College basketball picks, schedule: Arizona vs. UCLA predictions, more Top 25 games on opening day

After an offseason full of lawsuits with unresolved outcomes for dozens of players fighting for a fifth year of eligibility, the 2026-27 college basketball season is finally here. For the remainder of the season, basketball games will be the focus in the coming days and weeks.

Twenty of the preseason AP Top 25 teams will be in action Monday, including two ranked matchups that will set the stage for what should be a season full of intriguing storylines. Florida enters the season ranked No. 1 and seeking its second title in three years, but will be tested early against in-state foe No. 14 Miami in Tampa.

One of the final games of the evening will see an old Pac-12 rivalry renewed when No. 5 Arizona takes on No. 22 UCLA in Las Vegas. This game will represent the debuts of two of the sport’s top freshmen: Arizona’s Caleb Holt and UCLA’s Nikola Kusturica. Last season, Arizona defeated UCLA in a thrilling neutral site game in Los Angeles.

Notre Dame rallies to upset Villanova in Eternal City Tip-Off in glorious college basketball season opener

Isaac Trotter

Other teams that will be in action include No. 15 Gonzaga taking on Purdue, No. 18 Iowa State taking on Memphis and Ohio State taking on No. 15 BYU. These three matches will be played at neutral sites.

Let the games (and season!) begin.

All times ET

No. 5 Arizona vs. No. 22 UCLA (in Las Vegas)

10 p.m. on TNT: Arizona is a bit shorthanded without hurting forward RJ Godfrey, who is still stuck in legal 5-on-5 purgatory, but the Big Three of Caleb Holt, Ivan Kharchenkov and big man Mo Krivas is extremely intimidating. Arizona’s guards are much bigger than UCLA’s, and the Bruins won’t have much of an answer to Mount Krivas in the paint. But this UCLA outfit is no slouch. Texas Tech transfer guard Jaylen Petty is a player in his own right, and Nikola Kusturica, a 17-year-old freshman, is a high-motor wing who could be the best prospect in the world.

Forward Eric Dailey Jr. also poses a tough matchup for Arizona’s shorthanded frontcourt. Additionally, UCLA coach Mick Cronin knows he has to put the game into focus to limit Arizona’s potent transition attack. Six of the last seven matchups between Cronin and Tommy Lloyd have been in the mid-60s from a possessions standpoint. If Arizona wants to win, it will have to do it on Cronin’s terms. The under game is by far the best game on the board here, but we’re also forced to choose a side. I’m leaning towards UCLA because it has all its arsenal. This is not the case for Arizona. Choose: UCLA +4.5 – Trotter

No. 14 Miami vs. No. 1 Florida (Tampa)

6 p.m. on ESPN, Fubo (try for free): The key matchup to watch is how Miami’s frontcourt stacks up against Florida’s, which is arguably the best trio (Thomas Haugh, Rueben Chinyelu and Alex Condon) in the country. Will Malik Reneau and Somto Cyril be able to limit the damage? If that’s the case, this match will be close until the end. Villanova transfer Acaden Lewis has looked great for Miami in its exhibition games. He has a chance to be a real star this season. I’m picking Florida to win, but Miami to cover. Pick: Miami +5.5 – Cameron Salerno

Memphis vs. No. 18 Iowa State (in Sioux Falls)

7 p.m. on FS1, Fubo (try for free): Nemanja Popovic, the big man from Memphis was deemed ineligible by the NCAA for the first six games. This is a big deal because the 24-year-old Serbian looks like Penny Hardaway’s best player. His play would have been crucial against an Iowa State defense that traps early and often. This forces Memphis bigs like Corneilous Williams and Maxim Logue to play bigger roles, and they both aren’t sharp playmakers. Iowa State will be without ace defensive guard Killyan Toure (shoulder injury), but fifth-year senior guard Tamin Lipsey is eligible to play. His creation and on-ball defense help make Lipsey one of the top 10 players in the country by some stat-based measures. Iowa State coach TJ Otzelberger is also elite against the number in non-conference games (43-29-1 since taking the Iowa State job).

But I’m starting to think Iowa State is a little overrated right now. Sixth on KenPom? It’s rich. Life without Joshua Jefferson and Milan Momcilovic won’t be easy at first. This Iowa State offense will need time to coalesce with so many new faces adopting bigger roles than ever before. I’m optimistic that the Cyclones will become a great defensive team, but they may not be firing on all cylinders right away in a rush-heavy scheme that isn’t easy to pull off right away. Memphis is also ranked outside the top 100 on Bart Torvik. I think it’s closer to a top 70 unit. Take the points. If Memphis doesn’t turn it over 20 times, it will stay within that limit. Pick: Memphis +13.5 – Isaac Trotter

No. 15 Gonzaga vs. Purdue (Las Vegas)

7:30 p.m. on TNT: Gonzaga can pose a lot of problems for this Purdue defense. Purdue currently has a serviceable big man in Daniel Jacobsen. Gonzaga has three of the best big men in the country: Braden Huff, Massamba Diop and Izan Almansa. These calculations are not calculations. I think Purdue’s offense should find a better rhythm against a Gonzaga team that isn’t as physical as the UConn defense that totally eviscerated the Boilermakers in last week’s exhibition laugh. Gonzaga will likely play a little more coverage, and Purdue has a cavalry of guards capable of draining pull-up jumpers. Purdue is clearly the better shooting team, but Gonzaga has plenty of other ways to create better shots with its trio of elite bigs and future NBA wing Davis Fogle. Take the Zags. They will have the two best players on the field (Huff and Fogle). Pick: Gonzaga -4.5 — Trotter

Ohio State vs. No. 25 BYU (in Salt Lake City)

9 p.m. on FS1, Fubo (try for free): This has the potential to be the best match of the night. With the departure of AJ Dybantsa, it will be a new chapter at BYU. However, the Cougars retained star guard Robert Wright III, added another five-star wing in Bruce Branch III and landed former Michigan State big man Jaxon Kohler, who is among dozens of players hoping for a fifth year. Although I think Ohio State should have a good season, BYU wins this game. I’ll also keep an eye on Ohio State five-star forward Anthony Thompson. His play will determine Ohio State’s ceiling this year. Pick: BYU -2.5 – Salerno