The wait is almost over for college basketball fans as the 2024 season is set to tip off on Monday, November 4. This highly anticipated start marks the beginning of an exciting journey filled with thrilling games, fierce rivalries, and the path to the ultimate prize—March Madness. Here’s a closer look at what to expect as the new college basketball season gets underway.
When Does the 2024 College Basketball Season Start?
Mark your calendars because the 2024 college basketball season officially begins on Monday, November 4. This early November start has become the norm in recent years, setting the stage for nearly five months of high-energy basketball action that will keep fans on the edge of their seats. Both men’s and women’s college basketball teams will hit the courts on this date, kicking off their campaigns with non-conference games that set the tone for the season.
Key Early Season Matchups to Watch
The start of the college basketball season is packed with must-see games that could have a significant impact on the rankings and momentum of top teams. Early-season tournaments and classic matchups often feature powerhouse programs squaring off, giving fans a taste of March Madness-level intensity right from the start. Keep an eye on key games in the first week that feature top-ranked teams, as these contests often provide a preview of the talent and storylines that will dominate the season.
What to Expect This Season
With the transfer portal and new recruits shaking up rosters, this season promises to be as unpredictable as ever. Fans can expect to see new faces making an immediate impact, as well as returning stars looking to solidify their legacies. The early games in November are a perfect opportunity for teams to build chemistry and for players to showcase their skills on a national stage.
1. Fresh Faces and Top Recruits: This season introduces a fresh crop of highly touted recruits and transfers, eager to make their mark. Watching these players adapt to the college game and fit into their teams will be one of the most exciting aspects of the early season.
2. Impact of the Transfer Portal: The transfer portal continues to reshape the landscape of college basketball, allowing players to switch teams more freely and instantly impact new programs. Expect plenty of new storylines as players face their former teams and seek to prove themselves in new environments.
3. Early Tests for Top Teams: Early non-conference matchups are critical for teams aiming to build a strong resume for March. High-profile clashes between ranked teams are not just exciting for fans; they also provide valuable experience for players and a glimpse at how top programs stack up against each other.
Countdown to March Madness
While November marks the start of the season, all roads lead to March Madness, the annual NCAA Tournament that captures the hearts of basketball fans nationwide. Teams will spend the next few months battling through conference play, fine-tuning their strategies, and positioning themselves for a run in the tournament.
With the 2024 season set to begin on November 4, excitement is already building among fans, players, and coaches. From buzzer-beaters to breakout performances, college basketball never fails to deliver unforgettable moments, and this season promises to be no different.
Final Thoughts
As the 2024 college basketball season tips off, anticipation is at an all-time high. Whether you’re a die-hard fan of a powerhouse program or rooting for an underdog, November 4 marks the start of a journey filled with drama, excitement, and endless possibilities. Get ready to cheer on your favorite teams and enjoy the ride as college basketball returns for another thrilling season.
Monday, November 4, 2024
| MATCHUP | TIME | TV | tickets | location | ODDS BY |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland Eastern Shore | @ Vanderbilt | TBD | Tickets as low as $19 | Memorial Gymnasium (TN), Nashville, TN | ||
| UT Martin | @ Illinois State | TBD | Tickets as low as $36 | CEFCU Arena, Normal, IL | ||
| Southeast Missouri State | @ Bradley | TBD | Tickets as low as $19 | Carver Arena, Peoria, IL | ||
 Concordia-St. Paul |
@ Wyoming | TBD | Tickets as low as $24 | Arena-Auditorium, Laramie, WY | ||
| Alabama State | @ UNLV | TBD | Tickets as low as $16 | Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, NV | ||
| Western Illinois | @ San José State | TBD | Tickets as low as $43 | Provident Credit Union Event Center, San Jose, CA | ||
| Wichita State | @ Western Kentucky | TBD | Tickets as low as $52 | E.A. Diddle Arena, Bowling Green, KY | ||
| Sacred Heart | @ Temple | TBD | Tickets as low as $16 | Liacouras Center, Philadelphia, PA | ||
| Nicholls | @ New Mexico | TBD | Tickets as low as $43 | The Pit, Albuquerque, NM | ||
| Sam Houston | @ Nevada | TBD | Tickets as low as $12 | Lawlor Events Center, Reno, NV | ||
| North Dakota | @ Colorado State | TBD | Tickets as low as $51 | Moby Arena, Fort Collins, CO | ||
| Indiana State | @ Florida Atlantic | TBD | John Wooden Center, Los Angeles, CA | |||
 NC Wesleyan |
@ East Carolina | TBD | Tickets as low as $43 | Minges Coliseum, Greenville, NC | ||
| Vermont | @ UAB | TBD | Tickets as low as $44 | Bartow Arena, Birmingham, AL | ||
| Rivier | @ UMass Lowell | TBD | Costello Athletic Center, Lowell, MA | |||
| Southern | @ South Dakota | TBD | Sanford Coyote Sports Center, Vermillion, SD | |||
| Florida Gulf Coast | @ UNC Greensboro | TBD | Greensboro Coliseum, Greensboro, NC | |||
| Union | @ Austin Peay | TBD | F&M Bank Arena, Clarksville, TN | |||
| William Peace | @ Davidson | TBD | John M. Belk Arena, Davidson, NC | |||
| Bucknell | @ Delaware | TBD | Bob Carpenter Center, Newark, DE | |||
| Northeastern | @ Boston University | TBD | Case Gym, Boston, MA | |||
| Columbia | @ Loyola Maryland | TBD | Reitz Arena, Baltimore, MD | |||
| Pennsylvania | @ NJIT | TBD | Joel & Diane Bloom Wellness and Events Center, Newark, NJ | |||
| Chattanooga | @ USC | TBD | Tickets as low as $50 | Galen Center, Los Angeles, CA | ||
| UC Riverside | @ Oregon | TBD | Tickets as low as $10 | Matthew Knight Arena, Eugene, OR | ||
| Monmouth | @ Michigan State | TBD | Tickets as low as $30 | Breslin Center, East Lansing, MI | ||
| Toledo | @ Troy | TBD | Tickets as low as $8 | Trojan Arena, Troy, AL | ||
| Northern Illinois | @ Georgia Southern | TBD | Hanner Fieldhouse, Statesboro, GA | |||
| Miami (OH) | @ App State | TBD | Holmes Convocation Center, Boone, NC | |||
| Kent State | @ Louisiana | TBD | Cajundome, Lafayette, LA | |||
| Eastern Michigan | @ Texas State | TBD | Strahan Arena at the University Events Center, San Marcos, TX | |||
| Central Michigan | @ South Alabama | TBD | Mitchell Center, Mobile, AL | |||
| Buffalo | @ Old Dominion | TBD | Tickets as low as $40 | Chartway Arena, Norfolk, VA | ||
| Bowling Green | @ Southern Miss | TBD | Reed Green Coliseum, Hattiesburg, MS | |||
| Ball State | @ Georgia State | TBD | GSU Convocation Center, Atlanta, GA | |||
 Chapman |
@ UC Irvine | TBD | Bren Events Center, Irvine, CA | |||
| Akron | @ Arkansas State | TBD | Tickets as low as $20 | First National Bank Arena, Jonesboro, AR | ||
| Hawai’i Hilo | @ Montana | TBD | Dahlberg Arena, Missoula, MT | |||
| Park University Gilbert | @ Northern Arizona | TBD | J. Lawrence Walkup Skydome, Flagstaff, AZ | |||
 Newberry |
@ East Tennessee State | TBD | Tickets as low as $23 | Freedom Hall (TN), Johnson City, TN | ||
| Northwest University | @ Idaho | TBD | ICCU Arena, Moscow, ID | |||
| Alcorn State | @ Utah | TBD | Tickets as low as $11 | Jon M. Huntsman Center, Salt Lake City, UT | ||
| Northwest Indian | @ Weber State | TBD | Dee Events Center, Ogden, UT | |||
| Randolph College | @ Longwood | TBD | Tickets as low as $40 | Joan Perry Brock Center, Farmville, VA | ||
| Portland State | @ Washington State | TBD | Tickets as low as $10 | Friel Court at Beasley Coliseum, Pullman, WA | ||
 Colorado College |
@ Northern Colorado | TBD | Bank of Colorado Arena, Greeley, CO | |||
| Cal State Bakersfield | @ California | TBD | Tickets as low as $29 | Haas Pavilion, Berkeley, CA | ||
| South Carolina Upstate | @ NC State | TBD | Lenovo Center, Raleigh, NC | |||
| Piedmont | @ Winthrop | TBD | Tickets as low as $36 | Winthrop Coliseum, Rock Hill, SC | ||
| UNC Asheville | @ Alabama | TBD | Tickets as low as $7 | Coleman Coliseum, Tuscaloosa, AL | ||
| Green Bay | @ Oklahoma State | TBD | Tickets as low as $16 | Gallagher-Iba Arena, Stillwater, OK | ||
| Valparaiso | @ Liberty | TBD | Liberty Arena, Lynchburg, VA | |||
| Fairfield | @ Rhode Island | TBD | Tickets as low as $52 | Ryan Center, Kingston, RI | ||
| New Hampshire | @ Massachusetts | TBD | Tickets as low as $40 | Mullins Center, Amherst, MA | ||
| Chicago State | @ Loyola Chicago | TBD | Tickets as low as $39 | Gentile Arena, Chicago, IL | ||
| St. Francis (PA) | @ Dayton | TBD | Tickets as low as $20 | UD Arena, Dayton, OH | ||
| Mercyhurst | @ George Washington | TBD | Charles E. Smith Center, Washington, DC | |||
 Trinity (TX) |
@ UTSA | TBD | UTSA Convocation Center, San Antonio, TX | |||
| Incarnate Word | @ California Baptist | TBD | Dale E. and Sarah Ann Fowler Events Center, Riverside, CA | |||
| Avila | @ Houston Christian | TBD | Sharp Gymnasium, Houston, TX | |||
| Lakeland | @ Milwaukee | TBD | Klotsche Center, Milwaukee, WI | |||
| Denver | @ Stanford | TBD | Tickets as low as $43 | Maples Pavilion, Stanford, CA | ||
| Radford | @ Pittsburgh | TBD | Tickets as low as $12 | Petersen Events Center, Pittsburgh, PA | ||
| Fairleigh Dickinson | @ Miami | TBD | Tickets as low as $18 | Watsco Center, Coral Gables, FL | ||
| Northern Kentucky | @ Florida State | TBD | Tickets as low as $12 | Donald L. Tucker Center, Tallahassee, FL | ||
| Arkansas-Pine Bluff | @ Cincinnati | TBD | Tickets as low as $10 | Fifth Third Arena, Cincinnati, OH | ||
| Texas Southern | @ Xavier | TBD | Tickets as low as $8 | Cintas Center, Cincinnati, OH | ||
| Lafayette | @ Villanova | TBD | Tickets as low as $80 | Finneran Pavilion, Villanova, PA | ||
| Fordham | @ St. John’s | TBD | Tickets as low as $30 | Carnesecca Arena, Queens, NY | ||
| Saint Peter’s | @ Seton Hall | TBD | Tickets as low as $41 | Prudential Center, Newark, NJ | ||
| Central Connecticut | @ Providence | TBD | Tickets as low as $12 | Amica Mutual Pavilion, Providence, RI | ||
| Stony Brook | @ Marquette | TBD | Tickets as low as $4 | Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, WI | ||
| Southern Indiana | @ DePaul | TBD | Tickets as low as $8 | Wintrust Arena, Chicago, IL | ||
| Holy Cross | @ Wisconsin | TBD | Tickets as low as $12 | Kohl Center, Madison, WI | ||
| Binghamton | @ Penn State | TBD | Tickets as low as $17 | Bryce Jordan Center, University Park, PA | ||
| Lehigh | @ Northwestern | TBD | Tickets as low as $15 | Welsh-Ryan Arena, Evanston, IL | ||
| Texas A&M-Commerce | @ Iowa | TBD | Tickets as low as $14 | Carver-Hawkeye Arena, Iowa City, IA | ||
| Texas A&M | @ UCF | TBD | Tickets as low as $16 | Addition Financial Arena, Orlando, FL | ||
| Gardner-Webb | @ Tennessee | TBD | Tickets as low as $7 | Food City Center, Knoxville, TN | ||
| Long Island University | @ Ole Miss | TBD | Tickets as low as $16 | The Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss, Oxford, MS | ||
| Missouri | @ Memphis | TBD | Tickets as low as $56 | FedExForum, Memphis, TN | ||
| West Georgia | @ Mississippi State | TBD | Tickets as low as $10 | Humphrey Coliseum, Starkville, MS | ||
| Wright State | @ Kentucky | TBD | Tickets as low as $26 | Rupp Arena, Lexington, KY | ||
| South Florida | @ Florida | TBD | VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena, Jacksonville, FL | |||
| Missouri State | @ Butler | TBD | Tickets as low as $15 | Hinkle Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN | ||
| North Florida | @ South Carolina | TBD | Tickets as low as $24 | Colonial Life Arena, Columbia, SC | ||
| Lipscomb | @ Duquesne | TBD | UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse, Pittsburgh, PA | |||
| UT Rio Grande Valley | @ Nebraska | TBD | Tickets as low as $8 | Pinnacle Bank Arena, Lincoln, NE | ||
| Texas A&M-Corpus Christi | @ Purdue | TBD | Tickets as low as $47 | Mackey Arena, West Lafayette, IN | ||
| Cleveland State | @ Michigan | TBD | Tickets as low as $8 | Crisler Center, Ann Arbor, MI | ||
| Manhattan | @ Maryland | TBD | Tickets as low as $19 | XFINITY Center, College Park, MD | ||
| Eastern Illinois | @ Illinois | TBD | Tickets as low as $8 | State Farm Center, Champaign, IL | ||
| Robert Morris | @ West Virginia | TBD | Tickets as low as $24 | WVU Coliseum, Morgantown, WV | ||
| Florida A&M | @ TCU | TBD | Tickets as low as $55 | Ed and Rae Schollmaier Arena, Fort Worth, TX | ||
| Howard | @ Kansas | TBD | Tickets as low as $124 | Allen Fieldhouse, Lawrence, KS | ||
| Mississippi Valley State | @ Iowa State | TBD | Tickets as low as $39 | Hilton Coliseum, Ames, IA | ||
| Jackson State | @ Houston | TBD | Tickets as low as $56 | Fertitta Center, Houston, TX | ||
| Eastern Washington | @ Colorado | TBD | Tickets as low as $38 | CU Events Center, Boulder, CO | ||
| Delaware State | @ Virginia Tech | TBD | Tickets as low as $26 | Cassell Coliseum, Blacksburg, VA | ||
| Le Moyne | @ Syracuse | TBD | Tickets as low as $34 | JMA Wireless Dome, Syracuse, NY | ||
| The Citadel | @ Boston College | TBD | Tickets as low as $6 | Conte Forum, Chestnut Hill, MA | ||
| Canisius | @ Arizona | TBD | Tickets as low as $19 | McKale Center, Tucson, AZ | ||
| Rider | @ UCLA | TBD | Tickets as low as $19 | Pauley Pavilion, Los Angeles, CA | ||
| Houghton | @ Niagara | TBD | Tickets as low as $12 | Gallagher Center, Niagara Falls, NY | ||
| Coppin State | @ Wake Forest | TBD | Tickets as low as $8 | Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Winston-Salem, NC | ||
| Tarleton State | @ SMU | TBD | Tickets as low as $19 | Moody Coliseum, Dallas, TX | ||
| Elon | @ North Carolina | TBD | Tickets as low as $120 | Dean E. Smith Center, Chapel Hill, NC | ||
| Morehead State | @ Louisville | TBD | Tickets as low as $40 | KFC Yum! Center, Louisville, KY | ||
| Bellarmine | @ VCU | TBD | Tickets as low as $46 | Siegel Center, Richmond, VA | ||
| Navy | @ Saint Joseph’s | TBD | Tickets as low as $46 | Michael J. Hagan ’85 Arena, Philadelphia, PA | ||
| American University | @ La Salle | TBD | Tickets as low as $44 | John Glaser Arena, Philadelphia, PA | ||
| Charleston | @ Southern Illinois | 12:00 PM | Tickets as low as $16 | Sanford Pentagon, Sioux Falls, SD | ||
| Saint Louis | @ Santa Clara | 3:00 PM | Tickets as low as $16 | Sanford Pentagon, Sioux Falls, SD | ||
| Penn State-York | @ UMBC | 4:00 PM | Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena, Baltimore, MD | |||
| Maine | @ Duke | 4:00 PM | Tickets as low as $205 | Cameron Indoor Stadium, Durham, NC | ||
| Framingham State | @ Stonehill | 5:00 PM | Merkert Gymnasium, South Easton, MA | |||
| Marist | @ Harvard | 5:00 PM | Tickets as low as $40 | Lavietes Pavilion, Cambridge, MA | ||
| McNeese | @ South Dakota State | 6:00 PM | Tickets as low as $16 | Sanford Pentagon, Sioux Falls, SD | ||
 Frostburg State |
@ Morgan State | 7:00 PM | Hill Field House, Baltimore, MD | |||
| College Of Biblical Studies | @ Prairie View A&M | 7:00 PM | William Nicks Building, Prairie View, TX | |||
| Trinity Baptist | @ Jacksonville | 7:00 PM | Swisher Gymnasium, Jacksonville, FL | |||
| Marywood | @ Cornell | 7:00 PM | Newman Arena, Ithaca, NY | |||
| Western Michigan | @ Coastal Carolina | 7:00 PM | Tickets as low as $37 | The HTC Center, Conway, SC | ||
| Ohio | @ James Madison | 7:00 PM | Tickets as low as $40 | Atlantic Union Bank Center, Harrisonburg, VA | ||
| Vermont State – Lyndon | @ Dartmouth | 7:00 PM | Leede Arena, Hanover, NH | |||
| Brown | @ Siena | 7:00 PM | Tickets as low as $44 | MVP Arena, Albany, NY | ||
| Cal State Northridge | @ St. Bonaventure | 7:00 PM | Tickets as low as $40 | Reilly Center, Saint Bonaventure, NY | ||
| North Carolina Central | @ George Mason | 7:00 PM | Tickets as low as $47 | EagleBank Arena, Fairfax, VA | ||
| New College (FL) | @ Stetson | 7:00 PM | Edmunds Center, DeLand, FL | |||
| Lynchburg | @ Queens University | 7:00 PM | Curry Arena, Charlotte, NC | |||
| Iona | @ Princeton | 7:00 PM | Jadwin Gymnasium, Princeton, NJ | |||
| Charleston Southern | @ Clemson | 7:00 PM | Tickets as low as $8 | Littlejohn Coliseum, Clemson, SC | ||
 Maryville College (TN) |
@ Belmont | 7:30 PM | Tickets as low as $32 | Curb Event Center Arena, Nashville, TN | ||
| Louisiana Christian | @ Tulane | 7:30 PM | Tickets as low as $40 | Devlin Fieldhouse, New Orleans, LA | ||
| William Carey | @ SE Louisiana | 7:30 PM | Pride Roofing University Center, Hammond, LA | |||
| Tennessee Tech | @ Georgia | 7:30 PM | Tickets as low as $17 | Stegeman Coliseum, Athens, GA | ||
| Penn State (Wilkes-Barre) | @ Norfolk State | 8:00 PM | Joseph G. Echols Hall, Norfolk, VA | |||
 Dean College |
@ Bryant | 8:00 PM | Chace Athletic Center, Smithfield, RI | |||
| UAlbany | @ Army | 8:00 PM | Christl Arena, West Point, NY | |||
| Quinnipiac | @ Yale | 8:00 PM | John J. Lee Amphitheater, New Haven, CT | |||
| Presbyterian | @ Charlotte | 8:00 PM | Tickets as low as $40 | Halton Arena, Charlotte, NC | ||
 Dubuque |
@ Northern Iowa | 8:00 PM | Tickets as low as $36 | McLeod Center, Cedar Falls, IA | ||
| North Alabama | @ Air Force | 9:30 PM | Tickets as low as $21 | Clune Arena, Colorado Springs, CO | ||
| San Francisco State | @ UC Santa Barbara | 10:00 PM | The Thunderdome, Santa Barbara, CA | |||
| Cal State Fullerton | @ Grand Canyon | 10:00 PM | Tickets as low as $21 | Global Credit Union Arena, Phoenix, AZ | ||
 La Verne |
@ Long Beach State | 10:00 PM | Walter Pyramid, Long Beach, CA | |||
Santiago Leon is the Founder and CEO of the Sports Cast. He covers NFL, NBA, and world soccer. He’s also founder of sleon productions, which he specializes in technology and serves clients with solutions to make their business grow.