The Beach still looks like a go-against in the Big West...

It's the Big West opener for both. ...

The biggest total of the night by far is from this game. ...

Will this turn into a Big West shootout at Fullerton? ...

Can the Anteaters extend a margin at their slow pace? ...

Is Hawaii overvalued because of a soft early schedule?...

Where is the early value in this matchup of Top 10 teams?...

Coach Jerrod Calhoun has his Utah State squad with a 7-0 start. Guard Mason Falslev turned down big NIL money to return to Utah State, along with four other Aggies from last year, and a couple of key transfers to provide the positive vibes all around. They feel good about themselves. For one, they're shooting 53.4% from the field, which is the fourth-best number in the nation. They also shoot 39.5% from three-point range. They have a defense that only allows 39% shooting. That's the combination I highlight: over 50, under 40. Utah State should probably be closer to a five-point favorite in this game over South Florida, which has struggled with shooting during its 4-4 start. Utah State to win.

UCLA can be glad last week's loss at Cal wasn't a conference game. (Ditto for an earlier loss to former Pac-12 foe Arizona...again, outside of league play these days). For the second time already, Mick Cronin has reportedly read the riot act to his Bruins, though better news is that high-priced transfer PG Donovan Dent is expected to be ready to go after a recurrence of his leg injury in the game vs. the Golden Bears. No doubt, Cronin needs better from Dent, scoring only 11 ppg while shooting just 36% from the floor (and a woeful 9% beyond the arc). U-Dub isn't in the greatest shape, either, with various frontline maladies, exposed in last week's loss to Colorado in Palm Springs. Play UCLA

Let's see if UVU can begin to function away from Orem, where the Wolverines have played most of their games this season. Not tonight, however, back to a Mountain West destination which has proven a problem for UVU, having lost at Fresno and (big) at Boise State. The Aztecs might welcome a chance to face a foe that might be at a disadvantage after slugging it out with heavyweights at the Players Era event last week, and in retrospect walking away 1-2 in Las Vegas wasn't all that bad, especially how SDSU looked when on more-even terms against Oregon. Brian Dutcher's team is hitting almost 41% beyond the arc and is getting solid contributions from several, including 6-5 wing Reese Dixon-Waters (14 ppg). Play SDSU.

WAC favorite Cal Baptist has shown enough the past month to trust the Lancers getting this sort of price in Provo. Monday's loss at Colorado was CBU's first of the season, but the Lancers made it close and stayed well within the double-digit spread at Boulder. Allowing only 64 ppg as it controls the pace, CBU makes it difficult for opponents to stretch the lead. Rick Croy also has some established offensive weapons such as G Dominique Daniels (18 ppg) when CBU needs a bucket. After a rousing November and success at Disney World last week, this looks a potential flat spot for the Cougars, who don't play next until December 9 vs. Clemson. Play Cal Baptist (at Salt Lake City)

Northwestern never seems to go away in its games...only twice since last season have the Cats lost by more than the 10.5 spread in this game tonight at Madison. That's mostly because NU has enough offense to rarely lose contact, thanks in good part to high-scoring 6-7 F Nick Martinelli, maintaining a similar scoring pace (20.6 ppg) as a year ago (20.5 ppg). Chris Collins has the added bonus this season of a legit post scoring threat in Cincy transfer Arrinten Page (15 ppg). Wiscy couldn't shake the Cats in either of their matchups last season and returns to Kohl Center having lost 2 of 3 on its travels, including an 11-point loss vs. TCU in San Diego last Friday. Play Northwestern

Northern Arizona has held up to begin the season better than anticipated. They have won three straight games, and have not left the state of Arizona over their last five games. Yet, this NAU team is bound for their first home let down of the year. They lost several key graduates and double double threat Carson Towt to Notre Dame. Take South Dakota State to snap their two game losing streak, and winless road record.

KenPom ranks Monmouth 32 spots higher. The Hawks have played a pretty tough schedule and this is only their third at home, where they are 2-0. They rank 13th in blocks per game, averaging 5.9. Believe we won fading Princeton earlier this season and the Tigers are winless away including neutral sites. Leading scorer and playmaker Dalen Davis hasn't played in a couple of weeks due to an ankle injury. I'll just have to hope he sits again. Last year Princeton defeated the Hawks 71-67, but did so led by star Xaivian Lee, who dropped 23 points, six rebounds and six assists. He's now at Florida. Davis had 11 points.

Seton Hall is fresh off a solid three days in Maui. They return to their smaller campus gym to play, probably, the best in the NEC conference. The Blue Devils are 3-1 ATS on the road with two being an outright victories at Rutgers and Boston College. The Pirates have one of the top defenses in the country and, in Maui, their offense came alive, averaging 80 points over three games. Despite a top defense, Seton Hall struggles to defend the perimeter, where the Blue Devils excel, shooting 35.1%. Central Connecticut State’s defense is decent as they showed in their two big road victories and have the coach to keep this one competitive.