Hawaii at UTEP, Thursday: The Rainbow Warriors are the hottest team in the WAC, but they haven't left the islands. They go to UTEP and Boise State this week and must prove that they're not simply a homecooked team by getting at least a split.

Oregon at Arizona, Friday: The Wildcats can't afford to drop a home game if they're going to make a run at the Pac-10 title. They get Oregon State on Sunday.

Oregon State at Arizona State, Friday: The Sun Devils have been one of the more disappointing teams in the league, but they can correct that with a home sweep of the Oregon schools Friday and Sunday.

Cal at Stanford, Friday; Stanford at Cal, Sunday: The quirky Pac-10 schedule has the two teams playing over the weekend. The key will be whether or not the Bears can make perimeter shots and that means Joe Shipp and Dennis Gates. The inside games could be a wash.

Pittsburgh at Boston College, Saturday: The Panthers are a sleeper team in non-conference games, but can they play the same role in the Big East? That's a good question.

Miami (Fla.) at Connecticut, Saturday: The 'Canes continue their road swing through the Big East at a place where they have had moderate success recently. This game will be in cozy Gampel Pavilion, but that might not matter to Miami, which beat Georgetown in D.C. earlier in the week.

Vermont at Boston University, Saturday: The two favorites for the America East title meet in the first week of the season, but the Catamounts are on a roll that the Terriers might not be able to flatten.

Saint Joseph's at UMass, Saturday: The Minutemen must win this game if they're going to be taken seriously as a contender for the Atlantic 10 title. They probably won't win when the game goes to Hawk Hill later in the season.

Syracuse at Providence, Saturday: The Orangemen have been a tough out at home, save N.C. State. But can this act play well on the road against a team that desperately wants to regain its place among the league's elite?

Marquette at Charlotte, Saturday: The Eagles tough stretch continues with a Conference USA game against a team that has missed its mark all season. Beating Marquette could turn the season around for the 49ers.

Kent at Marshall, Saturday: The Herd is starting to become a contender again while the Flashes need to make a statement to the rest of the league that they are a favorite.

South Carolina at Florida, Saturday: Tony Kitchings is back from his concussion and the Gamecocks have been cruising lately. Getting through this game, even if they don't win, with a competitive effort could be a victory for South Carolina in its quest to finish in the top three in the SEC East.

Kentucky at Mississippi State, Saturday: The Bulldogs' only loss was to Cincinnati -- yet they're not getting any love nationally. Beating Kentucky would certainly do the trick.

Wake Forest at North Carolina, Saturday: The much-maligned Tar Heels could quiet any critics by beating Wake Forest. Meanwhile, the Demon Deacons' win over Marquette seemed to get them back in their top 25 form of earlier in the season.

Illinois at Wisconsin, Saturday: The Badgers are proving to be a tough game at home again after beating Marquette at Kohl Center. But this is Illinois and the Illini are still the team to beat. Not sure if Kirk Penney can get off as many shots against Illinois' defense.

Tulane at DePaul, Saturday: The new hot name in Conference USA gets a chance to get ahead in the league with a win over Tulane. Confidence is high at DePaul and Tulane could be reeling if Kentucky blows out Tulane.

Iowa at Ohio State, Saturday: No one has mentioned the Buckeyes after they lost to Louisville and Pittsburgh. This is the chance for Ohio State to get back in the national discussion, if not the Big Ten talk.

Texas at Oklahoma State, Saturday: This could have been a tossup had Chris Owens been healthy. Instead, Texas will need a remarkable game from point T.J. Ford, and that includes scoring, for the Longhorns to have a chance.

Kansas at Colorado, Saturday: The Buffaloes have been a bust in big games thus far and get a chance with another one early in the Big 12. David Harrison gets a welcoming to big-time play by going against Drew Gooden and Nick Collison.

Tulsa at Fresno State, Saturday: The Bulldogs are in a hole in the WAC after losing the opener at Hawaii. Losing to Tulsa is unacceptable in the goal to win the regular-season title.