14 key males’s faculty basketball video games to observe in November

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It’s a brand new period of types in analyzing the nonconference portion of the boys’s faculty basketball season. A diminished slate of conventional MTEs — exempt multiteam occasions — together with ever-expanding league schedules have mixed to vary the cadence of marquee matchups, with video games between high-majors and the highest of the mid-major ranks changing into particularly uncommon.

Power convention challenges, outdoors the ACC/SEC occasion in December, have additionally pale away. The Players Era Festival and different one-off impartial courtroom pairings have picked up a few of the slack, however the Big East lately has finished away with each the Gavitt Games (vs. Big Ten) in addition to a mini-challenge in opposition to the Big 12.

So, it’s essential to dig just a little deeper for essentially the most impactful and engaging nonconference video games. That stated, here is a full slate of “can’t miss” encounters for the primary month of the 2025-26 marketing campaign.

Nov. 3 | 7 p.m. ET | Hall of Fame Series | Las Vegas | TNT

Defending nationwide champion Florida has a strong likelihood at back-to-back titles — on the heels of UConn’s three-peat try final season. The Gators get a stiff check on opening night time in opposition to an Arizona workforce coming off back-to-back Sweet 16 appearances. On our board, this can be a battle between preseason No. 1 and No. 4 seeds. Until confirmed in any other case, Florida is the decide.

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Bryce James cashes a 3-pointer at Arizona showcase

Bryce James knocks down a 3-pointer throughout a scrimmage at Arizona’s showcase.

Nov. 8 | Noon ET | New York | FS1

Why watch? Because it is Rick Pitino. Because it is Madison Square Garden. Because Alabama has lately been, and St. John’s might be, a Final Four workforce. Because, as a result of, as a result of. We just like the Red Storm holding serve within the Big Apple.

Nov. 11 | 8 p.m. ET | Louisville | ESPN

A real rivalry sport in a real house courtroom atmosphere. Throw in a pair of top-11 groups and this must be a crackling affair. Both second-year coaches — Mark Pope at Kentucky and Pat Kelsey at Louisville — have engineered fast and sustainable success with their storied packages, profitable 51 video games of their mixed debut with these packages. This appears like a real toss-up, with the winner staying within the hunt for an NCAA 1-seed.

Nov. 13 | 7 p.m. ET | Tuscaloosa | ESPN2

Purdue, a reputable preseason favourite to finish the Big Ten’s nationwide title drought, has overwhelmed Alabama each on impartial floor and at house the previous two seasons. The Boilermakers determine to be a slight favourite in spherical three at Coleman Coliseum. But take the Tide within the upset and watch the Boilers fall off the highest line of the bracket.

Nov. 15 | 7 p.m. ET | Hall of Fame Series | Boston | FOX

UConn’s final nationwide championship went by means of TD Garden within the East Region. BYU, with high freshman and Boston native AJ Dybantsa, is perhaps too younger for this spot. But the Cougars aren’t at a expertise deficit. Still, it is laborious to go in opposition to Dan Hurley and the Huskies in Boston.

Nov. 17 | 7 p.m. ET | Raleigh | ACC Network

This is my type of sport. Two seemingly NCAA match groups attempting to construct a nonleague résumé. Phil Martelli Jr. has shortly constructed a loaded Rams squad, and we all know new Wolfpack coach Will Wade is not messing round. We like VCU for the upset win, and the Atlantic 10 to return to multibid standing in March.

Nov. 18 | 9 p.m. ET | Champions Classic | New York | ESPN

The Champions Classic returns to Madison Square Garden with two groups which have mixed for an outrageous 27 No. 1 seeds prior to now quarter century. The Jayhawks is perhaps reloading a bit, however there isn’t any such factor in Durham. Duke by no means “unloads,” and the Blue Devils ought to prevail in a colossal second sport (Kentucky meets Michigan State within the opener).

Nov. 21 | 9 p.m. ET | Shriners Children’s Charleston Classic | Charleston | ESPN2

Opening night time of the Charleston Classic includes a significant semifinal between two potential NCAA bubble groups. Mike White bought Georgia to the 2025 match in simply his third yr in Athens; Richard Pitino hopes for an excellent quicker timeline as he takes over the Musketeers. I like Georgia on this one, even with final season’s star freshman Asa Newell within the NBA.

Nov. 24 | 5 p.m. ET | Maui Invitational | Lahaina | ESPN2

Opening in Maui are two extra potential bubble groups. The Trojans went a disappointing 17-18 in Eric Musselman’s first season, whereas the Broncos missed the dance final season after three straight appearances. Winning is essential, clearly — however so is advancing within the winner’s bracket and drawing higher opponents in rounds two and three. We like USC on this one.

Nov. 25 | 6 p.m. ET | Players Era Festival | Las Vegas | TNT

The preseason No. 2 Cougars get their largest nonconference check on the Players Era occasion. The Vols, in the meantime, want to get previous back-to-back Elite Eight appearances and attain the varsity’s first Final Four. On this night time, although, Houston will look rather more like a nationwide championship contender.

Nov. 27 | 2 p.m. ET | Holiday Classic | Palm Springs | CBS Sports Network

It says right here that certainly one of these groups will shock and make the NCAA match. We like San Francisco to win this one within the desert, and problem Gonzaga and Saint Mary’s atop the West Coast Conference.

Nov. 28 | 7 p.m. ET | Pittsburgh | ESPN

The Panthers gained an epic assembly between these two final season on the highway, 91-90 in extra time. If the Buckeyes can return the favor in Pittsburgh — which they need to — it might go a good distance towards returning Ohio State to the match for the primary time since 2022.

Nov. 29 | 4:30 p.m. ET | Cathedral Classic | Philadelphia | ESPN+

These are two Philadelphia Big 5 groups picked close to the underside of their respective leagues. Doesn’t matter. It’s Year 99 of the fabled Palestra and this sport is a part of the Cathedral Classic, which additionally consists of Hofstra and Merrimack. Beats Christmas purchasing by a mile.

Nov. 30 | 2 p.m. ET | Burlington, VT

One of New England’s underrated rivalries continues with each groups heavy favorites for NCAA tourney invitations for his or her respective conferences. Yale may need the next upside, however Vermont ought to be capable of defend its house courtroom to shut Thanksgiving weekend.