Each season, she wafts into the room like the aroma of Moms Sunday roast. The unassuming scent creeps in slowly but deliberately, cutting through the clutter of the day.In the sports world, college basketball competes with a stable of cornerstones: the World Series, the NFL, the NBA and college footballs final, critical weeks.A segment of its fan base treats the sport like the train it will catch later, just in time for the NCAA tournament, the greatest conclusion to any season in sports. Thats a mistake because every game counts.The opening night arrangement of the 2016-17 season -- anchored by Fridays Armed Forces Classic matchups of Arizona-Michigan State and Kansas-Indiana -- is the start of a fascinating year.Heres why you should care about today and everything that follows:1. Because Kentucky is Kentucky again (maybe) Last years Wildcats, led by Tyler Ulis and Jamal Murray, split the SEC championship and exited the NCAA tournament after a second-round loss to Indiana. Lexingtons Power Rangers are back with a bouncy crew of freshmen -- Malik Monk can fly -- that resembles the dynamic incoming collectives of 2009 (John Wall), 2011 (Anthony Davis) and 2014 (Karl-Anthony Towns).2. Because Coach K doesnt care, since he has the better team As John Calipari introduced his freshman class to the world, Mike Krzyzewski probably stood in the corner of Cameron Indoor Stadium and lit a cigar. Why? Well, Kentuckys One Direction-like band of youngsters cant top the No. 1 squad Krzyzewski has created in Durham. Dukes bench is a Top 25 squad.3. Because you still have to convince your friends that Kansas Big 12 title streak means something Tell Earl at the barbershop and Tommy at the bar theyre both wrong about the significance of the Jayhawks Big 12 title streak, one that could match UCLAs record of 13 in a row this year. Tell them the last time the Jayhawks failed to win a share of the Big 12 title (2004), Lil Jon had a No. 1 hit with Yeah! Who is Lil Jon? Exactly.4. Because Blake Shelton couldnt write a song as sad as Arizonas preseason The Voice stars post-Miranda Lambert breakup hit Bet You Still Think About Me had melancholy lines like, I know we couldnt hold on forever/But baby, I bet you still think about me. Somewhere, Sean Miller is thinking about the year he mightve had before Allonzo Triers mysterious issues, the indefinite suspension of Chance Comanche and Ray Smiths career-ending knee injury.5. Because the Providence Friar mascot is still hereOnly to haunt your dreams. Hes coming! Run! Who thought this was a good idea?!!!6. Because the Big Ten is a beautiful mess and thats great for everyone Who will win the Big Ten? Michigan State. Definitely. Wait, its Wisconsin. Nah, Indiana??Purdue? Maryland? We dont know. But Chaotic Big Ten is always a treat. We look forward to this.7. Because Joe Lunardi has to tell us about the SECs at-large hopes each week After Kentucky and perhaps Florida, Georgia or Texas A&M, theres not much for the guru to project in this league. Expect an elevated slate of wisecracks by the Bracketology don when its time to talk about the SEC. By the way, did you know Bracketology is a recognized word?8. Because youre going to love UCLA Its about to go down at Pauley Pavilion. Freshman stars Lonzo Ball and TJ Leaf join a UCLA team as stacked as any program on the West Coast. They could reverse all the drama from last year.9. Because youre going to be annoyed by UCLA Steve Alfords track record of molding promising young talent is lukewarm right now.10. Because Bill Walton is going to narrate Steve Alfords salvation or implosion in a tie-dye shirtRemember when Walton announced he was not a fan of former UCLA coach Ben Howland ... on live TV ... during a game at UCLA while he stood 10 feet from him? Well, this year Walton will treat us with his unmatched running commentary of Alfords rebirth or demise. Youll want to stay up for this.11. Because once Harry Giles gets healthy, youll want your favorite NBA team to draft him During an AAU tournament a few years ago, the projected top-five pick in the 2017 NBA draft played multiple possessions at point guard. Hes 6-foot-11.12. Because once Josh Jackson finds his rhythm, youll forget about Harry Giles Hes a 6-8, 200-pound hang glider. Trust us.13. Because Honey, I have to stay up and watch West Coast basketball is a legit excuse this year Dont worry about sleep this season. Gonzagas Final Four-level squad, UCLAs Ball, Wooden Award contender Ivan Rabb?of Cal, Oregons top-five squad, Saint Marys Aussie-led revival and Washingtons lottery-bound Markelle Fultz are all worth the baggy eyes and extra cup of coffee the next day.14. Because its about time we appreciate Mark Fews legacy at Gonzaga Entering his 18th season as head coach at Gonzaga, he has never missed the NCAA tournament and he has won 23 or more games each season. Perhaps hell guide the Bulldogs to their first Final Four appearance this year. Either way, he deserves a spot in national conversations about the greatest coaches in the game.15. Because Miles Bridges hit his head ... on a rim this summerSeriously. So you probably want to watch Michigan State this year.16. Because Dillon Brooks foot could change the entire season Brooks (16.7 PPG) is still sidelined by a foot injury. He should return in time for Pac-12 play, if not earlier. But his absence is a major interruption for Oregon and its nonconference aspirations.17. Because the new rule on coaches calling timeouts to rescue players inbounding the ball will help The rule that barred coaches from calling timeouts in live-ball situations, beginning last season, was tweaked to give coaches the right to call TOs on inbound plays. Good move by the rules committee to help stranded players in critical predicaments.18. Because the push for a 24-second shot clock could begin soon The move to a 30-second shot clock enhanced the game. Thats not disputed. Why stop at 30? The NBA-NCAA connection could move forward in the near future if coaches begin to push for 24 seconds the way they once demanded 30.19. Because youre not talking about a Villanova repeat ... yet No team has repeated as champion since Joakim Noahs Florida squad in 2006-07. Villanova has a real chance, however, to defend its crown. All of the Duke-Kentucky-Kansas hype will leave the Wildcats in the shadows until they begin to thump the Big East and look the part of a repeat champion.20. Because Nigel Hayes (and others) could lead the charge for player compensationHe has used Twitter and other tools as platforms to post his views on everything from racism on the Wisconsin campus to compensation for student-athletes. He has the intellect, stage and popularity to turn the latter into a movement this season.21. Because Louisvilles season of vengeance and redemption begins soon The Cardinals missed the NCAA tournament after the Katina Powell sex scandal last year. However, the program dodged the most severe potential penalties from the NCAA. Now, Louisville can focus on basketball for the first time in two seasons. Memories of all the critics who knocked them are still fresh for the Cardinals.22. Because Jay Wright is the popular kid at school that everyone envies He has a championship. He never sweats through his tailored Italian suits, even with the game on the line. Somehow, his hair remains perfect for two halves. Its not fair.23. Because Bobby Hurley is probably screaming at some random bystander in Phoenix right now to prep for his techs this year If you see Arizona States head coach yelling about nothing on campus, dont worry, Sun Devils fans. Hes just prepping for his next confrontation with Pac-12 refs.24. Because the Chicago curse is broken ... just kidding, Northwestern The Chicago Cubs ended the streak! So maybe thats a good sign for the one team searching for that elusive berth in the NCAA tournament. No. No, its not. Northwestern should improve, but its still a year (or more) from reaching the NCAA tournament for the first time.25. Because we all picked Duke to win the title ... and were wrong Some of Dukes best teams (99, 02, 04) in the last 20 years failed to win the national championship. Plus, the No. 1 Blue Devils have failed to advance past the Sweet 16 the last three times they were the top-ranked team entering the year. Your bracket is broken and the season hasnt even started. cheap jerseys free shipping . JOHNS, N. cheap nfl jerseys wholesale . Datsyuk will miss Tuesdays game against New Jersey and could be sidelined longer, while Cleary will likely miss at least the next three games. Its been an injury-plagued season for Datsyuk, who has suited up for just 39 games. http://www.cheapnflauthenticjerseys.net/ . Artturi Lehkonen, Joni Nikko and Ville Leskinen had the other goals for Finland (1-0) while Juuse Saros stopped 28 shots. Tim Robin Johnsgard had the lone goal for Norway (0-2). cheap nfl jerseys authentic . -- Timbers coach Caleb Porter didnt stray from his business-like approach to the season even after Portland downed the two-time defending league champion Los Angeles Galaxy to gain crucial playoff position. wholesale adidas nhl jerseys . -- Team after team passed on Andre Ellington in the draft. BELLEFONTE, Pa. -- The Latest on the trial in the defamation and whistleblower civil case against Penn State (all times local):6:30 p.m.Penn States former general counsel says days before two high-ranking administrators were charged over their handling of the Jerry Sandusky child molestation scandal, the schools then-president let the mens defense lawyers help edit a statement he later issued that voiced his full support for the administrators.Cynthia Baldwin testified Tuesday in the trial of a civil lawsuit by former assistant football coach Mike McQueary, who claims the news release made it appear he lied to police and prosecutors about his response to seeing Jerry Sandusky abuse a boy.Baldwin says then-university vice president Gary Schultzs lawyer helped edit the statement in the days before charges were filed in 2011 against Schultz, then-athletic director Tim Curley and Sandusky.McQueary is seeking more than $4 million for his treatment after his role in the investigation became public.dddddddddddd.---12:10 a.m.Testimony will continue for the second day in a former assistant football coachs defamation and whistleblower lawsuit over his treatment by Penn State.Mike McQuearys case against the university where he was a player and a coach will resume on Tuesday at a county courthouse near campus.McQueary claims the school put him on paid leave and then didnt renew his contract in retaliation for reporting that Jerry Sandusky abused a child in a team shower, and for helping prosecutors convict him.Hes seeking more than $4 million in lost wages and other damages.A lawyer for the university says its not Penn States fault that McQueary hasnt been able to find a coaching position.McQueary has testified that he witnessed child abuse but didnt intervene or alert police. 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