By Wes Werner
CBS SportsLine College Basketball Writer
Dec. 21, 1998

College fans don't have to worry about finding a lump of coal in their basketball stockings this Christmas season.

No less than 11 holiday tournaments begin this week as many teams travel to traditional sites -- and warmer climates -- such as Hawaii and Puerto Rico. That's not to say things won't heat up on the mainland as well. Several non-conference neighbors collide in the states of Ohio, Missouri, New Jersey and Wisconsin.

And if there ever was a question whether Santa Claus is a college hoops fan or not, his early gift, our game of the week, should provide the answer. Believe.

Game of the week

And if the 1999 college basketball season turns out to be a classic, the battle between Duke and Kentucky Tuesday at East Rutherford, N.J., could be a sneak preview of the final chapter to be played in St. Petersburg March 29. Few fans would feel cheated "re-reading" that game story.

William Avery leads the Blue Devils against the Wildcats. (Allsport)

There has been nothing subtle about the Wildcats' dominance of late. Tubby Smith's crew topped four ranked opponents in five games, then slaughtered Georgia Tech in Atlanta by 41 points. Kentucky's defense collected 16 steals and held the Yellow Jackets to a paltry 24.2 percent from the field (7.7 percent from beyond the arc).

AND UK GOT SURPRISE PERFORMANCES from reserve junior Jamaal Magloire and sophomore Ryan Hogan, who scored 15 points apiece (both averaged less than four points per game) and combined to hit 11 of 15 shots.

Duke has been disposing of foes in similar fashion. The Blue Devils dismantled Michigan 108-64, the worst defeat ever for the Wolverines. Duke has sandwiched its only loss (a two-point game to Cincinnati on neutral ground) between a pair of five-game win streaks.

Plus Mike Krzyzewski's Dukies are shooting the ball at a scary clip -- 53 percent overall, 47 percent from the 3-point stripe, nearly 77 percent at the foul line.

Just like your favorite book, this is one game you'll want to revisit again and again.

East

Rutgers at Princeton

Tuesday, Dec. 22, 7:30 p.m. ET

This in-state battle pits one likely conference champion against one team holding down the top spot in another league. Princeton hasn't lost a game in the Ivy League the past two seasons and recently won at UAB by 12 points. But the Tigers couldn't slow down Maryland in their last game, losing by 23 points. The Scarlet Knights have been the surprise of the Big East thanks to a balanced scoring attack led by senior Rob Hodgson (13.6 ppg). And consider Rutgers just got beat by Temple, managing only 38 points in the process. Another game of possession could spell trouble.

South

Tuesday, Dec. 22, 8:05 p.m.

Should be a big one between these two opposing Ohio Valley Conference teams. Gary Garner's Indians have won four consecutive games, including three on the road. Roderick Johnson and Bud Eley each posted double-doubles in their 20-point victory over Eastern Kentucky. The Shockers saw their five-game winning streak stopped at home against TCU. Senior Danny Moore has been the team's top scorer (19.8 ppg) and rebounder (6.4 rpg). He is also the top free-throw shooter (86 percent) on a team which has made 77 percent of its free throws.

Midwest

Wednesday, Dec. 23, 8 p.m.

Dick Bennett's Badgers have won eight consecutive games and enter their matchup at the Bradley Center as favorites for the first time in years. They came from behind to beat Texas on the road behind 21 points from senior guard Sean Mason, who still is the only Wisconsin player scoring in double-digits. This is the fourth consecutive home game for Mike Deane's Golden Eagles, who received another solid outing from senior Mike Bargen, Marquette's leading scorer (11.9 ppg), in the 12-point win over Baylor. Other than Bargen, Marquette's regulars have struggled shooting the ball, especially from 3-point range.

Southwest

Tuesday, Dec. 22, 9 p.m.

First-year Sun Devils coach Rob Evans was glad to have senior Mike Batiste back in the lineup. Arizona State needed his 23-point, 18-rebound performance to dispose of Texas A&M in overtime. And they might need such numbers again with undefeated Marist next in Tempe. The Red Foxes will hope to leave the desert with their unblemished record still intact. They've shot better than 49 percent from the field, including hot-handed Bobby Jo Hatton (52.7 percent) and Joe McCurdy (58.5 percent), the two best shooters and scorers on the team.

West

Monday, Dec. 21, 6 p.m.

Plenty of good games at the Pearl Harbor Classic, but none match this first-round contest between a pair of 6-3 clubs. Both teams were expected to win their respective conferences, but have little to show in terms of non-league victories. The Spartans' losses have come at the hands of Temple, Duke and UConn, with the Waves surrendering three consecutive to CS-Fullerton, Kansas and Wisconsin. No slouches, but the time is now to add something to the March stockpile. Senior Jelani Gardner (12.4 ppg) is the only member of the Waves in double digits. Forward Jason Klein, MSU's second-leading scorer (11.4 ppg) is still questionable with a foot injury and Mateen Cleaves scored just six points with four assists in his last outing.

New Mexico at Washington

Thursday, Dec. 24, 3 p.m.

These two teams haven't played each other in 11 years and they will be the only two teams to play Dec. 24. The host Huskies snapped a three-game skid by beating New Mexico State, UW's first home game in 32 days. If Washington is without starting guards Donald Watts (ankle) and Dan Dickau (foot), who will handle the Lobos' surprise freshman point man John Robinson? And how much stronger is New Mexico with senior forward Kenny Thomas back in the lineup after he sat out the first semester, settling an NCAA dispute over his freshman eligibility?

Monday, Dec. 21

• Best first-rounder of holiday tournaments. Both teams looking for meaningful victory.

Cleveland State at Akron, 7:30 p.m.

• Jami Bosley (20.1 ppg) and the Zips will have to shoot better in just third home game.

Dartmouth at Navy, 7:30 p.m.

• Young teams put recent losses to ranked foes behind (Ivy's best scorer: Shaun Gee 24 points vs. North Carolina).

Tuesday, Dec. 22

• Both coming off losses to similar styles squads ... which team will set the pace?

North Carolina at Georgia Tech, 8 p.m.

• N.C. can get by an Ivy League school without Ed Cota, but can they beat Tech in the ACC opener for both?

SE Missouri State at SW Missouri State, 8:05 p.m.

• Centers William "Bud" Eley and Danny Moore should decide this battle of the Valley Conferences.

Kentucky vs. Duke at East Rutherford, N.J., 9 p.m.

• William Avery, Wayne Turner, Trajan Langdon, Heshimu Evans, Elton Brand, Scott Padgett ... might we see this game again in March?

Marist at Arizona State, 9 p.m.

• Mike Batiste is back in time, but Sun Devils better beware of undefeated Red Foxes.

Illinois vs. Missouri at St. Louis, 9 p.m.

• Both teams lost six-game winning streaks in last outing.

Idaho at Gonzaga, 10 p.m.

• Bulldogs already are the top dog in the state of Washington, and a victory adds best in the Inland Northwest.

Vanderbilt at Oregon, 11:30 p.m.

• Vandy lost its only other game on Oregon's floor and the Ducks at McArthur Court are just plain tough.

Wednesday, Dec. 23

• Saints are averaging 91 points per game with extremely balanced attack.

Arkansas at Wake Forest, 7:30 p.m.

• How will Wake point guard Robert O'Kelley attack the Razorbacks' zone?

Wisconsin at Marquette, 8 p.m.

• Dick Bennett's Badgers go for ninth straight victory.

Thursday, Dec. 24

• Lobos average 112 points per game while Huskies have won 38 of last 46 at home.

Friday, Dec. 25

• Elves give up a lot of height, but never bet against the big man in the red suit.

Saturday, Dec. 26

• The Cardinals sent DePaul packing from Freedom Hall, but Cameron Murray and Co. will have to stay hot.

Sunday, Dec. 27

• Western Michigan's three-game winning streak started with Michigan; can unbeaten Toledo win MAC matchup?

Fresno State at Wisconsin, 3 p.m.

• Can Wisconsin's defense stop Courtney Alexander (22.0 ppg) and the high-scoring Bulldogs?

Dayton vs. Cincinnati at Cleveland, 4:30 p.m.

• Undefeated Bearcats play host to Houston first, then must tackle Flyers at Gund Arena.