More photos » Jay LaPrete - AP

Browse more photos »

OK so it's night one in college basketball's regular season. But when you have four preseason Top 25 teams facing small conference duds, matched up against Monday Night Football, and shown on the Big 10 Network and Da (ESPN) U, is it truly appointment television? Probably not, unless you enjoy frequent and contrived smiles from Isiah Thomas.

Regardless, it still felt nice to be introduced to a new look Tar Heel team (Larry Drew looks nice, Ginyard looks healthy), Ohio State's explosive wing players (that Evan Turner guy is pretty good), and of course win number 800 for Jimmy B (time will tell how serious Rautins injury is).

Carolina, 'Cuse, the California Golden Bears and Buckeyes all advanced in the 2K Sports Classic. But scroll down to the fine print, and you learn that even a loss by any one from the winning bunch would have still put them in the semis at Madison Square Garden...making tonight an exhibition game that somehow counts.

So really, night one isn't night one right?  Are we getting a bit duped here? Seth Davis may just be on to something.