College basketball’s 50 must-watch non-conference games for 2017-2018

For a lot of people, the college basketball season kicks off the week after the Super Bowl and wraps up at the end of the NCAA tournament. If you’re reading this, the sport probably exists in your world outside of that two-month window. This is your list.

Here are the 50 non-conference games that will most demand our attention during the 2017-18 college hoops season.

[Note: The only games eligible for this list are ones guaranteed to take place. Like the double play, potential preseason tournament semifinal and championship games can never be assumed.]

1. Duke vs. Michigan State (Champions Classic) (Nov. 14)

The Champions Classic is typically the first marquee date on every college basketball calendar, but the event promises to be even more special in 2017 than it has in years past. With Duke sitting at No. 1 and Michigan State at No. 2 in the preseason coaches poll, this game has the potential to be just the sixth time since the turn of the century that the top two teams in the country have met in the regular season. It could also serve as a preview of things to come in April.

2. Kansas vs. Kentucky (Champions Classic) (Nov. 14)

In just about any other year, this game would probably top the list, and it certainly would be the Champions Classic’s main attraction. Instead, No. 3 vs. No. 4 (according to the preseason coaches poll) has to play second fiddle. Chicago will be the place to be on Nov. 14.

3. Louisville at Kentucky (Dec. 29)

The road is unlikely to be a warm and welcoming place for Louisville in 2017-18, and nowhere will the reception be more hostile than inside Rupp Arena. The Cardinals got the better of the Wildcats last year in what we now know was the rivalry swan song for former head coach Rick Pitino. That fact should only add to the rancor in Lexington. The game tips off at 1 p.m. (ET) on a non-holiday Friday, so go ahead and let your boss/parents/significant other know the deal now.

4. Notre Dame at Michigan State (ACC/Big Ten Challenge) (Nov. 30)

It’s rare to see a showcase game of the ACC/Big Ten Challenge that doesn’t involve North Carolina or Duke, but that’s exactly what we have here. Michigan State will be coming off a run in the loaded PK80 tournament and will get home to find All-American Bonzie Colson and the Irish waiting for them. This figures to be the Spartans’ last real test until they dive into the heart of Big Ten play in January.

5. Kentucky at West Virginia (Big 12/SEC Challenge) (Jan. 27)

John Calipari’s teams never back away from an up-and-down game, which is exactly what Press Virginia (and those tuning into this game) want to hear. The Wildcats and Mountaineers have squared off three times already in the Calipari era, but never outside of the NCAA tournament. WVU shocked top-seeded UK in the 2010 Elite Eight, but Kentucky returned the favor with convincing wins in 2011 and 2015.

6. Cincinnati at Xavier (Dec. 2)

The Crosstown Shootout is always worth your time, but this year it could be a matchup of two top-15 teams. Mick Cronin’s 2017-18 Bearcats might be his most offensively gifted squad yet, which means this could, for a second straight year, be a far cry from the 55-50 UC-Xavier games you grew up on.

7. UCLA vs. Kentucky (CBS Sports Classic) (Dec. 23)

A season ago, UCLA came to Lexington and dealt Kentucky its first loss of the season in what would wind up being one of the best games of 2016-17. The Wildcats returned the favor by eliminating the Bruins in the Sweet 16. Almost all of the major players are gone from both of those teams, but this game in New Orleans still figures to be an elite Christmas Eve Eve viewing experience.

8. Gonzaga vs. Villanova (Jimmy V Classic) (Dec. 9)

It’s the 2016 national champions against the 2017 national runners-up in a battle of two teams that fans oddly love to hate when it comes time to fill out their brackets. Villanova has the loftier expectations heading into the season, but we’ve seen Gonzaga pull off an early season win like this and use it as a springboard to a top-five seed more than a few times.

9. Cincinnati vs. Florida (Never Forget Tribute Classic) (Dec. 9)

The Prudential Center will play host to these two teams that will both begin the season ranked in the top 15. This is exactly the type of neutral court win/loss against a quality opponent that can make an entire seed line of difference come Selection Sunday.

10. Miami at Minnesota (ACC/Big Ten Challenge) (Nov. 29)

The biggest question mark about this loaded Miami team has become how the Hurricanes handle the unwanted attention that has come with the FBI’s investigation into college basketball. They’ll get a chance to put any fears to bed early on when they face a Golden Gophers team expected to compete for a top-four seed come March.

11. Texas A&M vs. West Virginia (Armed Forces Classic) (Nov. 10)

Per usual, college basketball’s opening night slate of games is heavy on quantity and light on quality. The largest exception is the annual Armed Forces Classic game, which will feature a pair of top-25 caliber teams in Texas A&M and West Virginia. The Aggies and Mountaineers will battle it out from Ramstein Air Base in Germany.

12. Seton Hall at Louisville (Billy Minardi Classic) (Dec. 3)

Seton Hall returns four senior starters who have played a massive role in the program’s success since their arrival in South Orange. The Pirates figure to be nationally ranked when they take on Louisville in the 2017 installment of the Billy Minardi Classic, an annual event hosted by the Cardinals to honor the brother in law of former coach Rick Pitino. Minardi was killed in the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

13. Cincinnati at UCLA (Dec. 16)

In most seasons, this would figure to be a great matchup of two very contrasting styles. The divide between the two won’t be as prominent this season, though, as Cronin has perhaps his most offensively gifted team ever, and UCLA is unlikely to be as explosive as they were a year ago with Lonzo Ball running the show.

14. Virginia Tech at Kentucky (Dec. 16)

Buzz Williams returns all five starters from a team that won 22 games last season and earned a nine seed in the NCAA tournament. Despite the close proximity of the schools, this will be just the fifth all-time meeting between the Wildcats and the Hokies. Kentucky leads the series, 3-1.

15. Arizona vs. Texas A&M (Valley of the Sun Shootout) (Dec. 5)

Two the of the most highly touted big men in the college game will square off when Arizona’s DeAndre Ayton battles it out with Texas A&M’s Reggie Williams in the post. Both figure to be very rich men in a few short months.

16. Louisville at Purdue (ACC/Big Ten Challenge) (Nov. 28)

These two teams met in this same event a year ago, with Louisville pulling out a 71-64 home victory. As was the case in that game, both teams to figure to roll into the rematch with national rankings. This will be the first real test of the season for a Cardinals team that is suddenly among the nation’s most difficult to gauge.

17. Alabama at Arizona (Dec. 9)

Few teams in the country will be more interesting to follow than Alabama. The Tide haven’t won a game in the Big Dance since 2006 but have a loaded freshman class led by five-star guard Collin Sexton. Sexton, if eligible to play, and company will have a few opportunities early in the season to prove they’re ready for the sport’s biggest stage, but none larger than this Saturday night tilt in Tucson.

18. Purdue vs. Butler (Crossroads Classic) (Dec. 16)

The Crossroads Classic was always a good idea, but it’s looked like an even better idea in recent years with Purdue, Indiana, Notre Dame, and Butler all fielding especially formidable squads. With the Hoosiers likely to be a bit down in Archie Miller’s first season, the game between the Boilermakers and Bulldogs figures to be the headliner in 2017.

19. Virginia at West Virginia (Dec. 5)

The Mountaineers ended Virginia’s 24-game home winning streak last season with a 66-57 upset of the then-No. 6 Cavaliers. UVA will look to return the favor this year in Morgantown.

20. Marquette at Wisconsin (Dec. 9)

People still don’t properly respect the level of animosity that exists within this rivalry. Regardless of the expectation levels of either team, this series is always worth your time.

21. Wichita State at Baylor (Dec. 2)

This is the highest preseason ranking in Wichita State’s history, and the Shockers will play a non-conference schedule that will allow them to prove their worth right out of the gate. That schedule features a trip to the Maui Invitational, back-to-back games against Oklahoma and Oklahoma State, and this road test at Baylor.

22. Texas at VCU (Dec. 5)

Preseason optimism isn’t off the charts for either program, but Shaka Smart’s first trip back to VCU is still appointment television. Plus, Mo Bamba will be there more than likely doing Mo Bamba things.

23. USC at SMU (Dec. 2)

It’s a rematch of one of the best games from last year’s NCAA tournament, where 11th-seeded USC upset sixth-seeded SMU, 66-65. The Trojans have virtually everyone back from that team, and expectations are understandably high. SMU lost far more, but it does return Shake Milton, who will be eager for both revenge and a chance to prove that he’s capable of shouldering the lion’s share of the scoring load in his junior season.

24. Texas A&M at USC (Nov. 26)

One of America’s best frontcourts heads to the Galen Center to take on a USC squad loaded with athletes and talented guards. For gifted Trojans big man Chimezie Metu, this may be the toughest individual test of the season.

25. Xavier at Wisconsin (Gavitt Games) (Nov. 16)

This one is personal for Musketeers fans who still feel personally victimized by Bronson Koenig’s heroics in the Big Dance a couple seasons ago.

26. New Mexico at New Mexico State (Nov. 17)

Few rivalries in college basketball are currently burning brighter than New Mexico-New Mexico State. The brothers from the Land of Enchantment have never been the best of friends, but things were taken to another level when Paul Weir was hired as New Mexico’s new head coach back in April. The issue? Weir was being lured away from New Mexico State, where he had just guided the Aggies to 28 wins — including one over the Lobos — and a trip to the NCAA tournament. The two teams will play for a second time at The Pit on Dec. 9, but the initial meeting in Las Cruces figures to be the spiciest.

27. Connecticut at Arizona (Dec. 21)

UConn basketball desperately needs something good to happen in 2017-18. A road win over an Arizona squad that’s going to start the season in the top five would certainly go a long way toward achieving that goal.

28. Harvard at Minnesota (Dec. 30)

Tommy Amaker’s Harvard squad is once again the favorite to win the Ivy League and end its season in the NCAA tournament. Before the Crimson gets into conference play, though, they’ll have a shot to stun perhaps the most-hyped team Minnesota has fielded since the Clem Haskins era.

29. Kansas vs. Syracuse (HoopHall Miami Invitational) (Dec. 2)

Syracuse has made a history in recent years of being at its best when the expectations for the Orange are at their lowest. They can keep that trend alive by surprising the country during a three-game stretch in the first month of the season that includes a home game against Maryland, a clash with Connecticut in New York, and this game against Kansas in Miami.

30. Dayton at Saint Mary’s (Dec. 19)

Two of college basketball’s most consistent non-power conference programs will meet in Moraga just before the start of league play. Saint Mary’s is preparing to field perhaps the most talented team in program history, while Dayton is hoping that Anthony Grant can maintain the level of excellence that Archie Miller brought to West Central Ohio.

31. Michigan at North Carolina (ACC-Big Ten Challenge) (Nov. 29)

The ACC produced the second-largest margin of victory in ACC-Big 10 Challenge history a year ago. If the Big 10 is going to get revenge in 2017, it might need an upset like the Wolverines going to Chapel Hill and taking down the reigning national champs.

32. Seton Hall vs. Rhode Island (NIT Season Tip-Off) (Nov. 23)

Both of these northeastern squads boast significant returnees from NCAA tournament teams, and fan bases that are thirsty for an even higher degree of success. Khadeen Carrington vs. E.C. Matthews figures to be a nice Thanksgiving Day treat for hoop heads.

33. Creighton at Northwestern (Nov. 15)

Northwestern making its first NCAA tournament and winning a game there was one of the biggest stories of 2016-17. With a healthy dose of that cast returning, the Wildcats are expected to accomplish even more a season later. Their first chance to prove that they’re up to clearing the new bar comes on Nov. 15.

34. SMU at TCU (Dec. 5)

In his first year at TCU, Jamie Dixon led the Horned Frogs to their first win over a No. 1 ranked team, their first trip to the Big 12 tournament semifinals, and their first NIT championship. Expectations are understandably raised in year two, when TCU will be expected to take down more teams the caliber of SMU.

35. Oklahoma at Wichita State (Dec. 16)

The Sooners never adjusted to life after Buddy Hield last season, struggling to an 11-20 finish just a year after making the Final Four. The Sooners could bounce back in 2017-18 if their crop of newcomers — five-star guard Trae Young, in particular — are as good as advertised.

36. Michigan at Texas (Dec. 12)

John Beilein and Shaka Smart > Jim Harbaugh and Tom Herman.

37. Florida State at Florida (Dec. 4)

Florida State has won three straight in this rivalry series, which has seen its last four contests all decided by five points or fewer. The Seminoles figure to be a heavy underdog to extend their winning streak into 2018.

38. Villanova at St. Joseph’s (Dec. 2)

Villanova hasn’t lost a Big 5 game since 2012-13. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be tuning in.

39. Minnesota at Providence (Nov. 13)

In the second game of the season, Richard Pitino will take his Minnesota team to Providence to take on the program where his father once made a splash as a head coach. Rodney Bullock and the Friars could surprise in 2017-18, and this could be the start.

40. Georgia Tech at Georgia (Dec. 19)

For the first time in a long time, this rivalry game could mean something to the rest of the country and not just the programs involved.

41. Duke at Indiana (ACC-Big Ten Challenge) (Nov. 29)

The Hoosiers figure to be down this season, but they do have a revitalized energy thanks to the addition of new head coach Archie Miller. Perhaps Assembly Hall can recapture some of that Marco Killingsworth magic from 2005.

42. Baylor at Florida (SEC-Big 12 Challenge) (Jan. 27)

Since its inception, the SEC-Big 12 Challenge has been a nice late January respite from conference play that has given us a number of entertaining contests. This game has a chance to be the best of the bunch in 2018.

43. Davidson at Nevada (Nov. 21)

I will stay up past my bedtime to watch Peyton Aldridge and Jordan Caroline go at it, and you should, too.

44. Saint Mary’s vs. Harvard (Nov. 23)

Saint Mary’s has a loaded roster but not a loaded non-conference schedule, which means the Gaels really need a solid showing at the Wooden Legacy in order to boost their postseason resume. Losing to a very solid Harvard squad would ruin that hope.

45. Indiana at Seton Hall (Gavitt Games) (Nov. 15)

If the Pirates are going to be as good as their fans want them to be, then they need to be able to take care of business against a powerhouse program expected to be in a down year.

46. Gonzaga vs. Ohio State (PK80-Phil Knight Invitational) (Nov. 23)

Ohio State isn’t expected to be overly competitive in the Big Ten in Chris Holtmann’s first season. Even so, this is one of the most intriguing first-round matchups at the loaded PK80 tournament.

47. Belmont at Middle Tennessee (Nov. 16)

Two of the most dominant mid-majors in college basketball will duke it out in Murfreesboro at the end of week one.

48. South Dakota State at Kansas (Nov. 17)

Unless you’re really good at streaming (or can find SDSU’s Dec. 5 game against Wichita State on television), this might be your best chance to catch Jackrabbits star Mike Daum with your own eyes before March rolls around.

49. Florida vs. Stanford (PK80-Phil Knight Invitational) (Nov. 23)

The Gators have Final Four aspirations. Stanford has Reid Travis. There’s a strong chance that this game will be better than any of the Thanksgiving football games on at the same time.

50. Alabama vs. Texas (Vulcan Classic) (Dec. 22)

Texas figures to have a strong chance to hang with likely favorite Alabama so long as Colt McCoy stays healthy.