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When does college basketball season start?

By Dave Stevenson

Feb 27, 2016; Ames, IA, USA; Iowa State Cyclones guard Monte Morris (11) looks on during their game with the Kansas State Wildcats at James H. Hilton Coliseum. The Cyclones beat the Wildcats 80-61. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 27, 2016; Ames, IA, USA; Iowa State Cyclones guard Monte Morris (11) looks on during their game with the Kansas State Wildcats at James H. Hilton Coliseum. The Cyclones beat the Wildcats 80-61. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports /
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When does the 2016-17 NCAA college basketball season start?

The 2015-16 college basketball season ended with a flawless NCAA tournament. As exciting as it was, the 2016-17 season could be even better. There’s a new crop of young players ready to put on a show and a number of returning stars ready to try to win their team a championship.

It officially starts on Friday Nov. 11. There will be a number of great games to open the season on opening night. Perhaps the best one will be Indiana versus Kansas at the Armed Forces Classic. The Hoosiers are ranked No. 12 in the preseason polls while the Jayhawks are ranked second. Also participating at the Armed Forces Classic will be Arizona (No. 111), as they take on Michigan State (No. 9). One of the more intriguing games is No. 4 Kentucky versus everyone’s favorite team from last season, Stephen F. Austin University. The Wildcats are obviously favorites in the game, but as everyone learned in the NCAA tournament, don’t take SFA University lightly.

Over 50 teams will be in action on Friday, many of them ranked teams. The No. 1 Duke Blue Devils will be in action as they square off against Marist. No. 3 Villanova will take on Lafayette. The #5 Oregon Ducks will take on the Army Black Knights. No. 6 North Carolina will take on Tulsa at home.

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There are a number of Naismith candidates this season, with perhaps no true favorite. Grayson Allen from Duke has a strong chance. Villanova’s star Josh Hart has a strong chance as well as a senior. Two freshmen to watch for the Naismith are Josh Jackson from Kansas and Harry Giles from Duke. Melo Trimble from Maryland could be a dark horse, returning for his junior season. The 2016-17 NCAA college basketball season should be a great one and it starts in November.