The 2019-20 college basketball season gets off to a hot start with some fascinating matchups but these are the 12 games you need to be watching.
College basketball’s triumphant return is upon us. Tony Bennett and the Virginia Cavaliers, though with a vastly different complexion, are back to defend their first title in program history. Meanwhile, Michigan State looks to live up to the hype of being the No. 1 team in the country, Duke, Kansas, Kentucky, North Carolina and the blue bloods look to extend their legacies and Penny Hardaway tries to start a legacy of his own with Memphis.
It’s going to be a fascinating 2019-20 season and simply having college basketball back is exciting enough in itself for most fans. But one thing that the sport always treats fans to is a loaded first week of action filled with great matchups that should interest everyone. The first week of the 2019-20 college basketball season is no different.
With so many games to choose from, though, you might be left wondering where you should turn your attention over the opening week of the 2019-20 season. Fear not — we’re here to help, giving you the 12 best college basketball games over the first week from Tuesday, Nov. 5 to Monday, Nov. 11.
12. Wagner vs. No. 12 Seton Hall – Tuesday, Nov. 5, 6:30 p.m. ET
Seeing that No. 12 next to the Seton Hall Pirates should be enough to intrigue most college basketball fans. That ranking is no fluke, though. This Seton Hall team is anchored by a viable National Player of the Year candidate, Myles Powell, and four returning starters from last year’s team. On paper, they look like a matchup nightmare with their length and experience, a group that could potentially challenge for the Big East crown.
Though Wagner likely shouldn’t offer much resistance, it will be worth watching to see just how legitimate the Pirates are out of the gate this season — and to see Powell potentially go off.
11. South Carolina State vs. No. 14 Memphis – Tuesday, Nov. 5, 8:00 p.m. ET
Much in the same vein as the Seton Hall matchup, the Memphis Tigers should mow over South Carolina State on Tuesday night. While that may be so, every college basketball fan should be enthralled from start-to-finish this season with what this Memphis team does.
There’s no denying the talent that the Tigers have, bringing in the top recruiting class for 2019 led by No. 1 overall recruit James Wiseman. At the same time, though, Hardaway has anything but a proven track record as a head coach. Subsequently, the Tigers are one of the most potentially volatile and undeniably fascinating teams in the country. Watching them from the get-go is something no one will regret.
10. No. 20 Saint Mary’s vs. Wisconsin – Tuesday, Nov. 5, 9:00 p.m. ET
One thing that has killed Saint Mary’s in years past (outside of being a tier below Gonzaga) is their non-conference schedule. Two years ago, the Gaels were left out of the NCAA Tournament despite losing only four games in the regular season. Randy Bennett’s team looks to change that in the 2019-20 season, though, and that starts on the road against Wisconsin.
While the Badgers are not at the level they have been in recent years with Ethan Happ departing, they are still a talented Power 6 team. Subsequently, seeing how the Gaels, led by guard Jordan Ford, handle business on the road in this game will be quite interesting and could set the tone for their season.
9. No. 6 Louisville vs. Miami – Tuesday, Nov. 5, 6:30 p.m. ET
There are quite a few people that believe the Louisville Cardinals could emerge as the winners of a loaded ACC this season and for good reason. With Jordan Nwora and a solid rotation bolstering their team, the Cardinals are in a great position to challenge any of the heavy-hitters in the conference this year.
Having said that, they start their season with a road ACC game, which is far from a kind task being put before them. Though Jim Larranaga‘s Miami isn’t an elite team by any stretch, the Hurricanes have the talent and get this matchup at home which could spell some trouble for the Cardinals if there are any early-season stumbles.
8. Notre Dame vs. No. 9 North Carolina – Wednesday, Nov. 6, 7:00 p.m. ET
Cole Anthony makes his much-anticipated debut for the North Carolina Tar Heels on Wednesday night and will get his first taste of ACC action right out of the gate. Seeing the freshman phenom in action is worth the proverbial price of admission in itself but even more so when you consider a potentially juicy matchup against Notre Dame.
The Fighting Irish enter the season with some sleeper buzz out of the ACC. Despite winning only 14 games a year ago, Mike Brey runs a great program and has immense experience coming back to South Bend this year. With that going up against the youth-driven Tar Heels, this should be a fun one from Chapel Hill.
7. No. 16 Baylor vs. Washington – Friday, Nov. 8, 9:30 p.m. ET
A sneaky Baylor Bears team that has survived recent bouts with injuries and departures actually tips off their 2019-20 season on Tuesday but will be on the road on Friday for a game in Anchorage. This team has a high floor of Tristan Clark, who missed 20 games for the Bears last season, is able to stay healthy.
Having said that, Scott Drew’s Bears have a nasty habit of disappointing in various circumstances and a high-profile neutral-site game against a good-not-great Washington team seems like a potential recipe for that. The Huskies are a threat to challenge in the Pac-12 this season and, if Baylor wants to prove themselves early, then beating Jaden McDaniels and Washington on Friday would be a good start.
6. No. 24 Auburn vs. Davidson – Friday, Nov. 8, 6:00 p.m. ET
Losing Bryce Brown, Jared Harper and Chuma Okeke will not be easy for Auburn to contend in the 2019-20 college basketball season as they come off their run to the Final Four a year ago. At the same time, though, Danjel Purifoy and Austin Wiley combine for a strong frontcourt bound to cause problems for any opponent.
How this new-look Auburn team fares will be put to the test early in this neutral-site matchup in Annapolis. Davidson is one of the most underrated mid-major teams in the country, perhaps the most talented iteration of the Wildcats since Steph Curry’s time there. Their experience and balance will test the Tigers in every way imaginable.
5. No. 11 Virginia vs. Syracuse – Wednesday, Nov. 6, 9:00 p.m. ET
For the first time in 52 years, the defending National Champion opens up the following season with a road game. Making things even more complicated for Virginia is playing their first contest of the season on the road at Syracuse. This could be a dicey matchup for Tony Bennett’s team and it’ll be curious how they acquit themselves.
While Syracuse is looking at a potential down year under Jim Boeheim, the zone defense can cause any offense issues. And with Virginia looking to replace the majority of their offensive production from last year, the Orange defense could bring about some immediate growing pains for the Wahoos.
4. Texas vs. No. 23 Purdue – Saturday, Nov. 9, 7:00 p.m. ET
Because of Carsen Edwards‘ departure, it feels as if the Purdue Boilermakers are being underrated, even if they are the No. 23 team in the country. They may be even deeper and more balanced than they were a year ago entering the 2019-20 college basketball season, though, and are a sleeper to contend atop the Big Ten standings.
Having said that, we’ll find out on Saturday just how well Matt Painter‘s team contends with the loss of Edwards as they take on Shaka Smart’s Texas Longhorns. Matt Coleman and freshman Will Baker lead the way for a Texas team that has real potential this season, especially with Smart likely coaching for his long-term future with the program.
3. Florida State vs. No. 6 Florida – Sunday, Nov. 10, 1:00 p.m. ET
Some people have the Florida Gators pegged as the eventual 2019-20 SEC Champions over Kentucky this season and it’s not hard to see why. Transfer Kerry Blackshear provides the Gators with perhaps the most complete roster in the country, as well as having a mix of proven players and high-upside youngsters.
Having said that, they get an early-season rivalry matchup with Florida State on Sunday that will be far from an easy victory. The Seminoles are one of the most athletic teams in the country and have a pair of potential stars in M.J. Walker and Trent Forrest. If Leonard Hamilton can capitalize on the physical gifts on his roster, Florida State could give Florida all they can handle in this matchup.
2. No. 3 Kansas vs. No. 4 Duke – Tuesday, Nov. 5, 7:00 p.m. ET
Not surprisingly, one of the two Champions Classic games is the second-best game of the opening week in college basketball. On one hand, you have the No. 4 Duke Blue Devils who, despite seeing the lauded class of Zion Williamson, R.J. Barrett and Cam Reddish leave, have simply reloaded with Vernon Carey Jr., Matthew Hurt and Cassius Stanley, all joining a breakout candidate in sophomore point guard Tre Jones. The talent under Mike Krzyzewski is once again undeniable, though again unproven.
Then there’s Bill Self‘s Kansas Jayhawks. Unlike their Tuesday night adversaries, this team has a veteran presence leading the way with big man Udoka Azubuike and guard Devon Dotson. However, if now-eligible Silvio De Sousa and Ochai Agbaji can show up big on the scene, this Jayhawks team has National Championship potential.
1. No. 1 Michigan State vs. No. 2 Kentucky – Tuesday, Nov. 5, 9:30 p.m. ET
And at the top spot, we have the other game from the Champions Classic. John Calipari‘s Kentucky Wildcats are far more experienced than many of the previous iterations we’ve seen out of Lexington, particularly with the backcourt duo of Ashton Hagans and Immanuel Quickley ready to run the show. With newcomer Tyrese Maxey providing the necessary spark to what should be an elite defensive team, Kentucky should have big hopes for this squad.
However, there are even bigger hopes in East Lansing. Despite Josh Langford‘s lingering foot injury keeping him out to start the year, National Player of the Year favorite Cassius Winston returns for another season under Tom Izzo, leading a group that is experienced and that has potential stars like Aaron Henry in the fold. The Spartans are title favorites and Tuesday night will be their first opportunity to showcase why.
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