A decent Big12/Pac-10 series?

The 2009 Big 12/Pac-10 Hardwood Series wasn't much of a series.

The Big 12 took nine of the 12 games, including blowout victories by Texas, Missouri, Kansas State and Kansas. Add road victories by Nebraska, Baylor and Oklahoma State and it wasn't the Pac-10 finest hour.

Next season should be different.

The conferences announced the pairings for the 2010 series Wednesday, which will stretch from Nov. 27 to Dec. 21. The drawn-out format is one aspect that prevents the series from catching on, but that's another post. Anyway, here's the sked.

Saturday, November 27
USC at Nebraska
Thursday, December 2
Missouri at Oregon
UCLA at Kansas
Arizona State at Baylor
Friday, December 3
Kansas State at Washington State
Saturday, December 4
Oregon State at Colorado
California at Iowa State
Texas Tech at Washington
Sunday, December 5
Texas at USC
Oklahoma at Arizona
Saturday, December 11
Washington at Texas A&M
Tuesday, December 21
Stanford at Oklahoma State

It's not a series of stellar matchups – Texas at USC or UCLA at Kansas are probably the most fan-friendly – but don't let the lack of hype dissuade you from the games. Most of 'em should be close and reasonably entertaining.

USC-Nebraska is a defensive showdown. Kansas State at Washington State has upset potential. Texas Tech at Washington will be up-tempo. And Stanford-Oklahoma State was probably the best of the '09 games, and could be again this year.

But the fun one could be Missouri at Oregon. Mike Anderson said no to the Ducks job earlier this month and now gets to see Matthew Knight Arena in all its sparkling new glory.

Mike Miller's also on Twitter, usually talkin' hoops. Click here to follow him.