Scheduling philosophy becomes very important in setting a tone for your season. It helps you get into position to develop momentum. You want to have a positive run to earn a major invitation to the NCAA Tournament.

	Coach John Calipari has lost Dajuan Wagner after just one year, as most expected.

When you look at more than 300 schools tipping off practice come Oct. 15, the goal is to make the field of 65.

Let's talk about scheduling. Down at Texas Tech, Bobby Knight had a chance to open the season vs. Louisville. Imagine that, Knight vs. Rick Pitino -- what an attractive way that would have been to start the season, baby!

Instead, the General decided, and it is solid thinking, to have two home-court appearances in an exempt situation as part of a tournament at Texas Tech. That will give him an opportunity to get to the winner's circle while developing fan interest. Those games won't count against his regular-season game total.

Meanwhile, Louisville will be taking on Knight's former employer, Indiana, as those two schools renew their rivalry. These teams last met in the NCAA Tournament in 1993. Their last regular-season showdown was back in 1990. This matchup will create fan interest.

By the way, Knight was excited to learn that every home game has been sold out already. Texas Tech has also worked to add a few former Southwest Conference schools to the schedule. A contest against Houston has already been added. Current Cougars coach Ray McCallum was previously at Ball State and faced Knight's Indiana squads.

At Memphis, John Calipari is talking about ending the Arkansas-Memphis matchup sometime down the line. Why, baby, why? It's a big-time shootout, especially when you think about Arkansas coming into Memphis and getting players in the past. That might contribute to the potential change.

Why give Arkansas the opportunity to step into his city and reap the benefits? Again, philosophy plays a part as each coach tries to get the winner's edge.

North Carolina and Connecticut will hook up for a series. That's two heavyweight programs going head-to-head, knowing that a loss won't hurt them. When you are a major power, the stature of those two, an early loss doesn't hurt you like it would in football.

For example, when Notre Dame goes to Nebraska to open this season, a loss would impact the BCS and national-championship hopes of either team. Losses are so much more monumental in the system utilized by football.

When looking at college basketball scheduling, also think about the little guy. The mid-major often struggles to get the chance to face the big guys. At Detroit, the Titans are happy since Perry Watson will hook up with Michigan and Tommy Amaker. Watch out, that could be a tough one.

When looking at scheduling, also think about the little guy. The mid-major often struggles to get the chance to face the big guys.

It will be interesting to see if Michigan and Duke continue their series. Coach K has said he doesn't like facing his former players, and Tommy Amaker's arrival at Ann Arbor could affect this series. I know one school that would like to play Duke -- Tom Izzo and Michigan State would welcome the challenge of facing the classy Blue Devils.

Marshall gets to open at the NABC Classic in Lexington, Ky. The Thundering Herd will play George Washington in the first game and could play Kentucky the next day. That won't be Cupcake City for the Wildcats, with Tamar Slay and company ready. The Thundering Herd took Cincinnati to the wire last year and Greg White's team will be prepared, even at Rupp Arena.

J.R. VanHoose will be pumped up to play in Kentucky, where he was high school Player of the Year. He wasn't recruited by the Wildcats, so he has something to prove.

Football scheduling is also different in that deals are made years and years in advance. In college basketball, there is wheeling and dealing each year, and TV cameras play a role in the way the major schools set up their schedules.

No question, making good scheduling decisions can impact a coach and his team's chances at the Big Dance.