For more on this game, read here.

For more on this game, read here!

What better setting than Madison Square Garden for some of the best games of this young, yet already exciting college basketball season. Four quality teams from four of the nation's top conferences descend on the Big Apple for the 2K Sports Classic benefitting Coaches vs. Cancer. Not only will one team leave feeling really good about it season's prospects, but all four will be able to use this stiff competition as a measuring stick as to where it stands.

I'll be at the world's most famous arena Thursday and Friday and I'll be here to keep you updated on all the action. Want to know how Syracuse, California, North Carolina and Ohio State are doing? Here is the place to find out.

Before all the action begins, here is a primer of what to expect from these two phenomenal days of basketball, starting with Thursday's semifinal action.

No. 13 California vs. Syracuse - 7:00 p.m. - ESPN2
For Syracuse, this a chance for it to silence it critics after losing to Division II Le Moyne in an exhibition game earlier in the year. For California, this is a chance to justify its high preseason ranking.

Arinze Onuaku (AP)

Syracuse has an impressive frontcourt with Arinze Onuaku, Wesley Johnson and Rick Jackson. Onuaku leads the team averaging 14 points a game. Johnson, an Iowa State transfer, is right behind, scoring 13.5 points a game and nearly six rebounds a night. Jackson can also score and be physical around the basket.

Cal is known more for its guards, but a deep frontcourt will not make things easy for the Orange. The Bears are led by Jamal Boykin, who is averaging 7.5 rebounds a game this year. Centers Markhuri Sanders-Frison and Max Zhang will also contribute in the paint.

Speaking of Cal's wing play, Jerome Randle, Patrick Christopher and Theo Roberston are averaging a combined 53.5 points a game. They can light it up, and Syracuse's backcourt, which is dealing with the loss of Johnny Flynn to the NBA and Eric Devendorf to graduation, will certainly have its hands full. The Bears cannot sleep on Andy Rautins, however, who is a terrific outside shooter and can make any team pay if they collapse on the Orange big men. Rautins shot 7-for-10 from 3-point range en route to 22 points against Robert Morris.

Both these teams are 2-0 and both have high hopes for the year. If Syracuse can win this one, the Le Moyne loss will be a distant memory. If California can take this one, it can further solidify ifs position as one of the favorites in the Pac-10.
 
No. 6 North Carolina vs. No. 15 Ohio State - 9:00 p.m. - ESPN2
If you want to see some of the nation's top players compete, you came to the right place. NBA scouts will be feverishly taking notes during this one as stellar group of athletes from both teams take the floor on this big stage.

None bigger than North Carolina's Deon Thompson and Ohio State's Evan Turner.
Thompson, UNC's lone returning starter, has gotten off to a tremendous start, leading the team with 17.7 points and 8.3 rebounds a game. Turner opened the season by recording only the second triple-double in Ohio State history. Both are already being placed in the player of the year discussion.

The rest of the Tar Heels frontcourt has been sensational too, as expected. Ed Davis and Tyler Zeller are combining to average nearly 24 points and over 13 rebounds a night. Ohio State plays a smaller lineup and players like Kyle Madsen and Dallas Lauderdale will be asked to do a lot in the post. David Lighty, who is averaging 11 points and five assists a game, will likely be asked to guard bigger UNC players, and could also be matched up against UNC's terrific freshman forward John Henson.

In the backcourt, the Buckeyes are loaded and it starts with Turner, who is averaging a gaudy 19 points, 17 rebounds and seven assists a game in 2009-10. William Buford and Jon Diebler are also very reliable scoring threats. The Tar Heels have more question marks in the backcourt, and all eyes will be on Larry Drew II. Drew II is stepping in for Ty Lawson and his control running the offense will go a long way in determining UNC's success in this game and during the course of the year. How he performs against some of the nation's top competition will be one of the most intriguing subplots to this tournament. Senior Marcus Ginyard gives the Tar Heels experience in the backcourt. He will be relied upon heavily in this matchup.

You can't ask for a much more star-studded matchup of two teams, especially this early in the season. Turner and Thompson. Buford and Davis. It doesn't get much better than this. The winner of this game will immediately stamp itself a Final Four contender.

And I'll be there for every minute. Stay tuned for more coverage from the 2KSports Classic!
 

After over 24 hours of consecutive college basketball, even the casual fan can get a little dizzy. Here is a glance at the biggest games - including the nation's No. 1 and No. 2 teams getting pushed to limit.

No. 1 Kansas 57, Memphis 55
These two teams squared off in an epic national championship game in 2008, and this finish didn't disappoint. Sherron Collins, who missed much of the second half battling leg cramps, managed to score Kansas' last three points as the Jayhawks were able to overcome late 3-pointers by Memphis' Doneal Mack and Elliot Williams. Williams, a raw, yet explosive offensive talent, had a shot at the buzzer to win it, but it hit of the back rim.

With Collins on the bench, Cole Aldrich stepped up with 18 points, 11 rebounds and five blocks as Kansas avoided being the first No. 1 team in the nation that Memphis has ever beaten.

Williams led all scorers with 21. Heralded freshman Xavier Henry added 11 for the Jayhawks.
Recap

No. 2 Michigan State 75, Gonzaga 71

Raymar Morgan (AP)

A gutsy performance by Gonzaga was only overmatched by an equally gutsy performance by Michigan State. Durrell Summers, who ended with 21 points and 11 rebounds, and Kalin Lucas, who added 19 points, each made clutch baskets down the stretch as the Spartans avoided the upset at the hands of unranked Gonzaga.

Something tells me Gonzaga's days of being unranked may be numbered.

What the Bulldogs lack in experience, they make up for in talent, and Mark Few has to be excited by the potential of this team. Gonzaga led Michigan State by five at halftime.

Four Gonzaga starters scored in double figures led by center Robert Sacre and forward Elias Harris, who scored 17 apiece. Michigan State's Raymar Morgan scored 16 despite playing with an ankle injury.
Recap

No. 12 Connecticut 76, Hofstra 67
The Huskies are glad to have Jerome Dyson back. The senior guard scored 15 of his 23 points in the final eight minutes as the Huskies survived a scare from Hostra, which had a lead with under five minutes remaining. Hofstra's largest lead of the game was nine points.

Other than Dyson, three other UConn starters scored in double figures. Charles Jenkins led Hofstra with 25 points.
Recap

No. 19 Georgetown 46, Temple 45
Greg Monroe saved the day for the Hoyas as he drained the game-winning bucket with 6.5 second left in what amounts to an ugly win, but a win nonetheless, for Georgetown.

Monroe finished with 11 points and nine rebounds. The Hoyas, which committed 16 turnovers, were led by Chris Wright, who scored 15. Forward Lavoy Allen has 12 points and 14 rebounds for Temple.
Recap

Cal State Fullerton 68, UCLA 65 (2 OT)
Aaron Thompson's career-high 22 points gave Cal State Fullerton its first win over UCLA in 10 tries. This is UCLA's first season-opening loss since 2002-03.

Michael Roll and Malcolm Lee each scored 17 for the Bruins, but it is apparent that the loss of Darren Collison, Jrue Holiday and Josh Shipp will be an obstacle for UCLA this season.
Recap

How about this for a debut? Kentucky's John Wall, the nation's most hyped freshman, nailed a go-ahead jumper with .5 seconds to go to lead No. 4 Kentucky to a thrilling 72-70 win over Miami (Ohio). Wall's team-high 19 points came after he sat out the last two games while serving a suspension.

Patrick Patterson and fellow freshman DeMarcus Cousins each had a double-double for the Wildcats.

Miami (Ohio) was led by Nick Winbush, who scored a game-high 26 points. The RedHawks hit 15 3-pointers on the game.

The real story is Wall, however, as he capped one of the most spectacular debuts in recent memory. This dramatic performance certainly sets the tone for a year that is expected to produce fireworks for both Wall and the Wildcats (3-0).

Recap

The first weekend of college basketball is completed. Here's a glance at what happened across the country.

Saturday Games:
No. 11 Butler 73, Davidson 62
Butler trailed by two at half, but Gordon Hayward and the Bulldogs prevailed with a strong second half. Hayward had 17 points and Willie Veasley chipped in with 15.
Recap

No. 15 Michigan 97, Northern Michigan 50

Manny Harris (AP)

Manny Harris recorded only the second triple-double in Michigan history as the Wolverines cruised to a season-opening win. Harris finished with 18 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists.
Recap

No. 21 Georgia Tech 100, Florida A&M 59
Sophomore Iman Shumpert scored 18 points and prized recruit Derrick Favors added 10 points and eight rebounds in Georgia Tech's season opener.
Recap

Other top 25 games:
No. 14 Washington 96, Belmont 78 | Recap
No. 17 Oklahoma 95, Mount St. Mary's 71 | Recap
No. 18 Dayton 90, Creighton 80 | Recap

Sunday Games:
No. 6 North Carolina 88, Valparaiso 77
It wasn't easy, but the defending champs improved to 3-0. Deon Thompson lead UNC with 20 points and eight rebounds and his efforts allowed the Tar Heels to fend off a second-half Valparaiso rally, which included the Crusaders shooting 7-for-10 from 3-point range.
Recap

North Carolina will play No. 15 Ohio State on Thursday in the 2k Sport Classic benefitting Coaches vs. Cancer. Stay tuned to this blog for more coverage, including a live blog from the game!

Other top 25 games:
No. 3 Texas 89, UC Irvine 42 | Recap
No. 8 West Virginia 83, Loyola (MD) 60 | Recap
No. 14 Washington 111, Portland State 55 | Recap

News and Notes:

Northwestern: Unfortunate news out of Northwestern today as it announced that it's leading returning scorer, Kevin Coble, will miss the 2009-10 season as he will undergo foot surgery. Coble, a senior, averaged 15.5 points last season. To make matters worse, fellow senior Jeff Ryan will also miss the entire season with an ACL tear.
For more, read here

Arkansas: On Friday, Arkansas' Rotnei Clarke set a SEC record with 13 3-pointers en route to a 51-point performance as Arkansas topped Alcorn State 130-68.
Recap

Fourteen ranked teams were in action on Friday night, the first major night of college basketball. Most teams justified their high rankings, but there was one upset. Here is a rundown of all the action.

Rider 88, No. 18 Mississippi State 74
The lone upset of the day and first of the season, Rider used a 10-for-16 perfomance from behind the arc to knock off Mississippi State. Mike Ringgold and Novar Gadson each scored 21 points as the Broncs spoiled the Bulldogs' SEC Tournament Championship ring ceremony.

Mississippi State came into the season with high hopes after returning all five starters from last year's squad. Bulldog center Jarvis Varnado was impressive with 22 points, 14 rebounds and seven blocked shots.
Recap

No. 1 Kansas 101, Hofstra 65
We know all about Sherron Collins and Cole Aldrich. On Friday, the Jayhawks unveiled another weapon - Xavier Henry. Henry's much anticipated debut did not disappoint as the freshman hit five 3-pointers and set a school freshman record with 27 points.

Collins poured in 23 points and Aldrich added 11 points and eight rebounds.
Recap

No. 2 Michigan State 97, Florida Gulf Coast 58
Much like last year, Michigan State used a balanced scoring attack as six different Spartans scored in double figures. Kalin Lucas led Michigan State with 21 points and Durrell Summers added 17.

Draymond Green had 11 points and a game-high 10 rebounds.
Recap

No. 4 Kentucky 75, Morehead State 59
With freshman point guard John Wall serving a suspension, another Kentucky freshman shined in the season opener. Eric Bledsoe, in the starting lineup for Wall, scored a game-high 27 points as the Wildcats successfully opened the John Calipari era in Lexington.

Patrick Patterson picked up from where left off last season with 20 points and 12 rebounds.
Recap

No. 5 Villanova 85, Farleigh Dickinson 61
Corey Stokes shot 5-for-10 from 3-point range and scored 20 points to lead the Wildcats.
Recap

No. 7 Purdue 89, Cal State Northridge 64
Robbie Hummel appeared healthy and as always he filled up the stat sheet. He ended with 17 points, six rebounds, four assists and two blocks for the Boilermakers.
Recap

No. 9 Duke 96, UNC Greensboro 62
Duke was missing two starters, but Kyle Singler and Jon Scheyer combined for 38 points in the easy victory.
Recap

No. 10 Tennessee 83, Austin Peay 54
Scotty Hopson hit four 3-pointers and scored 16 points to lead the Volunteers.
Recap

No. 12 Connecticut 75, William & Mary 66
Jerome Dyson gave Connecticut fans something to cheer about as he scored a game-high 27 points in his first game back since missing the end of last season due to a knee injury.
Recap

No. 14 Washington 74, Wright State 69
Isaiah Thomas scored a career-high 30 points to pace the defending Pac-10 champs to a five-point victory.
Recap

No. 20 Georgetown 74, Tulane 58
Greg Monroe had a successful Louisiana homecoming as he accumulated 18 points and 11 rebound for the Hoyas.
Recap

No. 23 Illinois 96, SIU-Edwardsville 69
The Illini shot 55 percent from the field, and freshman Brandon Paul had a stellar debut with 22 points.
Recap

No. 24 Clemson 84, Presbyterian 41
Clemson hit 14 3-pointers and forced 26 turnovers as it cruised to a season-opening win.
Recap

No. 25 Minnesota 87, Tennessee Tech 50
Lawrence Westbrook scored 22 points in 22 minutes to fuel Minnesota to victory.
Recap

In yet another chapter of the storied rivalry between North Carolina and Duke, Harrison Barnes, considered by many to be the top high school recruit in the nation, announced this afternoon that he will attend UNC. Barnes' choice reportedly came between North Carolina and Duke, although Kansas, UCLA, Oklahoma and Iowa State were all in play.

Barnes, a 6-foot-8, 210 pound forward, made the announcement from the Ames (Iowa) High School gymnasium. He was Iowa's Gatorade Player of the Year as he led his team to an unblemished 26-0 record.

Barnes just adds quality to an already stellar class for the defending champs. Earlier in the day, UNC announced two more higly touted signees in Reggie Bullock and Kendall Marshall. To read more about those two, click here.

Overshadowed by Memphis' deep NCAA Tournament runs, gaudy winning streaks and NBA lottery picks sits another Conference USA team that quietly has won 70 games the past three seasons, including 25 in each of the last two.

That's the way things have gone for Tulsa lately - excellence in near silence. But this year, with Tulsa returning almost all of its key contributors, and Memphis perceived to take a hit with the loss of four key starters and its figurehead coach, the 2009-10 season could be the perfect storm for the Golden Hurricane