101.   The matchups are conducive, making the Sonics the best equipped team in the NBA to shock the Bulls.

102.   The matchups are smarter, the candidates are tougher, the contests more strategically sophisticated.

103.   The matchups could be even stronger.

104.   The matchups will be interesting.

105.   The Messier-Lindros head-to-head matchup is the best subplot of what could be an interesting four-of-seven-game Eastern Conference semifinal series.

106.   The most anticipated matchup Saturday is Penn State at Northwestern.

107.   The most entertaining matchup would be with Jerry Tarkanian and Fresno State, but the Bulldogs may not receive an invitation.

108.   The most interesting matchup may be between All-Star-caliber point guards Rod Strickland and Kevin Johnson.

109.   The matchup has been close to an obsession with McLane since baseball adopted interleague play four years ago.

110.   The matchup is one.