Without including the gauntlet schedule that UConn has this upcoming season, there are a ton of great men’s college basketball games to watch as we get closer to the season, which begins on Nov. 3.  

The following games will not cover all the top 10 matchups this season but include a diverse selection of teams ranked in the preseason AP Poll.  

UConn mens basketball lost to St John’s on Friday Feb 9. After a tough game the Huskies fall despite a strong start. Photo by Connor Sharp/The Daily Campus

No. 9 Kentucky at No. 11 Louisville (Nov. 11, 8 p.m., ESPN)  

For the first time since the 2019-20 season, the Battle of the Bluegrass will be a top 25 matchup. Kentucky, led by preseason SEC Player of the Year Otega Oweh, will face its in-state rival early in the season. The Cardinals, in their second year under Pat Kelsey, will have elevated expectations. With Xavier transfer Ryan Conwell and Virginia transfer Isaac McKneely leading the way, expect fireworks at the KFC Yum! Center.  

No. 23 Creighton vs. No. 16 Iowa State (Nov. 25, 2 p.m., truTV)  

While the two programs face off in an exhibition game, they will play for real during the Players Era Championship. Creighton will look unrecognizable as Ryan Kalkbrenner and Steven Ashworth departed after being staples for the past few years. The trio of Jackson McAndrew, Owen Freeman and Josh Dix will be essential for success this year. Iowa State also had a ton of roster turnover but brought back key starters Tamin Lipsey and Milan Momcilovic.  

No. 3 Florida at No. 6 Duke (Dec. 2, 7:30 p.m., ESPN)  

Two national title contenders clash for the biggest game of the ACC/SEC Challenge. The defending national champions have reloaded, with Alex Condon, Boogie Fland and Thomas Haugh all earning preseason All-SEC honors. Duke, on the other hand, came just a possession short of the national championship game last season. With the Boozer brothers headlining the No. 1 high school recruiting class, the Blue Devils will be back in the mix despite losing their entire starting lineup.  

No. 5 St. John’s vs. No. 9 Kentucky (Dec. 20, 12:30 p.m., CBS)  

For the CBS Sports Classic in Atlanta, St. John’s and Kentucky face off as two teams with Rick Pitino connections. While we already know what Kentucky offers in year two under head coach Mark Pope, St. John’s brought in one of the top transfer classes we have ever seen. With presumptive preseason Big East Player of the Year Zuby Ejiofor leading the way, the starting lineup is loaded with North Carolina transfer Ian Jackson and Providence transfer Bryce Hopkins.  

No. 10 Texas Tech vs. No. 6 Duke (Dec. 20, 8 p.m., ESPN)  

Duke will have practically a brand-new roster, while Texas Tech will be without All-Big 12 wing Darrion Williams. On the bright side, the Red Raiders retained All-American JT Toppin, who will likely be the preseason Big 12 Player of the Year.  

No. 18 Tennessee at No. 14 Arkansas (Jan. 3, 3 p.m., ESPN2)  

Tennessee saw two new additions named to the preseason All-SEC second team. The Volunteers will be led by blue-chip freshman Nate Ament and Maryland transfer Ja’Kobi Gillespie. Arkansas, in year No. 2 under John Calipari, will hope for more success this year under the leadership of Karter Knox and D.J. Wagner.  

No. 1 Purdue at No. 12 UCLA (Jan. 20, 10 p.m., Peacock)  

Purdue has come close to winning a national championship but has not accomplished the feat. However, the Boilermakers have a compelling argument to be national title favorites. Star guard Braden Smith is expected to be the preseason Wooden Award favorite, but that is not all that Purdue offers. They also have forward Trey Kaufman-Renn, who performed at a similar level at times throughout the 2024-25 season. For UCLA, they nailed one of the top transfers in the portal with guard Donovan Dent, who could be a Big Ten Player of the Year candidate if he performs the same way he did at New Mexico.  

No. 2 Houston at No. 8 BYU (Feb. 7, TBD)  

Houston was one possession away from its first national title, but a crazy finish put Florida on top. Three starters came back, including Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year Joseph Tugler. For BYU, Richie Saunders returns and creates a lethal duo between him and potential No. 1 pick AJ Dybantsa. It is a bummer that this matchup only occurs once during Big 12 play.  

UConn Men’s Basketball plays against Creighton on March 15th, 2025. The men lost 62-71. Photo by Emma Meidinger/The Daily Campus

No. 7 Michigan vs. No. 6 Duke (Feb. 21, 6:30 p.m., ESPN)  

For the first time since Dec. 3, 2013, Duke and Michigan will renew their rivalry that used to be annual. While Christian Laettner and Chris Webber will not be on the floor, Michigan will also be among the national championship contenders. The Wolverines added UAB transfer Yaxel Lendeborg and North Carolina transfer Elliot Cadeau in the offseason, two players with All-Big Ten potential.  

No. 20 Auburn vs. No. 15 Alabama (Feb. 7; March 7, 8:30 p.m., ESPN/ESPN2)  

The Iron Bowl of Basketball heated up in the 2020s, with both teams among the best in college basketball last season. Both of the teams’ lead guards, Auburn’s Tahaad Pettiford and Alabama’s Labaron Philon Jr., were named to the preseason All-SEC first team. It will be interesting to see how Auburn does in the post-Bruce Pearl era.  

No. 19 Kansas vs. No. 13 Arizona (Feb. 9, 9 p.m., ESPN; Feb. 28)  

Kansas will be headlined by top recruit Darryn Peterson as the Bill Self-led Jayhawks look for redemption after failing to meet the standards the past two seasons. Arizona will reload after losing Carter Bryant and Caleb Love in the offseason. The Wildcats loaded up with Jaden Bradley and Koa Peat, who are expected to be the top contributors.