At first glance, the basketball schedule is disappointing as there aren't many exciting home games. However, there are a few games I am looking forward to attending this winter...

Utah - the "safety first" game should be a ton of fun and is one of the main reasons I renewed my season tickets this year. Hopefully the Cougars are able to pull out a much needed win. Could be a top 100 win by years end - finished 96th last year.

UT Arlington - these guys made it to the NIT semifinals and beat BYU in the Marriott Center last year. Could be another top 100 win. Final RPI last year was 40.

Illinois State - was a top 50 RPI team last year that got shut out of the NCAA tournament. Could be a top 50 RPI win. Final RPI last year was 39.

Texas Southern - made the NCAA tournament last year and finished at 103 RPI.

Miss Valley State, Niagara, and Idaho State look to be pretty bad but the team needs some confidence games as well.

BYU will play some great teams in Provo this year in UT Arlington and Illinois State and they will be great RPI boosters if BYU can get the wins. If BYU was playing Maryland and Oklahoma State at home (who finished 38th and 41st last year), fans would be ecstatic.

As for the road games, UVU could be decent (top 100 maybe???) and a good opportunity for the boys to get some revenge. I plan to attend this one with my family to make sure that BYU has the home court advantage. Utah State in Logan will be a tough environment and a good opportunity for another character building win. Princeton was very good last year (#49) and nearly beat Notre Dame in the NCAA tournament. Alabama (#82) should provide a great opportunity for a win against a name school that seems to be improving.

With the addition of 5-6 games vs Gonzaga and St Mary's, BYU could have 13+ top 100 games and maybe 8 or more top 50 games. The names aren't going to sell tickets but the schedule really isn't that bad.