NCAA Basketball

Top 10 Games To Watch During Opening Week Of 2014-15 College Basketball Season

Top 10 Games To Watch During Opening Week Of 2014-15 College Basketball Season

Duke-Michigan State
Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

College Basketball season has finally arrived for what should be an exciting 2014-15 season. We are less than a week away from opening night, and many teams have championship aspirations heading into the season. Let's take a look at the top 10 games during the opening week of the college basketball season (Friday 11/14-Friday 11/21).

10. Minnesota vs. (8) Louisville

Rick Pitino Richard Pitino
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

10. Minnesota vs. (8) Louisville

Rick Pitino Richard Pitino
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

When: Friday, November 14 7:30 p.m. ET
Where: Puerto Rico

The top game of the opening night of college basketball features a father-son coaching matchup between Louisville's Rick Pitino and Minnesota's Richard Pitino in Puerto Rico. Louisville is led by preseason first team All-American PF Montrezl Harrell. Minnesota returns four senior starters and will look to pull off the upset against the Cardinals.

9. Miami vs. (7) Florida

Kasey Hill Florida
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

9. Miami vs. (7) Florida

Kasey Hill Florida
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

When: Monday, November 17 7:00 p.m. ET
Where: Gainesville, Florida

The first game of the ESPN Tip-Off Marathon features two teams from the Sunshine State with Miami traveling to Florida. The Gators lost several key contributors from last season, but boast one of the top backcourts in the conference with PG Kasey Hill and SG Michael Frazier II. Miami will be lead by two Big-12 transfers, PG Angel Rodriguez and SG Sheldon McClellan.

8. (23) Syracuse vs. California

Jim Boeheim Syracuse
Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

8. (23) Syracuse vs. California

Jim Boeheim Syracuse
Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

When: Thursday, November 20 9:00 p.m. ET
Where: New York

One half of the 2K Classic in New York features two power conference teams in Syracuse and California. Syracuse figures to be in a rebuilding year under coach Jim Boeheim after losing virtually all of their key players from a year ago. Cal has a talented starting five led by guards Tyrone Wallace and Jabari Bird, and will look to finish in the upper half of the Pac-12 this season.

7. (10) Texas vs. Iowa

Cameron Ridley Texas
Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports

7. (10) Texas vs. Iowa

Cameron Ridley Texas
Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports

When: Thursday, November 20th 7:00 p.m. ET
Where: New York

The other half of the 2K Classic features a talented top-10 Texas team against a fringe top-25 team in Iowa. The Longhorns feature three prominent big men, along with sophomore PG Isaiah Taylor. Iowa has a balanced, experienced team that should finish in the top half of the Big Ten this season. The winner of this game will face the winner of Syracuse-Cal in Madison Square Garden.

6. Marquette vs. (20) Ohio State

Sam Thompson Ohio State
Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

6. Marquette vs. (20) Ohio State

Sam Thompson Ohio State
Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

When: Tuesday, November 18 7:30 p.m. ET
Where: Columbus, Ohio

A rematch of last season's game between Marquette and Ohio State in which the Buckeyes won by 17. Ohio State lost quite a bit from a year ago and will be lead by Sam Thompson and highly-touted freshman SG D'Angelo Russell. Marquette welcomes BYU transfer SG Matt Carlino into the fold in head coach Steve Wojciechowski's first season.

5. (22) SMU vs. (13) Gonzaga

Gonzaga Basketball
Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

5. (22) SMU vs. (13) Gonzaga

Gonzaga Basketball
Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

When: Monday, November 17 11:00 p.m. ET
Where: Spokane, Washington

In the first matchup between ranked teams this season, SMU travels to Gonzaga as part of the Tip-Off Marathon. SMU will return its top two players from last season in PG Nic Moore and PF Markus Kennedy, while Gonzaga will have its entire team from last season along with Kentucky transfer Kyle Wiltjer, who should help spread the floor for the Bulldogs.

4. (25) Utah vs. (16) San Diego State

San Diego State Basketball
Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

4. (25) Utah vs. (16) San Diego State

San Diego State Basketball
Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

When: Tuesday, November 18 4:00 p.m. ET
Where: San Diego, California

In a matchup between two of the top teams in the west, Utah travels to Viejas Arena to take on San Diego State. The Aztecs will have to replace PG Xavier Thames, but welcome a talented freshmen class of recruits. Utah is led by PG Delon Wright and could be the second-best team in the Pac-12.

3. (11) Wichita State vs. Memphis

Ron Baker Wichita State
Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports

3. (11) Wichita State vs. Memphis

Ron Baker Wichita State
Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports

When: Tuesday, November 18 2:00 p.m. ET
Where: Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Everyone will be waiting to watch Wichita State this season after the Shockers went 35-1 last season. Memphis always has a handful of top-100 recruits, and this year is no different for head coach Josh Pastner. Wichita State returns the best backcourt in the country in PG Fred Van Vleet and SG Ron Baker.

2. (18) Michigan State vs. (4) Duke

Duke Michigan State
Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

2. (18) Michigan State vs. (4) Duke

Duke Michigan State
Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

When: Tuesday, November 18 7:00 p.m. ET
Where: Indianapolis, Indiana

In the first game of the Champions Classic, two traditional powers face off in Michigan State and Duke. Duke should be one of the best teams in the country this season thanks to the arrival of preseason All-American freshman Jahlil Okafor. Michigan State lost a ton from last season's Elite 8 team, but will be led by forward Branden Dawson.

1. (5) Kansas vs. (1) Kentucky

Aaron Harrison Andrew Harrison Kentucky
Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

1. (5) Kansas vs. (1) Kentucky

Aaron Harrison Andrew Harrison Kentucky
Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

When: Tuesday, November 18th 9:00 p.m. ET
Where: Indianapolis, Indiana

The top game of the opening week of college basketball features two uber-talented teams in Kentucky and Kansas. Kentucky returns several key contributors along with their normal stud freshman class of recruits. Kansas lost two top-three picks in the NBA Draft, but bring in a heralded freshman class led by PF Cliff Alexander and SF Kelly Oubre.

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