Wednesday night will be a telling time for two teams that have enjoyed early-season success.

	There have been plenty of celebrations for Jon Crispin (top) and Penn State already this season.

Penn State invades East Lansing, Mich., with a 9-1 record. Jerry Dunn's team last made the NCAA tournament in 1996; an upset victory over the Spartans would help the Nittany Lions' quest for a berth to the Big Dance.

That is a very difficult task. Michigan State hasn't missed a beat this season. Some were wondering how Tom Izzo's team would do without Mateen Cleaves, Morris Peterson and A.J. Granger. There have been many answers, as the Spartans are solid in many key areas.

Izzo's team plays excellent defense; it's as good as anyone in the half-court set. They attack the glass and rebound as well as anybody in America. Michigan State gets production from its bench as well as its starters.

This game takes on added meaning since this starts the Big Ten season. Penn State is a dangerous team, and if you don't believe it, go ask Tubby Smith. The Nittany Lions won at Lexington thanks to the Crispin brothers. Joe and Jon combined for 57 points in the upset over the Wildcats.

If you can get it done in Lexington, before the screaming fans in their blue and white, you can win anywhere.

This will be a test for the Michigan State guards, trying to defend the Crispins. For Penn State to pull the upset and end the longest current win streak (22 games), it must shoot well from the perimeter.

Look for the Nittany Lions to shoot early and often from the trifecta line. It should be interesting, an intense battle to open the conference schedule.

ARE THE EAGLES FOR REAL?
The jury is still out on the Boston College Eagles. I'm not talking about Judge Judy, fans. Yes, Al Skinner's team is 9-0, but just how good is this club?

Skinner has done a solid job, and Troy Bell is a super soph. In fact, Bell had 29 points, seven assists and only one turnover in an eye-opening, big-time win over a good Vanderbilt team. That score blew me away, a 97-74 victory over the Commodores.

It raised a few hairs, and I only have a few on my bald dome! It wasn't that Boston College won, but the margin that shocked me!

Can Bell and company light it up against the defensive intensity of Jim Calhoun's Huskies? The key for Connecticut has been the instant impact play of Caron Butler. The freshman showed off his multi-dimensional skills by posting a recent triple-double against Rhode Island.

Johnnie Selvie, another newcomer who comes off the bench, provides an offensive spark. He's certainly heading towards a spot on my All-Rolaids Team (players providing instant relief).

Connecticut has certainly had Boston College's number. The Huskies have won the last 23 meetings -- count 'em, 23 in a row, baby! Talk about dominating a rivalry!

This is not P.E. 101 for the Eagles -- it's more like calculus. We'll get a true evaluation of Skinner's squad against UConn.