The Jimmy V Classic is a very special event. This year, four of the top teams in America will hook up Tuesday night. That's right, four members of my Dozen Dandies, Tennessee vs. Virginia and Michigan State vs. Seton Hall (coverage begins at 7 p.m. ET, ESPN).

	Michigan State guard Marcus Taylor, top, will miss the Jimmy V Classic with a broken finger.

I know it would bring a smile to Jimmy Valvano looking down on us from heaven. He would be excited to know that big dollars are being raised for the V Foundation to battle cancer.

I also know he would be excited with this year's matchups on the court. The first game features Tennessee against Virginia. Is this the game the Cavaliers have been waiting for, to let the nation know how good they are?

Virginia has an explosive, trapping team that creates offense galore. Donald Hand has been brilliant at point guard and I can't wait to see him match up against Tony Harris. On the interior, there is another super matchup with Vincent Yarborough against Chris Williams. Yarborough is a high-wire act who will provide all kinds of excitement for Vols' fans.

Travis Watson also can create problems on the interior with his rebounding ability. Keith Friel can hit the trifecta. Virginia coach Pete Gillen has a lot of weapons.

You can be sure the Cavaliers' offensive schemes will be tested big-time by the Volunteers. Jerry Green's club plays solid on the defensive end while possessing its own weapons. Tennessee also has strength and depth. Isaiah Victor can be a major factor in the low post with his agility and ability to score around the basket. Ron Slay and Marcus Haislip can contribute production off the bench.

The first game should be a shootout, with ACC and SEC pride on the line.

The second game has the makings of a great one. Wow! Seton Hall and Michigan State feature plenty of diaper dandies. Everybody's high school All-America teams featured Eddie Griffin, Andre Barrett, Zach Randolph and Marcus Taylor. All four will be there, though Taylor is sidelined with a broken finger suffered Saturday against Michigan State.

This game is more than just diaper dandies. When you look at the defending national champions from Michigan State, you see a club that is deeper than last year's squad. The Spartans have already been battle-tested with wins over North Carolina and Florida. Izzo's team survived a scare against Kentucky; will his team have a stronger showing here?

Freshmen Randolph and Taylor are learning and making the adjustments coming off the bench. Randolph is Michigan State's first true low-post player in many years.

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Seton Hall and Michigan State feature plenty of diaper dandies. ”

Charlie Bell is the best defensive stopper in America on the perimeter. He's also Mr. Versatility as he has improved his ballhandling and shooting. Bell brings leadership to the Spartans.

Jason Richardson is a high-wire act in transition and one of the most improved players in the nation. Underrated Andre Hutson is a force inside. This is Michigan State's first tough test on the road.

For Seton Hall, one of America's rising programs, Griffin has posted numbers that are mind-boggling for a diaper dandy. His one-game line vs. St. Peter's was incredible: 26 points, 21 rebounds and seven blocked shots.

The Pirates are a lot more than Griffin and the penetration of Barrett. Darius Lane is a big-time scorer who can flat-out shoot the trifecta. Ty Shine provides an offensive weapon as well; who will ever forget his seven trifectas in the upset over Temple to move the Hall to last year's Sweet 16? There is the shot-blocker deluxe, Samuel "The Rejector" Dalembert.

Tommy Amaker vs. Tom Izzo ... Seton Hall vs. Michigan State. The Meadowlands should be jumping for joy with two great matchups.

Most of all, those who benefit from the dollars raised for cancer research make this very special. Great basketball and a great cause -- it's awesome, baby!