The 2026-27 college basketball season tips off Monday with 20 preseason AP Top 25 teams in action, featuring two ranked-on-ranked matchups that set the tone for the new campaign.
No. 1 Florida vs. No. 14 Miami (Tampa, 6 p.m. ET)
Florida, the preseason No. 1, faces in-state rival Miami in Tampa. The Gators boast a frontcourt trio of Thomas Haugh, Rueben Chinyelu and Alex Condon considered among the nation's best. Miami counters with Malik Reneau and Somto Cyril, while Villanova transfer Acaden Lewis has impressed in exhibitions. Analysts project Florida to win but Miami to cover the 5.5-point spread.
No. 5 Arizona vs. No. 22 UCLA (Las Vegas, 10 p.m. ET)
Arizona will be without forward RJ Godfrey due to eligibility issues, but the Wildcats' "Big Three" of freshman Caleb Holt, Ivan Kharchenkov and center Mo Krivas present a formidable challenge. UCLA debuts 17-year-old freshman Nikola Kusturica alongside Texas Tech transfer Jaylen Petty and forward Eric Dailey Jr. Coach Mick Cronin's slow-paced approach has limited Arizona's transition attack in six of the last seven meetings. The consensus pick is UCLA +4.5.
No. 18 Iowa State vs. Memphis (Sioux Falls, 7 p.m. ET)
Memphis will miss big man Nemanja Popovic, ruled ineligible for the first six games, while Iowa State is without guard Killyan Toure (shoulder). Fifth-year senior Tamin Lipsey returns for the Cyclones, and coach T.J. Otzelberger holds a strong non-conference record against the spread. The pick is Memphis +13.5.
No. 15 Gonzaga vs. Purdue (Las Vegas, 7:30 p.m. ET)
Gonzaga's trio of elite big men — Braden Huff, Massamba Diop and Izan Almansa — is expected to exploit Purdue's limited frontcourt depth. Despite Purdue's superior shooting, analysts favor Gonzaga -4.5, citing the Zags' multiple scoring avenues and the presence of future NBA wing Davis Fogle.
Ohio State vs. No. 25 BYU (Salt Lake City, 9 p.m. ET)
BYU retains star guard Robert Wright III and adds five-star wing Bruce Branch III and former Michigan State big man Jaxon Kohler. Ohio State's five-star forward Anthony Thompson will be a key factor, but the pick is BYU -2.5.
Earlier, Notre Dame rallied to upset Villanova in the Eternal City Tip-Off, providing an early season highlight.
