The Horizon Line

What are the games between November 20 and November 25 that you should plan to watch?

Getty Images

Who invited her to this party?

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20: SOUTHERN ILLINOIS VS. DUKE

The logic: Duke almost took it on the chin against Rhode Island already this season. Hating Duke is a national pastime along the lines of laughing at Tracy Jordan jokes, obesity and celebrity gossip. You almost NEED this one to end up in the W column for the Salukis.

The broader questions at stake: If Vince Gill being in the crowd at the NCAA Tournament game last year couldn't quite get Belmont over Coach K, what alum could SIU bring to the table who might help? Our vote: Jenny McCarthy.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21: UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-GREEN BAY VS. ROLLINS COLLEGE

The logic: Ha. Finding this game on TV = this. However, the logic is simple: fired-up radio host Chris Russo is an alum of Rollins College (so is Chris Kirkpatrick from 'N SYNC), so researching Rollins allows you to read this.

The broader questions at stake: Why would you ever watch this game with the other options out there?

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 22: SAN DIEGO STATE VS. FRESNO STATE

The logic: Steve Fisher is still kicking around as a coach (watch this!) Billy White is fast becoming "a monster" for the Aztecs. Fresno State could be pretty good. They've already taken down preseason mid-major darling Saint Mary's and this Paul George kid (a frosh!) is legitimate. Watch this clip and tell us it doesn't remind you of early 1990s UNLV teams.

Getty Images

"The prices at this airport bar are WHAT?"

The broader questions at stake: What the heck happened to former Fisher charge Rumeal Robinson and where do you rank his 1989 heroics in the broader scheme of NCAA Tournament endings? (Hey, it's something to debate at the half!)

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 23: PEPPERDINE VS. ARIZONA STATE

The logic: Mychel Thompson, whose dad was the No. 1 pick in the 1978 NBA Draft, probably reads this website (we like that). Why? His favorite musician is Lil' Wayne. If you're interested, he also seems to be an Apatow guy: his two favorite movies are Superbad and Knocked Up. Nice. Get to know him better in this game, because he is a legitimate baller. Only problem: Arizona State is really good. Even though we once saw Herb Sendek get booed walking through an airport in North Carolina (you'd do it too—he left the Wolfpack!), our girl Elena B says ASU might be the sleeper team of this season. The girl has flown about 100,000 miles since Midnight Madness, so she'd know. OK, that's a complete lie, but she follows the sport.

The broader questions at stake: What effect can this ballad have on Sendek's in-state recruiting against a Lute-less U of A?

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 24: YALE VS. OREGON STATE

The logic: There are a few good games on the 24th. Why pick this tilt between the ultimate Pac 10 bottom feeder and Yale? Simple. Hillary Clinton went to Yale Law School and at the time this game takes place, she'll still be in the vetting process for Secretary of State. Oregon State's head coach Craig Robinson is Barack Obama's brother-in-law, used to coach at Brown and pretty much desperately needs any win he can get for the Beavers, especially with the football program outshining everyone at that school. What does all this mean? We have no idea. But if Yale steals this show, bet Holbrooke.

The broader questions at stake: Will there ever be another Gary Payton in Corvallis?

Getty Images

"Hellllo, ladies!"

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 25: NORTH DAKOTA STATE VS. NORTHERN ARIZONA

The logic: NDSU is actually pretty legit. If you need reasons to love NAU, here's three basic ones: (1) Ben Howland used to coach there; (2) their nickname is the Lumberjacks; and (3) their frosh guard, Shayar Lee, goes by the nickname "Lord of the Rings."

The broader questions at stake: Is NDSU the model for building a college hoops program? Four years ago, they redshirted their entire frosh class, basically waiting for this moment. Paging Paul Wulff! We know, we know: things are different in hoops and football.

Print Article . Email Article. Subscribe to The Magazine