The first day of the NCAA hoops season is less than a week away. We’ve already had our first taste of basketball, with a plethora of great NBA games kicking off the league’s opening week. Not only that, but the college preseason exhibition games have been highly competitive this year. This is almost entirely thanks to the rule change implemented in January, which allows these matchups to be streamed and officially scored for the first time.
This has given us an early look at some of the country’s best teams and freshmen — from the class of 2025’s star player AJ Dybantsa showing off his unmatched athleticism to Kentucky rolling the top-ranked Purdue. While it’s hard to make much of these early scrimmages, it’s always fascinating to see how these squads look in their first real action. But now, it’s time for the games that truly count. Here are the matchups that stand out most in college basketball’s first week of the regular season.
No. 13 Arizona at. No. 3 Florida on Monday
What a game for the opening day of the 2025–26 season. Not only is this a ranked matchup, but it features the reigning champs facing off against a tough Arizona team on a neutral court as part of the Hall of Fame Series in Las Vegas. The Florida Gators enter with a revamped lineup, including the No. 6 transfer class in the country. While early-season games shouldn’t be overvalued, this is an important first test for the Gators’ new roster. And yes, look out for Arizona freshman Bryce James — the younger son of LeBron — who will be trying to carve out a role for the Wildcats in his first year.
No. 19 Kansas at No. 25 North Carolina on Friday
Fast-forward to the weekend, and we get what should be a classic: two of the sport’s most storied programs meeting early. I do think UNC might not be deserving of a preseason ranking, but still, this matchup delivers plenty of intrigue. The clear headline here is the regular season debut of Darryn Peterson, the top-ranked freshmen in this draft class, and my early pick for Freshman of the Year. Bill Self has been raving about him all summer, and that is not something to ignore.
No. 15 Alabama at No. 5 St. John’s on Saturday
Again, this one speaks for itself. A Saturday day game at Madison Square Garden; Rick Pitino versus Nate Oats. The St. John’s Red Storm, commonly referred to as the Johnnies, coming off a No. 2 seed in the tournament, are the highest ranked team in the Big East and a legitimate contender for a No. 1 overall seed. Bama, fresh off an Elite Eight run, returns another high-octane roster capable of winning anywhere. Expect plenty of March-level energy in this one. I’ll be looking to see if Pitino can bring it all together in his third season in New York.
