NCAA Basketball: Opening day guide featuring top games and must-watch matchups

Opening night in college hoops is right around the corner, tipping off in less than one week, setting forth a five-month marathon with one goal: to cut down nets in San Antonio on Monday night.

With a slate filled to the brim with matchups, it can be overwhelming. Here is your opening day guide, detailing the top games to watch and a handful of under-the-radar games to monitor. All start times listed in central time.

Top games to watch

#13 Texas A&M at UCF - 6:00 p.m.

Buzz Wiliams may have one of the more explosive scoring guards in the SEC in Wade Taylor IV, however, the 13th-ranked Aggies will be tested on Monday night against a sneaky-good UCF squad littered with a vast array of guards. Keep an eye out for George Mason transfer Keshawn Hall, who knotted a double-double in UCF’s exhibition win over FGCU.

Vermont at UAB: - 6:30 p.m.

An opening night matchup featuring two teams recently named the conference favorite in their preseason polls? Sign me up. Vermont has a dynamic backcourt with Shamir Bogues and TJ Long. UAB has the more polarizing wings in the country in Yaxel Lendeborg, the preseason 2024-25 AAC POY. It’s a stylistic clash with UAB’s potent offense and Vermont’s stubborn defense. Something will have to give on Monday night.

Missouri at Memphis - 7:00 p.m.

Penny Hardaway continues his aggressive approach with the Tigers’ non-conference schedule, taking on a much-improved Missouri squad that is looking to put last year’s zero-win SEC mark far, far away in the rearview mirror. Both teams, on paper, have the talent to put together a quality season -- and maybe even more, meaning a win on opening night can go a long way.

#21 Florida vs. South Florida - 7:30 p.m (Jacksonville)

The sudden, tragic death of South Florida’s head coach Amir Abdur-Rahim sent shockwaves throughout college basketball. Abdur-Rahim was among the top-rising head coaches in the industry and will leave a lasting impact on and off the court. 

Led by interim HC Ben Fletcher, the Bulls now painstakingly pivot. Even if South Florida may have a new look after its historic season last year, there’s no doubt they can remain competitive against the fast-paced Florida Gators, led by Walter Clayton Jr. Keep an eye out for Alex Condon, the 6-foot-11 big who is line for a monster breakout season for Todd Golden's group.

#19 Texas vs. Ohio State (Hall of Fame Series) - 9:00 p.m.

As part of the first game of the Hall of Fame Series in Las Vegas, Rodney Terry’s 19th-ranked Longhorns will take on a much-improved Ohio State Buckeye squad in the first full season of the Jake Diebler era. Texas may have one of the more individually offensively explosive units in college basketball. Ohio State has a tantalizing frontcourt beaming with upside supported by its heartbeat in the backcourt, Bruce Thornton.  It may be the start of the season but its never too early for resume-boosting victories.

A must-watch matchup

#6 Gonzaga vs. #8 Baylor (Hall of Fame Series) - 10:30 p.m.

Unquestionably, the must-watch matchup on opening night is a clash between two top-ten squads with Final Four aspirations: Gonzaga and Baylor. In other words, its the 2021 national title rematch. The Zags returned over 80% of its scoring and addressed its depth issues this offseason. Baylor made splashes in the offseason, landing Duke transfer Jeremy Roach and Miami (FL) transfer Norchard Omier. Both are ranked inside the top 30 for returning players this season. Looking for a sneak peek at a potential Final Four matchup? This is it.

Under-the-radar games to watch

Wichita State at Western Kentucky - 7:00 p.m.

The Shockers are among college basketball’s oldest teams, led by a backcourt in Harlond Beverly, Justin Hill and Xavier Bell. Western Kentucky, who lost its head coach Steve Lutz to Oklahoma State, isn’t expected to take a step backward under first-year HC Hank Plona. The Hilltoppers return over 70% of last year’s minutes after earning an at-large bid to the 2024 NCAA Tournament.

MAC/SBC Challenge

The first round of the MAC-SBC Challenge tips off on opening night. The second round will be announced in January before tipping off in early February, according to a release. One game to circle? Akron at Arkansas State. John Groce will, once again, have his group competing in the top half of the MAC. Arkansas State, led by second-year HC Bryan Hodgson, are set to take a major step forward after landing the high-scoring Louisiana transfer Kobe Julien.

Green Bay at Oklahoma State - 8:00 pm.

Doug Gottlieb returns to Oklahoma State, his alma mater, in his first game leading the Green Bay Phoenix. Gottlieb averaged over eight assists in his last two years in Stillwater and totaled 947 assists in his collegiate career. The dime-disher will surely get a warm welcome in Gallagher-Iba.

And don’t forget…the Field of 68 Showcase.

The Field of 68 Showcase is set to tip off all afternoon at the Sanford Pentagon. It will feature a trio of games against some of the stronger mid-majors in NCAA basketball. The games can be streamed on YouTube here. Below is the schedule.

Game #1: Charleston vs. Southern Illinois 11:00 am

Game #2: Saint Louis vs. Santa Clara: 2:00 pm

Game #3: McNeese vs. South Dakota State 5:00 pm