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Best college basketball games to watch opening week: Champions Classic a Final Four preview?

By Mike Phillips

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 31: Tre Jones #3 of the Duke Blue Devils dribbles up court during the East Regional game of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament against the Michigan State Spartans at Capital One Arena on March 29, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 31: Tre Jones #3 of the Duke Blue Devils dribbles up court during the East Regional game of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament against the Michigan State Spartans at Capital One Arena on March 29, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /
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EAST LANSING, MI – MARCH 09: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans looks on during a game against the Michigan Wolverines in the second half at Breslin Center on March 9, 2019 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

The Champions Classic pits No. 1 Michigan State vs. No. 2 Kentucky and No. 3 Kansas vs. No. 4 Duke. Thanks, college basketball for a Final Four preview.

Rejoice college hoops fans, the season is finally here. Nearly seven months after Virginia cut down the nets in Minneapolis, all 353 Division I basketball teams are set to begin their quest to reach the NCAA Tournament this week.

NCAA basketball season preview. light. Hot

Throughout the regular season, this column space will spotlight the must-watch action on the hardwood each and every week. The year usually opens with a bang, and this season is no exception, so the first edition of our must-watch games is supersized.

Let’s get started with the Champions Classic matchups.

Champions Classic: No. 3 Kansas vs. No. 4 Duke-Tuesday at 7:00 PM ET on ESPN

The first night of the year features a doozy of a matchup between two of the nation’s top five teams. Kansas may be staring at NCAA rules violations in the future, but for now, they have a loaded roster capable of contending for a championship. Duke is without Zion Williamson and friends, who are all off in the NBA, but Tre Jones is back to lead the latest freshmen crop in pursuit of a title.

Champions Classic: No. 1 Michigan State vs. No. 2 Kentucky-Tuesday at 9:30 PM ET on ESPN

That’s right folks, on the first night of the year, the top four teams in the nation will all be taking the floor at Madison Square Garden in the Champion’s Classic. Michigan State is the preseason top dog with nearly all of their Final Four squad back, while Kentucky brings back some key pieces to add to John Calipari‘s latest group of fabulous freshmen. This will be a hot ticket in New York City and a measuring stick game for both squads.

Notre Dame at No. 6 North Carolina-Wednesday at 7:00 PM ET on ACC Network

Don’t adjust your computer screen, that is an honest-to-goodness ACC conference game in the first week of the season. Thanks to the ACC’s decision to go to a 20-game conference schedule, big matchups are taking place in Week 1, including this one between a sneaky good Notre Dame team and North Carolina, which will welcome freshman sensation Cole Anthony to campus.

Cincinnati at No. 18 Ohio State-Wednesday at 8:30 PM ET on FS1

This non-conference showdown features two of Ohio’s best programs. The Bearcats will look to kick off the John Brannen era with a big win over a ranked Ohio State team that has eyes on toppling Michigan State at the top of the Big Ten thanks to the return of a number of key players, including big man Kaleb Wesson.