As I posted on another thread, it's a big week in the Bucky household as Wisconsin takes on our big rival to the east, Marquette. Something like the 113th meetin of these two programs. Even during the Al McGuire years -- when the Badgers were awful -- they always played up for this game. Now that Badgers have been competitive for the last ten years -- it's even better. So we're happy to have this thing played year in, year out.

And it's great to see Butler take on Indiana; or Xavier vs. Cincinnati; tonight we get Washington State v. Gonzaga up there in lentil-land.

But here in DC this past weekend there was the annual BB&T Classic -- with good local teams like Maryland, George Washington, George Mason. The odd man out? Georgetown. Supposedly there are hard feelings between G'town and Maryland dating back to the elder John Thompson era -- now his son is carrying on -- and it probably doesn't help that Gary Williams is stubborn. A lot of us fans in the DC really want to see this match up.

And speaking of Marquette, across town from them is Wisconsin-Milwaukee, which has had a nice run of successful seasons including a Sweet Sixteen (this year, having lost some 7 seniors, not so good). (In a way it's closer than across town: MU's home, the Bradley Center, sits right next to UWM's arena, U.S. Cellular in downtown M'waukee).

But the two don't meet. MU stated that they already play one of the state schools (Wisconsin), and since they want more of a national reach, don't need to play UWM. (yep -- so instead they're playing the likes Northwestern State, Delaware State and UM-BC ) Finally this year they agreed to meet over the next five seasons -- 4 will be MU home games, one for UWM. UWM gets screwed on the proceeds, but at least that will happen.

What other cross-town or in-state schools should meet but don't??

Does Kansas take on Wichita State? How about Missouri vs. the Billikens?

As far as I know, the only 2 teams Mizzou plays regularly in non-conference are Arkansas and Illinois. I do think SLU and Missouri St. play each other semi-regualrly (Spoonhour connection).

If there was one Illinois state school I'd love to see the Illini play regualrly, it's Southern.

DePaul- Illinois

UAB- Alabama or Auburn ( both schools scared of playing UAB)

Charlotte- North Carolina

Southern Miss- Ole Miss or Miss State

Texas- UTEP

Oklahoma- Tulsa

George Mason- UVA

Old Dominion-UVA

Portland- Oregon

Penn State- Pitt

Pitt- Temple

Villanova- Penn State

Stanford and Fresno State have not met in men's basketball for nearly 50 years. That changes in a couple of weeks... the teams meet on December 19 as part of a two-game series this season and next.

Purdue and Notre Damn - They won't play us...even in our bad years like the past few

Lots of SIUC fans feel the same way and they think the Illni are scared to play in-state schools. I don't know if that's the truth, as Illinois usually schedules national teams before heading into conerence (either cupcake or big non-conference game). I wouldn't mind seeing it myself, if only to make the SIU fans shut-up.

KU does not normally play Wichita State, but a Kansas lawmaker introduced a bill a couple of years back requiring the 'Hawks and Shockers to play each other at least once a season. I wouldn't mind seeing a KU/WSU matchup (especially now that WSU has broken into the rankings), but the bill itself is beyond silly.

I don't think the CU Buffaloes and the Colorado State Rams play each other except for their season-opening football game.

Colorado and Colorado State play regularly in basketball. In fact, they're meeting today in Boulder again, where the Buffs hold a 51-6 advantage in the all-time series.

Maryland dropped the annual game with WVU after Williams took over

don't know what that's all about either

WVU and Marshall play every year

we all know that Marshall has won for the past two seasons as well #$%@#$%#

Indeed. Sports may be important on some levels, but they're not that important.

Thanks to The Other FSU for the correction. My bad! That's what I get for posting without firsthand knowledge of the subject.