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2K Classic field, featuring Cuse vs. UConn, will be fun

Tire Pros Classic - Connecticut v Syracuse

NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 05: Jalen Adams #2 of the Connecticut Huskies reacts after hitting a three pointer against the Syracuse Orange during the Tire Pros Classic at Madison Square Garden on December 5, 2016 in New York City. Connecticut defeated Syracuse 52-50 (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)

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The schedule for the 2018 2K Classic has been released, and you have to credit the organizers because, once again, they found a way to get this right.

Let’s start with the obvious: Syracuse and UConn will be facing off for the fourth straight season. And for the third season in a row, that game will be played in New York City. I shouldn’t have to explain this, but for those that don’t know, UConn and Syracuse fans both have a massive presence in New York City and since the dawn of time -- or at least the dawn of the Big East -- they have fought amongst each other for the title of New York City’s college basketball team.

Typically, that war was waged during the Big East tournament. These days, the battlefield is Madison Square Garden for a non-conference game before winter officially starts. Either way, that game is always one of the best and most entertaining non-conference atmospheres, and this year should be no different, as UConn will have a new coach digging the program out of a whole and Syracuse, with Tyus Battle back, looks like a top 25 team.

On the other side of the bracket, Oregon has the talent on their roster to be a top 15 team while Iowa brings enough back to be sneaky-relevant in the Big Ten. Cuse-UConn with a Cuse-Oregon title game is pretty good for a preseason tournament of this nature.