8:03 am | July 24, 2018 | Go to Source | Author:
A new college basketball season will tip off with the State Farm Champions Classic on Nov. 6 with a field featuring four teams in the top 10 of ESPN’s Way-Too-Early Top 25.
The fields for several other early-season tournaments and events have already been determined, with more to follow.
Here’s a guide to the matchups to start the 2018-19 season:
State Farm Champions Classic
Nov. 6 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis
Duke vs. Kentucky (TBD on ESPN)
Michigan State vs. Kansas (TBD on ESPN)
Why watch: An epic start to the season is reason enough. Four of the powerhouses in the sport will meet and introduce so many of the new stars that will dominate headlines this season.
Armed Forces Classic
Nov. 9 at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas
Arkansas vs. Texas (TBD on ESPN)
Why watch: This is a pivotal season for Shaka Smart. Despite losing Mohamed Bamba, he brings back enough talent to get back to the NCAA tournament. Arkansas sophomore Daniel Gafford will be one of the better big men in the country.
Jimmy V Classic
Dec. 4 at Madison Square Garden in New York
Notre Dame vs. Oklahoma (7 p.m. ET on ESPN)
West Virginia vs. Florida (9 p.m. ET on ESPN)
Why watch: All four teams have to replace major contributors. Trae Young is gone from Oklahoma; Matt Farrell and Bonzie Colson wrapped up their storied careers for Notre Dame; Jevon Carter is no longer spearheading Bob Huggins’ Press Virginia and Chris Chiozza is no longer at Florida.
2K Classic
Nov. 15-16
Charleston Classic
Nov. 15-18 at TD Arena in Charleston, South Carolina
Best possible matchup: Purdue’s Carsen Edwards vs. Davidson’s Kellan Grady. Two of the best backcourt scorers in the country could be poised for a big season.
Why watch: Virginia Tech returns most of its key pieces from last season, including Justin Robinson, Kerry Blackshear, Chris Clarke and Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and expectations are higher than last season’s 21-12 record. Alabama is intriguing, despite the loss of Collin Sexton. Herbert Jones should be on everyone’s radar.
Myrtle Beach Invitational
Nov. 15-18 at HTC Center in Conway, South Carolina
Best possible matchup: Western Kentucky vs. UCF. There’s a good chance West Virginia is the best team in the field, but it would be an interesting gauge of the strength of Conference USA and the American to see their most talented teams face off.
Why watch: Charles Bassey. The top-five prospect reclassified in June and committed to Western Kentucky, giving Rick Stansbury arguably the best player in Conference USA. There will be some early tests for him in South Carolina, though, and Bob Huggins won’t take it easy on him in a potential semifinal battle against the Mountaineers.
Legends Classic
Nov. 19-20
Hall of Fame Classic Powered by ShotTracker
Nov. 19-20
Maui Jim Maui Invitational
Nov. 19-21
Battle 4 Atlantis
Nov. 21-23
AdvoCare Invitational
Nov. 22-25 at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida
Best possible matchup: LSU vs. Florida State. Tigers coach Will Wade brings in a loaded recruiting class and also returns Tremont Waters, while Leonard Hamilton has his usual group of experienced veterans who will guard.
Why watch: Waters is one of the most exciting players in college basketball, and Penny Hardaway will have an early test in his first season at Memphis. Florida State is getting some preseason top-25 hype and well, Villanova is Villanova. How good will the Wildcats be after the mass exodus to the NBA?
Wooden Legacy
Nov. 22-25 at Titan Gym in Fullerton, California
Best possible matchup: Miami’s Chris Lykes vs. La Salle’s Pookie Powell. Two undersized, exciting guards going head-to-head. Lykes will have to take on a bigger role this season.
Why watch: Questions surround the favorites, as Miami (Lonnie Walker and Bruce Brown), Northwestern (Bryant McIntosh and Scottie Lindsey) and Seton Hall (lost four senior starters) have major holes to fill. A sleeper could sneak up and win this one.
Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic
Dec. 22-25 at Stan Sheriff Center in Honolulu
Best possible matchup: Colorado’s McKinley Wright IV vs. UNLV’s Shakur Juiston. They won’t guard each other, but it’s two guys that don’t get enough national attention. Wright was one of the best freshman guards in the country last season, and Juiston averaged a double-double.
Why watch: TCU isn’t supposed to take much of a step back despite losing some key players from last season’s NCAA tournament team. Jaylen Fisher, Alex Robinson and Desmond Bane are all back, and Jamie Dixon also welcomes key newcomers. There’s also the beginning of the post-Dan Hurley era at Rhode Island.
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