Kentucky or Duke? Five must-watch early season men's college basketball games for 2021-22
The 2021-22 men’s college basketball season tips off Tuesday — on time this year after a tumultuous season last year that started two weeks late. The 2020-21 season was infused with cancellations and COVID-19-related scheduling struggles, but that’s now in the rear-view.
That sense of normalcy is encapsulated in the sport’s premier tip-off games for the annual Champions Classic this week. Blue-bloods Kentucky and Duke square off in the opener Tuesday and then Kansas and Michigan State are on tap for the matinee. The games will be played with fans in attendance at Madison Square Garden. It’s not March Madness yet, but college hoops is back with a plethora of November non-conference clashes and tournaments to tease fans of what’s ahead.
A look at the five best early-season games to watch, including those playing in the Champions Classic.
No. 2 UCLA vs. No. 1 Gonzaga, Nov. 23
Coach Mark Few’s Bulldogs nearly finished with a perfect season but came up just short in the national title game vs. Baylor last April. But it was the ‘Zags overtime thriller vs. UCLA in the national semifinal that served as one of the greatest Final Four games of all-time. A rematch is set two weeks into the season on a neutral court in Las Vegas, and this time the Bruins have the respect they were lacking last March when they bulldozed their way to the final weekend. While UCLA brings everyone back under coach Mick Cronin’s gritty style, Gonzaga will have a new look with freshman Chet Holmgren joining forces with All-American Drew Timme to make for an intimidating frontcourt.
Gonzaga’s not letting up on its schedule, either, trying to fit in as many marquee non-conference games as possible before they play West Coast Conference games. That same week the ‘Zags face Duke (Nov. 26) and later face Alabama on Dec. 4th.
No. 9 Duke vs. No. 11 Kentucky, Nov. 9
Coach Mike Krzyzewski announced his upcoming retirement at the conclusion of the season, meaning 2021-22 will be a curtain-call campaign for perhaps the greatest coach the sport has ever seen. His team this year isn’t as star-studded as some of his best, but he’s a master at molding teams to overachieve. Paolo Banchero, the No. 2-ranked freshman (per 247 Sports) will headline this opener, and it’s no surprise that coach John Calipari has loaded up with a talented new roster to make this a must-watch showdown. This year's roster by Calipari is different, he took advantage of the transfer portal with Sahvir Wheeler (Georgia), Kellan Grady (Davidson), C.J. Fredrick (Iowa) and Oscar Tshiebwe (West Virginia). Both of these blue-blood teams are looking to avenge poor seasons where they both missed the NCAA Tournament (a first for both in the same year since ’76), so Tuesday will be their first opportunity to bounce back strong.
No. 3 Kansas vs. Michigan State, Nov. 9
Speaking of the transfer portal, coach Bill Self might’ve landed the best transfer in former Arizona State guard Remy Martin (19.1 ppg). The Jayhawks should be a national title contender with Remy joining a nucleus of returnees. Michigan State wasn't ranked in the preseason polls, which is only fuel for coach Tom Izzo. MSU’s backcourt will be spectacular behind five-star freshman Max Christie and Northeastern transfer point guard Tyson Walker.
No. 4 Villanova at No. 2 UCLA, Nov. 12
Coach Jay Wright will get the Big East Player of the Year back in veteran guard Collin Gillespie, who is taking advantage of the COVID-19 extra year of eligibility to be one of many “super seniors.” His return makes the Wildcats a Final Four threat, although it’ll show just how much that’s true facing a heavily-hyped UCLA squad that is headlined by returnee Johnny Juzang.
No. 5 Texas at No. 1 Gonzaga, Nov. 13
The Chris Beard era in Texas starts off with a bang, earning a preseason top-five ranking based on the incoming talent hauled in via transfers. Texas was the clear-cut winner of transfer portal as the Longhorns welcomed three of the five top-rated transfers, headlined by Minnesota guard Marcus Carr. Of course, blending the talent together will be the challenge. The star power will grab headlines in this top-five matchup, but these are two of the best coaches in the country who are positioned to become mainstays in Final Fours to come.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Five must-watch early men's college basketball games for 2021-22
