14 key men’s college basketball games to watch in November

It’s a new era of examining the non-conference portion of the men’s college basketball season. A reduced slate of traditional MTEs – exempt multiteam events – coupled with an ever-expanding league schedule have combined to alter the rhythm of marquee matchups, with games between the top of the high-major and mid-major ranks becoming especially rare.

Power conference challenges outside of the ACC/SEC schedule have also faded in December. The Players Era Festival and other one-sided neutral court pairings have picked up some of the slack, but in recent years the Big East has endured Gavits games (vs. the Big Ten) as well as a short challenge against the Big 12.

So, it’s worth digging a little deeper into the most impressive and fascinating non-conference games. That said, here is a full list of “can’t miss” encounters for the first month of the 2025-26 campaign.

3rd November 7 PM ET | Hall of Fame Series | Las Vegas | tnt

Following UConn’s three-peat effort last season, defending national champion Florida has a solid chance to win back-to-back titles. The Gators faced a tough test on opening night against an Arizona team with back-to-back Sweet 16 showdowns. On our board, it’s a battle between the preseason No. 1 and No. 4 seeds. Until proven otherwise, Florida is the pick.

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Bryce James cashes in 3-pointer in Arizona showcase

Bryce James knocks down a 3-pointer during a scrimmage in Arizona’s showcase.

8th November Noon ET | New York | fs1

Why watch? Because it’s Rick Pitino. Because it’s Madison Square Garden. Because Alabama was recently, and St. John’s, could be a Final Four team. Because, because, because. We love Red Storm Holding Service in the Big Apple.

11th November 8 PM ET | Louisville | espn

A true rivalry game in a true home court environment. Throw in a couple of top-11 teams and it should be a great affair. Both second-year coaches – Mark Pope at Kentucky and Pat Kelsey at Louisville – have achieved quick and lasting success with their historic programs, winning 51 games in their combined debuts with these programs. It looks like a real toss-up, with the winner looking for an NCAA 1-seed.

13 November 7 PM ET | Tuscaloosa | espn2

Purdue, a legitimate preseason favorite to end the Big Ten’s national title drought, has defeated Alabama on a neutral field and at home each of the past two seasons. The Boilermakers are projected to be slight favorites in the third round at Coleman Coliseum. But upset the tide and watch the boiler drop off the top line of the bracket.

15th November 7 PM ET | Hall of Fame Series | Boston fox

UConn’s last national championship went through the TD Garden in the East Regional. BYU, with top freshman and Boston native AJ DiBantsaMay be too small for this space. But the Cougars don’t lack for talent. Still, it’s tough to go against Dan Hurley and the Huskies in Boston.

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AJ DiBuntsa: Sweet 16 is the minimum goal for BYU

AJ DiBantsa joins Scooby Mageza to discuss BYU, his favorite thing about Utah and NBA comps.

17th November 7 PM ET | Raleigh | acc network

This is my kind of game. Two potential NCAA Tournament teams trying to build a non-league resume. Phil Martelli Jr. has quickly built a loaded Rams team, and we know new Wolfpack coach Will Wade isn’t messing around. We like VCU to make up for the upset win and the Atlantic 10 to return to multibid status in March.

18th November 9 PM ET | Champions Classic | New York | espn

The Champions Classic returns to Madison Square Garden with two teams that have combined for 27 No. 1 seeds over the past quarter century. The Jayhawks may be a little reloaded, but no such thing in Durham. Duke never “unloads”, and the Blue Devils must prevail in the second game (Kentucky meets Michigan State in the opener).

21st November 9 PM ET | Shriners Children’s Charleston Classic | Charleston espn2

The opening night of the Charleston Classic will feature a meaningful semifinal between two potential NCAA bubble teams. Mike White leads Georgia to the 2025 tournament in just his third year in Athens; Richard Pitino expects the timeline to be even quicker when he takes over the Musketeers. I like Georgia in this one, even with freshman Asa Newell, last season’s star in the NBA.

24th November 5 PM ET | Maui Invitational | Lahaina | espn2

Two more potential bubble teams are opening in Maui. The Trojans were a disappointing 17–18 in Eric Musselman’s first season, while the Broncos missed the playoffs the previous season after three consecutive upsets. Winning is certainly important – but it is also important to advance in the winners bracket and attract better opponents in rounds two and three. We like USC in this.

25th November 6 PM ET | Players Era Festival Las Vegas | tnt

The preseason No. 2 Cougars get their biggest non-conference test in the Players Era event. Meanwhile, the Vols are trying to rack up back-to-back Elite Eight appearances and reach the school’s first Final Four. However, on this night, Houston will look like a national championship contender.

27th November 2pm ET | Holiday Classic | Palm Springs | CBS Sports Network

It stated that one of these teams would surprise and make the NCAA Tournament. We want San Francisco to win in the desert and challenge Gonzaga and Saint Mary’s in the West Coast Conference.

28th November 7 PM ET | pittsburgh espn

The Panthers won the historic matchup between these two 91-90 in overtime last season. If the Buckeyes can return the favor in Pittsburgh – which they should – it would go a long way toward getting Ohio State back to the tournament for the first time since 2022.

29th November 4:30 PM ET | Cathedral Classic | Philadelphia | espn+

These are two Philadelphia Big 5 teams that were selected near the bottom of their respective leagues. Doesn’t matter. This is Famous Palestine’s Year 99 and this game is part of the Cathedral Classic, which also features Hofstra and Merrimack. Beats Christmas shopping by a mile.

30th November 2pm ET | Burlington, VT

One of New England’s underrated rivalries continues with both teams being heavy favorites for their respective conferences for an NCAA Tournament invitation. Yale may have the greater advantage, but Vermont should be able to defend its home court to close out Thanksgiving weekend.