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| | Wednesday, November 8 Don't miss these non-conference gems | |||||
| By Howie Schwab ESPN.com There is much more to college basketball life than just the NCAA Tournament. While a lot of attention is paid to the postseason and league play, there are numerous attractive non-conference showdowns to showcase the nation's outstanding talent. Picking the top 30 games to watch is not easy. Duke led the nation in scoring last year while Princeton led in defense; they meet in the Preseason NIT. It is John Thompson III's coaching debut, but still not good enough to make the top 30. This year's list includes games which are already scheduled. Potential tournament matchups such as Arizona-Maryland in Maui, or Kentucky-Kansas as the potential Coaches vs. Cancer final on Friday, which would normally be must see TV, are not etched in stone and therefore left off this list. In chronological order: Nov. 9: Kansas vs. UCLA Coaches vs. Cancer at Madison Square Garden (ESPN2). Kansas fans are happy to see Roy Williams coaching this game. Nov. 9: Kentucky vs. St. John's Coaches vs. Cancer at Madison Square Garden (ESPN2) The Red Storm has the fans in their corner, and this is the collegiate debut of Omar Cook. The Wildcats are much deeper than recent years. Nov. 17: Temple at Memphis (ESPN) Worth watching just to see John Calipari vs. John Chaney. Nov. 20: Louisville vs. Maryland Maui Invitational (ESPN) Can Denny Crum's team make this interesting? Nov. 21: Wisconsin at Tennessee (ESPN Plus) The tenacious Badgers' defense goes on the road against Vincent Yarbrough and company. Nov. 25: Cincinnati vs. Notre Dame Wooden Tradition, Indianapolis Mike Brey's first tough test. Can Bob Huggins figure a way to stop Troy Murphy? Nov. 28: Illinois vs. Duke ACC/Big Ten Challenge, Greensboro, N.C. (ESPN) This should be a physical war. Two preseason top 10 teams battle. Cory Bradford and Shane Battier are legitimate All-America candidates. Nov. 29: North Carolina at Michigan State ACC/Big Ten Challenge (ESPN2) How will Zach Randolph fare against a veteran big man like Brendan Haywood? Nov. 29: Maryland vs. Wisconsin ACC/Big Ten Challenge, Milwaukee (ESPN) Terence Morris and the Terps have to put up with Dick Bennett's defense. Dec. 2: Kentucky at North Carolina (CBS) The Tar Heels fans will not give Jason Parker a standing ovation. Dec. 2: DePaul at Florida (ESPN) Billy Donovan's team tries to slow down newcomer Imari Sawyer. Dec. 5: Indiana at Notre Dame (ESPN) This game could influence in-state recruiting, plus this is a tough road challenge for Bobby Knight's replacement, Mike Davis. Dec. 6: Florida at Michigan State (ESPN) Rematch of the national championship game. Dec. 7: Kansas at Wake Forest (ESPN) Robert O'Kelley and the Demon Deacons have something to prove against a top 10 foe. The Jayhawks have more depth. Dec. 9: Seton Hall at Illinois (CBS) Youth in Eddie Griffin and company is put to the test on the road. Plus, Big East pride is on the line against the Big Ten. Dec. 9: Arizona at Connecticut (CBS) This is a rematch from last year's Great Eight, where the Huskies handled the 'Cats. UConn newcomers Caron Butler and Johnnie Selvie will be challenged here. Dec. 12: Kansas at DePaul (ESPN) A nice Midwest matchup. Kenny Gregory will be up for this one. Dec. 14: Xavier at Cincinnati (ESPN) This crosstown rivalry is vastly underrated on a national level. It is extremely intense and the Bearcats want revenge after being upset last season. Dec. 16: Arizona at Illinois (ESPN) This may be the best non-conference game in December because both teams have all five starters returning. Dec. 16: Kentucky at Michigan State (CBS) Let's hope this game is as good as last year's game (Kentucky won, 60-58). Dec. 19: Tennessee vs. Virginia Jimmy V. Classic, East Rutherford, N.J. (ESPN) This may not be as hyped as the second game of the doubleheader, but it should be a close one. Dec. 19: Michigan State vs. Seton Hall Jimmy V. Classic, East Rutherford, N.J. (ESPN) Zach Randolph and Eddie Griffin may stage a personal battle for top freshman of the year honors. Dec. 21: Missouri vs. Illinois at St. Louis (ESPN) Another intense rivalry which has been built up for years. Dec. 21: Duke vs. Stanford Pete Newell Classic, Oakland (Fox Sports Net) A rematch of last year's Coaches vs. Cancer game, which Stanford won. Dec. 22: Indiana at Kentucky (ESPN) Mike Davis gets a taste of this rivalry, visiting Rupp Arena. Dec. 23: North Carolina at UCLA (CBS) The Bruins went into Chapel Hill and prevailed 71-68 last year. Can North Carolina get revenge? Jan. 2: Kentucky at Louisville (ESPN) You will see a sea of blue and red...enough said. Jan. 13: Notre Dame at Kentucky (CBS) Nice to see these teams meeting again; they did not face off last season. Feb. 10: UCLA at DePaul (ABC) These teams have played some great games over the years. L.A. vs. Chicago always draws attention. Feb. 24: Oklahoma at Maryland (ABC) Big 12 vs. ACC. This is a chance for Kelvin Sampson's team to gain more respect. | ALSO SEE Coaches vs. Cancer: A tourney worthy or starting the season | |||||