The wait is over. The college basketball season officially tips off Monday. While week one of the 2023-24 campaign might not be the most thrilling week on paper, there are still several games to look forward to. Here’s all the big games from week one in chronological order.
Monday, Nov. 6: Georgia vs. Oregon; 4:30 p.m. ET on truTV
The first game of note of the 23-24 season is a matchup between Oregon and Georgia from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. This should be a close matchup, though most experts lean to the side of the Ducks, the better team on paper. Don’t let that distract you, though, because Georgia is an improved team led by coach Mike White. This should end up being a close game and a solid start to the college hoops season.
Monday, Nov. 6: No. 21 USC vs. Kansas State; 10 p.m. ET on TNT
Later in the day from the same arena, T-Mobile in Vegas, there’s another matchup worth noting. This one is between No. 21 USC and Elite Eight finisher Kansas State. This one should be even better than the earlier tilt and it features All-America hopefuls Boogie Ellis and Isaiah Collier, both of USC. Kansas State also boasts a very solid group, led by Creighton transfer Arthur Kaluma. This will certainly be an exciting matchup to follow Georgia/Oregon and could go either way.
Wednesday, Nov. 8: Arizona State vs. Mississippi State; 9:30 p.m. ET on Barstool TV
The next most notable game after Monday’s tip off is a battle between Arizona State and Mississippi State in the Barstool Sports Invitational from Wintrust Arena in Chicago. This is the second matchup of the invitational, the first one being FAU/Loyola Chicago. This is certainly the better of the two, featuring two high-major programs looking to finish in the better half of their respective conferences. While it should be a close game all the way to the buzzer, most give the Bulldogs the slight edge here.
Friday, Nov. 10: No. 15 Texas A&M at Ohio State; 7 p.m. ET on Peacock
After only having a few games worth mentioning early in the week, Friday should be one of the best days of the entire college hoops season. This exciting day of basketball starts with Texas A&M traveling to Columbus to take on Ohio State. This is a very exciting clash between two teams poised for success throughout the campaign and into March. While the Aggies are the only ranked team here, and have preseason All-American Wade Taylor IV, experts mark this one as a 50/50 ballgame that could go either way. It’s never easy to go into a hostile Big Ten environment, especially early in the season, which is why the Aggies are in for a challenge in what should be a very entertaining game.
Friday, Nov. 10: No. 12 Arizona at No. 2 Duke; 7 p.m. ET on ESPN2
The undisputed best matchup of the week comes from Cameron Indoor Stadium on Friday. This battle features No. 12 Arizona and No. 2 Duke. It’s not common to see a high-profile matchup this early in a campus arena, which is why fans are really looking forward to this one. All the hype is for good reason too, as some of the top players in the country will step onto the court for this top-12 matchup. Oumar Ballo, Pelle Larsson and Caleb Love for Arizona, as well as Jeremy Roach, Tyrese Proctor and Kyle Filipowski for Duke, are some of the most talented players in the country. These proven players should make this game one to remember and one that showcases how good these two programs really are.
Friday, Nov. 10: Florida vs. Virginia; 7 p.m. ET on ACCN
Another exciting Friday matchup between Power Six foes includes Florida and Virginia, who meet in Charlotte at the Spectrum Center. This one should be another close affair and one with two teams with a lot to prove. Florida, with second-year coach Todd Golden and Virginia, who recently lost to fifth-year point guard Kihei Clark, are both looking to show the country that they’re ready to compete in their power leagues. While this should be a fun matchup, most of the nation agrees a UVA win is expected here.
Friday Nov. 10: Dayton at Northwestern; 8:30 p.m. ET on BTN
A great Friday of hoops continues with very solid teams battling it out on Northwestern’s campus, with Dayton trying to knock off the Wildcats. This matchup is one to note as the Flyers are the projected winners of the Atlantic 10 and the Wildcats are coming off a top-two finish in the Big Ten standings. Boo Buie is the player to watch in this matchup as he looks to make another All Big Ten First Team. While Dayton is the one projected to win its league, it's Northwestern that is given the edge by many, though in a tight game.
Friday Nov. 10: No. 9 Tennessee at Wisconsin; 9 p.m. ET on Peacock
In what should be a thrilling Friday of great matchups, the final one to look out for is No. 9 Tennessee traveling to Wisconsin for a game in Madison. Both teams are projected to improve from last season, but in very different ways. The Vols are looking to build off their Sweet 16 appearance and make a run to the Final Four, while the Badgers failed to make the NCAA Tournament last year but are projected by many to do so this year. All that is why this should be a very exciting matchup to finish off Friday, one that Tennessee is predicted to win but with a fight from Wisconsin.
Elms' Essentials: Week 12
