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5 reasons to watch college hoops in November

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The old adage is the NBA season doesn't really start until Christmas. The same argument can be made with college basketball, where the intensity tends not to shift into high gear until conference play begins in January.

Still, the schedule-makers didn't skimp in November. Here are five reasons to watch college hoops this month.

Champions Classic - Tuesday

For the first time in the event's nine-year history, the Champions Classic will feature the top four teams in the AP preseason rankings. No. 3 Kansas tips off against No. 4 Duke in the first game. The Jayhawks come into the season with high hopes for returnees Devon Dotson and Udoka Azubuike, while Duke partially reloads with Vernon Carey Jr. and Matthew Hurt alongside sophomore Tre Jones.

No. 2 Kentucky faces No. 1 Michigan State and Big Ten Preseason Player of the Year Cassius Winston in the nightcap. John Calipari's Wildcats squad will be led from the backcourt this year by sophomore Ashton Hagans and freshman Tyrese Maxey.

Cincinnati vs. No. 18 Ohio State - Wednesday

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This in-state battle highlights two of the top players in college basketball: Cincinnati wing Jarron Cumberland and Ohio State big man Kaleb Wesson. Cumberland is poised for a big year offensively under new coach John Brannen. The 6-foot-9, 270-pound Wesson remains the fulcrum for the Buckeyes after they went winless without him last season.

No. 16 Baylor vs. Washington - Friday

This neutral-site game will be played in Anchorage, Alaska, and features ranked Baylor against Washington's stellar recruiting class. Bears junior power forward Tristan Clark logged 2.4 blocks a game and a 30.9 PER last season, and he'll be going head to head with Huskies frontcourt freshmen Isaiah Stewart and Jaden McDaniels.

No. 14 Memphis vs. No. 15 Oregon - Nov. 12

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Penny Hardaway's elite recruiting class gets an early test as Memphis travels northwest to face Oregon at the Phil Knight Invitational in Portland.

The Tigers could regularly be starting five freshmen this season - led by center James Wiseman and forward Precious Achiuwa, pictured above. Only three other high-major squads have fielded an all-frosh lineup in the last 30 years: Michigan's famed Fab Five in 1991-92, and Kentucky's 2013-14 and 2017-18 teams.

The Ducks are led by senior guard Payton Pritchard and three top-50 recruits of their own.

Battle 4 Atlantis - Nov. 27-29

Thanksgiving week isn't just for football, food, and door-crashing retail outlets. Eight lucky teams will decamp for the Bahamas: Michigan, Iowa State, North Carolina, Alabama, Gonzaga, Southern Mississippi, Seton Hall, and Oregon.

After reaching the Elite Eight or better in three of the last five seasons, No. 8 Gonzaga will merit watching after its most recent roster turnover left French senior Killian Tillie as the main man. The tournament will also serve as a showcase for players like Carolina freshman Cole Anthony, Iowa State sophomore Tyrese Haliburton, and Seton Hall senior Myles Powell.

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