NCAA Basketball: Houston vs Auburn among must-watch games of the weekend

The first weekend of college basketball is finally here! As the customary buy-games play out around the country, a handful of teams will hit the road, unafraid of playing a big time game in the first week of the year. It's refreshing as a college hoops fan, the sport needs big games early in November and thankfully, there are plenty to enjoy this weekend.

# 9 North Carolina at #1 Kansas

Two teams with older leaders collide in Allen Fieldhouse on Friday night. A double-double machine, Hunter Dickinson returns for his sixth year of college basketball after averaging 17.9 points and 10.9 a year ago. For Carolina, the offense will run through RJ Davis once again. Davis picked up where he left off on opening night against Elon, scoring 24 points on 7-of-19 shooting from the floor. As feared as he is on offense, UNC has other guards capable of scoring as well.

Head Coach Hubert Davis said before the season "You will not recognize Elliot Cadeau this year. I mean it." And through one game, so far so good. Cadeau had 17 points, including three threes and looks like a real scoring option this season with an improved jumper. The biggest surprise for the Tar Heel's this season is the emergence of Seth Trimble. Many wondered if his 33-point effort in the Memphis scrimmage was just a flash in the pan or a sign of things to come. He looked legit on Monday night, adding 15 points while shooting 50% from the floor to the dismay of the haters.

Kansas on the other hand, flexed its muscle against Howard with its size. Dickinson chipped in 16 points while freshman Flory Bidunga had a spectacular first game. Scoring 13 points and grabbing 8 boards while going a perfect 6-6 from the field. Both make for a nightmare of a frontcourt for this Carolina team to match up against. Kansas is arguably the deepest team in the country with a leader who has been there and done that in Dujuan Harris Jr. He gives the Jayhawks the ability to switch everything on defense and provides a calming presence on the offensive end.

How will Carolina combat the frontcourt scoring of the Jayhawks? Armando Bacot isn't there anymore to cover Dickinson down low, leaving 6'10 Jalen Washington as the guy in charge of stopping the preseason All-American. Dickinson came into Monday dealing with a foot injury, playing only 21 minutes but regardless if he is 100% or not, Carolina will need to limit him to leave with a win.

#11 Auburn vs. #4 Houston

Both teams come into Saturday fresh off of 50+ point wins in their openers. If you like defense, this is your game. Auburn returns one of the best players in the country in Johni Broome, a do it all guy who averaged 16.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks last year.

This season is arguably Bruce Pearl's best team he's had on the plains. He brought in former Georgia Tech guard Miles Key, who had a great debut off the bench with 21 points, as well as JP Pegues from Furman. Pegues can really shoot it and averaged 18.4 points last season, he'll get his first minutes in a big-time power four game against Houston's athletic guards. Houston's defense will certainly do its best to key in on Broome, the Tigers will need Pegues to make shots when the opportunities arrive.

The national title aspirations are real for the Cougars. Despite losing star guard Jamal Shead, they still bring back valuable minutes with J'wan Robers and LJ Cryer back and primed for big years. Cryer kept the beat going from last year with 16 points and three assists in the opening win over Jackson State. He nailed four threes and didn't miss a free throw for good measure. Roberts provides match-up problems on both sides of the floor for Auburn at 6-foot-8, 235 pounds. Houston's front line is big and powerful and like last year, will make things tough for any team to create offense off of ball-screens.

With both teams being so good on the defensive end of the floor, offense could be at a premium in this game contrary to the scores of their respective openers. Houston was a perfect 7-7 from the free throw line on Monday night and given how close this game projects to be, that could make all the difference down the stretch.

#8 Baylor vs. #16 Arkansas

The Bears have little time to regroup after a frustrating loss on opening night against Gonzaga in Spokane. Struggling to guard Gonzaga's big men, Baylor surrendered 48 points in the paint and could not find an answer to stop the efficient Bulldog offense. But another ranked opponent could be just what the doctor ordered for Scott Drew's team. Baylor has plenty of experience in guards Jeremy Roach and Jayden Nunn. The two only combined for 15 points in the loss, which seems unlikely to happen two games in a row.

While star-studded freshman VJ Edgecome had an early candidate for dunk of the year, he had a tough night as well, shooting 2-11 from the field. Add him to the list of guys expected to have a much better game against the Razorbacks, he's simply too talented to not get things on track in game two.

For John Calipari and the 'Hogs, the Boogie Fland show is finally here. Fland led all scorers with 17 against Lipscomb with transfers Johnell Davis and DJ Wagner helping sure up the backcourt on both ends of the floor. Despite scoring 17, we still didn't see the full-talent display of Fland. He wasn't hitting shots from three but his his solid mid-range and speed towards the basket game allows him to affect the game no matter what; the guy can flat out score.

The X-factor in this game is whether or not Baylor can consistently get stops. The offensive ability is there when you look at their depth, but a similar defensive effort like we saw against Gonzaga is a recipe for another bad loss. Davis and Fland will be hard enough to stop, the Bears can't afford the rest of the Arkansas lineup to get hot.