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College basketball games this week: Top 10 games of the Week 1 schedule

By Mike Phillips

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 30: Hunter Dickinson #1 of the Michigan Wolverines celebrates during the second half against the UCLA Bruins in the Elite Eight round game of the 2021 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 30, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 30: Hunter Dickinson #1 of the Michigan Wolverines celebrates during the second half against the UCLA Bruins in the Elite Eight round game of the 2021 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 30, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) /
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College basketball is finally back. Here are the top 10 college basketball games this week, including Texas vs. Gonzaga and the Champions Classic between Duke and Kentucky.

The return of college basketball is a cause to celebrate. The time for preseason rankings or breaking down what the early AP polls mean is over now that there are actual games to watch this week.

Confused about what to watch during the opening week of the season? Check out this handy breakdown of the 10 best games college basketball has to offer starting Tuesday night.

Best college basketball games this week

Champions Classic – No. 3 Kansas vs. Michigan State – Tuesday, 11/9 at 7:00 p.m. ET on ESPN

The Champions Classic hits New York this year as Kansas looks to kick off the Remy Martin era with a win over the reloaded Michigan State Spartans. Tom Izzo’s team has a few new names to watch, including Northeastern transfer Tyson Walker as well as five-star freshman Max Christie.

Louisiana Tech at No. 14 Alabama – Tuesday, 11/9 at 9:00 p.m. ET on SEC Network

The Crimson Tide looks to build off of their Sweet 16 run from a year ago with a difficult opening matchup against Louisiana Tech, one of the favorites to win Conference USA. The Bulldogs will look to ride a rugged defense and C-USA Player of the Year candidate Kenneth Lofton to an upset over sweet-shooting Alabama.

Champions Classic – No. 10 Kentucky vs. No. 9 Duke – Tuesday, 11/9 at 9:30 p.m. ET on ESPN

The nightcap of the Champions Classic is a doozy as a transfer-heavy Kentucky team takes on Duke in the first game of Mike Krzyzewski’s farewell season in a matchup of Top 10 teams. Paolo Banchero, one of the nation’s top freshmen, will be making his Blue Devils debut.

Buffalo at No. 6 Michigan – Wednesday, 11/10 at 6:30 p.m. ET on Big Ten Network

The Big Ten favorites begin their season at home against Buffalo, which is one of the favorites to win the MAC this season. Sophomore big man Hunter Dickinson will look to begin his quest to win Big Ten Player of the Year honors with a huge showing against the Bulls.

San Diego State at BYU – Friday, 11/12 at 9:00 p.m. ET on BYUtv

This matchup is a critical one among high-flying mid-majors as Cal transfer Matt Bradley looks to guide San Diego State to a huge road win against BYU, the WCC’s best non-Gonzaga squad. Alex Barcello and company will need to get hot from deep to win a potential shootout.

No. 4 Villanova at No. 2 UCLA – Friday, 11/12 at 11:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2

Diehard college basketball fans will need to put on an extra cup of coffee to stay up and watch this matchup of national title contenders on Friday night. Jay Wright’s deep Wildcats will face a stiff test against UCLA fresh off of its Final Four appearance a year ago.

Harvard at Iona – Saturday, 11/13 at 1:00 p.m. ET on ESPN3

Another mid-major spotlight here as Harvard looks to pick up a quality road non-conference win at Iona. Rick Pitino’s team is the MAAC favorites thanks to the addition of impact transfers Tyson Jolly and Elijah Joiner.

No. 5 Texas at No. 1 Gonzaga – Saturday, 11/13 at 10:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2

The first true non-conference test for the nation’s top team is a home date for Gonzaga against a top 5 opponent in the Texas Longhorns. New head coach Chris Beard brought a ton of quality transfers to the Longhorns, including former Minnesota star Marcus Carr, and can earn his first signature win by toppling the Bulldogs on their home floor.

Yale at Seton Hall – Sunday, 11/14 at 12:00 p.m. ET on FS1

The Ivy League favorites hit the road to try and snag an impressive win against Seton Hall, which is trying to return to the NCAA Tournament after a one-year absence. Syracuse transfer Kadary Richmond could be a huge factor in this game for the Pirates.

No. 20 Florida State at Florida – Sunday, 11/14 at 1:00 p.m. ET on ESPN

It may be a football Sunday but Florida State has a tough trip to Gainesville to take on an underrated Gators team. Florida is ranked in the Top 25 of the KenPom preseason rankings and could pull an upset against a Seminoles’ team that is talented but still learning to play together.

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