It’s the month of September, which means the 2025-26 college basketball season is so close. One positive aspect of this new era is the introduction of numerous new preseason games this month, many of which feature a charitable component.
So, yes, while these games don’t count, there are still plenty of things to watch for, thanks to the many new faces on the respective teams. Here’s a look at the 10 preseason games this month I’m keeping an eye out for.
10. VCU vs Villanova - Oct 19th
It’s the start of two new eras, with Phil Martelli Jr. (VCU) and Kevin Willard (Nova) taking over for the respective teams. The Rams were picked as the preseason favorite in the A-10, while questions remain about how good the Wildcats will be, especially after star transfer Devin Askew suffered an injury and will be out until Big East play. This will be a good opportunity to assess how well the newcomers will fit into Nova.
9. Saint Mary’s vs Ole Miss - Oct 26th
It’s an entirely new backcourt at Ole Miss, led by Kansas transfer AJ Storr. He was viewed as one of the more disappointing newcomers last season. Can he look like how Storr did at Wisconsin? The Rebels will need that version to remain competitive in the SEC.
8. Michigan State vs UConn - Oct 28th
It’s a matchup of two of the best active coaches in college basketball and two prominent programs. One of the keys to watch in this game will be which breakout newcomers we should keep an eye on. Coen Carr is due to be a star for the Spartans, while the Huskies have several quality freshmen looking to stand out and become part of the rotation, such as Eric Reibe, Jacob Furphy, and Braylon Mullins.
7. Arkansas vs Memphis - Oct 27th
It’s a reunion between Arkansas HC John Calipari and Ohio State transfer Aaron Bradshaw, back from when they both were at Kentucky. One of the biggest storylines overall is how the former five-star prospect will perform as the projected focal point of the Memphis frontcourt, aiming for a breakout year. It’ll also be a first opportunity to see the five-star freshman guard duo of Meleek Thomas and Darius Acuff for the Razorbacks.
6. Indiana vs Baylor - Oct 26th
Coach Drew has plenty of history with the state of Indiana in basketball and will take on the brand-new Hoosiers roster, led by new HC Darian DeVries and his son and WVU transfer, Tucker DeVries. The main storyline for both teams is simply which transfers look the part and whether a rotation can be seen, or if everyone plays.
5. Michigan vs St. John’s - Oct 25th
This game will have plenty of starpower, as both teams had two of the top incoming transfer classes this offseason. But while Michigan’s roster makeup is compelling in itself, all eyes will be on how the point guard situation works out for the Red Storm. It’s one of the biggest questions for the entire season, and this is an early test/opportunity to see how it’ll look.
4. Purdue vs Kentucky - Oct 24th
Along with the Houston Cougars, Purdue is viewed as one of the teams to beat this season. Not only do they bring back All-American Braden Smith, but they also added some depth, including South Dakota State transfer Oscar Cluff. Kentucky brings back leading scorer Otega Oweh with a brand new supporting cast, and the result could give the Wildcats even more hype for 2025-26.
3. Duke vs Tennessee - Oct 26th
Duke is one of a handful of programs that can use three top-15 NBA Draft picks and still have the talent to be a national contender the following year. It’s a chance to see the Boozer brothers (Cameron and Cayden) against one of the top defenses in the country, along with seeing which of the returning players will break out at Duke. The same goes for the Vols, who have an incoming 5-star forward prospect, Nate Ament, to watch.
2. Kansas vs Louisville - Oct 24th
This game features two top-10 incoming freshmen. Darryn Peterson is the star newcomer for Kansas, who may be playing some point. Meanwhile, Mikel Brown Jr. was the star of the U19 Team USA champions and will be the lead guard for Louisville, which has been ranked in many preseason top-10 lists.
1. BYU vs North Carolina - Oct 24th
A player who has gotten nearly as much preseason hype as former Duke star Cooper Flagg is AJ Dybantsa, the No. 1 overall freshman prospect in the 2025 class. He’s set to be the star for BYU, a potential team to beat in the Big 12. Meanwhile, there’s a lot of pressure on HC Hubert Davis and UNC to be a national threat again, and their new-look roster includes five-star forward prospect Caleb Wilson. Don’t be surprised if we see these two teams match up during this star-studded exhibition game.