The 2025-26 college basketball season kicks into high gear tonight with a trio of high-octane matchups – the No. 9 Kentucky Wildcats (2-0) at the No. 12 Louisville Cardinals (2-0), the No. 11 Texas Tech Red Raiders (2-0) at the No. 14 Illinois Fighting Illini (2-0) and the No. 23 Creighton Bluejays (1-0) at the No. 19 Gonzaga Bulldogs (2-0).
No. 9 Kentucky at No. 12 Louisville, 8 pm, ESPN
The annual Battle of the Bluegrass takes centerstage at the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville in a top 15 clash with Kentucky 6-1 in the last seven games of the series.
The Cardinals boast a veteran-heavy lineup featured by three players that have scored over 1,000 Division I points – Ryan Conwell (1,384), Isaac McKneely (1,114) and J’Vonne Hadley (1,042).
Freshman guard Mikel Brown Jr., earned plenty of preseason accolades – Atlantic Coast Conference Preseason First Team, Bob Cousy Point Guard and Oscar Robertson Trophy Preseason Player of the Year Award Preseason watch lists.
Otega Oweh returns as Kentucky’s leading returning scorer at 16.2 points per game as the senior notched 15 in a 107-59 rout over Valparaiso on Nov. 7.
No. 11 Texas Tech at No. 14 Illinois, 8:30 pm, FS1
The Red Raiders and the Fighting Illini clash in a top 15 matchup in Champaign, IL tonight. The Illini look to ride the hot hand of Kylan Boswell, who scored 31 in a 113-70 win over the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles on Nov. 7.
Junior JT Toppin looks to electrify once more for Texas Tech after a 31-point, 14-rebound and four-assist outing in a 98-77 win over Sam Houston State on Nov. 7.
No. 23 Creighton at No. 19 Gonzaga, 10 pm, ESPN
Big East and West Coast Conference titans meet in Spokane, WA, in a late-night meeting.
Creighton appears to have found a replacement for Ryan Kalkbrenner in center Owen Freeman, who transferred from Iowa. Freeman made an immediate impact with 19 points, on 9-of-11 shooting in a 92-76 win over South Dakota on Nov. 7.
Senior forward Graham Ike powered Gonzaga to an 83-68 win over Oklahoma on Nov. 8 with 19 points and 11 rebounds and looks to help keep Creighton from attacking in the paint with ease.
More college basketball news:
- Rick Pitino reacts to St. John’s opening win
- Ohio State loses point guard commitment
- AJ Dybansta makes debut for BYU
- Jalen Rose on TNT college basketball coverage