Top 10 College Basketball Games This Weekend
So, who says you have to wait for the festive week to kick off university activities? The opening weekend is brimming with matchups that could resonate months down the line. Let’s take a look at the top 10 games worth watching this weekend.
10. Oklahoma State vs. Texas A&M
(Sunday — 2 p.m./ESPN2) Bucky McMillan’s project at Texas A&M faces its first real test this Sunday against Oklahoma State. The Aggies come into this one with a record of 2-0, having put up impressive scores in their season-opening wins against Northwestern State and Texas Southern. Still, they’ll need to show they can handle tougher competition.
If the Cowboys have aspirations of making a mark in the NCAA Tournament, this game feels crucial. Their non-conference slate is light, making this potentially their best chance to snag a win against a team that might be dancing come March.
9. Vanderbilt at Central Florida
(Saturday — 4 p.m./ESPN+) Analytics suggest that Vanderbilt has something to offer this season, but not everyone seems convinced yet. This game presents an opportunity for the Commodores to grab attention with a genuine road victory against another power conference team.
Mark Byington needs his second season to go well in Nashville. If the Commodores are to establish themselves as more than just a mid-major in the SEC—which, to be fair, isn’t the worst place to be—they need to adapt during such games.
8. Washington at Baylor
(Sunday — 8:30 p.m./ESPN) Some, including yours truly, feel that Danny Sprinkle’s roster at Washington deserves more recognition. While injuries to key players like Desmond Claude and Jacob Ognasevic complicate things, there’s still enough talent to make Baylor sweat at home.
Freshman standout Hannes Steinbach, a 6-foot-11 recruit from Germany, is quietly making noise, averaging 17 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 5 assists through two games. It’ll be interesting to see how he stacks up against Baylor’s frontcourt.
7. Towson at Houston
(Saturday — 3 p.m./ESPN+) Retaining talent at the mid-major level isn’t easy, but Towson coach Pat Skelly has managed to bring back several key players, including star midfielder Tyler Tejada. He’s someone who could likely start at many power-conference programs.
Houston is a hefty favorite, but this matchup offers more than the usual opening-week game. Towson is well-coached and possesses some solid talent.
6. Georgetown vs. Maryland
(Friday — 6 p.m./FS1) After Georgetown’s surprising exhibition victory over Kentucky, they’ve turned into a trendy pick. If they can upset Maryland—currently favored by 7.5 points—they might gain even more buzz.
This matchup has the potential to be a hard-fought contest, and it’s interesting to note that the two teams haven’t faced each other since 2016—a gap that feels uncalled for. Fortunately, this is only the beginning of a four-game series.
5. Indiana vs. Marquette
(Sunday – 1 p.m./ESPN) The United Center will host a significant challenge for Indiana in the early days of the Darian DeVries era. Following a solid win against Alabama A&M, the Hoosiers look to build on that success.
Marquette has also been busy, securing wins in their first two games. These types of games matter just as much for rankings and placement as those played in February and March. For both teams, especially with March Madness on the horizon, every detail counts.
4. Oklahoma vs. Gonzaga
(Saturday – 10:30 p.m./ESPN2) To claim your title as a college basketball fan, you might have to stay up late to catch Gonzaga’s late-night game. It’s difficult to gauge what to expect from this year’s Gonzaga squad, as opinions seem mixed. One can’t help but think they could be undervalued or just not quite right yet.
This game will serve as a barometer for Gonzaga, which has a challenging schedule ahead. We’ll get a clearer picture of what Mark Few has crafted in the coming weeks.
3. No. 14 Arkansas vs. No. 22 Michigan State
(Saturday – 7 p.m./Fox) The first of three matchups between ranked teams promises to be thrilling. The floor will be full of athletic talent, with Arkansas boasting players like Trevon Brazil and DJ Wagner.
On the other side, Michigan State has some dynamic athletes, including standout dunker Cohen Carr. Freshman Darius Acuff could shine, but how he performs against seasoned players like Jeremy Fiers Jr. will be a significant test.
2. No. 19 Kansas vs. No. 25 North Carolina
(Friday – 7 p.m./ESPN) There’s something special about the season’s first Friday, especially with the game happening in a lively environment rather than a neutral court.
This week has already been marked by standout performances from freshmen like Kansas’ Darrin Peterson and Carolina’s Caleb Wilson. The matchup in the paint between Kansas’ Florrie Vidunga and North Carolina’s Henri Vieser promises to be intriguing.
For North Carolina’s coach Hubert Davis, this is a pivotal proving ground, especially going up against Kansas in front of a home crowd.
1. No. 15 Alabama vs. No. 5 St. John’s
(Saturday – noon, ESPN) The first showdown among the Top 15 is shaping up to be an exhilarating match. This game features two very different coaching styles—defensive acumen versus explosive offense.
St. John’s has high hopes and a roster that could contend for a title. Meanwhile, Alabama has some big questions, but the presence of a stellar scorer in LaBaron Fillon could turn the tide in games like this.
Even just a few days into the new season, The Garden feels like the ideal location for such a matchup.
