The early part of the college basketball season is reserved for pay-to-play games. You know the type: Mid-major Division I programs take guarantees for a road game and beat-down against a top-tier opponent.

There are arguments for and against the practice. Proponents say financially strapped schools can make a quick buck and toughen up for the conference campaign. Critics say taking whippings for cash is mentally and physically draining. HBCUs are among the busiest travelers.

No one touches Coppin State for a killer schedule. The Eagles play at Purdue, Kansas, Dayton, Wisconsin and Syracuse before Christmas. Then it's off to the Rainbow Classic in Honolulu, Hawaii Nov. 27-30. Then it's off to Big 12 country with games at Oklahoma and Missouri before jumping into MEAC competition.

North Carolina Central, an independent playing its second Division I season, opens at No. 21 Wake Forest on Nov. 14 in Winston-Salem, N.C. That's the Eagles' only appearance in the Tar Heel State until December. NCCU, which went 4-26 last season, play their first six games on the road, covering 8,166 miles.

After Wake Forest, the Eagles go to Kent State on Nov. 17, Florida Gulf Coast on Nov. 20 and Tulsa on Nov. 25, before playing in the South Padre Island (Texas) Invitational on Nov. 28-29. NCCU's first home game is Dec. 3 against High Point. Morgan State, the preseason pick to win the MEAC, play five of its first six on the road, starting with LaSalle Nov. 15 in Philadelphia and ending with the Glen Wilkes Classic in Orlando, Fla. Nov. 21-23 against Marshall, Utah and Wisconsin-Green Bay on consecutive days.

MSU is capable of coming out of that stretch with some wins, which would underscore the preseason expectations in Baltimore. Travel doesn't have to be a bad thing, though. Grambling State plays Morehead State and The Citadel Nov. 29-30 in Cancun, Mexico along with money games at New Mexico Nov. 20 and Oklahoma State Nov. 23.