 |
 |
|
| | Wednesday, November 3 | |||||
ESPN.com | ||||||
| The Top 25 usually generates excitement at the start of the season. Of course, that's a poll and fans love to know where their team is ranked.
Fans can look forward to great action all season. Projecting the top regular-season games is never easy, though college basketball has so many great intersectional rivalries generating interest. There is also the pride factor of seeing how each of the major conferences fare in head-to-head challenges.
So here it goes, the top 25 non-league games of the regular season, including a few projected matchups from tournaments:
November 11 Duke vs. Stanford (Coaches vs. Cancer, Madison Square Garden) These two teams have a lot of new faces. It is still a great way to open the season.
November 12 Florida vs. North Carolina (potential Maui Invitational final) This is a battle of youth vs. experience. Ed Cota and the Tar Heels want to quiet the talented Gators. It's also a great contrast of coaches, both young (Billy Donovan) and older (Bill Guthridge). November 26 Kentucky vs. Ohio State/Arizona winner (projected preseason NIT final) There is no lock that these teams will make it to the final. The field is pretty solid, so the championship should feature two quality opponents no matter what. November 27 Auburn vs. Stanford (John Wooden Classic, Anaheim, Ca.) Chris Porter vs. Mark Madsen. This is Auburn's toughest non-league test. The Tigers want to prove the 1998-99 season wasn't a fluke; the potential for success is there. November 30 Duke vs. Illinois (ACC/Big Ten Challenge, in Chicago) This is important for Mike Krzyzewski since he's from Chicago and he'll have friends and family rooting his team on. It's a great challenge to see how far Lon Kruger's team has improved. December 1 Michigan State at North Carolina This would have been something special if Mateen Cleaves was healthy. A Cleaves-Cota showdown would have been exciting. This will still be a war on the boards. The Spartans want to beat a high-profile ACC team after losing to Duke twice last year. December 4 DePaul at Duke Quentin Richardson and company get to see what life at Cameron Indoor Stadium is like. There is also a revenge factor after the Blue Demons were blown out by the Blue Devils last season. December 4 Gonzaga vs. Cincinnati (Rock and Roll Shootout in Cleveland) Gonzaga has upgraded its non-league schedule, and this is one of the toughest tests. We'll see how Matt Santangelo and his teammates fare against the physical Bearcats. December 7 Michigan State vs. Kansas (Great Eight in Chicago) How many people remember the 1986 Sweet 16 battle between these teams? The clock broke and Kansas ended up prevailing in OT. Tom Izzo vs. Roy Williams figures to be a chess match. December 7 Arizona vs. Connecticut (Great Eight in Chicago) Two of the last three national champions clash. Pac-10 vs. Big East ... not your every-day showdown. It should still be an intense game. December 8 Cincinnati vs. North Carolina (Great Eight in Chicago) These teams have met in the NCAA tournament in the recent past. This should be fierce. December 11 Michigan State at Arizona The Spartans have a tough road test. Can Michigan State stop Loren Woods inside? December 14 St. John's at DePaul This is more than Chicago vs. New York. Pat Kennedy has a history vs. St. John's from his days as Iona's head coach. December 16 Ohio State at Kansas Big Ten vs. Big 12. Can the Buckeyes contain Eric Chenowith? Can Kansas slow down the backcourt tandem of Penn and Redd? December 18 Louisville at Kentucky No matter how good these teams are, this is a war. You'll see plenty of fans clad in red and in blue as this is arguably the greatest non-conference rivalry in the sport. December 18 DePaul at UCLA Brings back memories of Ray Meyer and John Wooden. December 18 Illinois vs. Kansas (at the United Center) A midwest battle which should bring back memories for Kruger. Remember, he used to coach the Jayhawks' rival, Kansas State. December 23 Michigan State at Kentucky We will find out how far Tubby Smith's team has come. January 15 UCLA at North Carolina The last time these teams met was at the 1997 Great Alaska Shootout. North Carolina won that game by 41 points. Do you think Steve Lavin may remind his team about that debacle? January 22 Ohio State at St. John's A rematch of an Elite Eight showdown, the guard matchup of Penn vs. Erick Barkley is as good as it gets. January 26 Florida at DePaul Mike Miller vs. Quentin Richardson ... not bad. February 5 Connecticut at Michigan State If Cleaves is healthy, the backcourt matchup vs. Khalid El-Amin should be exciting. The Spartans would love to avenge last year's loss to the Huskies. February 13 UCLA at Syracuse Since the Orangemen recruit a lot of players in LA, this game has added significance. Syracuse would like to get revenge after being blasted at Pauley Pavilion last year. February 20 Temple at Cincinnati These teams have met several times this decade. This could be the most intense coaching matchup as Bobby Huggins and John Chaney do battle. | Conferences ACC Atlantic 10 Big East Big Sky Big South Big Ten Big 12 Big West Colonial Conference USA Independents Ivy League MAAC Mid-American Mid-Continent Mid-Eastern Athletic MCC Missouri Valley Mountain West Northeast Ohio Valley Pac-10 Patriot SEC Southern Southland Sun Belt SWAC TAAC WAC West Coast  | |||||