College basketball is a cornerstone of American sports culture. It’s a fast-paced, high-energy game in which schools from coast to coast compete, starting in November and wrapping up with the NCAA Tournament in the spring.
With the 2025 NBA Draft rapidly approaching, college hoops fans are eagerly awaiting the beginning of the 2025-26 season. The official tip-off is set for Monday, November 3, so let’s look at some of the biggest opening games and what to expect.
Which College Basketball Games Are Tipping Off the 2025-25 Season?
November 3 is the day college hoops officially returns. The NCAA has settled into a pattern of kicking things off in early November, and this year’s Monday start is a slight tweak to give both men’s and women’s games some breathing room. Opening night will feature a packed slate of games, with teams hitting the floor to start their campaigns.
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
The early weeks are all about non-conference play, where schools square off against opponents outside their leagues. This stretch, running from November through December, is when teams test their mettle, build momentum, and chase big wins to impress the selection committee down the road.
To kick off the season, Arizona and national champion Florida will play in Las Vegas. That same night, BYU and Villanova will also play.
The following night, Texas and the Duke Blue Devils will play a marquee matchup in Charlotte. Thursday, November 8, will feature St. John’s and Rick Pitino hosting Alabama at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
Indiana and Marquette will go to battle on Friday to cap off the week.
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Once the calendar flips to January, the focus shifts to conference play. This is where the stakes climb higher. Teams battle within their leagues, think Big Ten, SEC, ACC, for regular-season bragging rights and a better shot at the postseason. Conference play runs through early March, setting the stage for the next big moment.
Then comes Selection Sunday in mid-March 2026. The tournament itself begins on March 17, 2026. From there, the tournament takes over, starting with the First Four and rolling through late March into early April. The Final Four and national title game cap it all off.
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