The biggest story in college hoops tonight doesn't involve the biggest game, as Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski should pick up his 880th career win when the Blue Devils visit winless UNC Greensboro (ESPNU, 7 p.m. ET). So, if Duke fails, expect unprecedented wailing and gnashing of the teeth, as the upset would truly be one of the biggest in history.
No, the most noteworthy (and ultimately watchable action) originates elsewhere on this Wednesday night, as conference openers continue. There are a pair of Big East openers tipping off at 7 p.m. ET with 11-1 Georgetown's visit to Notre Dame (ESPN2) looking to be a truly epic contest. In the other game, Steve Lavin makes his BIg East coaching debut as St. John's heads to West Virginia (Big East Network/SNY/Altitude 2/MASN/ESPN3/Full Court).
Marquette isn't quite ready for conference play yet, as they head to Nashville to take on SEC East contender Vanderbilt (ESPN2, 9 p.m. ET).
Creighton visits Illinois State to start Valley play (CBS 3/ESPN3/Full Court, 8 p.m. ET), as again, that conference really needs to upgrade its TV deal. The MVC game of the night--Missouri State at Northern Iowa--will air only regionally.
There's just one Big Ten opener on the Wednesday slate, as Illinois will look to not get tripped up on their trip to Iowa (Big Ten, 9 p.m. ET).
Late this evening, the Pac-10 becomes the fourth of the six major conferences to get league play underway. The SEC and Big 12 will both wait until after the calendar turns. Washington State conveniently stops in Los Angeles-after a successful trip to Hawai'i--to open their conference slate. The Cougars take on UCLA at Pauley (FSN, 11 p.m. ET).
Another Diamond Head Classic participant, one who had a less successful and more controversial trip--Mississippi State, also plays a stopover game. They'll take on St. Mary's in Las Vegas without the services of Renardo Sidney and Elgin Bailey.
Other national TV options for tonight include...
- Jacksonville State at South Carolina, FS South/ESPN3/Full Court (7 p.m. ET)
- UT Martin at Tennessee, SEC on CSS/CSN California/BHSN/ESPN3/Full Court (7 p.m. ET)
- LSU at Rice, CBS College (8 p.m. ET)
- UT Arlington at Kansas, ESPNU (9 p.m. ET)
For broadcast information for games slated to be aired regionally, like George Mason at Dayton, Boston College at Rhode Island, Missouri State at Northern Iowa, New Mexico at Texas Tech, and Lafayette at Gonzaga, visit Matt Sarz's College Sports on TV site. Another good resource is the schedule page at BB State.
Please share your thoughts about today and tonight's action in the comments, after you sign up for a free SB Nation account, of course.
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