Conference play, rivalries and banners on the line are no-brainers for great games. I already know that I will be riveted by epic battles like Duke-North Carolina, UCLA-Arizona, Texas-Kansas, Michigan State-Indiana and Syracuse-UConn. But the games that get my blood pumping for the season are the ones that will be played before the ball drops in Times Square. Here are 10 early games I would dig deep into my own pocket to see:
8. NC State at Michigan State, Nov. 28, ESPN
Michigan State has another Big Ten title team, and Tom Izzo will be blending talented newcomers Kalin Lucas, Chris Allen and Durrell Summers with vets Drew Neitzel and Raymar Morgan. NC State may not have an established point guard, but the Wolfpack will still be a big challenge in what should be a fun game to watch.
