Fansided

8 early-season college basketball games that will be must-watch affairs

By Mike Phillips

TAMPA, FLORIDA - MARCH 11: Oscar Tshiebwe #34 of the Kentucky Wildcats celebrates in the game against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the quarterfinals of the 2022 SEC Men's Basketball Tournament at Amalie Arena on March 11, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA - MARCH 11: Oscar Tshiebwe #34 of the Kentucky Wildcats celebrates in the game against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the quarterfinals of the 2022 SEC Men's Basketball Tournament at Amalie Arena on March 11, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next
BLOOMINGTON, UNITED STATES – 2022/10/29: Indiana Hoosiers forward Race Thompson (25) plays against Marian University during an NCAA basketball exhibition game, at Assembly Hall in Bloomington. IU beat Marian 78-42. (Photo by Jeremy Hogan/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
BLOOMINGTON, UNITED STATES – 2022/10/29: Indiana Hoosiers forward Race Thompson (25) plays against Marian University during an NCAA basketball exhibition game, at Assembly Hall in Bloomington. IU beat Marian 78-42. (Photo by Jeremy Hogan/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images) /

3. ACC/Big Ten Challenge – North Carolina at Indiana

  • Date: Nov. 30, 2022
  • Location: Bloomington, IN
  • Venue: Assembly Hall
  • Time: 9:15 p.m. ET
  • TV: ESPN

The ACC/Big Ten Challenge has been a non-conference staple for years as America’s two most pre-eminent basketball conferences face off for bragging rights. The crown jewel of this year’s challenge is North Carolina’s trip to Bloomington to take on an Indiana team that is favored to win the Big Ten in Mike Woodson’s second season.

There is star power galore in this game as the Tar Heels’ dynamic duo of Armando Bacot and Caleb Love try to keep pace with Hoosiers’ forwards Race Thompson and Trayce Jackson-Davis. The fact that this game is being played at Assembly Hall also adds to the fun since this may be the biggest game that Indiana has hosted in years.

4. Big East-Big 12 Battle – Creighton at Texas

  • Date: Dec. 1, 2022
  • Location: Austin, TX
  • Venue: Moody Center
  • Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
  • TV: ESPN

Although not as storied as the ACC/Big Ten Challenge, the Big East-Big 12 Battle is a rising non-conference showcase between two proud basketball leagues. The gem of this year’s event takes place in Austin as the Longhorns welcome a Creighton team capable of winning it all to town on Dec. 1.

Offense should be a feature in this contest as Creighton can shoot the lights out of the gym and Texas has the athletes to match them score for score. The names here may not be as nationally known as some of the other games but it will be just as entertaining.