<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Those games that have been played since Tuesday? Mere appetizers to today's main course -- the official tip-off of the season. As such, we wanted to whet your appetite with 10 of the most delicious nonconference matchups of the 2006-07 season: Winthrop vs. North Carolina in Charlotte (possible second-round NIT), Nov. 15 If Big South power Winthrop gets past rebuilding Iona in the opening round in Charlotte, we'll have the first legitimate giant-killer opportunity of the year after the Year of the Mid-Major. The NIT Season Tip-Off committee didn't do the extremely talented but young Tar Heels any favors by setting up a possible meeting with the senior-laden Eagles, who have legitimate high-major talents in crafty Aussie center Craig Bradshaw and guard Torrell Martin. The last time you saw Winthrop, the Eagles were pushing Tennessee to the absolute limit in the first round of the NCAAs. Sure, UNC is better and deeper, but strange things can happen when big-time teams leave home (even if it's only to Charlotte); anyone remember the Tar Heels' season-opening visit to Santa Clara a few seasons ago? Kansas vs. Florida in Las Vegas, Nov. 25 A monster matchup of teams that could be No. 1 and No. 2 in the polls coming into the game. Thanks in part to Florida's juniors coming back and Darrell Arthur falling into KU's lap late in the recruiting period, the amount of top-end talent on display will be staggering. The only drawback? The 10:30 p.m. ET start on Thanksgiving weekend Saturday. Don't eat too much turkey -- it will be worth avoiding the tryptophan for this one. Ohio State at North Carolina (ACC-Big East Challenge), Nov. 29 Four days after KU-Florida comes what could be a matchup of the other two teams in the top four in the polls. The absence of Buckeyes freshman phenom Greg Oden will make for slightly less star power -- and much more operating room for Tyler Hansbrough inside -- but it still should be the crown jewel game of the annual interconference throw-down (Oden, who is rehabbing a surgically repaired right wrist, is expected to return in early January). It's also worth noting that UNC must turn around and host revitalized Kentucky on Dec. 2. Georgetown at Duke, Dec. 2 The latest installment of what has become a very entertaining rivalry, especially after the Hoyas stunned Duke last season in D.C. to give the Blue Devils their first loss. Now the tide has turned, and Georgetown is the team with the higher preseason ranking. It's well-deserved, as Roy Hibbert, Jeff Green and Co. can play and John Thompson III can really coach. For Duke, it's now Josh McRoberts' show after a season caddying for Shelden Williams and J.J. Redick. Texas A&M at LSU, Dec. 5 and at UCLA, Dec. 9 It's worth doubling up here on the Aggies because the nation will find out very quickly how deserved the top-10 preseason rank is. The first of the pair, though, carries the major intrigue, as it's a rematch of last season's thrilling second-round NCAA game which LSU won on a 3 in the dying seconds. Watching the Joseph Jones-Glen Davis battle in the post will be well worth the price of admission. Then the Aggies must turn around and take on the Bruins, eager to back up their national title game appearance, in the Wooden Classic. No one can snicker at A&M's nonconference schedule come Selection Sunday this season. Wisconsin at Marquette, Dec. 9 A very underrated in-state rivalry game that very well could be a matchup of top-10 teams. With Greg Oden's status uncertain, Wisconsin, which returns all five starters including possible All-American Alando Tucker, could be the preseason favorite in the Big Ten. Marquette, with its bevy of excellent guards led by super sophomore Dominic James, is expected to make significant noise in the Big East. The afternoon start also gives you the chance to get to Mader's Restaurant for dinner. Mmmm, schnitzel. It's worth noting that Pitt comes calling to Wisconsin a week later, and then Pitt and Marquette get it on twice in Big East play, for some neat triangularization. LSU vs Texas in Houston, Dec. 10 A pretty top-notch way to cap a great weekend of nonconference hoops. This is a rematch of one of last season's NCAA tourney regional finals, won by LSU in overtime. Sure, the Longhorns are missing a lot of faces from that meeting, but this could be a national coming-out party for stud freshman Kevin Durant -- if he can handle Big Baby and Magnum Rolle inside. It also could register pretty large on the recruiting scale if LSU can top the Horns again, especially in the Lone Star State. Ohio State at Florida, Dec. 23 The second of the "man, I wish Greg Oden were here" games on the list (see Ohio State at North Carolina, above). Perhaps we'll get a rematch with higher stakes sometime in late March. Either way, it should be a good measuring stick for the youthful Buckeyes. Very few enter the Swamp (indoor version) and survive. Sans Oden, watch for Ohio State junior Jamar Butler, a sniper from outside who should be the steadying influence for the Baby Bucks this season. UConn at LSU, Jan. 6 One of a number of tempting nonconference games sprinkled into the middle of conference season and a matchup that, on the weekend of last March's Elite Eight, many thought could have been the 2006 national championship game. By this point in the season, the youthful Huskies should have grown up some and figured out what they'll be getting from A.J. Price at the point. The matchup of the day, though, will be LSU's Glen "Big Baby" Davis against 7-3 Tanzanian Hasheem Thabeet. North Carolina at Arizona, Jan. 27 This one's probably the choice pick of the nonconference-game-during-conference-play litter. Two legendary coaches with two outstanding, high-octane teams. Get ready to see a boatload of big stars like Tyler Hansbrough and Marcus Williams and freshmen phenoms like UNC point Tywon Lawson and Arizona wing Chase Budinger. It's hard to know what will be higher -- the winning team's point total or the temperature outside the arena.</div> http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/preview2006/...tory?id=2656047
That Florida vs. Kansas game seems intresting. Im not going to be surprised if Winthrop beats UNC also.
Wisconsin vs. Marquette should be a good one. It almost always is. I mean, when you're the bastard child of sports in your state (Marquette), you can't wait to get your shot at the team that 98% of the state loves. I think Marquette wins this one. It's in Milwaukee, and they play great at home (beat UConn last year in their first ever Big East game). I know it's very early and there could be injuries or other changes, but I'll say the Golden Eagles take this one 89-82.
As an Iowa fan, the game that always most interests me is Iowa vs. Iowa State. Should be rather interesting this year, with Iowa bringing in a a trio of new starters now that Hansen, Horner, and Brunner are gone, and ISU bringing in former UNI coach Greg McDermott.
