The University of Cincinnati's nonconference men's basketball schedule includes two teams that probably will be ranked in the preseason Top 25 and two others that went to the NCAA Tournament in March.

NONCONFERENCE GAMES

Opponent ('01-02 record, postseason) • Nov. 9: Northern Kentucky, exhibition • Nov. 14: Athletes in Action, exhibition • Nov. 23 : Tennessee Tech (27-7, NIT) • Nov. 26: Florida A&M (9-19) • Nov. 30: at Dayton (21-11, NIT) • Dec. 2: Valparaiso (25-8, NCAA) • Dec. 7: Xavier (26-6, NCAA) • Dec. 14 : LaSalle (15-17) • Dec. 17 : vs. Oregon (26-9, NCAA) at Jimmy V Classic • Dec. 22: at Clemson (13-16) • Dec. 28 : vs. Miami (13-18) at U.S. Bank Arena • Jan. 2: Tenn.-Chattanooga (16-14) • Feb. 9: Oklahoma State (23-9, NCAA)

        The Bearcats play Xavier on Dec.7 at Shoemaker Center in the annual Skyline Chili Crosstown Shootout. The Musketeers return four starters - second-team All-American David West, Romain Sato, Lionel Chalmers and David Young - and are ranked No.7 by CBS.Sportsline.com and No.12 by ESPN.com.

        UC also will play Oregon on Dec.17 in the Jimmy V Classic at Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford, N.J. The game, part of a doubleheader that matches Gonzaga against North Carolina State, helps raise money for cancer research.

        The Ducks, who lost to Kansas in the Elite Eight, are rated No.15 by ESPN and No.21 by CBS Sportsline.

        Oregon lost Freddie Jones (the 14th pick in the NBA draft) and 7-foot-2 Chris Christoffersen but returns three starters, including 6-2 junior Luke Ridnour (15.5 ppg) and 6-7 junior Luke Jackson (16.7 ppg). Both were named to Dick Vitale's Super Six preseason All-America fifth team.

        ESPN has Cincinnati ranked No. 35 in its Summer Sizzling 50, and CBS has UC at No. 22.

        The Bearcats also will play Mid-Continent Conference champion Valparaiso, Ohio Valley Conference champ Tennessee Tech and Oklahoma State from the Big 12. Valpo and Oklahoma State were in the NCAA in March.

        Oklahoma State returns starters Victor Williams, Melvin Sanders, Ivan McFarlin and Cheyne Gadson, who took over after guard Maurice Baker was injured.

        UC's nonleague opponents combined for a 214-134 (.615) record in 2001-02.

        Another highlight, previously announced by Miami, is a Dec.29 game between the Bearcats and RedHawks at U.S. Bank Arena. That resumes a longtime rivalry that ended in 1996-97.

        Cincinnati will be at home for seven nonconference games. It takes to the road only for the Jimmy V Classic and to go to Dayton and Clemson. The Miami game is at a neutral site but is considered a UC home game and will be part of the Bearcats' season-ticket package.

        Brian Teter, Conference USA assistant commissioner, said the league's schedule might be completed within the week.

Oregon fills UC's nonconference schedule UC pins hopes on Guidugli

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