NCAA Basketball: Most watchable opening night matchups of 2019-20

FAYETTEVILLE, AR - JANUARY 14: Rashad Madden #00 of the Arkansas Razorbacks celebrates with fans after an overtime win against the Kentucky Wildcats at Bud Walton Arena on January 14, 2014 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Razorbacks defeated the Wildcats 87-85. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

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LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY – FEBRUARY 12: Darius Perry #2 and Jordan Nwora #33 of the Louisville Cardinals celebrate at the end of the first half against the Duke Blue Devils at KFC YUM! Center on February 12, 2019 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

No. 5: Louisville at Miami

Tipoff: 6:30 pm EST

Channel: ACCN

Combined Watchability Rating: 59

In the ACC’s first blockbuster matchup of the year features a historically well-respected program, Louisville trying to reestablish themselves amongst the top tier in the nation going up against what I think is one of the more underrated squads this season. After failing to crack the top 120 in any of the offensive watchability statistics, Louisville head coach Chris Mack hopes his huge recruiting haul, which includes four players from 24/7 Sports’ top 100 incoming freshmen, will bring that sweet free-flowing offense and punishing pack-line defense we saw on all of his great Xavier squads.

On the other hand, legendary coach Jim Larranaga will look to bounce back from his worst season in 20 years as he brings back electric point guard Chris Lykes and adds so key transfers in Cam McGusty and Keith Stone who should provide some much-needed production off the bench. Both teams get after it on both sides of the ball and with intriguing new talent these squads now possess, I’d advise that you don’t miss this game.

No. 4: Army at Villanova

Tipoff: 8:30 EST

Channel: FS1

Combined Watchability Rating: 62

If you like offense, you’re not gonna want to miss this one. With both teams ranking inside the top 50 in APFG and inside the top 80 in Percent of Points from the 3, fans of the new era of basketball are gonna love this matchup. In what was a “down” year for Nova after winning two national titles in three seasons, the Wildcats hope they can hang another banner Finneran Pavillion with an incredible recruiting haul that includes two top 20 freshmen in Jeremiah Robinson-Earl and Bryan Antoine. These two dynamic playmakers should give Nova one of their best offenses yet.

On the other side, Army’s high octane offense brings back it’s two leading scorers in Thomas Funk and Mathew Wilson, making them a team to watch for in the Patriot League. Nova has too much firepower for this game to be close, but I wouldn’t be surprised if these two squads total over 160 points between the two of them.

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