Top 5 Non-Conference Games of the Year

5. Memphis 62 vs USC 58 (OT) December 4th at Madison Square Garden

This was one of the first big matchups of the freshman class in college hoops. It was billed as Derrick Rose vs OJ Mayo. This match was back and forth but it had a much sloppier style than anticipated and was a great defensive game. USC coach Tim Floyd played triangle and 2 for much of the game to stifle the scoring of Rose and junior Chris Douglas-Roberts. His plan worked because USC stayed in the game and even forced overtime. Memphis hung on and showed how tough they can be while USC showed the flashes that could make them very dangerous in March.

4. Butler 57 at Southern Illinois 55 December 28th at Shryock Auditorium

Two of the best mid-major teams in the nation locked up in an epic battle for Midwest supremacy. Southern Illinois' raucous home crowed helped pump up the Salukis and they responded by staying close with the Bulldogs for much of the game. After taking a 55-54 Butler guard AJ Graves shocked the building with his pull-up jumper from close to 25ft out to win the game at the buzzer. It once again cemented Butler's place among the top 25 but it also game SIU confidence going into their conference slate.

3. Wisconsin 67 at Texas 66 December 29th at the Frank Erwin Center

It was a game that on the outside looked as if Texas would run away with it. Wisconsin had been struggling early in the year and was playing without starting guard Trevon Hughes. The Badgers had many obstacles to climb over but they showed tremendous courage and heart by staying with the Longhorns the whole game. DJ Augustin began to take over for Texas late in the game but with the score at 66-64, Wisconsin guard Michael Flowers decided to take the game into his own hands. Out of a timeout, Flowers got a pick from F/C Brian Butch and rose up for a deep three over the out stretched arm of AJ Abrams. Flowers then made another heady play by stealing the in bounds pass and throwing it into the air as time expired. A huge confidence boost for Wisconsin and a minor set back for Texas.

2. Pittsburgh 65 vs Duke 64 (OT) December 20th at Madison Square Garden

Down 12 at halftime, the Panthers used their size and grit to come from behind and force overtime. Duke's inside deficiencies were magnified in NYC by Pitt big men Sam Young and DeJuan Blair. The two combined for 32 points and 27 rebounds as they helped keep the game close in the second half and in overtime. But it was guard Levance Fields who won the game. The NYC guard dropped in a three with 4.7 seconds remaining and then Pitt held on to win by one. That was their biggest win of the season but now they are facing uncertainty with the season ending injury to Mike Cook as well as the 8-12 week injury to the hero of the game, Fields.

1. Texas 63 at UCLA 61 December 2nd at Pauley Pavilion

This was a game with immense hype before it and these two teams did not disappoint. Darren Collison and DJ Augustin headlined the matchup because of Collison's defensive ability vs the scoring of Augustin. The Longhorns and the Bruins battled after Texas got up 16 only to give it up in the second half. DJ Augustin and Damion James were carrying the team offensively because AJ Abrams was having an off night. With the shot clock winding down and the game deadlocked at 61, Augustin lost control of his dribble and threw up a shot to beat the shot clock. The runner from the side was too strong however it landed in the hands of a jumping James who threw down the pass to put the Longhorns up 2. UCLA's last ditch efforts were unsuccessful as Texas went on to beat the then #1 Bruins on the road 63-61.