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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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No. 11 Virginia at Syracuse-Wednesday at 9:00 PM ET on ACC Network

The national champs are set to begin their title defense with a tricky conference matchup at Syracuse. Virginia lost a lot of players off of their title team, but Kihei Clark and Mamadi Diakite lead the next wave of Cavaliers into the Carrier Dome for a showdown with Jim Boeheim‘s Orange, and the 2-3 zone they bring with them.

Veterans Classic: No. 24 Auburn vs. Davidson-Friday at 6:00 PM ET on CBS Sports Network

The Veteran’s Classic, which will be played on Navy’s home court, features a sneaky good matchup between Auburn and Davidson. The Tigers went to their first Final Four a year ago, but lost a lot of key contributors to the NBA, leaving them vulnerable to a potential upset against one of the A-10’s top teams in Davidson. The Wildcats feature the always dangerous Kellen Grady, who has drawn comparisons to fellow Davidson alum Stephen Curry.

Bowling Green at No. 22 LSU-Friday at 8:00 PM ET on SEC Network+

It’s never too early to start watching potential bracket busters, and the MAC has one in Bowling Green. The Falcons are one of the league’s favorites to reach the NCAA Tournament, and they will have a chance to add a marquee win to their resume with a victory at LSU, which retains most of the core from last year’s SEC regular-season champs.

Armed Forces Classic: No. 16 Baylor vs. Washington-Friday at 9:30 PM ET on ESPN

This is another interesting neutral site showdown between two power conference squads. Scott Drew has arguably his best ever Baylor squad heading to Anchorage, Alaska for a matchup against the Washington Huskies, who won the Pac-12 a year ago and remain a threat to claim the title once again.