The person who scheduled the IU/Wisconsin game against the season premiere of LOST has earned my unyielding hatred, but that’s why John Cusack invented the DVR. There are a few interesting games of note tonight, so let’s jump right into things.

Boston College (12-6 overall, 3-2 ACC) at #4 North Carolina (19-1, 4-1) – 6 PM CST, ESPN – The Golden Eagles have dropped their last two after jumping out to a 3-0 league start, and things don’t get any easier with the road trip to Chapel Hill tonight. The Heels are hoping to keep pace with Duke, who is still a game ahead of UNC in the standings.

Providence (12-7 overall, 3-4 Big East) at Notre Dame (14-4, 4-2) – 6 PM CST, ESPN2 – The Fighting Irish have one of the most bi-polar teams so far this year. Home court has been huge in Big East play so far, so look for the “good” Irish to show up when the Friars come to town tonight.

Temple (9-9 overall, 2-2 A-10) at Fordham (8-9, 2-3) – 7 PM CST, CSTV – There’s some really good ball being played in the A-10+4 this year, but you won’t find much of it in this match-up. Winner moves slightly further into the muddled pack of the league, while the loser gets to slide down towards G-Dub and the Bonnies. Holla!

#11 Indiana (17-2 overall, 6-0 Big Ten) at #13 Wisconsin (16-3, 6-1) – 8 PM CST, ESPN – Game of the night, as Indiana faces its first true conference test. In non-conf play, the Hoosiers were embarrassed by both Xavier and Connecticut, so on paper things look good for ‘Scon. But Indiana has something to prove, and nothing can do that faster than a road win in the Kohl Center.

NC State (13-6 overall, 2-3 ACC) at #3 Duke (13-6, 2-3) – 8 PM CST, ESPN2 – The only weak link in a really solid Duke lineup is a weak frontcourt, and the Wolfpack have a pair of solid scorers down low in Gavin Grant and J.J. Hickson. Just don’t hold your breath waiting for State to pull off the road upset in this one. The Blue Devils may have been under the radar for most of the year (at least by Duke standards), but these guys are in the hunt for a 1-seed.

Arizona (14-6 overall, 4-3 Pac-10) at USC (13-6, 4-3) – 9:30 PM CST, Fox Sports Net – The Wildcats and Trojans are finally starting to click, as U of A has won four of five while So Cal is on a four-game surge. This one also offers a great match-up of freshmen studs O.J. Mayo and Jerryd Bayless, who are both key to the recent resurrection of their teams.

Got the ESPN Full Court package? You can also enjoy the following two games…

UW-Milwaukee (12-8 overall, 7-3 Horizon) at Detroit (4-15, 0-9) – 6:05 PM CST – Can home court finally provide the magic that the Titans need for their first conference win? I don’t think I care enough to find out.

Fresno State (10-11 overall, 3-4 WAC) at Nevada (12-7, 4-2) – 9 PM CST – Nevada shook things up in the WAC with a big road win last Thursday against New Mexico State. The Wolfpack now must defend their own home court a week later, but the Bulldogs don’t seem to pose too much of a threat to the status quo.