It says something when traveling to the two-time defending national champion isn't the most interesting game on the schedule. But for Augustana, heading to Wash U takes a back seat to the game that precedes it: a Dec. 9 date at Gonzaga.

Grey Giovanine's Vikings return just one starter from last year's 18-8 team, so the timing might not be the best. But this kind of opportunity doesn't present itself every year. "For our team to get a chance to compete against one of college basketball�s best programs in arguably the toughest home court environment in the nation, is a remarkable opportunity," said Giovanine, who is 183-79 (.698) in 10 seasons at Augustana.

&&g-boxl&&"I have always had a good relationship with the Gonzaga staff and we appreciate this opportunity. This is a model program at the highest collegiate level and I think it is safe to say we will be the only Division III team in the country playing a regular season game against a perennial top-twenty Division I program."

Augustana also travels to UW-Whitewater (Dec. 22) and Buena Vista (Jan. 2), which will be a battle of two tournament bubble teams from 2009.

D3hoops.com is compiling 2009-10 men's and women's basketball schedules, and encourages SIDs to post their schedule when it is complete.