Tuesday Lay-up Lines

4:00 PM: Northeastern vs. IUPUI in Ann Arbor, MI: The only most intriguing game of the day. Northeastern, who went 14-17 last year but returns everyone, is a trendy pick to win the CAA. IUPUI lost their top two scorers, including first round pick George Hill, but bring in a solid recruiting class to surround sharp shooting guard Gary Patterson and big man Jon Avery.

6:00 PM: Arkansas-Monticello vs. UMass in Carbondale, IL

7:00 PM: Michigan Tech @ Michigan

7:00 PM: Houston vs. Presbyterian in Durham, NC

8:35 PM: California PA @ Southern Illinois

9:00 PM: Georgia Southern @ Duke

Once again, not much to talk about in terms of games today as the regionals of the CvC continue. I appreciate what ESPN doing with their season "opening" event next week, but there has to be a way that they can make that coincide with the first games of the year. I mean, the college basketball season started last night with Houston playing Georgia Southern at 4 (which wasn't even on TV) and Duke playing Presbyterian, which was on ESPN U, meaning that many of the biggest college basketball fans didn't get a chance to see the game.

Really? That's how we start the season? How would baseball fans feel if the last week of spring training games actually counted and Opening Day came seven games into the year?

Anyway, in today's Lay-up Lines we will give you the must-see non-conference games in the New Year (plus a day).

12/31 6:00 PM - UNLV @ Louisville: Everyone knows about Louisville, but the Runnin' Rebels have a chance to be very good this season. It will be interesting to see Wink Adams go up against Louisville's back court.

1/3 2:00 PM - Tennessee @ Kansas: Both teams will feature new faces, but the new guys can play. Expect a shootout.

1/4 TBA - Kentucky @ Louisville: Do I really need to explain this?

1/6 8:00 PM - Siena @ Kansas: I wouldn't be surprised if Siena wins this game - they are deep, experienced, and have a good backcourt.

1/7 7:00 PM - Davidson @ Duke: Can Davidson be as good as they were last year after losing Jason Richards?

1/7 9:00 PM - Gonzaga @ Tennessee: Gonzaga continues to play anyone, anywhere, at anytime.

1/10 1:00 PM - Kansas @ Michigan State: The last game of a very tough non-conference schedule for the young Jayhawks.

1/24 3:30 PM - Memphis @ Tennessee: A great rivalry. It won't be #1 vs. #2 this year, but it will be a great game as Memphis tries to get revenge for last year's loss.

2/7 9:00 PM - Memphis @ Gonzaga: What was I saying about the 'Zags?