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No gifts here

Here we go baby, the season is here and UA is filled with PTPers (prime-time players), diaper dandies and super sophs.

The preseason NIT, which begins tonight at McKale Center, could pit the UA against top 15 foes in Kentucky and Ohio State, but only if they beat the mighty Wildcats of Manhattan, Kan.

The NIT might look like a tough task, but it is nothing compared to what the UA will face during one hell of a week in early December.

The Wildcats will take on No. 21 Texas in Austin, the defending national champions in No. 8 Connecticut in Chicago and No. 2 Michigan State here in Tucson.

Bear in mind here, this is in a span of seven days.

You thought you had a tough time cramming for exams - this is the most brutal stretch any team in college basketball will play this year.

Here's a breakdown of each game and the keys to victory.

At Texas, Dec. 4

The UA frontcourt gets its first challenge of the year.

Texas center Chris Mihm, widely regarded as the best center in the country, will have his hands full when Loren Woods comes to town. Look for Woods to be the human eraser, though, as he sets career highs in blocks. The other power match-up will be Michael Wright pitted against Texas power forward Gabe Muoneke. If the Wildcats and Longhorns play even in the frontcourt, look for the UA backcourt to be the deciding factor.

UA 92, Texas 89

UConn at the Great Eight Tournament in Chicago, Dec. 7

Unlike the Texas game, this game will give the UA freshmen backcourt their first true test of the season. Jason Gardner and Gilbert Arenas will have their hands full with All-American guard Khalid El-Amin and his sidekick Albert Mouring. The Huskies provide the toughest match-up for the Wildcats all year, with their strong frontline and talented backcourt. Richard Jefferson, Wright and Woods will have a tough task against Kevin Freeman, Edmund Saunders and Jake Voskuhl. Look for the Wildcats to falter, as they did against Kansas two years ago in the Great Eight.

UConn 74, UA 66

Michigan State in Tucson, Dec. 11

The retirement home known as the McKale Center will come alive for this one.

Michigan State will likely be the No. 1 ranked team in the nation when they come to town and convenience stores, keep an eye on your 40s too, as senior guard Mateen Cleaves looks to make his season debut against the Wildcats. This game will be action-packed as the Spartans and Wildcats match-up well. Look for Jefferson to emerge to All-American status after this game.

UA 124, MSU 123 in double overtime

This week will be the defining moment in the Wildcats' season. It will give them the experience to win the big games in the Pac-10 and go deep into the NCAA tournament. How deep will they go? Ah, the Swami won't reveal all his secrets just yet.