Big East Preview: Fifteen Games To Watch Before Conference Play Begins

Big East conference play tips off on December 29 with Georgetown at Connecticut, but that doesn't mean that you shouldn't pay attention until then. There are a bunch of non-conference games that should keep you on the edge of your seat (and hopefully display the power of the Big East).

I've decided to not include games where a weaker Big East team is playing against a strong non-conference team (e.g. Rutgers @ UNC) because I have no reason to include it the other way (e.g. Fairfield @ Connecticut). If you are curious which teams I view a weaker Big East teams, please take a look at my Big East Preview. So without further ado: fifteen Big East games to watch before conference play starts.

USC @ Seton Hall
Thursday, Nov. 20 - 7:00 PM

The list kicks off with Seton Hall hosting USC (#18 AP, #21 Coaches), and if the Pirates want to show the basketball world that they are a legitimate team this year, they need to play well against the Trojans. They are perfectly capable of pulling off the upset–they proved it to the Big East last season when they beat thirteenth ranked Louisville 92-82. Either way it should be a great game to watch.

Syracuse @ Florida
Monday, Nov. 24 - 7:30 PM

Syracuse looked strong in their season opener and I would expect that it continues through their play against the former champion Florida Gators (#19 AP, #19 Coaches). Coach Donovan used last season to rebuild after losing his top six players at the end of the 2006-2007 season and, given their preseason ranking, has done a very good job with that. The Orange, on the other hand, lost most of their team mid-season last year, which made the end of their season a mess. This should be a great game between two relatively young teams.

Ohio State @ Notre Dame
Saturday, Dec. 6 - 4:00 PM

After losing Greg Oden and Mike Conley, Jr. to the first and fourth picks of the 2007 NBA Draft, respectively, the Buckeyes struggled last season and managed to finish fifth in the Big Ten. Look for that to change during the 2008-2009 season, however, as freshman center B.J. Mullens, along with freshmen guards William Buford and Anthony Crater, try to make names for themselves. The Buckeyes are on the verge of being ranked and very well may be by early December.

The Irish (#9 AP, #9 Coaches) are going to look to reining Big East player of the year Luke Harangody to continue dominating the post and kick it out to three point machine Kyle McAlarney when necessary.

This should be a great Big East / Big Ten matchup that you won't want to miss.

Wisconsin @ Marquette
Saturday, Dec. 6 - 9:30 PM

What's better than following up one great Big East / Big Ten matchup with another? The Badgers (#21 AP, #21 Coaches) travel to the Golden Eagles (#17 AP, #17 Coaches) for what is sure to be a great game. The Badgers, unbeknown to many, have had an RPIin the top 25 for the past five years and have put together two consecutive 30 win seasons and a Big Ten championship.

The Golden Eagles have a very small but very fast team and can wear down opponents by their level of play. Last season they outscored opponents in the second half twenty-four times, a trend which should continue into this season.

Over the past six seasons the Badgers and Golden Eagles have split the series 3-3, and five of those decisions have been by single digits. This should be another great matchup and one to definitely watch.

West Virginia vs. Davidson
Tuesday, Dec. 9 - 7:00 PM

Did anyone miss Davidson's (#20 AP, #20 Coaches) run to the Elite Eight last March behind Stephen Curry and his three pointers? In case you do actually live under a rock, the Wildcats upset both Georgetown and Wisconsin before getting knocked out by the eventual champion Jayhawks.

The Mountaineers, on the other hand, made it to the Sweet Sixteen after knocking out Duke but wound up losing to Xavier. Over the course of last season, the Mountaineers hit 264 three pointers and shot .335 as a team.

But this a new season with a clean slate and both teams are looking to make a big run in March. This first true test for both teams and I am expecting nothing less then a great game.

Villanova @ Texas
Tuesday, Dec. 9 - 9:00 PM

Scottie Reynolds and the fast paced Wildcats (#25 AP, #25 Coaches) take on the Texas Longhorns (#8 AP, #8 Coaches) and their new–found defense in what will surely be a great game. Longhorns Coach Barnes has been quoted saying that this Texas team is one, if not the, best defensive team they have ever had, despite losing power players in D.J. Augustin and Kevin Durant prematurely to the draft the past two seasons.

The Wildcats have all five starters returning this year, and after a run to the Sweet Sixteen last March, they now have the experience to be a very dangerous team, not only in the Big East but in the league as a whole.

The last time these two teams met was January 20, 2006, when the Wildcats beat the Longhorns 76-69 in a neck and neck game. Expect another close game between these two ranked opponents.

Memphis @ Georgetown
Saturday, Dec. 13 - 2:00 PM

The Hoyas (#18 AP, #18 Coaches) first true test will come when they host the Memphis Tigers (#12 AP, #12 Coaches) on December 13.

Both teams have lost key players from last year's roster. The Hoyas are without Roy Hibbert, Jonathan Wallace, and Patrick Ewing, Jr. while the Tigers lost Derrick Rose to the first pick of the NBA Draft and senior Joey Dorsey and junior Chris Douglas-Roberts to the second round.

Both teams have a very promising freshman class as well and they both are looking for their new players to make an impact. The Tigers have guard Tyreke Evans, who many people deemed to be the best incoming shooting guard, to replace Rose, and Wesley Witherspoon and Angel Garcia to fill in the big man void. The Hoyas have Greg Monroe and Henry Sims, two big men with a lot of potential, and Jason Clark to fill in at shooting guard.

This game has a lot of potential to shake up rankings and show the college hoops world just how good both teams' impact freshmen are.

UCLA @ DePaul
Saturday, Dec. 13 - 7:00 PM

After starting Big East play last season 4-2 and finishing 2-10, the DePaul Blue Demons are looking to turn things around, and what better way then scheduling a non-conference game against a young UCLA Bruins (#4 AP, #4 Coaches) team.

The Blue Demons have the ability to play very well behind their two Big East All Rookie's Dar Tucker and Mac Koshwal and pose a threat to an untested team. The Bruins did wind up with possibly the best 2008 freshman class, though, so it will be very interesting to see how this game plays out.

Xavier @ Cincinnati
Saturday, Dec. 13 - 8:00 PM

The Bearcats started heading in the right direct last season, improving their Big East record from 2-14 to 8-10, and are a team that has put together a few upsets and a few disappointing losses. Their biggest loss of this season, though, is losing freshman point guard Cashmere Wright to a torn ACL.

The Musketeers, on the other hand, added to their three seed team from last March with freshman center Kenny Frease. Coach Miller saved no time this season by scheduling a difficult non-conference schedule. The Musketeers visit the Bearcats immediately after hosting the Ohio State Buckeyes and one week before hosting the Duke Blue Devils.

With both teams trying to start their seasons out on the right foot, this game should be a battle right to the end.

Marquette @ Tennessee
Tuesday, Dec. 16 - 9:30 PM

The Golden Eagles (#17 AP, #17 Coaches) make the list for a second time when they visit the Tennessee Volunteers (#13 AP, #13 Coaches) mid-December.

The Vols will be looking to establish themselves as a basketball school for the season after their football team has managed to string together only one SEC conference win so far. After losing to the three seeded Louisville Cardinals as a two seed last March, the Vols will try to repeat as SEC champions.

Last season the Vols went 3-2 against ranked teams (one of those ranked teams being top ranked Memphis, which sent the Vols to the number one spot themselves), so they will try to start out on the right root against their first ranked opponent of the season.

Louisville @ Minnesota
Saturday, Dec. 20 - 2:00 PM

While the Gophers are not considered a national title threat by any means, Coach Tubby Smith has the ability to turn them into that. After his first season as the Gophers head coach, Tubby Smith's first recruiting class will hit the floor this season and is headlined by center Ralph Sampson III.

The Cardinals (#3 AP, #3 Coaches) answer to Sampson is their own freshman center Samardo Samuels, who many consider to be the best incoming center.

This should be a very good game between two established coaches who have both won national titles with other schools. The Cardinals are considered to be a preseason contender for the national title, while the Gophers could very well make a run to the surprise many people.

Syracuse @ Memphis
Saturday, Dec. 20 - 6:00 PM

Both the Orange and Tigers (#12 AP, #12 Coaches) make the list for a second time in what will surely be a great late December matchup.

Both teams have a lot of freshman potential who should be in full swing by the time they meet up.

The last time these two teams met was November 19, 2004 when the Orange handed the Tigers their first loss of the season and Conference USA still included the likes of Louisville and Marquette.

This should be another great matchup between two very promising teams.

Connecticut vs. Gonzaga
Saturday, Dec. 20 - 7:00 PM

The Connecticut Huskies (#2 AP, #2 Coaches) take on the Gonzaga Bulldogs (#9 AP, #11 Coaches) in the Comcast Battle in Seattle on December 20.

The Huskies have four starters returning this season and are relying a lot on big man Hasheem Thabeet to carry the load. The Bulldogs are looking to rebound after getting knocked out in the first round of the NCAA Tournament last March by Davidson. They have signed three promising freshmen and are looking to go back to the big dance for an eleventh year in a row.

Their preseason ranking shows that many are expecting them to as well, but they will have their work cut out for them at the Comcast Battle. Expect a great game between two great teams.

Miami (FL) @ St. John's
Saturday, Dec. 27 - 12:00 PM

The Red Storm are not the team they once were, but Coach Roberts has predicted that this season will be different and he plans to show the world that when they take on the Miami (FL) Hurricanes (#17 AP, #16 Coaches) the game before they kick off Big East play.

The Hurricanes are ready to take on a strong ACC conference this season and they are getting ready by playing teams like Ohio State, Kentucky, and St. John's in non-conference play. Coach Haith is trying to turn around the Hurricane program and did a great job last season, when they ended with an RPI of 34.

Look for the Hurricanes to be a great team in a tough ACC conference and the Red Storm to make their way through a goliath Big East.

West Virginia @ Ohio State
Saturday, Dec. 27 - 4:00 PM

The Mountaineers and Buckeyes make it back to the list in their last game before conference play begins for both teams.

Each team is currently on the verge of being ranked and can easily break into the top twenty five before this game occurs.

The difference in style play should make for a great matchup. The Mountaineers are a great perimeter team while the Buckeyes are going to utilize freshman center B.J. Mullens as much as they can.

Both teams are going to try to hit the ground running in this one and finish up their non-conference play with a positive game. This one is sure to be one.