The games will be played Feb. 22 at school sites with ESPN and ESPN2 airing five of them. Four other games will be shown regionally, officials said.

Although UH officials said they expect to play at UC Santa Barbara, the matchups for all but one of the nine games will be officially announced Feb. 3 when it will also be disclosed which games will get network coverage.

ESPN, which will pair teams in consultation with the conferences, said it will take into account geographic considerations, records and rankings in making the matchups.

Other teams involved are: Ball State, Bowling Green, Creighton, Detroit, Fresno State, Gonzaga, Illinois-Chicago, Illinois State, Kent State, Louisiana Tech, Marshall, Northern Iowa, Southern Illinois, Tulsa, Western Kentucky and Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

"It should really help the RPI ­ especially if we win," said Herman Frazier, UH athletic director.

"(It) will be a tremendous opportunity for the teams to receive some national exposure prior to the NCAA tournament," said Karl Benson, WAC commissioner.

Because of the "Bracket Buster" game, UH coach Riley Wallace said the Rainbows will have to move their previously schedule game with Fresno State at the Stan Sheriff Center to accommodate the appearance. He said UH is asking the Bulldogs to play here on Dec. 7, 8 or 9 instead.

The idea behind the concept is to enhance the RPI and visibility of teams beyond the so-called "big six" conferences.