College basketball insider Jon Rothstein dropped an announcement, spotlighting some of the most anticipated early-season matchups for the upcoming season.
These games, set to take place in Las Vegas and New York, are already generating excitement among fans, especially with two of the sport’s brightest young stars, Cam Boozer and AJ Dybantsa, expected to make their college debuts.
A Loaded Week 1 Schedule Kicks Off In Style
The college basketball season officially begins on Nov. 3, and Week 1 is packed with marquee games that promise to set the tone for the year. On November 3, Arizona will take on defending national champion Florida.
Arizona, coming off a strong 2024-25 campaign, is looking to make a statement against a Florida squad that’s riding high after its title run.
Marquee games during Week 1 of the 2025-26 college basketball season:
11/3:
Arizona/Florida (Las Vegas)
BYU/Villanova (Las Vegas)11/4:
Duke/Texas (Charlotte)
11/8:
Alabama at St. John’s (MSG)
11/9:
Indiana/Marquette (Chicago)
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) May 10, 2025
That same day in Las Vegas, BYU will face Villanova. BYU will test Villanova’s disciplined, defense-first approach under coach Kyle Neptune, but the action doesn’t stop there.
On Nov. 4, Duke will square off against Texas in Charlotte, then, on Nov. 8, Alabama travels to Madison Square Garden in New York to take on St. John’s, a game that brings SEC vs. Big East flavor to the Big Apple. Finally, on Nov. 9, Indiana and Marquette will battle it at the United Center in Chicago.
Cam Boozer And AJ Dybantsa Steal The Spotlight
The debut of two of college basketball’s most hyped freshmen, Boozer and Dybantsa, makes these early games more attention-grabbing. These two were the stars of the 2025 Nike Hoop Summit, where they showcased their skills on an international stage.
Boozer, a 6’9” forward heading to Duke, is a two-time Gatorade National Player of the Year. He’s a versatile player with a polished inside-out game, capable of dominating the paint and stepping out to knock down jumpers.
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The Nov. 4 matchup against Texas in Charlotte will be Boozer’s first real test in a Duke uniform, and all eyes will be on how he handles the Longhorns’ physical frontcourt.
Meanwhile, Dybantsa, a 6’9” wing committed to BYU, is a scoring machine with unlimited range and a knack for creating his shot.
Reports from Sporting News noted that Dybantsa signed a $7 million NIL deal to play for the Cougars, a testament to his star power and marketability. His debut against Villanova on November 3 in Las Vegas will be a chance to prove he’s worth the hype.
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