Road to the Final Four at Ford Field: Games You Can't Miss Before New Year's

The non-conference schedule always provides for a month and a half of premiere match-ups between the nation's best teams. Here's a look at the top games before the calendar turns to 2009 (in chronological order).

ESPN Hoops Marathon November 18th

The World Wide Leader kicks of the season with 23 hours of college basketball highlighted by several can't miss games. UMass opens the season at Memphis at midnight. Kentucky travels to North Carolina where College GameDay will be setting up shop. Preseason NIT Regional Finals will also take place throughout the night.

Davidson vs. UAB Preseason NIT

This game is only a possibility, but who wouldn't want to see Robert Vaden and Stephen Curry go basket for basket? Davidson has to knock off one of the best teams in the country in Oklahoma while UAB needs to beat the Lute Olsen-less Arizona Wildcats in order for this dream match-up to happen.

Maui Invitational Final November 26th

North Carolina is almost a shoe in on its side of the bracket that features Oregon, Alabama, and host Chaminade. If the Tar Heels reach the championship game they'll most likely face either Notre Dame or Texas, two games to drool over. Tyler Hansbrough against Luke Harangody? The UNC guards vs. the Texas guards? The final would be the best game of the non-conference slate.

Tennessee-Martin at USC November 28th

Who against USC? UT-Martin features one of the nation's best players in Lester Hudson. The only man to ever record a quadruple-double will take on one of the best freshmen in the country in DeMar DeRozan. The Skyhawks may not have that great of a chance to win, but it'll be a showcase of two tremendously talented players.

UCLA at Texas December 4th

Last year, Texas upset UCLA in Pauley Pavilion. This year, the Bruins get a chance to return the favor against the Longhorns. Both teams should enter the season at or in the top-10 which means this could be a Final Four preview. Both teams are stacked in the backcourt so look forward to an up-tempo game.

Marquette at Tennessee December 16th

The talented trio of Dominic James, Jerel McNeal, and Wesley Matthews will have its handful with the best duo of wings in the country in Tyler Smith and Scotty Hopson. Volunteer coach Bruce Pearl will get to stay in Knoxville for this game, but he knows this Wisconsin foe very well from his days coaching UW-Milwaukee.

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