College basketball tip-off preview

Grab your popcorn folks, college basketball is back! With it always being a wild ride, Tip-Off Week proves no exception. With new NIL rules, upcoming stars, legends retiring, and always the roller-coaster of excitement, the 2021-2022 season will prove to be another classic for college basketball. Below are this week’s game to watch: 

Tuesday, Nov. 9

Champions Classic: (10) Kentucky vs. (9) Duke, 6:30 PM PST

In the legendary Madison Square Garden, these two blue bloods face off once again. However, it is the final season for Coach K as Duke’s head coach. Will Coach K start his last dance with a bang, or will he and the Blue Devils need to claw their way like in storied past?

Friday, Nov. 12

(4) Villanova vs. (2) UCLA,  8:30 PM PST

An early Top Five match up in historic Pauley Pavilion, last year’s Cinderella looks to bring UCLA back into John Wooden championship form. Let’s see if Johnny Juzang and company keep the momentum going, or will Jay Wright and his backcourt remind the Bruins why the Wildcats are recent champions?

Saturday, Nov. 13 

(5) Texas vs. (1) Gonzaga, 7:30 PM PST

Another early Top Five matchup, it will be a test for both program’s. Coming off the recent success from cross-state rival Texas Tech, Chris Beard is looking to bring his knowledge and hard-nosed defense to Austin with a star-studded roster. On the other hand, it is high expectations for reigning national runner-ups, as the Bulldogs look to continue their dominance in the college basketball landscape. 

Sunday, Nov. 14

(20) Florida State vs. Florida, 10 AM PST

An early rivalry game with the Sunshine Showdown, the Gators are the underdog favorite looking to spoil the Seminoles season early. Although not like the Champions Classic, this game could define either team’s season early in the running.