Last updated: November 1, 2026
College basketball opening night 2026 arrives on Monday, Nov. 2, and it starts with a bang. No. 1 Florida takes on No. 14 Miami in Tampa, while UConn’s men’s and women’s teams share a Peacock doubleheader. Here’s what to watch and where to make your predictions.
Quick summary
- Date: Monday, Nov. 2, 2026, is the first full night of the men’s and women’s seasons.
- Headliner: No. 1 Florida vs. No. 14 Miami at the ORION180 Tip-Off Classic in Tampa, 6 p.m. ET on ESPN2.
- Doubleheader: UConn women vs. Cornell and UConn men vs. Gardner-Webb, starting at 5 p.m. ET on Peacock.
- Also playing: Duke, Houston, Illinois, Texas and South Carolina’s women.
The 2026-27 AP Preseason Top 10
The Associated Press preseason poll, released Oct. 19, set the stage for opening night. Florida starts at No. 1, and reigning national champion Michigan opens at No. 16.
| Rank | Team |
|---|---|
| 1 | Florida |
| 2 | Duke |
| 3 | Illinois |
| 4 | UConn |
| 5 | Arizona |
| 6 | Michigan State |
| 7 | Texas |
| 8 | Tennessee |
| 9 | Virginia |
| 10 | Houston |
Source: ESPN / AP Top 25.
No. 1 Florida vs. No. 14 Miami in Tampa
Florida’s opener isn’t a home game. The Gators face No. 14 Miami at 6 p.m. ET on ESPN2 at Benchmark International Arena in downtown Tampa, the first game of the ORION180 Tip-Off Classic doubleheader. Florida State plays Florida A&M in the second game at 8:30 p.m. ET on ESPNU.
The Gators open the year as the top team in the country, led by guard Boogie Fland and frontcourt pieces Thomas Haugh and Alex Condon. Miami is a ranked opponent on night one, which makes this one of the strongest openers any No. 1 team has had in years. Follow both programs on RallyFuel’s Florida men’s basketball page and Miami men’s basketball page. For tickets and the full event preview, see our ORION180 Tip-Off Classic guide.
UConn’s Peacock Doubleheader
UConn is starting both seasons on the same night. According to NBC Sports, the No. 2 UConn women and No. 4 UConn men play back-to-back on Monday, starting at 5 p.m. ET on Peacock. The women face Cornell and the men face Gardner-Webb. It’s a rare chance to see two national contenders in one sitting. See the Huskies on RallyFuel’s UConn page.
Other Opening Night Games to Watch
- Duke vs. Army: the preseason No. 2 Blue Devils start at home. Follow Duke.
- Houston vs. La Salle: the No. 10 Cougars bring their usual defensive identity into a new season. Follow Houston.
- Illinois vs. Fairleigh Dickinson: the Illini open as the highest-ranked Big Ten team at No. 3.
- Texas vs. Chicago State: the No. 7 Longhorns begin a season with top-10 expectations.
- South Carolina vs. Maryland (women): one of the best women’s matchups of the first week.
- Florida State vs. Merrimack (women): the Seminoles open at home.
Already Underway: Notre Dame vs. Villanova in Rome
Technically, the season gets a head start on Sunday, Nov. 1, when Notre Dame and Villanova meet in Rome. We previewed it in our Notre Dame vs. Villanova prediction. Monday is still the night most of the country tips off.
College Basketball Opening Night Storylines
Florida carries the target as the preseason No. 1, and every early result will be measured against that ranking. Duke and Illinois both have a case to take the top spot if the Gators stumble in November. UConn’s two-program doubleheader is a reminder of how strong the school is on both sides, with each team ranked in the top four of its preseason poll.
Michigan is the most interesting defending champion in years. Starting at No. 16 suggests voters expect a rebuild, which means early wins could move the Wolverines quickly. Further down the poll, plenty of teams will use the first two weeks to settle rotations before the big holiday tournaments later in November.
How to Follow Opening Night
With dozens of games on one night, the easiest approach is to choose a few anchors. Start with the UConn doubleheader at 5 p.m. ET, switch to Florida vs. Miami from Tampa at 6 p.m. ET, and check in on Duke, Houston and Illinois as they play. Early-season games against smaller programs can still teach you a lot: watch rotations, how freshmen are used, and which transfers step into big roles right away.
The women’s side deserves attention too. UConn opens as the No. 2 team in the women’s preseason poll, and South Carolina vs. Maryland is a high-level game for the first week of the season.
Make Your Opening Night Predictions
Choose a side in each game and see how the RallyFuel community votes. Make your prediction on RallyFuel:
- Florida vs. Miami
- UConn vs. Gardner-Webb
- Duke vs. Army
- Houston vs. La Salle
- Illinois vs. Fairleigh Dickinson
- Texas vs. Chicago State
- UConn vs. Cornell (women)
- South Carolina vs. Maryland (women)
Frequently Asked Questions
When is college basketball opening night 2026?
Monday, Nov. 2, 2026, is the first full night of the men’s and women’s college basketball seasons.
Who is No. 1 in the AP preseason poll?
Florida is No. 1 in the 2026-27 AP preseason men’s poll, followed by Duke, Illinois, UConn and Arizona.
How can I watch the UConn doubleheader?
Both UConn games stream on Peacock on Monday, Nov. 2, starting at 5 p.m. ET.
Where is reigning champion Michigan ranked?
Michigan opens the season at No. 16 in the AP preseason poll.
Follow College Athletes on RallyFuel
Need the full calendar? Read when college basketball starts in 2026-27, then explore athlete profiles and school pages for Florida, Duke and UConn.
👉 Make your predictions with RallyFuel Predictions all season long.
