College basketball is back.
The season tipped off Sunday with Notre Dame’s slim 74-72 win over Villanova in the Eternal City Tip-Off. The Field of 68 began broadcasting games at midnight on the East Coast.
Big 12 basketball, though, returns at 6 p.m. CT. Cincinnati, UCF, No. 18 Iowa State, West Virginia and No. 19 Texas Tech will open for arguably the nation’s top conference. 10 other games will happen, with Arizona State (vs. East Tennessee State) and No. 5 Arizona (at No. 22 UCLA) tipping off at 9 p.m. CT to wrap up the night. Kansas State is the only team playing on Tuesday.
Like most opening days, there aren’t many premier matchups. Only Arizona and No. 25 BYU are playing Power Five opponents. But with six top 25-ranked teams in the AP Poll, the conference is must-watch hoops.
And in November, especially with so few returners in the transfer portal era, anything can happen.
Nov. 2
Cincinnati vs. American - 6 p.m. CT (ESPN+)
Exhibition results: Ohio State (W, 79-68), No. 3 Illinois (L, 105-96), Oakland (W, 97-58)
Cincinnati head coach Jerrod Calhoun will take on American, the top-voted team in the Patriot League’s preseason poll. The Eagles will be a tough challenge because they returned nearly the whole roster, while the Bearcats, who tied at No. 8 in the preseason coaches’ poll, are completely new under Calhoun. Yet Cincy has impressed in its exhibitions as Calhoun brought four players from Utah State. Former Tulsa guard Tylen Riley (15 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 4.4 APG) has impressed; he scored 31 points and 13 assists in a preseason loss to the Fighting Illini. But several others should help UC: guard MJ Collins Jr. (17.5 PPG), forward Amani Lyles (14.9 PPG, 7.9 RPG) and guard Tyler Tejada (17.7 PPG, 5.5 RPG).
UCF vs. Florida Gulf Coast - 6 p.m. CT (ESPN+)
Exhibition results: LSU (L, 85-81), Rollins (W, 80-74), No. 23 Kentucky (L, 90-76)
The Knights, picked No. 13 in the preseason coaches’ poll, open their season with an in-state matchup against Florida Gulf Coast. While FGCU is the tallest it's ever been, it’ll need all of it against returning 7-foot-2 big John Bol (5.9 PPG, 5.5 RPG); the Eagles were picked sixth in the Atlantic Sun Conference preseason poll. Outside of Bol, though, head coach Johnny Dawkins basically has no other returners. Guard Dior Johnson (24 PPG, 3.2 RPG) played at UCF two seasons ago, transferred to Tarleton State and transferred back to Orlando. Guard Riley Kugel (14.4 PPG, 2.5 APG) is currently eligible for his fifth year, so he’ll be a factor. Forward Isaiah Malone (10.5 PPG, 5.8 RPG) will play his former school after winning the A-SUN Defensive Player of the Year.
No. 18 Iowa State at Memphis (Neutral) - 6 p.m. CT (FS1)
Exhibition results: Creighton (L, 83-80), Northwestern (W, 94-59)
Iowa State will have its hands full in the season opener. Memphis was picked to finish second in the American Conference, with four first-place votes and two preseason all-conference players. The game will also be played in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Yet, head coach TJ Otzelberger, with the fourth-picked team in the preseason coaches’ poll, has never lost a season opener at ISU. And while he’s replaced NBA draftee Joshua Jefferson and now-Kentucky forward Milan Momcilovic, guard Tamin Lipsey (13.5 PPG, 5.1 APG) is back under a fifth-year injunction. He was picked to the All-Big 12 preseason team. Killyan Toure (8.6 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 2.3 APG), Blake Buchanan (8.5 PPG, 5.7 RPG) and Jamarion Batemon (6.6 PPG) all return, too. Incomers Jaquan Johnson and Ryan Prather Jr. both averaged over 15 points per game at their old schools.
West Virginia vs. Niagara - 6 p.m. CT (ESPN+)
Exhibition results: Maryland (L, 90-81 OT), Glenville State (W, 103-66), Wheeling (W, 98-55)
Head coach Ross Hodge is back for his second season in Morgantown. With Niagara, picked 12th of 13 teams in the Metro Conference’s preseason coaches’ poll, coming to town, he should get off to a 1-0 start. His Mountaineers were picked to finish in the middle of the Big 12. 6-9 forward Brenen Lorient (11.9 PPG, 5.2 RPG) is currently eligible for a fifth year. With the additions of Finley Bizjack (17.1 PPG, 2.5 APG), Seydou Traore (9 PPG, 3.4 RPG) and five-star guard Miles Sadler, WVU has talented new faces to rely on.
No. 19 Texas Tech vs. Jackson State - 6 p.m. CT (CBS Sports Network)
Exhibition results: No. 23 Kentucky (L, 76-65)
Head coach Grant McCasland has another solid squad, picked fifth in the Big 12 preseason coaches’ poll. Sure, he’s without star forward JT Toppin (ACL surgery) for a few more months and current fifth-year transfer Jamichael Stillwell (11.6 PPG, 8.2 RPG) is still ineligible. But McCasland has guard Donovan Atwell (13.5 PPG, 3.2 RPG) heading the healthy returners. Ironically, forward Darrion Williams (14 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 2.8 APG) is back after a quick stint at NC State and eligible for a fifth year. With some intriguing freshmen additions, TTU expects a win. But Jackson State has talent, including Daeshun Ruffin (Southwestern Atlantic Conference Preseason Player of the Year).
No. 17 Kansas vs. Fordham - 7 p.m. CT (ESPN+)
Exhibition results: Pittsburg State (W, 80-62), No. 11 Louisville (L, 89-83), No. 2 Duke (L, 90-84)
Picked third in the preseason coaches’ poll, head coach Bill Self is looking to make it the national tournament’s second weekend for the first time since winning it all back in 2022. After all, he has the players to do it: 2026’s top recruit Tyran Stokes, Tre White (13.5 PPG, 6.7 RPG), Keanu Dawes (12.5 PPG, 8.8 RPG), Trey Kaufman-Renn (14.2 PPG, 8.3 RPG) and more. TKR is in his fifth year, along with White, and Minnesota selected him in the 2026 NBA draft before he returned to college. With Fordham picked in the middle of the Atlantic 10 this preseason, KU should win.
TCU vs. Lindenwood - 7 p.m. CT (ESPN+)
Exhibition results: Wyoming (W, 89-76)
TCU head coach Jamie Dixon returned 50.8% of last year’s scoring: Xavier Edmonds (12.7 PPG, 6.5 RPG), Brock Harding (8 PPG, 5.6 APG), Micah Robinson (10.9 PPG, 4.7 RPG) and Tanner Toolson (7.7 PPG, 3.2 RPG). Edmonds, a preseason all-conference selection, and the other three are why TCU made March Madness last year and enter this season at No. 7 in the Big 12 preseason coaches’ poll. With transfers like 2025-26 Big West Rookie of the Year Gavin Sykes (19.4 PPG), the Horned Frogs are mighty this season. They should have an easy time against Lindenwood, which was voted sixth of nine in the Ohio Valley Conference.
Colorado vs. Abilene Christian - 8 p.m. CT (ESPN+)
Exhibition results: North Texas (W, 67-64)
Head coach Tad Boyle and the Buffs were voted No. 14 in the Big 12 preseason coaches’ poll. Yet, Barrington Hargress (14.9 PPG, 4.5 APG) is one of four talented returners. A double-double machine in Justin Neely (17.9 PPG, 11.5 RPG) highlights the transfers. And Australian sensation Alex Dickeson doesn’t look too bad. CU should be fine in its season opener against Abilene Christian, which sits No. 7 of nine in the United Athletic Conference preseason coaches’ poll.
Oklahoma State vs. Incarnate Word - 8 p.m. CT (ESPN+)
Exhibition results: New Mexico (L, 99-89), Tulsa (W, 93-85), Wisconsin (L, 82-65)
Head coach Steve Lutz returns a decent core from last year, headlined by guard Kanye Clary (10.6 PPG, 4.6 APG) and big man Parsa Fallah (14.7 PPG, 6 RPG). However, Fallah is still recovering from ACL surgery. So, the Cowboys will rely on their incomers: guard Kashie Natt (10.8 PPG, 8.2 RPG), Jordan Burks (13.3 PPG, 4.8 RPG) and Julius Halaifonua (9.5 PPG, 4.4 RPG). With a talented freshman class featuring four four-star recruits, OSU (picked 11th of 16) should have its way against Incarnate Word, picked 11th of 12 in the Southland Conference preseason coaches’ poll.
Utah vs. Long Beach State - 8 p.m. CT (ESPN+)
Exhibition results: UNLV (W, 79-69), Nevada (L, 71-61), Oregon (W, 81-77)
The conference’s last-place team in the preseason polls is a new-look squad under second-year head coach Alex Jensen. Utah Valley transfer Jackson Holcombe (16 PPG, 7 RPG, 3.6 APG) and Northern Iowa transfer Trey Campbell (13.7 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 3.8 APG) have a lot on their plates. While the Utes lack size, overseas addition Alec Anigbata and Weber State transfer Malek Gomma (8 PPG, 6.9 RPG) will lead the frontcourt. Luckily, Long Beach State was voted last in the Big West preseason coaches’ poll, giving Utah an easier opening night.
No. 10 Houston vs. La Salle - 8 p.m. CT (CBS Sports Network)
Exhibition results: Montana Tech (W, 110-53), No. 16 Michigan (W, 83-66)
Head coach Kelvin Sampson is back for another season with another talented roster. Returners Joseph Tugler (8.4 PPG, 5.3 RPG), Chase McCarty (4.1 PPG, 2.1 RPG) and Mercy Miller (5 PPG) all expect another year of winning. But while the Cougars’ starting five only has Tugler from last year, they brought in several talented transfers and freshmen. LSU transfer Dedan Thomas Jr. (15.3 PPG, 6.5 APG), Purdue Fort Worth transfer Coret Hadnot (20.4 PPG, 4 RPG, 3.5 APG) and monster four-star freshman Arafan Diane head the incomers, though Sampson has far more to work with. Picked to finish second in the Big 12, UH should have an easy time against the A-10’s second-to-last-voted La Salle Explorers.
No. 25 BYU vs. Ohio State - 8 p.m. CT (FS1)
Exhibition results: Nebraska (W, 72-61), UNLV (W, 89-77)
Head coach Kevin Young may not have the No. 1 overall pick in next year’s NBA draft. He is also in his first college season without guys he relied on for two years, Richie Saunders and Keba Keita. Yet, guard Rob Wright III (18.1 PPG, 4.6 APG) is back for the Cougars. He was a unanimous All-Big 12 Preseason selection. A new five-star, Brucc Branch III, joins Wright in the backcourt. And in the transfer portal, Young added former Michigan State big Jaxon Kohler (12.5 PPG, 8.9 RPG) and former Kentucky guard Collin Chandler (9.7 PPG, 2.8 RPG) to help. The Cougs were picked sixth in the conference preseason coaches’ poll. As one of two Big 12 teams taking on a fellow Power Five program on Monday, BYU will have to play well to win.
Baylor vs. Northwestern State - 8:30 p.m. CT (ESPN+)
Exhibition results: No. 1 Florida (W, 82-76 OT), No. 3 Illinois (W, 95-91)
The Baylor Bears aren’t ranked, but they might as well be. Tenured head coach Scott Drew knocked off two top-three teams in the preseason. Those games don’t officially matter, but they still show a solid roster, even though BU was picked 10th in the preseason coaches’ poll. After last year’s struggles, Drew didn’t return much of his production, except Isaac Williams IV (10.4 PPG, 3.3 APG) and Caden Powell (6.9 PPG, 6.3 RPG). But he brought in the Mingo brothers: five-star freshman Dylan and Penn State transfer Kayden (13.7 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 4.3 APG). Center Juslin Bodo Bodo will finally suit up for the Bears after missing last season. Plus, Yale transfer Isaac Celiscar (13.2 PPG, 6.3 RPG) and Liberty transfer Brett Decker Jr. (16.9 PPG) added a scoring jolt. With Northwestern State picked toward the bottom of the Southland Conference, BU should stroll to an opening night win.
Arizona State vs. East Tennessee State - 9 p.m. CT (ESPN+)
Exhibition results: New Mexico (W, 91-86)
It’s a new chapter at Arizona State. Former Saint Mary’s head coach Randy Bennett took over after Bobby Hurley’s departure. Picked 12th in the Big 12 preseason coaches’ poll, Bennett brought two of his best players from the Gaels: forward Paulius Murauskas (18.4 PPG, 7.6 RPG) and Dillan Shaw (7.5 PPG, 5.4 RPG). Murauskas was named the Big 12’s Preseason Newcomer of the Year. While Bennett has some other intriguing pieces, Portland transfer Joel Foxwell (15.6 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 6.5 APG) and Gonzaga transfer Emmanuel Innocenti (6 PPG, 3.8 RPG) are the other two to rely on. Bennett played his starters over 27 minutes each in the New Mexico exhibition, and three of them over 37 minutes. Taking on one of the Southern Conference’s best, East Tennessee State, the Sun Devils will look to start the new era 1-0.
No. 5 Arizona at No. 22 UCLA (Neutral) - 9 p.m. CT (TNT)
Exhibition results: San Francisco (W, 93-69), San Diego State (W, 82-67), Eastern Washington (W, 85-54)
Head coach Tommy Lloyd enters the 2026-27 season with the most expectations of any Big 12 team. He returns two big pieces from last year’s Final Four squad: this year's Big 12 Preseason Player of the Year Motiejus Krivas (10.4 PPG, 8.2 RPG) and forward Ivan Kharchekov (10.4 PPG, 4.3 RPG). Sure, those are the only two in the rotation who returned. But five-star Caleb Holt and three four-stars highlight the freshman class. North Carolina transfer Derek Dixon (6.5 PPG, 2.7 APG) and Washington transfer JJ Mandaquit (5.2 PPG, 3.2 APG). Clemson transfer RJ Godfrey (12 PPG, 5.3 RPG) remains ineligible, though Nebraska transfer Ugnius Jarusevicius has higher hopes after playing all but one game last season because of injury. Heading to play ranked UCLA in Las Vegas, however, head coach Mick Cronin returns four solid pieces from last year. He also brought in five-star Nikola Kusturica among talented freshman and transfer classes.
Nov. 3
Kansas State vs. South Dakota State - 7 p.m. CT (ESPN+)
Exhibition results: Missouri (L, 71-67), Nebraska (L, 88-84)
Kansas State looks to new head coach Casey Alexander, though he faces an uphill battle after finishing last in the Big 12 preseason polls. He’s a talented coach, having lost no more than 13 games in a season in over a decade (Belmont, Lipscomb). Yet, with a completely new roster, it only lost in the preseason to the two teams that just missed the preseason AP Top 25 by four points each. Colorado State transfer Brandon Rechsteiner (12 PPG, 2.5 APG) and Virginia Tech transfer Jaden Schutt (7.7 PPG) led the team in those showings. With South Dakota State, voted third in the Summit League preseason poll, coming to town, Alexander will be one of three new Big 12 coaches looking for a strong start at their new school.
