, but his passion for the game is what shines through in his tweets.
Follow: @PCarrESPN
5. Memphis vs. Oklahoma State
Details: Tuesday, November 19 @ 8:00 PM ET - Gallagher-Iba Arena - Stillwater, OK
Watch Here: ESPN on XFINITY
Why Watch: Tuesday night’s headliner could have the best backcourt battles we’ll see all season long and it’s only November! Memphis’ senior guard, Geron Johnson, known as one of the nation’s best perimeter defenders will lineup against the nation’s best point guard, OK State’s Marcus Smart. The Tigers bring a tough team to the floor, but visiting teams don’t faire well while in Stillwater. It’s going to be a test of the Tigers’ depth vs. the high scoring home team Cowboys. Get ready for a game that will set the tone for the college basketball season Tuesday night!
#5ToFollow Insider: Robert Whetsell - @RobertW_CRFF
It’s an exciting time for #OKState fans and Robert Whetsell is the best follow for their play on the hardwood. Make sure you’ve got Whetsell in your following list for Tuesday night’s can’t miss clash between No. 13 Memphis and No. 9 Oklahoma State.
Follow: @RobertW_CRFF
For more behind the scenes insights from the biggest sporting events and inside information on sports & social media, make sure to follow Vance McCullough, the XFINITY Sports Guy, @XFINITYSports.
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