NCAAB · 1 year ago

College Basketball Opening Night: Top 5 Games to Watch

David Connelly

Host · Writer

McNeese @ South Dakota State
How about a little mid-major action to get things underway on opening night? After a dominant regular season last year from McNeese, head coach Will Wade had opted to stay with the program and reload his roster. The Pokes were able to pick up some elite high-major talent in Sincere Parker, Quadir Copeland, and Brandon Murray. As for South Dakota State, head coach Eric Henderson continues to churn out contending Summit League teams each year. This one will fly under the radar for most, but keep an eye on this mid-major matchup on opening night.

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No. 8 Baylor vs. No. 6 Gonzaga
This is the premier matchup of opening night. We rarely get a pair of top-ten programs duking it out on the first slate of the season, so props to both programs for making it happen. Unfortunately for our East Coast fans, this game will be at 11:30 p.m. ET out in Spokane Arena as a neutral site game. But with both teams looking like legitimate national title contenders entering the season, we will advocate that it is worth staying up for.

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No. 19 Texas vs. Ohio State
Just south in Vegas, Texas and Ohio State will headline November 4 with a neutral-site matchup. With so much roster turnover for both teams, it will take some time for them to get acclimated to what their coach is expecting. Still, it's a prove-it year for both head coaches, who were brought in full-time after serving on an interim basis. If either drops this game and begins to spiral in November, the whispers could quickly turn to shouts from their respective fanbases.
Missouri @ Memphis
There aren't many coaches in the country that have more questions to answer after last season than Missouri's Dennis Gates and Memphis's Penny Hardaway. After initial success for both, Mizzou lost 19 consecutive games to finish the season, while Memphis went from top ten to out of the NCAA Tournament in the second half. These two have some serious talent on their rosters this season, and it should make for a blockbuster matchup on November 4.
No. 13 Texas A&M @ UCF
It's a tricky spot for the Aggies as they travel east to take on Johnny Dawkins and his UCF Knights. Head coach Buzz Williams is known for scheduling aggressively, and it doesn't get much more aggressive than playing at a Big 12 opponent to tip off your season. Wade Taylor IV is the man to watch here. He is a ball-dominant, scoring guard with All-American potential this season as the straw that stirs the drink for the Aggies.
McNeese @ South Dakota State
How about a little mid-major action to get things underway on opening night? After a dominant regular season last year from McNeese, head coach Will Wade had opted to stay with the program and reload his roster. The Pokes were able to pick up some elite high-major talent in Sincere Parker, Quadir Copeland, and Brandon Murray. As for South Dakota State, head coach Eric Henderson continues to churn out contending Summit League teams each year. This one will fly under the radar for most, but keep an eye on this mid-major matchup on opening night.

Stay ahead of the game and elevate your sports betting experience with SportsGrid.
No. 8 Baylor vs. No. 6 Gonzaga
This is the premier matchup of opening night. We rarely get a pair of top-ten programs duking it out on the first slate of the season, so props to both programs for making it happen. Unfortunately for our East Coast fans, this game will be at 11:30 p.m. ET out in Spokane Arena as a neutral site game. But with both teams looking like legitimate national title contenders entering the season, we will advocate that it is worth staying up for.

Have all the intel you need? Free actionable info is one click away! Sign up for our daily newsletter, SportsGrid Daily.

College Basketball Opening Night: Top 5 Games to Watch

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