Monday's Pregame Beat: The Maui Invitational kicks off

The Maui Invitational's first day highlights a good slate of games:

• 3 pm: Colorado vs. Gonzaga: The Zags are no doubt going to climb into the top 25 after an impressive showing against Michigan State in the Breslin Center. Colorado does not have the talent on their roster that Gonzaga does, especially in the front court, but keep an eye on Cory Higgins, a 6'5" junior averaging 23.3 ppg. It should be a pleasure to watch him go up against Matt Bouldin and Steven Gray.


• 5:30 pm: Cincinnati vs. Vanderbilt: Let's talk sleepers. Vandy, in the SEC, and Cinci, in the Big East, were both considered sleepers to make a run in their respective leagues. There will be plenty of size and athleticism on both rosters tonight, but the difference maker is going to be AJ Ogivly. The Commodores struggled against St. Mary's last week as Ogilvy was dominated by Omar Samhan. Do the Bearcats have anyone that can stop him?

• 9:30 pm: Maryland vs. Chaminade: Landon Milbourne, Eric Hayes, and Sean Mosley have been playing some great basketball, but when will Greivis Vasquez get it going offensively? Maybe the DII Silver Swords are just what he needed to get it going.
  


• 12 am: Arizona vs. Wisconsin: Two traditional powers will go head-to-head in what is a rebuilding year for both groups. It will be interesting to not only see the Arizona team loaded with freshman play for the first time, but to see how they handle playing a team as disciplined offensively and tough defensively as the Badgers are.
  

The first round of the CBE Classic is also happening tonight:

• 7:30 pm: Wichita State vs. Pitt: Pitt is down two starters, as Jermaine Dixon as still not returned from a foot injury and Gilbert Brown is suspended until the end of the first semester. Look for Wichita State to give the Panthers, who have struggled this season, a tough game out in Kansas City.
  


• 10 pm: Texas vs. Iowa: Todd Lickliter will have his work cut out for him tonight. Iowa has struggled this season, losing to Texas-San Antonio and Duquesne. Texas, on the other hand, is one of the most talented teams in the country and has steam rolled every one in their path.

9:30 pm: Tennessee vs. Purdue: Best match-up of the day, and maybe the best match-up of the season to this point, as the Vols take on the Boilermakers in the Paradise Jam finals. Tennessee, despite their struggles against DePaul yesterday, have been really impressive early on this season as they have really ratcheted up their pressure and the tempo they play at. Purdue, on the other hand, is one of the best in the country when it comes to tough defense and grind it out basketball. The two keys to the game - Tennessee's athelticism vs. Purdue's strength and toughness, and Purdue vs. the Vol's press without point guard Lewis Jackson.

Other notable games:

• 3:30 pm: Northern Iowa vs. Boston College
  
• 7:00 pm: Appalachian State @ Louisville
• 7:00 pm: Virginia Tech @ Campbell
• 7:00 pm: VCU @ Hampton
• 7:00 pm: DePaul vs. St. Joe's
  
• 7:30 pm: Gardner-Webb @ UNC
• 7:30 pm: Winthrop @ Clemson
• 8:00 pm: CS Northridge @ Western Kentucky
• 10:05 pn: Cal Poly @ St. Mary's
• 10:05 pm: Montana @ Oregon
• 11:00 pm: Pepperdine @ UCLA