The great thing about the start of a new year is that all the major conferences finally get their schedules underway, which means there are intriguing match-ups on TV six days a week. And if you’ve got the ESPN Full Court package, you can even find some obscure shit on Friday nights if you’re sitting at home.

Tonight there are some interesting ones to watch in the Big East, while I’ll be keeping an eye on Missouri beating the crap out of a local patsy. I’ve got three or four other MU games waiting on the DVR to watch, so I think I’ll probably know Stefhon Hannah’s favorite flavor of bubblegum before we drive to Columbia on Friday.

#11 Indiana (12-1) at Michigan (4-10) – 6 PM CST, ESPN
I feel sort of bad for John Beilein and the tough situation in Ann Arbor, but not bad enough to actually watch this snoozefest. Wake me when he gets some of his pasty white recruits on campus.

Bradley (7-8) at Southern Illinois (6-8) – 6 PM CST, ESPNU
Two of the most powerful mid-major darlings are struggling through sub-par seasons. You’ve got to like the Salukis at home, but they’ve rarely won the ones they should have this year.

Wichita State (8-6) at Missouri State (8-7) – 6 PM CST, ESPN2
Sigh.

Brown (8-5) at Baylor (11-2) – 7 PM CST, Fox Sports Southwest
This one is only on in Texas, but it’s worth a look if you haven’t seen the new and improved Bears. No, really.

#8 Georgetown (11-1) at DePaul (6-7) – 8 PM CST, ESPNU
Georgetown likely wins this one, but I really like the Demons to give them a scare. DePaul is a streaky team, and right now they are on a little tear. Combine that with G-town’s slow tempo, and there’s almost no way they get blown out. Of course, to pull it off, DePaul would first need to improve on free throw shooting…and rebounding…and closing out leads in the second half.

Florida (13-2) at Alabama (11-4) – 8 PM CST, ESPN2
The Gators are sporting a great record just a year after losing practically their entire championship team, but they’ve done it against a schedule of cupcakes. They’ll definitely be tested on the road in Tuscaloosa as the two teams open up SEC play.

For those with the ESPN Full Court package….

St. John’s (7-6) at Connecticut (10-3) – 6 PM CST
A perpetually rebuilding St. John’s program takes on the temporarily reloading UConn squad.

Loyola (6-8) at #3 Kansas (14-0) – 7 PM CST
If you’re into cruel and unusual punishment.

UMKC (5-11) at Missouri (9-5) – 7 PM CST
I realize that I have an addiction because I’m watching this. But they don’t have a 12-step program for it…yet.

Seton Hall (10-4) at #16 Marquette (11-2) – 7 PM CST
The Golden Eagles were surprised by West Virginia, but they should be fully ready for the Pirates tonight.