• I am looking forward to the first College Gameday of the season in Baton Rouge this weekend. The Connecticut-LSU game should be interesting. Psychologically, this is a big game for Jim Calhoun's young squad. The Huskies suffered a disaster in their first road trip of the season, a 10-point loss at West Virginia last weekend. Connecticut had a difficult time attacking John Beilein's 1-3-1 zone defense. Why is this a big game psychologically? With young kids like Calhoun has, you know they will get better and better and a win against a talented LSU club would add to their confidence level. The Tigers have one of the nation's premier players in Glen "Big Baby" Davis.

• It is very obvious that opponents of Ohio State will have to hit the trifecta to have any shot against the Buckeyes. Indiana made 12 of them and still failed to get to the winner's circle. Against Ohio State, facing the shot-blocking talent of Greg Oden, the perimeter game must excel or it could be a long, long night. The Hoosiers stayed in the game because of three-pointers.

• Duke has to be thrilled with the play of Josh McRoberts. He is really starting to assert himself offensively and on the glass. Early in his career, he was thinking about being a passer first and a scorer second. He had a career-high 21 points (plus nine rebounds) in a win against Temple earlier in the week. That performance came after a 15-point, career-high 17 rebound effort against San Jose State. McRoberts has a versatile game.

• Good news for Kentucky fans. The basketball team is getting ready to use its new $30-million practice facility that many feel is the best of its kind. The plan is for the Wildcats to begin using it next week.

• New Mexico's J.R. Giddens is a tough match-up for anyone in America because he has a world of talent and he has his act together now. He is a physical specimen who can handle the rock, shoot, drive. He has elevated his game and has set aside his problems to concentrate on being a complete player. His issues at Kansas are past history and his future is bright as pro scouts are interested in Giddens down the line.

• Despite a loss to Texas A&M earlier this week, keep an eye on Winthrop as a dangerous opponent come NCAA tournament time. Gregg Marshall's team always prepares by playing a rugged schedule. The Eagles already have wins over Old Dominion and Mississippi State, and close losses to Wisconsin (in overtime) and North Carolina. Winthrop also lost to quality opponents Maryland and Texas A&M. Watch out for the guard tandem of senior Torrell Martin and junior Michael Jenkins. This is a club that is capable of knocking off a big name during March Madness.

• One key reason for West Virginia's success this season has been the play of Frank Young. He hit eight trifectas and finished with 25 points in Wednesday's win over Villanova. John Beilein's club does a great job of spacing on offense and their ball movement often leads to open shots. It is a system that really works well and the Mountaineers are making noise in the Big East.

• Vanderbilt coach Kevin Stallings had to be thrilled with the news that J.P. Prince has decided to transfer and join the Commodores. Prince left the Arizona program prior to the start of the second semester.

• I've teased Southern Mississippi coach Larry Eustachy for playing a lot of cupcakes. There have been plenty with the likes of Bellhaven. I do give credit for a win over SEC opponent Auburn earlier in the week. The Tigers have struggled but they are a member of the prestigious SEC.

• Best wishes for a speedy recovery to St. Francis (Pa.) coach Bobby Jones. He was hospitalized for stroke-like symptoms following his team's loss to American earlier in the week. *I also wish the best for Illinois-Chicago coach Jimmy Collins who suffered an abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Dick Vitale coached the Pistons and the University of Detroit before broadcasting ESPN's first college basketball game in December 1979. Send him a question for possible use on ESPNEWS.