14 can't-miss games to watch this November

3 weeks ago 4

Joe LunardiOct 14, 2025, 08:05 AM ET
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- Resident assemblage hoops bracketologist for ESPN
- Contributor to SportsCenter, ESPN Insider
- Published archetypal nationalist bracket successful 1995

It's a caller epoch of sorts successful examining the nonconference information of the men's assemblage hoops season. A diminished slate of accepted MTEs -- exempt multiteam events -- on with ever-expanding league schedules person combined to alteration the cadence of marquee matchups, with games betwixt high-majors and the apical of the mid-major ranks becoming particularly rare.

Power league challenges, extracurricular the ACC/SEC lawsuit successful December, person besides faded away. The Players Era Festival and different one-off neutral tribunal pairings person picked up immoderate of the slack, but the Big East successful caller years has done distant with some the Gavitt Games (vs. Big Ten) arsenic good arsenic a mini-challenge against the Big 12.

So, it is indispensable to excavation a small deeper for the astir impactful and charismatic nonconference games. That said, here's a afloat slate of "can't miss" encounters for the archetypal period of the 2025-26 campaign.

Florida Gators vs. Arizona Wildcats

Nov. 3 | 7 p.m. ET | Hall of Fame Series | Las Vegas | TNT

Defending nationalist champion Florida has a coagulated accidental astatine back-to-back titles -- connected the heels of UConn's three-peat effort past season. The Gators get a stiff trial connected opening nighttime against an Arizona squad coming disconnected back-to-back Sweet 16 appearances. On our board, this is simply a conflict betwixt preseason No. 1 and No. 4 seeds. Until proven otherwise, Florida is the pick.

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Bryce James cashes a 3-pointer astatine Arizona showcase

Bryce James knocks down a 3-pointer during a scrimmage astatine Arizona's showcase.

Alabama Crimson Tide astatine St. John's Red Storm

Nov. 8 | Noon ET | New York | FS1

Why watch? Because it's Rick Pitino. Because it's Madison Square Garden. Because Alabama has precocious been, and St. John's could be, a Final Four team. Because, because, because. We similar the Red Storm holding service successful the Big Apple.