College Basketball 2026-27: Florida, Memphis Impress Early

College Basketball returned with an action-packed opening day of the 2026-27 men’s season, delivering statement victories, impressive individual performances and early signs of which teams could become serious contenders. After a turbulent offseason filled with roster changes and coaching pressure, the focus shifted back to the court as programs began their campaigns with plenty to prove.

Notre Dame got the first victory of the new season with a win over Villanova in Rome on Sunday. Monday’s schedule then brought several notable results, including preseason No. 1 Florida defeating in-state rival Miami, reigning national champion Michigan opening its campaign with a victory over Oakland, and Memphis earning a significant 80-76 win against No. 18 Iowa State.

Several mid-major programs also made strong early impressions. High Point continued to demonstrate its potential after last season’s NCAA tournament run, while Murray State and Queens University showed why they could be teams to monitor as March approaches.

ESPN analysts Jeff Borzello, Myron Medcalf and Joe Lunardi assessed the opening-day action, highlighting the performances, results and early developments that could influence the 2026-27 college basketball season.

Florida Shows Why It Deserves Its No. 1 Ranking

Florida began the 2026-27 season with a victory over Miami, offering an encouraging early indication that the Gators have the talent and depth to compete for another national championship. The preseason No. 1 team received strong performances from its leading players, with Thomas Haugh making an impressive start to his campaign.

Haugh finished with 19 points, 10 rebounds and four assists, putting together a productive all-around performance. Alex Condon contributed 11 points, seven rebounds and three assists, while Boogie Fland added 12 points, four assists and four steals. Rueben Chinyelu also played an important role on the boards, collecting 14 rebounds to help Florida control the rebounding battle.

However, ESPN’s Jeff Borzello suggested that coach Todd Golden could have been particularly pleased with the contribution from his bench. Florida ranked among the bottom 30 teams nationally in bench minutes last season, making the production of its reserve players an important development in the season opener.

Urban Klavzar, Isaiah Brown and Domen Petrovic provided useful contributions. Klavzar knocked down a couple of three-pointers, Brown finished with a plus-16 rating in 13 minutes, and Petrovic recorded six points and three rebounds in just 11 minutes.

There were still areas for improvement. Florida shot only 44% inside the arc and converted 57% of its free throws. The Gators also experienced offensive difficulties during the second half, suggesting that the team has work to do despite its opening victory.

Nevertheless, Florida received the expected production from its leading players, made important perimeter shots and managed to disrupt Miami’s offensive rhythm. Borzello’s assessment was that the victory did not change the team’s national championship credentials. The Gators remain a serious contender, although their opening performance showed that they are not yet a finished product.

Can Michigan Defend Its National Championship?

Michigan opened its title-defence campaign with a victory over Oakland, but the performance also raised questions about how the Wolverines will cope with the departure of the players who helped them win the national championship last season.

New coach Mike Boynton faces the challenge of building a competitive team with a significantly different roster. The Michigan side that won the championship was led by Yaxel Lendeborg, who recently recorded 37 points and six assists against the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday, along with two additional lottery picks.

Boynton does not have the same level of established talent available. The situation became more difficult after five-star recruit Brandon McCoy Jr. suffered a season-ending knee injury during the team’s overseas summer trip.

However, Michigan’s opening game offered a possible answer to one of its biggest questions: team balance. Roddy Gayle Jr., who received clearance to play a fifth season through the legal system, was one of four Wolverines to finish with at least 13 points.

The victory over Oakland was not dominant, and the team could require time to develop chemistry. Michigan also missed Moustapha Thiam, who averaged 12.8 points and 1.6 blocks per game at Cincinnati last season, because of illness.

ESPN’s Myron Medcalf noted that the Wolverines still have many of the shooters who helped the previous team finish among the top 35 nationally in three-point shooting. However, the new roster does not have the same leaders who guided Michigan through the most successful season in school history.

Defending the championship will be difficult, particularly with teams such as Florida, Duke and Illinois expected to compete at the highest level. Still, one opening-night performance is not enough to determine Michigan’s season. The Wolverines have time to develop their identity and establish how their new group can compete.

Penny Hardaway Gets a Crucial Victory With Memphis

Memphis coach Penny Hardaway entered the 2026-27 season under considerable pressure after the Tigers managed only 13 wins in the previous campaign. Monday’s 80-76 victory over No. 18 Iowa State therefore represented an important early result for both the program and its head coach.

The win was particularly significant because it came against a ranked opponent at a neutral venue in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Although the arena was packed with Iowa State supporters, Memphis managed to secure a result that could provide confidence heading into the rest of its schedule.

One of the biggest reasons for the victory was the performance of Northwestern transfer Jayden Reid. He finished with 26 points and delivered when Memphis needed him most during the closing stages.

With the score tied at 69-69 and 3:15 remaining, Reid took control of the game by scoring Memphis’ final 11 points. His ability to produce during the decisive stretch offered the Tigers something they struggled to find consistently last season: a reliable player capable of closing out tight contests.

For Hardaway, the result could help ease some of the pressure surrounding his position. The coach needs to demonstrate that Memphis can return to competing at a higher level after its disappointing 13-win campaign.

The victory does not settle every question about the Tigers, but it gives them a valuable start. Reid’s performance could become particularly important if he continues to provide the late-game scoring that Memphis lacked during the previous season.

Micah Shrewsberry and Notre Dame Begin With an Important Win

Notre Dame secured the first victory of the 2026-27 men’s college basketball season by defeating Villanova in Rome on Sunday. The result was significant for fourth-year Fighting Irish coach Micah Shrewsberry, who entered the campaign facing pressure after a 13-win season and three consecutive years without an NCAA tournament appearance.

At ACC media day, Shrewsberry had spoken about changing his approach to the job. He acknowledged that he had not always enjoyed the moments he expected to enjoy at Notre Dame, even while coaching his son, Braeden Shrewsberry. Heading into the new season, he said his attitude was different.

The opening victory provided an encouraging response on the court. Notre Dame displayed improved rhythm and cohesion, with four players reaching double figures. The Fighting Irish also converted 38% of their three-point attempts.

The most important part of the performance came during the closing stages. Notre Dame found itself six points behind but managed to fight back, take the lead and protect its advantage through the final two minutes.

That finish was particularly meaningful after the team lost several close games in similar situations last season. This time, Shrewsberry’s players managed to execute when the result was still in doubt.

ESPN’s Myron Medcalf highlighted the improvement in Notre Dame’s late-game execution as a key takeaway. The victory does not guarantee an NCAA tournament appearance, but it provides the Fighting Irish with an early result that could become important when their résumé is evaluated later in the season.

High Point Shows It Could Make Another NCAA Tournament Run

High Point entered the new season with expectations after an impressive 2025-26 campaign. The Panthers won 31 games last season, defeated fifth-seeded Wisconsin in the first round of the NCAA tournament and then lost to Arkansas in the second round.

Coach Flynn Clayman lost several important players during the offseason, including star guard Rob Martin. However, the program has reloaded its roster and appears to have enough depth to remain competitive in March.

High Point began its campaign with a dominant 72-57 victory over Liberty during the Field of 68 marathon. The performance suggested that the Panthers could once again be a difficult opponent, particularly because their second unit also appeared capable of competing at a high level.

Cam’Ron Fletcher, the 2026 Big South Preseason Player of the Year, recorded eight points and seven rebounds. However, several other players also made strong contributions, including South Florida transfer CJ Brown, Tulane transfer Curtis Williams Jr., freshman Trey Pearson and returning player Conrad Martinez.

The Panthers were also without Monmouth transfer Jason Rivera-Torres, a preseason All-Big South selection, making the depth of their performance even more encouraging.

According to Jeff Borzello, High Point appears to have the physical tools, depth and offensive playmaking ability to challenge stronger opponents. If the team maintains its early level, it could become a difficult matchup for a power-conference program when the NCAA tournament arrives.

Murray State Emerges as a Mid-Major Team to Watch

Murray State also made an early impression, benefiting from roster continuity and the return of sophomore guard Roman Domon. Coach Ryan Miller managed to keep the talented player out of the transfer portal during the offseason, and Domon responded with an impressive performance in a 30-point victory over Tennessee State.

Domon finished with 22 points and five rebounds, showing why his return could be important to the Racers’ ambitions. His scoring ability gives Murray State a player capable of leading the offence and making a difference against quality opposition.

However, the team’s potential is not limited to Domon. Miller has also assembled an interesting backcourt featuring France native Talis Soulhac and Auburn transfer Kaden Magwood.

Soulhac contributes on both ends of the floor, while Magwood offers additional scoring ability. Murray State has also added international players Pavle Nikolic and Mark Padjen, who could become increasingly important as they adjust to the demands of NCAA basketball.

The team’s combination of returning talent, transfers and international additions gives it several options. If the new players become comfortable within the system, Murray State could become a more dangerous opponent as the season progresses.

Queens University Shows Its Offensive Potential

Queens University is another mid-major program worth monitoring after a strong opening-day performance. Coach Grant Leonard has benefited from an unusual level of continuity for a team that reached the NCAA tournament, with three double-figure scorers returning to the roster.

Nasir Mann, Avantae Parker and Jordan Watford are among the returning players expected to play important roles. Watford delivered one of the standout performances in the team’s 103-98 victory over Winthrop, finishing with 26 points, seven rebounds and eight assists.

The Royals’ style of play makes them particularly entertaining. They prefer to push the pace, attack opponents and take three-point shots at a high rate. That approach can create scoring opportunities while putting pressure on opposing defences.

Watford could become one of the leading players in mid-major basketball this season. The 6-foot-5 point guard has the size and ability to attack the basket, making him difficult to contain when he drives downhill.

His previous performances also offer reasons for optimism. Watford recorded 19 points and six assists in the 2026 Atlantic Sun championship game, and his opening-night display suggests he could take another step forward during the new campaign.

With several key scorers returning and a fast-paced offensive approach, Queens has the ingredients to remain competitive. Its performance against Winthrop could be an early indication of what the team is capable of achieving.

Notre Dame and Memphis Make Early Moves in NCAA Tournament Projections

Although the 2026-27 season has only just begun, the opening results have already influenced early discussions about the NCAA tournament picture. ESPN bracket analyst Joe Lunardi highlighted Notre Dame’s victory over Villanova as one of the most significant results of the opening stretch.

Notre Dame entered the season ranked 16th in the ACC preseason poll and was not widely viewed as a serious contender for an NCAA tournament bid. The Fighting Irish were also considered underdogs against Villanova, which had been picked third in the Big East.

By securing the victory, Notre Dame recorded an early Quadrant 1 win that could become a valuable part of its tournament résumé. The result gives the team an opportunity to enter the selection conversation, although it will need to produce more quality performances throughout the season.

The result also has implications for Villanova. A loss in an early high-profile game could affect its position in future bracket projections, making its performances in the coming weeks important.

Lunardi also highlighted Memphis’ victory over No. 18 Iowa State as another major opening result. The Tigers earned an unexpected Quadrant 1 win, giving them an early boost as they attempt to return to the NCAA tournament conversation.

Memphis still faces a demanding schedule, with games against VCU, Vanderbilt and Louisville before November reaches its halfway point. However, the win over Iowa State has helped the Tigers avoid a potentially damaging 0-4 start and given Hardaway’s team an opportunity to build momentum.

What Men’s College Basketball’s Opening Day Told Us

The first major slate of the 2026-27 men’s college basketball season delivered several early storylines. Florida demonstrated why it remains a leading national championship contender, while Michigan showed that its title defence will depend on developing a new identity after significant roster changes.

Memphis and Notre Dame earned important victories for coaches facing pressure, with Jayden Reid and the Fighting Irish’s late-game execution standing out. High Point, Murray State and Queens University also provided reasons to believe that the mid-major landscape could produce several competitive teams during the season.

It is still too early to draw firm conclusions from a single game. Teams need time to build chemistry, integrate transfers and establish consistent performances. However, the opening results have already offered useful clues about potential contenders, emerging players and programs that could become part of the NCAA tournament discussion.

As the schedule continues, the focus will shift towards whether these early performances can be sustained. For now, men’s college basketball has returned with plenty of action and several teams have given fans reasons to keep watching.