Feast week was, and always is an absolutely phenomenal time, this year was no different! We saw key matchups every day, with the weekend slowing down a bit for football rivalry week! I hope you had a great week with family, friends, good food and great hoops!

This week, however, the bulk of the calendar turns it’s attention to college basketball, meaning we get some great matchups throughout the week, headlined by the ACC/SEC Challenge, and several conferences kicking off conference slates this week. 

📊 METHODOLOGY

Reminder on the methodology for this year! With the NET Rankings releasing Dec 1, this will be the last viewing guide without quadrant breakdowns, so things will change next week!!

Each game is assigned a Power Rating (1–5):

5️⃣ Must-Watch
National-impact game; typically Q1 vs. Q1.

4️⃣ High-Level Matchup
Strong game with postseason or résumé relevance.

3️⃣ Notable/Competitive
High quality mid-major matchup and/or solid high-major game

2️⃣ Worth Monitoring
Intrigue, rivalry angle, or stylistic fun; Typically the solid mid-major matchups will go here.

1️⃣ Minimal Impact
Not a major bracket game, but includes a fun storyline or a mid/low major game of interest

🗓 Dec 1, 2025 

2️⃣Temple @ Villanova (Big 5 Classic) | 6:30, FS1 

Only including since it is part of the Big 5, and is a bit of a rivalry matchup on a slower night. 

2️⃣  Iona @ Delaware | 7:00, ESPN+ 

This might be the best game of the day, I will slightly favor Iona here, but this should be fun! 

2️⃣  UAB vs. Middle Tennessee | 7:30, ESPN+

This is my pick for game of the day. I absolutely love that UAB is going to Middle Tennessee to play this one on the road! 

🗓 Dec 2, 2025 

5️⃣ UConn @ Kansas | 9:00, ESPN2

Heavyweight fight in Lawerence on Tuesday night! This matchup is amazing, and I expect it to be more of a toss-up type of game! Massive protected seed implications on the line! Both teams are banged up; who plays on Tuesday will tell us a lot about how this is decided! 

5️⃣ Iowa @ Michigan State | 700. ESPN

I’ve been high on both of these teams to start the year, and they have not disappointed. If you’re an AP believer, this should be a ranked matchup. Either way, there are massive seeding implications on the line here and Breslin will be rocking!

5️⃣ UNC @ Kentucky | 9:30, ESPN

UK has been a bit of a disappointment, however, this presents a huge opportunity for the Cats. The Tar Heels have impressed to start the year, and will look to declare that they’re legit this year by winning in Lexington! 

4️⃣ Florida @ Duke | 7:30, ESPN

Preseason, this was probably a top 5 game of the entire year, now, it might be a top 5 game of this week. Florida and their backcourt have been extremely disappointing and Duke has looked extremely impressive.

3️⃣ Tennessee @ Syracuse | 7:00, ESPN2

 Tennessee has looked extremely good this year, while Syracuse has been up and down. I’m expecting the Vols to win this one pretty easily. 

3️⃣ Miami @ Ole Miss | 9:00, SECN

Miami is a bit of an unknown right now, losing to BYU and Florida, but beating Georgetown. Ole Miss has disappointed, losing to Iowa and Utah during feast week. This one has significant postseason implications for both. 

3️⃣ Saint Louis @ Loyola Marymount |10:00, ESPN+

This actually has significant at-large implications. SLU is coming off a brutal loss to Stanford, but is looking to go 2-0 against the WCC so far! LMU could help strengthen a strong start for the WCC this year! 

3️⃣ USC @ Oregon | 10:00, FS1 

Oregon have been a massive disappointment this year, while USC has been extremely impressive. Can Oregon figure it out? Does USC continue to roll? This Big Ten opener has massive implications! 

3️⃣ Virginia Tech @ South Carolina | 7:00, SECN

This is a battle between two teams who appear to be destined for the bubble (or worse). I don’t think that SC has a real chance to be tournament bound, but I do think VT has a shot This game will help decide which of these two are pretenders or contenders! 

3️⃣ Oklahoma @ Wake Forest | 7:00, ACCN

Oklahoma heads into Winston Salem to take on a solid Demon Deacon team! This has massive bubble implications for both teams, and should be fun! 

3️⃣ Texas A&M @ Pitt | 7:00, ESPNU

Both teams are outside of the bubble picture right now, and really needs this one. 

2️⃣ East Tennessee State @ Dayton | 7:00, ESPN+

Dayton cannot lose this if they want to make it as an at-large. 

🗓 Wednesday Dec 3, 2025 

4️⃣ Louisville @ Arkansas | 7:15, ESPN

Bud Walton will be rocking for this one! Arkansas is still coming together, and Louisville has the best backcourt in basketball. It’ll be a good one! 

4️⃣ SMU @ Vanderbilt | 9:15, SECN 

Two undefeated teams are going to battle in Nashville! This is one of the biggest under the radar games in the country this week! 

4️⃣ Clemson @ Alabama | 7:15, ESPNU

Clemson, per usual has looked pretty solid, but Alabama is a whole different kind of test for the Tigers. Alabama should win, but this would be absolutely massive for the whole ACC if Clemson could do it! 

4️⃣ NC State @ Auburn | 9:15, ESPN

This is going to be fun! Both teams are relatively desperate for a big win and should come into this one very motivated!

3️⃣ Virginia @ Texas | 9:15, ESPNU

Is it too early to call a game a bubble battle? Probably… but I’m gonna do it anyway! This is a bubble battle if I’ve ever seen one in December! 

3️⃣ Northwestern @ Wisconsin | 9:00, BTN 

I’m expecting to see Wisconsin roll here, but neither team has really impressed me a ton. 

3️⃣ Indiana @ Minnesota | 7:00, BTN 

The opener for Devries in the Big Ten! I expect them to win, but this is not a cupcake like it may have been previously! 

3️⃣ Marshall @ UNC Wilmington | 7:00, Flo Sports

Both of these teams have been very solid this year, and this is a massive opportunity for Marshall to grab a key NC win! UNCW is always very hard to beat at home and this year is no exception. 

3️⃣ UCLA @ Washington | 11:00, BTN 

This is a very intriguing matchup and I could see both teams winning here. The health of Washington will play a vital role in if they’re able to get this win. 

2️⃣ Central Connecticut @ Seton Hall | 7:00, ESPN+

Central Connecticut has pulled a couple of upsets already… Can they do it again? I doubt it, but worth monitoring! 

🗓 Thursday Dec 4, 2025 

3️⃣ Utah State @ South Florida

Props to both teams for scheduling this and going through with it! This would be a high level win for Utah State’s resume! USF could use this to stay on the at-large radar! 

🗓 Friday Dec 5, 2025 

5️⃣ Gonzaga @ Kentucky | 7:00, ESPN2

Gonzaga has looked extremely good this year, and UK has struggled a bit, especially with their injury issues. This will be fast paced and exciting to watch! 

5️⃣ Cincinnati @ Xavier | 7:30, TNT

Crosstown Shootout. I’ll have much more in-depth coverage after both Xavier and UC play on Monday night, but this one is going to mean a ton to both programs. Gets a 5 because it’s a top 5 rivalry in the sport, these teams hate each other! Buckle up! 

3️⃣ UAB @ Drake | 7:30, ESPN+

This is yet another mid-major matchup I’m very happy the two teams are following through on! UAB is my pick, but it’ll be a good one. 

3️⃣ Notre Dame @ TCU | 8:00, ESPN+ 

TCU has looked very good since falling to UNO opening week Notre Dame is struggling to find its footing. Important matchup for both! 

2️⃣ Quinnipiac @ Iona | 7:00, ESPN+

This should be a rally fun kick off to both teams MAAC seasons! 

2️⃣ South Alabama @ East Tennessee State | 7:00, ESPN+

This is yet another intriguing mid-major matchup; combined records of 13-2, this one should be really entertaining! 

🗓 Saturday Dec 6, 2025 

5️⃣ Iowa State @ Purdue | Noon, CBS

Mackey will be CRAZY for this one! Expect an elite matchup here and massive Q1 opportunities for both! 

5️⃣ Duke @ Michigan State | Noon, FOX

Another crazy matchup at the Breslin Center this week! This one felt like a toss-up as well. Should be an elite game! 

5️⃣ Louisville vs. Indiana (Indianapolis) | Noon, CBS 

Another elite matchup, this time on a neutral court in Indy! This one will feel like a tournament game! 

5️⃣ Illinois @ Tennessee | 8:00, ESPN

Q1 win and a key resume piece for ether one of these teams! 

4️⃣ Washington @ USC | 6:00, BTN

Massive matchup, especially if both win their first games of the week! This is going to be a key resume win for one of these two teams.

4️⃣ Ole Miss @ St. John’s | 8:00, Peacock

Ole Miss’s key week continues, this time in NYC! The Johnnies have disappointed and need to figure out their guard play, and this is a great opportunity to do so! 

4️⃣ Auburn @ Arizona | 10:00, ESPN

Arizona looks like a top 3 team in the nation. Can Auburn keep up? 

3️⃣  Marquette @ Wisconsin | 2:00, FS1

Rivalry matchup! Both teams are looking to get on the right track. This should be intense! 

3️⃣ Boise State @ Butler | 2:00, TNT

Absolutely elite scheduling from both teams here. This should be a really fun matchup as well! Winner gets a solid boost to their resume. 

3️⃣ Dayton vs. Virginia (Charlotte) | Noon, ESPN2 

Another game with massive bubble implications, this time on a neutral site! This one will be an extremely intriguing result. 

3️⃣ George Mason @ Virginia Tech | 3:00, ACC Extra

Upset Alert for the Hokies! George Mason is legit, and this is a chance to bolster their at-large resume! 

3️⃣ Seton Hall @ Kansas State | 4:00, ESPNU/ESPN+

Both teams have surprised to start the year, and this is a chance for both to get a solid win! 

3️⃣ Baylor @ Memphis | 4:30, CBS

I love the way Memphis has scheduled this year, but they’re 2-4. They desperately need to win this one.

3️⃣ Oregon @ UCLA | 6:00, Peacock

UCLA should win this, but Oregon won’t go down without a fight. 

3️⃣ Wake Forest vs. West Virginia (Charleston, WV) | 6:00, ESPN2

Massive bubble implications! 

3️⃣ Santa Clara @ New Mexico | 9:00, MWN

This is suddenly a huge at-large bubble game! Santa Clara looks to continue to roll while UNM looks to get a great win! 

3️⃣ Oklahoma @ Arizona State (Phoenix) | 10:00, CBSSN

Both teams are looking for a huge resume boost in this one! 

🗓 Saturday Dec 6, 2025 

4️⃣ Kansas vs. Missouri (Kansas City) | 1:00, ESPN2

Border battle! I’d expect KU to win, but it should be fun! 

4️⃣ Georgetown @ UNC | 5:00, ESPN

Is Georgetown back?! This matchup should tell us a ton! 

3️⃣ Texas Tech vs. LSU (Ft. Worth) | 3:00, ESPN2

LSU is quietly 7-0, but needs to find a big win. This would be just that! 

3️⃣ Creighton @ Nebraska | 5:00, FS1 

The battle for the corn state!! This year, it feels a bit watered down, but I expect Nebraska to win! 

3️⃣ SMU vs. Texas A&M (Arlington) 5:00, ESPN2

Suddenly this feels like must-win territory for the Aggies, who have struggled to open the year!