OPINION

By Daniel Blank

updated 6:26 p.m. ET Dec. 29, 2008

Monday's top-10 showdown between Georgetown and Connecticut marked college basketball's Groundhog Day. When the powers tipped it signaled sunnier days ahead as the Hoyas and Huskies kicked off the start of conference play.

That means the end of enticing nontraditional matchups such as UConn-Gonzaga, but it also means the end to the drudgery of games such as Pittsburgh vs. Maryland-Baltimore County.

The start of Big East play in particular has been eagerly anticipated, but there are fascinating storylines to follow all over the country.

To get you ready for the final three months of the season, SportingNews.com is supplying a primer on the six major conferences. We'll name a favorite, identify an under-the-radar team that could mix things up and a key early game to mark on your calendar.

ACC

Burning question: Can anyone beat North Carolina? ESPN already has busted out archived footage of the 1991 UNLV Runnin' Rebels. Although rumors that Mercury Morris is teaching Bob Knight to jive are unconfirmed, the talk of Carolina running the table is rampant.

It's time to slow that down. Sure, the Tar Heels are absurdly talented and have shown little interest in messing around (closest margin of victory: 15 points), but the ACC is too talented and too deep this season. With a schedule that includes a trip to Wake, two games with Miami, and oh yeah, a home-and-home with Duke — among other tough matchups — the Heels will get tripped up at some point.

Team to beat: This isn't even a debate. The Tar Heels might lose once, or even twice, in conference, but no one is coming close in the standings. In the immortal words of Dennis Green, "Crown their ..." Oh wait, this is a family site.

Top challenger: Duke looked awfully good in emphatic wins over Purdue and Xavier, but there's still questions about the Blue Devils' frontcourt and their overall depth. They'll push the Tar Heels, but they won't be able to hang for all 16 rounds.

Dark horse: Virginia Tech must feel snake-bitten. First Xavier banks in a half-court shot at the buzzer, then Wisconsin trips up the Hokies on a last-second shot, and this sort of thing seems to happen to them every year. The Hokies have yet to claim a resume-building victory, but they're athletic, well-coached and young — which means they'll improve as the season progresses. Virginia Tech was likely Team No. 66 in the selection process last year and easily could find a way to sneak into the Big Dance in March.

Game to watch: UNC at Wake Forest, Jan. 11. Wake Forest has the talent and athleticism to push Duke in the standings. The Demon Deacons are also young and untested. Although this game will be a great litmus test for the Deacs, it also will be the first ACC game for their talented freshman class.

BIG EAST

Burning question: How many bids will the Big East receive in March? The preseason hype of the Big East potentially being the best conference ever seems to be a bit overstated, but the league is still in position to get at least eight bids. Nine would set a record. It also would create a world of headaches for the selection committee.

Team to beat: Connecticut's gutsy overtime win against Gonzaga in Seattle proved the Huskies are the nation's second-best team right now. A.J. Price appears to be getting healthy, and Stanley Robinson's return has added a new level to the team's athleticism and versatility.

Top challenger: This spot was supposed to go to Louisville, but the Cardinals are a mess. Begrudgingly, Pitt gets the nod. The Panthers have plenty of talent and defend as well as anybody, but is it too much to ask Pitt to schedule anybody worthy of challenging that gaudy No. 3 ranking in the polls?

Dark horse: Most of the Big East contenders (think Georgetown, Notre Dame, Louisville, Syracuse, Villanova, Marquette) could earn a seed anywhere from 2 or 3 down to 7 or 8 depending on how Big East play shakes out. The sneaky team to watch out for is West Virginia, assuming the Mountaineers can get healthy and stay that way. Bob Huggins' teams always play hard and defend like crazy, and Morgantown is one of the toughest road trips in college basketball.

Burning question: Is the Big Ten "back?" With 10 teams six games over .500, it certainly appears so. This was supposed to be a ho-hum, two-team race, but Ohio State has emerged as a serious contender. Throw in strong nonconference showings from Michigan, Minnesota and Illinois, and it appears the Big Ten is as deep from top to bottom as anyone.

Team to beat: After a couple stumbles, Michigan State is once again leading the pace. With the return of Goran Suton, the Spartans are deep everywhere and easily the most offensively gifted team in the conference.

Top challenger: Purdue played up to preseason expectations when it throttled Davidson last week. But the choice here is Ohio State. David Lighty's injury hurts, but if freshman B.J. Mullens can realize his first-round potential, he'll form a potent 1-2 combination with Evan Turner.

Dark horse: Minnesota's secret is out. Illinois is sitting at 11-1, with the lone loss coming against undefeated Clemson. The Illini lacked a signature win ... until Tuesday, when they earned "bragging rights" with an emphatic win over Missouri.

Game to watch: Michigan State at Minnesota, Dec. 31. Assuming the Gophers don't stumble at home against High Point, they'll carry a perfect mark into each team's conference opener. It'll either prove the Big Ten is the Spartans' to lose or Tubby Smith's bunch is legit.

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