College basketball schedule 2017: Scores, highlights, and results from Dec. 2

The first massive Saturday schedule of the college basketball season is upon us, and with it comes an enticing slate of rivalry games, top-25 matchups, and the very beginning of conference play out of the Big Ten.

There are 115 games on the D1 schedule for Saturday. This is our best attempt to separate what’s really worth watching (all times ET).

No. 11 Cincinnati vs. No. 21 Xavier (noon, FS1)

The Battle for Cincinnati is seriously one of the best and most underrated rivalries in college basketball. We can’t let the occasion pass without taking a trip down memory lane to THE BRAWL back in 2011:

This had everything: Tu Holloway going into the crowd to hug a fan, a Xavier player getting his face stomped, Cincinnati players shadowboxing, and the infamous “we got a whole bunch of gangsters in the locker room.” We do not need the violence this time around, but the intensity is always a welcomed addition to the college basketball slate.

Aside from Duke-UNC and Kentucky-Louisville, this really might be the next best rivalry in the sport. And this year is going to be great because both of these teams are stacked.

It feels like we say this is Mick Cronin’s best team ever every year, but it’s probably true this time. Cincy has a stud two guard in Jacob Evans, a versatile two-way big man in Kyle Washington, an enforcer in Gary Clark, and a deep bench. Xavier has one of the best scorers in America in Trevon Bluiett, a sharpshooter you love or hate in J.P. Macura, and potential breakout guys in Kaiser Gates, Quentin Goodin, and Paul Scruggs.

Cincy has not faced a test like Xavier yet, while the Musketeers have already beaten No. 16 Baylor and lost a tough game to Arizona State. In a weekend full of great matchups, this is the best of the bunch.

No. 8 Wichita State vs. No. 16 Baylor (2 p.m., ESPNU)

The Shockers were a minute away from a top-five ranking and being universally proclaimed as a worthy national title contender before collapsing down the stretch in the Maui Invitational final against Notre Dame. What’s incredible is Wichita State did this without Markis McDuffie, one of their two best players, who remains sidelined with a foot injury.

The point here is that Wichita State is really good and Baylor will be a stiff test. Yes, the Bears lost Terry Maston to a hand injury until January, but that zone is still tough for non-conference opponents, and there remains a lot of talent on the roster. Manu Lecomte is one of the toughest shot-makers in the sport, Jo Lual-Acuil Jr. is an agile big man, and King McClure is starting to put it all together as a junior.

The battle inside between Shaquille Morris and Lual-Acuil is the one to watch. This is also an opportunity for Wichita’s Landry Shamet to gain some momentum in the national player of the year race.

No. 14 USC vs. SMU (10 p.m. ESPNU)

USC needs to make a statement after getting drubbed by Texas A&M last week. The Trojans have as much depth and talent as any team in the country this side of Duke and Michigan State, but there’s still a steep learning curve for a team that’s never really won anything before.

In that sense, SMU is a perfect test.

The Mustangs are about as dependable as it gets. They upset No. 2 Arizona in Maui but lost tough games to Western Kentucky and Northern Iowa. SMU lost a ton of talent from last season (just look at what Semi Ojeleye is doing for the Boston Celtics this year), but there are still a lot of shooters and playmakers on the perimeter. Point guard Shake Milton is a certified star.

This can be a statement win for the Trojans if they’re up for it. Bennie Boatwright and Chimezie Metu should be able to have their way with an undersized SMU front court.

No. 2 Kansas vs. Syracuse (5:30 p.m., ESPN)

Is Syracuse for real? We’re about to find out. The Orange are off to a 6-0 start and fresh off a two-point victory over Maryland. They haven’t really played anyone else. Kansas is one of the toughest teams in the country once again, with Devonte’ Graham leading the attack in the backcourt. He’s coming off a 35-point game against Toledo in his last outing.

Providence vs. Rhode Island (5 p.m., CBSSN)

Another fun rivalry game between two NCAA tournament hopefuls. Providence’s only loss came to a nationally ranked Minnesota team, while URI has fallen to currently ranked Virginia and Nevada. Providence has a star in 6’8 wing Rodney Bullock, who enters averaging 15 points per game. Rhody has one of the most underrated backcourts in America with Jared Terrell (19 points per game) and E.C. Matthews.

Arizona vs. UNLV (10 p.m., CBSSN)

Arizona fell from No. 2 all the way to unranked after losing three straight games in humiliating fashion at the Battle 4 Atlantis. The Wildcats have beat up on Long Beach State since then, but UNLV is a different kind of test. The Rebels are 6-1 and have one of the best freshmen centers in the country in 5-star recruit Brandon McCoy. Can DeAndre Ayton still dominate against him? Will Arizona finally find an offensive flow? There are a lot of questions for the Wildcats to answer right now.

Indiana vs. Michigan (12:30 p.m., CBS): Conference play starts early for the Big Ten. Indiana and Michigan are coming off losses to Duke and UNC, respectively. Indiana put up a real fight until the final minutes, with sophomore De’Ron Davis looking like a monster inside. Michigan has one of the best frontcourt shooters in the country in Moritz Wagner, and a new star in Kentucky transfer Charles Matthews.

Arkansas vs. Houston (7:30 p.m., CBSSN): Both teams enter at 5-1. The Hogs just beat Oklahoma and UConn in the PK80, while Houston beat Wake Forest but also has a loss to Drexel. The Cougars have a star guard in Rob Gray who will need to go off if they want to have a chance.

Missouri State vs. South Dakota State (8 p.m., ESPN3): Alize Johnson vs. Mike Daum. That’s all you need to know.

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The full schedule can be found via ESPN.