Twenty reasons to take hard look at hardwood before BCS

Are you one of those sports fans who doesn't pay attention to college basketball until after college football?

Don't lie to me.

Are you?

If so, that's too bad. But it should be easy to convert you because in all likelihood this is just a matter of you not knowing what you're missing. Thus, I'm going to spend today telling you what you'll miss if you fail to tune into college basketball until after a Big Ten team is again routed in the BCS National Championship Game on Jan. 8.

Here are 20 great games between now and then:

Nov. 18: Kentucky at North Carolina

Patrick Patterson vs. Tyler Hansbrough is worth the wait. (Getty Images)

The season actually starts Nov. 10, but the first premier matchup comes the following week. And that's fine. It's worth the wait to see two of the best programs in history meet in a game that pits Patrick Patterson against Tyler Hansbrough.

Nov. 18: Davidson at Oklahoma

This is based on neither team getting upset the night before. Assuming that assumption is correct, it'll be two first team preseason CBSSports.com All-Americans on the court (Stephen Curry and Blake Griffin) battling for the right to advance to the semifinals of the NIT Season Tip-off at New York's Madison Square Garden.

Nov. 21: Duke vs. UCLA (in New York)

There is no guarantee the Blue Devils and Bruins will meet in the championship of the 2K Sports Classic benefiting Coaches vs. Cancer, but it's clearly the game that would be the most interesting. Nothing against UMass, Michigan or Southern Illinois, but I'm sure the folks at the Gazelle Group will appreciate it if those schools all play well but fail to advance to the title game. It's Duke-UCLA or bust!

Nov. 24: Florida vs. Syracuse (in Kansas City)

The Gators and Orange are set to meet in a semifinal of the CBE Classic that would feature two of the nation's best sophomore point guards (Nick Calathes and Jonny Flynn). The winner of that game would likely get Kansas or Washington the following night, meaning it's possible the past two national champions (Florida and Kansas) could tangle in what would be a "neutral site" game that feels more like a road one for the Gators.

Nov. 26: Notre Dame vs. North Carolina (in Maui)

The Irish and Tar Heels must navigate their way to the title game of the Maui Invitational for this to materialize. If they don't it will be a disappointment because a Luke Harangody-Tyler Hansbrough matchup would be the perfect way to spend the night before Thanksgiving.

Nov. 28: Tennessee vs. Georgetown and Michigan State vs. Gonzaga (in Orlando)

Those are the likely semifinal matchups of the Old Spice Classic, and you'd be hard-pressed to get a better doubleheader. All four of those teams are ranked in the top 15 of the preseason Top 25 (and one), and any combination that reaches the title game two days later will offer a great matchup.

Dec. 2: Duke at Purdue

The Blue Devils get a rare non-league road game, and it's a doozy. This is two of the top six teams in the preseason Top 25 (and one) and two of the best inside-outside forwards in America, namely Kyle Singler and Robbie Hummel.

Dec. 3: North Carolina vs. Michigan State (in Detroit)

Ford Field is the site of this ACC-Big Ten showdown. It's also the site of the Final Four, meaning these teams could very well meet here again in April.

Dec. 3: West Virginia at Ole Miss

Andy Kennedy backed Bob Huggins even when it was in his best interest to distance himself while serving as the interim coach at Cincinnati. Now Huggins returns the favor with a visit to his protégé's campus, and if the two get together for a drink on The Square in Oxford the night before and toast to UC president Nancy Zimpher's unpopularity, hey, who could blame them?

Dec. 4: UCLA at Texas

Ben Howland has Darren Collison, Jrue Holiday and Jerime Anderson all capable of running the point. I see no reason why he couldn't let Rick Barnes borrow one while the Longhorns adjust to life after D.J. Augustin.

Dec. 4: Southern California at Oklahoma

Come Jan. 7, Stephen Curry could be the best player in Cameron Indoor Stadium. (Getty Images)

If you like high-scoring, hard-dunking freshmen, then this game is for you. It's DeMar DeRozan and Willie Warren, and the possible No. 1 pick in next June's NBA Draft (Blake Griffin) should also be in attendance.

Dec. 6: Ohio State vs. Notre Dame (in Indianapolis)

Can OSU freshman Blake Mullens handle the more experienced Luke Harangody? We'll find out soon enough.

Dec. 14: Gonzaga vs. Arizona (in Phoenix)

Might this be an audition for Mark Few, who should be among the leading candidates to be Lute Olson's permanent successor? Who knows? But I'm betting it's billed that way in the Arizona newspapers.

Dec. 16: Marquette vs. Tennessee (in Nashville)

Dominic James, Jerel McNeal and Wesley Matthews against Bobby Maze, Scotty Hopson and J.P. Prince. That's a good group of guards ready to run in Music City.

Dec. 20: Connecticut vs. Gonzaga (in Seattle)

North Carolina is the clear favorite to win the national title. However, both the Huskies and Zags are talented enough to spoil those plans.

Dec. 20: Syracuse at Memphis

Jim Boeheim has long been ridiculed for trying to avoid true road games until January. Not this year. He's taking his Orange to FedExForum, where Memphis has won 49 of its past 50 regular-season home games.

Dec. 31: UNLV at Louisville

Fair or not, the non-BCS schools typically have to earn their NCAA tournament seed in non-league play. That's why stealing a victory at Freedom Hall would be quite a New Year's present for UNLV.

Jan. 4: Kentucky at Louisville

This is a big game regardless of the circumstances. But when both teams are good (which should be the case) then it becomes much bigger.

Jan. 7: Davidson at Duke

Every ACC school passed on Stephen Curry because none deemed him good enough to play in their league. That's hilarious considering that on the eve of the BCS National Championship Game the sweet-shooting Davidson star will be the best player in Cameron Indoor Stadium.