College basketball picks, schedule: Predictions for Arizona vs. UCLA, more Top 25 games on opening day
CBS Sports • • sports
Key Points:
- The 2026-27 college basketball season officially begins amid unresolved eligibility court cases, with 20 preseason AP Top 25 teams playing on opening day, including two ranked-on-ranked matchups.
- No. 1 Florida faces No. 14 Miami in Tampa, with Florida aiming for its second title in three years but expecting a tough challenge from Miami’s strong frontcourt and standout transfer Acaden Lewis.
- No. 5 Arizona, missing key forward RJ Godfrey, plays No. 22 UCLA in Las Vegas, featuring top freshmen Caleb Holt for Arizona and Nikola Kusturica for UCLA, with UCLA favored due to a more complete roster.
- Other notable games include No. 15 Gonzaga vs. Purdue in Las Vegas, where Gonzaga’s dominant big men are expected to challenge Purdue’s defense, and Memphis vs. No. 18 Iowa State in Sioux Falls, with Memphis looking to overcome the absence of star Nemanja Popovic.
- The season opener promises exciting storylines and competitive matchups, setting the tone for what is anticipated to be a compelling college basketball season.
