The start of the college basketball regular season is only days away and as far as I'm concerned, it's about time. The first action of the year will come in the 2K Sports Coaches vs. Cancer Classic. Defending champs North Carolina will be joined by California, Ohio State and Syracuse. Those four teams will automatically advance to the finals in Madison Square Garden on Nov. 19 and 20, where I will be in attendance covering it with a live blog. But first, we will get a sneak peak at these four highly touted teams from four of the nation's best conferences in regional play, which tips off November 9th. Here is what to look out for from this tournament.

Syracuse Regional
Schedule of Games:
11/9 - 9 PM ET: Albany at Syracuse - TV: ESPNU
11/11 - 7 PM ET: Robert Morris at Syracuse -TV: ESPNU

What To Watch For:
The regular season opener for Syracuse certainly carries a little more importance this year than most as the Orange are coming off an exhibition loss to Division II Le Moyne. The Orange will attempt to silence the critics and get on the right track. If they can, they will earn Jim Boeheim his 800th career win as a head coach. The legendary coach now has 799 wins in his 33-year coaching career.

Syracuse fans will pay extra attention to junior transfer Wesley Johnson and senior center Arinze Onuaku - but for different reasons. Johnson was a bright spot against Le Moyne. He scored a game-high 34 points and showed why the staff is excited to have him aboard. The staff, on the other hand, is hoping to get more out of Onuaku, their 6-foot-9 senior center. Onuaku, who averaged double-digits in scoring the last two years, only netter three points against Le Moyne.

Albany, which returns its top two scorers from last year's team that finished an injury-ravaged 15-16, and Robert Morris, which returns three starters from a team that won the NEC and went to the NCAA Tournament, round out the field.

Chapel Hill Regional

Larry Drew II

Schedule of Games:
11/9 - 7 PM ET: FIU at North Carolina - Gametracker - TV: ESPNU
11/11 - 9 PM ET: North Carolina. Central at North Carolina - Gametracker - TV: ESPNU

What To Watch For:
All eyes will be on the defending champs in this region and how they will look after the departure of four NBA draft picks in Tyler Hansbrough, Ty Lawson, Wayne Ellington and Danny Green. Overall talent won't be the problem in Chapel Hill, but seasoning could be. It will be very interesting to see Larry Drew II play his first significant minutes as the floor general for the Tar Heels. What Lawson brought to the table was irreplaceable, but Drew II has shown promise in his own right, and if he can run this offense and establish the tempo that coach Roy Williams likes, then the Tar Heels shouldn't skip much of a beat.

Ed Davis and Deon Thompson are also stepping into the spotlight. Thompson was a starter last year - a productive one at that - but he was overshadowed by the overwhelming star power on last year's squad. A consistent double-double threat, his name should be known much more readily by season's end. And, Ed Davis will have a chance at major minutes. Some are already calling Davis a potential lottery pick in next year's NBA Draft, so now is the time for him to put his skills on display.

This region also is the site of NBA legend Isiah Thomas' coaching debut. Thomas is now the head coach at Florida International so there is naturally a buzz surrounding that program. FIU will be anxious to see the debut of junior college transfer Marvin Roberts, who was the nation's Juco leader in scoring last year.

North Carolina Central, coming of a 4-27 season, rounds out the Chapel Hill region.

Columbus Regional
Schedule of Games:
11/ 9 - 7 PM ET: Alcorn State at Ohio State
11/12 - 7 PM ET: James Madison at Ohio State

What To Watch For:
Ohio State is loaded with returning talent and is primed to be one of the best teams in the Big 10. A big reason for that - Evan Turner. Turner could have been a first-round draft pick if he opted to go pro after last year but he decided to stay in Columbus. Coach Thad Matta has moved Turner to the point - last year he primarily played on the wing - and seeing how he handles that transition will be the most interesting subplot for Ohio State early in the year. Regardless of position, Turner is one of the best in the Big Ten.

The Buckeyes not only return their entire starting five, but they also get the services of David Lighty back. Lighty was averaging nearly ten points and six rebounds a game before an injury cut short his season after only a few games last year. Seeing him back in scarlet and gray will be a welcome sign for Buckeye fans.

James Madison had one of its best years ever in 2008-09, winning 21 games. With much of their nucleus back, the Dukes have high hopes for 2009-10. Alcorn State, which went 6-25 last season, will be Ohio State's other opponent.

Berkeley Regional

Jerome Randle

Schedule of Games:
11/9 - 11 PM ET: Murray State at California - Gametracker - TV: ESPNU
11/11 - 11 PM ET: Detroit at California - Gametracker - TV: ESPNU

What To Watch For:
Cal is being pegged as one of the favorites to win the Pac-10. It can begin to live up to that hype in these early matchups. As long as Jerome Randle is on the floor there should never be a dull moment for the Golden Bears. Randle averages over 18 points and five assists a game and also shoots 46 percent from behind the arc. His skill set makes him one of the most exciting players in the nation.

Cal, which went 22-11 last season, also returns All-Pac-10 guard Patrick Christopher. Randle and Christopher combined for nearly 33 points a game last year, and certainly give Cal one of the nation's best - and most entertaining - backcourts

Murray State, coming of a 19-win season, returns its entire starting five. Detroit from the Horizon League completes the Berkeley region.

It was only an exhibition game, but it still has to raise some eyebrows.

Syracuse, a perennial Big East power that finds itself in the other receiving votes category of the AP Poll, lost to Division II Le Moyne, 82-79, on its home court on Monday night.

Le Moyne, which is also located in Syracuse, NY, was paced by Christopher Johnson, who scored 17 of his 22 points in the second half. 

Andy Rautins

Three of those 22 came on a game-clinching 3-pointer from the wing with nine seconds left when the Dolphins trailed by one.

On the bright side for Syracuse, Iowa State transfer Wesley Johnson was as good as advertised. The junior forward led all scorers with 34 points and was 3-for-5 from behind the arc.

The Orange showed why they are expected to be strong in the post with Arinze Onuaku, Rick Jackson and Kris Joseph all grabbing eight rebounds. Senior guard Andy Rautins chipped in with 13 points.

It's not time to panic yet for the Orange, and they will have a chance to get back on the right track in the in the opening game of the 2K Sports Coaches vs. Cancer Classic on Nov. 9 vs. Albany. Orange head coach Jim Boeheim will be attempting to win his 800th game as a head coach in that matchup.

In the 2K Sports Coaches vs. Cancer Classic, Syracuse will then play Robert Morris on Nov. 11. After that, it will travel to Madison Square Garden to face off against Pac-10 foe California, ranked No. 13. For extensive coverage of the 2K Sports Coaches vs. Cancer Classic, including a live blog from Madison Square Garden for the semifinals and finals, stay tuned to this blog.