Get ready to find out what men’s college basketball means in Middle America.

It’s different when you roll through flyover country.

Big 12 basketball hysteria puts to shame anything the Pac-12 could reliably generate. Cincinnati? West Virginia? Iowa State? … Kansas?!

Arizona and Arizona State fans have no idea what they’re in for as they enter their first season in the Big 12: week-in, week-out passion for a sport that was passé in the Pac — even though it boasted powerhouse programs such as UCLA and Arizona.

To give you a sense of it, KU fans trace their roots to James Naismith. Naismith, the guy who invented the sport with a soccer ball and a couple of peach baskets, taught the sport to Phog Allen. Allen coached at Kansas, and from there, the Jayhawks have boasted the likes of Wilt Chamberlain, Paul Pierce and Joel Embiid.

With that, here are five games on the college basketball calendar that I’m eager to see:

No. 10 UA at No. 1 KU, March 8

It’s the last game of the regular season, showing that schedule makers know something about suspense.

UA basketball has the tradition and success to compete with anything the Big 12 brings. The Wildcats won’t be scared of the Mountaineers, the Bearcats or the Powercats (the name of K-State’s logo.)

This game has road trip written all over it. You haven’t seen college basketball until you’ve seen it through the Phog Allen Fieldhouse.

While we’re waiting for this one, however, Arizona Wildcats fans can warm up with No. 7 Duke on Nov. 22 and No. 22 UCLA on Dec. 14.

No. 8 Baylor at No. 5 Iowa State, Jan. 4

Here’s a top-10 matchup with something of a local connection. Baylor coach Scott Drew is the older brother of Grand Canyon coach Bryce Drew. (The Hurleys aren’t the only siblings in the men’s college coaching ranks.)

This is one to watch on TV with family. It’s set for CBS, and it’s perfectly timed as a break from college football, which will be in the thick of playoff season.

Keep your eyes on bangin’ Baylor big man Norchad Omier. He’s 6-7, 230, and couldn’t care less about shooting 3-pointers.

West Virginia at No. 20 Cincinnati, Feb. 2

The Mountaineers reeled last season after the departure of coach Bob Huggins. I’d like to see if they can put it back together and whether the Huggins-inspired rivalry with the Bearcats continues.

This is one to watch on your phone at the gym or while you’re not paying attention to your kid’s soccer game, since it’s scheduled for ESPN+ … if watching 10 guys run around in the palm of your hand sounds like eye strain waiting to happen, these two schools will tip off again on Feb. 19 on ESPN 2.

No. 1 Kansas at Kansas State, Jan. 18

KU regards K-State like an irritating younger brother. But like an irritating younger brother, the Wildcats have a knack for messing things up for the Jayhawks.

Kansas absolutely owns the all-time Sunflower State Showdown series, leading 127-59 since 1950.

K-State won 19 games last year, but lost its top three scorers from that team. The ’Cats do have 6-10 forward Baye Fall transferring in from Arkansas, so it’ll be fun to see what he can do against one of the best teams in the nation.

He’ll have a chance to show what he can do on CBS.

ASU at No. 10 UA, March 4

ASU coach Bobby Hurley could be looking for a big win to secure his team’s NCAA Tournament hopes by this point in the season.

Could he possibly make a bigger statement than traveling south and beating a rival that’s a perennial contender?

UA might be playing for seeding at this point, but you know Wildcats fans would love to stick a fork in the Sun Devils hopes of making the Big Dance.

This is one to see in person, especially since it’s got no TV schedule, at the moment.

Reach Moore at gmoore@azcentral.com or 602-444-2236. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, @SayingMoore.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Five games I've gotta see: Big 12, big passion and big opportunities