11.   Had the Waves won one or two of the nonconference games and split with the Bulldogs, maybe a trip to the WCC conference final would do.

12.   In the last big nonconference game against the Irish a year ago, the Huskies entered with hearts racing and knees knocking.

13.   In the past two weeks, four ACC teams -- Florida State, Virginia, Clemson and Georgia Tech -- have suffered losses in nonconference games against state rivals.

14.   It would help if UCLA did well in its final three nonconference games against Nevada this weekend.

15.   It was a nonconference game that few people expected the Pirates to win.

16.   LMU plays a nonconference game at Cal State Northridge on Tuesday night before heading to Santa Clara.

17.   Next year, the Bears appear to have an easier task, especially in the nonconference games.

18.   Nicholls State, which won the regular-season title and postseason tournament last season, is winless in seven nonconference games.

19.   Other nonconference games scheduled for this weekend include Colorado at Washington State and Montana State at Oregon State.

20.   Syracuse, which has won five in a row after losing two nonconference games to open the season, is in good shape to win the Big East.