Topic: CBB 12/31 - 1/6
Welcome back. Now that the conference season is beginning for many conferences, lets pick up the best to watch when you aren't watching the BCS games.
All times are Eastern
Wednesday
Houston at UMass, 7pm (CSTV) - After Memphis made C-USA = Memphis & the 11 dwarfs, Houston is beginning to show some life. Both teams have earned some nice OOC wins (Houston vs. Kentucky, UMass vs. Syracuse & BC), so this game could mean something in terms of the A-10 or C-USA getting an extra team in the tournament.
Thursday
W. Virginia at Notre Dame, 7pm (ESPN2) - Welcome to the Big East, Bob Huggins. Probably not at the school he anticipated making his Big East since he was with Cincinnati when they were making their entrance into the conference.
Virginia at Xavier, 8pm (CSTV) - Xavier's been decent in the OOC schedule with wins vs. Indiana and crosstown rival Cincinnati, but losses to Arizona St., Miami (OH) and Tennessee have somewhat cancelled those out. Virginia's signature OOC win has been at Arizona and could use another one as they enter ACC conference play.
UCLA at Stanford, 10:30pm (FSN HD) - The 1st conference game for both teams. UCLA had a tougher OOC schedule, but both will come into this game likely with just one loss. Both teams should be top 25 by the time of the matchup.
Saturday
Oregon at Arizona, 2pm (FSN HD) - The 1st conference season since the mid-80s that Arizona has not had Lute Olson on the sidelines. Kevin O'Neill has held this team together extremely well.
St. Mary's at Texas, 6pm (FSN SW/ESPN Full Court) - St. Mary's has been ranked briefly this season and have wins over the PAC-10 (Oregon), Big East (Seton Hall) and MWC (San Diego St.), plus they won the Rainbow Classic. Texas has impressive wins over UCLA and Tennessee and played well in their loss at Michigan St.
Washington St. at Washington, 10pm (FSN Northwest) - How about playing your in-state conference rival as your first conference game. Interesting contrast in the non-conference scheduling. Washington played a very solid OOC schedule wth Syracuse & Texas A&M from the preseason NIT, plus Oklahoma St., Pittsburgh and LSU. Meanwhile, Washington St. had trouble scheduling OOC, with their game vs. Gonzaga being the only marquee OOC game plus having to go on the road to play both Boise St. and Idaho St. Washington may be battle tested, but have they put themselves behind the 8-ball in hopes of an at-large bid.
Sunday
Pittsburgh at Villanova, 12pm (ESPN Regional/ESPN Full Court) - Some very solid OOC wins for Pitt as they usually enter conference play undefeated, but not they way they did this year with wins vs. Duke, Oklahoma St. and Washington (and a game vs. Dayton forthcoming). As for Villanova, this will be their first real test this season (skipping over the loss to NC State).
Marquette at W. Virginia, 2pm (ESPN Regional/ESPN Full Court) - Bob Huggins should recognize these guys from his C-USA days. Arguably Marquette has made the best transition from C-USA to the Big East and has been getting better.
N. Carolina at Clemson, 7:30pm (FSN HD) - The No. 1 Tar Heels face Clemson in their conference opener. Will Clemson finally keep pace like they do with the OOC portion of the schedule?
