NCAA Basketball: Top 10 “must see” games in November for 2023-24 season
By Jay George
No. 4) #3 Purdue Boilermakers v. #11 Gonzaga Bulldogs
When: Monday, November, 20th – 5:00pm EST
Where: Stan Sheriff Center — Honolulu, Hawaii (Jim Maui Invitational)
There’s no denying that Matt Painter and the Purdue Boilermakers have a lot to prove this year. After a shocking and disappointing upset loss to Fairleigh Dickinson, this year needs to be better for the Boilermakers. They look pick up right where they were last season as one of the best if not potentially the best team coming into the season. Zach Edey, Mason Gillis, Caleb Furst, and more return for a strong team again. Gonzaga lost Drew Timme but brings in a stacked roster that can match Purdue in size and athleticism.
This game will really answer if the new Gonzaga team without Timme and other big players can continue on an elite path as that pair up with what some might argue is the best team in college basketball. This will be a great rematch to watch, and although Purdue leads the all-time series 3-0, the Zags always have a chance to pull a win off in a neutral atmosphere.
No. 3) #12 Arizona Wildcats v. #4 Michigan State Spartans
When: Thursday. November 23rd – 4:00pm EST
Where: Acrisure Arena — Riverside, California (Acrisure Classic)
Like the above matchup, both teams have some great rosters. Michigan State and Arizona both will have some great frontcourts to go head-to-head with each other as they excel in fast guard play and athletic bigs. Tyson Walker, Malik Hall, Jaden Akins, AJ Hoggard, and Maddy Sissoko all come back to East Lansing which should really strengthen their lineup with continuity and familiarity. Arizona has a roster to compete with the Spartans but will be very battle tested in this year’s early non-conference play.