Fansided

NCAA basketball Week 1 schedule: Best games of the opening week

By Mike Phillips

SPOKANE, WASHINGTON - NOVEMBER 12: Corey Kispert #24 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs goes to the basket during the Numerica Kraziness in The Kennel scrimmage at McCarthy Athletic Center on November 12, 2020 in Spokane, Washington. (Photo by William Mancebo/Getty Images)
SPOKANE, WASHINGTON - NOVEMBER 12: Corey Kispert #24 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs goes to the basket during the Numerica Kraziness in The Kennel scrimmage at McCarthy Athletic Center on November 12, 2020 in Spokane, Washington. (Photo by William Mancebo/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

A lot of intriguing action is set to unfold as the NCAA basketball season begins on Wednesday.

College basketball is finally back and there’s a lot to look forward to. It will certainly be an unconventional season wrapping with a bubbled-up NCAA Tournament, but the regular-season slate is full of intrigue, especially in the non-conference portion of the schedule.

Throughout the season here at FanSided this space will spotlight the college basketball action you need to watch every week, including at least one contest spotlighting mid-majors (you’ve gotta give some love to the little guys, especially this year since the shortened non-conference slate provides them fewer opportunities to earn statement wins). Let’s kick off our Week 1 viewing guide with one of those mid-major contests, the showdown in Bubbleville between Towson and San Francisco.

NCAA basketball games of the week

Mid-Major Game of the Week: Towson vs. San Francisco-Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. ET on FloHoops

This game, which will take place at the Mohegan Sun bubble in Connecticut, kicks off the entire season on Wednesday morning. The Tigers will look to contend in a tough CAA as they reload following the departure of four starters from last year’s team. This contest is big for the Dons, who finished in fifth place in a very competitive WCC a year ago. San Francisco is particularly deep in the backcourt, with three excellent guards in Jamaree Bouyea, Khalil Shabazz and Damari Milstead to pace their offensive attack.

Fort Myers Tip-Off: No. 1 Gonzaga vs. No. 6 Kansas-Thursday at 1:30 p.m. ET on FOX

If you don’t feel interested in watching Texans-Lions on Thanksgiving there is an excellent college basketball alternative on FOX. Gonzaga enters the year as the top team in the polls and a strong favorite to win the national championship after adding a tremendous talent like five-star freshman Jalen Suggs to an elite core headlined by returners Corey Kispert and Joel Ayayi. Kansas did lose Udoka Azubuike and Devon Dotson to the pros but has reloaded nicely, adding five-star guard Bryce Thompson and elite junior college transfer Tyon Grant-Foster to build a squad capable of winning the Big 12 for a second straight year.

Bluegrass Classic: Richmond at No. 10 Kentucky-Sunday at 1:00 p.m. ET on ESPN

This MTE held at Rupp Arena was designed by Kentucky and creates a tremendous opportunity for Richmond, one of the nation’s most dangerous mid-majors. The Spiders are favored to win the A-10 this season after bringing back four starters from a team that made serious strides at the end of last season. This matchup will be a stiff test as the latest crop of Kentucky freshmen, including B.J. Boston and Devin Askew, make their debut as Wildcats.

Southwest Showcase: No. 17 Houston vs. No. 14 Texas Tech-Sunday at 5:00 p.m. ET on ESPN

Two of Texas’ top college basketball schools are set to play a fun non-conference showdown in Fort Worth on Sunday. The Cougars have done nothing but win under Kelvin Sampson and remain the favorites to win the American this season while the Red Raiders remain a Big 12 threat. Chris Beard has seriously retooled his roster, relying on a big class of transfers and freshmen to re-assemble a title contender, so this is a daunting first test in an unusual season.

Next. NCAA basketball bucket list. dark

For more NCAA basketball news, analysis, opinion and features, check out more from the FanSided college basketball section to stay on top of the latest action.