Memphis, Georgetown to start four-year series

Further proof that John Calipari believes his team is worthy of the accolades its receiving came Thursday when the Memphis coach increased the difficulty of his schedule by reaching an agreement to start a four-year series with Georgetown.

The initial meeting will be Dec. 22 at Memphis. And depending on whether Jeff Green remains in the NBA Draft or returns to Georgetown -- as of Thursday, sources indicate it's still very much in the air -- it could be a showdown between the preseason No. 1 and No. 2 teams in the country.

"Ever since I've been here we've played a tough schedule," Memphis guard Chris Douglas-Roberts, a legitimate candidate for preseason All-America teams after averaging 15.4 points per game last season, told CBS SportsLine.com on Thursday afternoon. "So this is going to be a tough game, but it's just another challenge for us."

Another challenge among many, to be sure.

In addition to Georgetown, Memphis also has non-league games with Arizona, Tennessee, Gonzaga and Southern California, plus a likely trip to New York for the Coaches vs. Cancer event. There, the Tigers will probably play Oklahoma and either Kentucky or Connecticut, meaning Memphis will almost certainly have the top-rated non-league schedule in the nation.

Notably absent from that list of opponents is Ole Miss.

The reason?

Calipari chose to delay his scheduled game at Ole Miss to make room for Georgetown, a development that is sensible for Memphis but deflating for the Rebels. After playing at FedExForum last season, Ole Miss was set to host a marquee contest with a nearby rival. But now the Rebels are searching for somebody to fill that slot, well aware it's probably too late in the process to find another notable opponent willing to start a home-and-home series at Tad Smith Coliseum.