The coaching matchup of the two John C's -- John Chaney vs. John Calipari -- is enough to get any college basketball fan excited.

	John Calipari went to the '96 Final Four with UMass.

These two outstanding head coaches dominated the Atlantic 10 conference for years, Chaney at Temple and Calipari at Massachusetts. What a rivalry when these two went at it in league play! Now they get to meet again, this time down in Memphis, where Calipari has taken over the Tigers.

There is no doubt that Calipari, as he built the Massachusetts program, adopted a lot of the philosophies of Chaney. Calipari gives credit to the Temple coach for the practice of scheduling the best opponents, never dodging anybody. Play anybody, anytime, anywhere -- and that is a great formula for success.

In this matchup, there is obvious excitement in the debut of Calipari at Memphis. He has created unbelievable basketball enthusiasm. I spoke at Memphis' Madness Day and the place was rocking. Calipari has become as big as a rock star -- hey Elvis, move over, baby!

Chaney can flat out coach, and as I've said many times, the Temple coach belongs in the Basketball Hall of Fame. What he has achieved against such tough odds has been unbelievable.

The Owls are coming off wins over Delaware and New Mexico to advance to the Preseason NIT semifinals at Madison Square Garden next week. First things first, a tough challenge on the road. Chaney's team was depleted with the loss of Pepe Sanchez, Mark Karcher and Lamont Barnes, but don't count against that guy on the sidelines.

Discipline, shot selection, a matchup-zone defense wreaking havoc -- these are all ingredients that keep Temple in games. It should be a great way to create more excitement in Memphis, with Chaney and company coming to town.

For Calipari, to get to the winner's circle in his debut at home before a standing-room-only crowd at The Pyramid, his team must make shots against the zone. The Tigers also need production inside with Kelly Wise starting the season on a positive note. Courtney Trask must do a solid job in analyzing what is available against the matchup.

There should be lots of electricity and excitement at The Pyramid.