Nov. 12, 2004
Scores are coming in already, with so many schools playing their exhibition schedules.

The good thing about these preseason games is the new rule that pits Division I schools against Division II and III opponents. It provides an opportunity for the little guy to square off against a big-name foe -- it's a chance to measure their standard of play against the best of the best.

New Format for Coaches vs. Cancer

The Coaches vs. Cancer Classic kicks off with opening-round games Nov. 11-13. The tournament has a new, expanded format for 2004: 16 teams from 16 different conferences tipping off the college hoops season at four regional sites nationwide. Cal, Memphis, Mississippi State and Syracuse are hosting the opening rounds, with teams playing for the chance to advance to the semifinal and championship rounds at Madison Square Garden in New York City. After the opening round on Nov. 11-13, the championship rounds will take place Nov. 18-19, as follows: Semifinals: Thursday, Nov. 18 (ESPN2, 7 p.m. and 9:15 p.m.) Consolation: Friday, Nov. 19 (ESPN2, 7 p.m.) Championship: Friday, Nov. 19 (ESPN2, 9:15 p.m.) Later this month, the Tip-Off Classic in Springfield, Mass., will feature Memphis vs. Maryland on Friday, Nov. 26 (ESPN2, 9 p.m. ET).

So now we don't have any more of those crazy matchups between barnstorming all-star teams and Division I schools. They were a fiasco at times, because some teams received guarantees, and many people felt it was an advantage in the recruiting wars.

Last year there was an intense battle over plum recruit Rudy Gay. Maryland coach Gary Williams and UConn's Jim Calhoun competed for the services of Mr. Gay, who ended up at Connecticut.

Some felt Calhoun had an advantage by playing an exhibition game against a team that had a relationship with Gay. Calhoun denied gaining any advantage, and the Huskies clearly did not break any rules.

The bottom line is that in allowing exhibitions against Division II and III schools, the NCAA has moved in a positive direction.

This also helps enhance local rivalries. Connecticut faced in-state opponent Bridgeport. Kansas faced Washburn (though they have met in the regular season before), North Carolina beat Winston-Salem State, Pittsburgh met Carnegie-Mellon, Kentucky faced Northern Kentucky, Louisville met Kentucky Wesleyan, Notre Dame battled St. Joseph's of Indiana and on and on.

It gives teams a chance to play in front of a crowd against competition instead of working day in and day out at practice. Whether a team led at halftime or trailed didn't matter (Maryland trailed Bryant 48-46 at halftime before winning by 15).

The scores don't really matter, as this is dress-rehearsal time. It helps to work on game situations and to get familiar with teammates within a live-game atmosphere.

Stars don't need to get a lot of minutes, so it gives newcomers and young players a feel for the game in front of a big crowd. Fans have had the chance to see diaper dandies like Jordan Farmer of UCLA, Dayshawn Wright of Syracuse and Gay of Connecticut, to name a few. All-Marco Polo transfers, like Tony Bethel of NC State, also have had a chance to give an advance preview of their games.

Exhibitions are great, but the bottom line is games that count, baby! I'm so excited about the Coaches vs. Cancer tournament, which kicks off with opening-round games Nov. 11-13 (see inline story above).

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.