After seven months in the void, it's finally game week. Every Monday of the season Run the Floor will list the five can't miss games of the week. Of course, there are no games this week until Friday, so that's only three days to get in the five games. What's a fan to do? DVR, my friend. DVR.
Marquette vs No. 4 Ohio State, FRIDAY 7:00 NBC Sports. The Carrier Classic in Charleston, SC features two big time programs. This game will all be about how these two schools replace Darius Johnson-Odom, Jae Crowder and Jared Sullinger. Ohio State won their first eight games last year, including wins over Florida and Duke. This year's schedule is no easier.
North Texas at No. 16 Creighton, FRIDAY 8:05. A DVR won't help you with this one, as IT'S NOT BEING TELEVISED! Are you kidding me? The two most exciting mid-major players in the nation are going head-to-head, and to see it you need a ticket. Good luck with that.
No. 3 Kentucky vs Maryland, FRIDAY 8:30 ESPN. The newly opened Barclay's Center in Brooklyn is going to host a bunch of college games this year, and it's only fitting the swaggiest of hoops venues kicks it all off with Kentucky. Maryland should be much improved, and it may take the talent at UK a few games to begin to gel. In other words, this might actually be a game.
Manhattan at No. 3 Louisville, SUNDAY 4:00 ESPN3. Manhattan has to be one of the MAAC favorites, and Louisville is one of the national champion favorites. A mismatch on paper, these early season games have a tendency to become interesting. You won't get many chances to watch Manhattan's George Beamon, so don't miss this opportunity.
New Mexico State at Oregon State, SUNDAY 9:00 ESPN. What to do late on Sunday night? Tune in and find out if this will be the year that Craig Robinson finally gets the Beavers on the right track? They made big strides last year, but get a serious test right out of the gate this season. It's critical that they take care of OOC games this year. They can't get rolled at home by average teams like last season's Idaho game.
