Illinois

The plan for head coach Bill Self was to bring along freshman guard Josh Selby, who missed nine games due to NCAA suspension, slowly against USC on Saturday. The Baltimore native didn't enter the game until after the first television timeout, but it became apparent quite early what his addition means to their attack. And by the end of the game Selby became the difference between Kansas extending their home win streak to 65 games and having to start a new streak.

While you never want to say that a game is a "must-win", make no mistake about the importance of North Carolina getting a win over Kentucky on Saturday afternoon. While Roy Williams' team had wins over UNC Asheville and College of Charleston before losing at Illinois, UNC's play will be measured by its performance in the games against elite competition.

The question that's dominated discussion for many in regards to the Gonzaga Bulldogs has been what's up with Elias Harris. One of the best freshmen in America last season, Harris has been dealing with shoulder and knee injuries in the Bulldogs' 4-2 start. Can he increase his production on Saturday when the Bulldogs take on Illinois in Seattle? Whether or not the swingman is healthy enough to make a significant impact will determine whether or not the Bulldogs are able to knock off the Illini in an environment that while defined as "neutral" will be anything but.

While Tuesday marks the second day of the ACC/Big Ten Challenge, which the ACC leads 1-0 thanks to Virginia's win over Minnesota last night, the best game on the schedule may actually tip off in Kansas City. Two teams expected to contend for their respective league titles meet at the Spirit Center as Georgetown faces Missouri. The Hoyas are the more tested of the two teams to this point in the season, having won the Charleston Classic as well as beating Old Dominion on the road in their season opener.

The great thing about early-season matchups the caliber of the semifinal doubleheader at Madison Square Garden is that it's a great litmus test for the teams in regards to where they are now in relation to where they'd like to be come March. All four teams in the 2K Sports Classic benefitting Coaches vs. Cancer showed off skills that should serve them well as the season wears on but they also displayed issues that must be rectified as well.

Three in-season tournaments take the stage on Thursday with action all day in Charleston and Puerto Rico to go along with a doubleheader in New York. The 2K Sports Classic benefitting Coaches vs. Cancer takes over Madison Square Garden as Pittsburgh faces Maryland in the early game while Illinois and Texas meet in the nightcap. The first game matches the experienced talent of the Big East favorites and the young talent of Gary Williams' Terrapins, who could surprise some folks in the ACC this year.

Overall Rank: #17

Just four games on tonight's schedule, once again featuring the four teams slated to play next week at Madison Square Garden in the 2K Sports Classic benefitting Coaches vs. Cancer. The game to keep an eye on: College of Charleston, the pick to finish second in the South Division of the Southern Conference, heads north to take on a Maryland teams that already has a 105-76 pasting of Seattle under its belt. But Gary Williams' team is a young outfit thanks to the loss of Eric Hayes, Landon Milbourne and Greivis Vasquez, as evidenced by their staggering 29 turnovers in Monday's win.

The college basketball season is finally underway with regional action in the 2K Sports Classic Benefitting Coaches vs. Cancer taking place at four sites. Illinois, Maryland, Pittsburgh and Texas will play a pair of games at home (Monday and Wednesday) before taking the show to Madison Square Garden for the semifinals and final next week, but of the games on tap Monday the preseason Final Four contender may have the stiffest challenge.

RPI #'s updated as of 3/14/10, 12:30 am.