Here are my first round predictions for Day 1 of the Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic'

Best Game of the Day.  No question its the 6 pm game pitting number 14 Xavier against Long Beach State. Xavier comes in ranked 14 in the Nation after losing its first game of the season Sunday night at home to Oral Roberts in its first game after the Cincinnati game that led to several suspensions for both teams. Xavier played with out its leading scorer, Mark Lyons and its third leading scorer, Dezmine Wells, along with its All American guard Tu Holloway, so the loss was to be expected. Holloway will be back for this game, but the other two guys will not. Xavier already has wins over Georgia, Vanderbilt, Purdue and Butler, so on paper should be the favorite to win the tournament if it was at full strength. But Long Beach State, even with a record of 5-5, will not be easy to beat. Long Beach has played the toughest schedule in the country so far, having played at Pitt ( a win) and at Kansas, Louisville, and UNC, all competitive losses.  With Xavier down two starters, this is a hard one to call, but since i am hosting the Musketeers, i will go with Xavier in a great ball-game.

Worst game of the Day.. Kansas State vrs Southern Illinois. This game pits the 7-1 team from Manhattan Kansas against the 3-5 team from the Missouri Valley Conference. K State is receiving some top 25 votes and has an RPI of 37, only 2 behind Xavier. Southern Ill's RPI is 240 and its strength of schedule is 342 out of 244 ( by the way, Hawaii's first round opponent, Auburn, has the worst SOS in the Country). Kansas State's head coach, Frank Martin, is a show in itself, and this game should be a blow-out.

Clemson-UTEP. The Clemson Tigers come in here with a 6-4 record and an RPI of 57. It has played a fairly weak schedule with one good win against Iowa and two losses to solid teams in College of Charleston and South Carolina. Clemson looks like it will struggle in the ACC this year, but always has some talent. UTEP is 4-5 with an RPI of 167. I like Clemson in a fairly easy win.

Our Game. Hawaii vrs the once beaten Auburn Tigers of the SEC. Aubur4n, as previously noted , has played the easiest schedule in the country so far. In its only game against a solid opponent, Seton Hall, it got crushed. Its RPI is 154 putting it in the middle of all Div 1 teams. Our beloved Rainbow Warriors have struggled so far this year, but come in 5-4 and on a three game winning streak. Hawaii traditionally plays well over Christmas, and it will have to step up its game to beat the Tigers. But i like our chances. Its not easy traveling East to West, and Hawaii should be rested and ready to go. Other than the Gonzaga game, and perhaps Eastern Washington, this is the first real test of where the Hawaii team as it approaches league play. I expect Zane to break out of his shooting slump before the scouts and bright national tv cameras, and its the first time for Shaq to show the folks back in NY how he is doing.  Miah wont have to contend with exams and graduation, and its time for Vander to show the Nation why he was picked preseason All WAC.  Whether it wins or ,losses, Hawaii's next opponent will be a real challenge

Hopstalk is on ESPN 1420 tonight at 6 because of the games tomorrow. Our special guest will be ESPN Basketball guru, Jay Bilas. See you at the Tournament