Jeff Goodman, ESPN Insider 7y

The can't-miss, must-see games of this college hoops season

Circle these, put them in your phone, check the flights. Whatever the case, just make sure you are watching these dozen games this season -- because they will be the 15 Can’t-Miss Games of the 2016-17 college hoops campaign.

We’ve even ranked them, with the heavyweight bout coming just a few days after the season begins.

1. Duke vs. Kansas, Nov. 15 (Champions Classic in New York): This could be a preview of the national championship game -- and we’ll get it just a few days into the season. The Blue Devils won’t be the same team, given their youth and the probable absence of talented yet injury-plagued freshman Harry Giles, who is recovering from knee surgery. Kansas has more experience, and thus will be the favorite to win this one.

Prediction: Kansas

2. Kentucky at Louisville, Dec. 21: This is now the best rivalry in college hoops, largely due to the fact that there seems to be more pure hatred between the programs -- and the coaches aren’t exactly buddies. John Calipari brought in another stellar freshman class, but don’t sleep on Rick Pitino’s Cards. They are deep, balanced -- and talented enough to pull off the win at the Yum! Center.

Prediction: Louisville

3. Kansas at Kentucky, Jan. 28: The Big 12/SEC matchup comes in the heart of league play, but it will take center stage. Kansas and its veteran backcourt, along with talented and tough freshman wing Josh Jackson, go to Rupp and try to knock off a Kentucky team that won’t be nearly as young by late January.

Prediction: Kentucky

4. North Carolina at Duke, Feb. 9: Cameron Indoor Stadium and Allen Fieldhouse are the two best places to watch a college hoops game, but there’s nothing that compares to UNC-Duke in Cameron. The Tar Heels may not be as loaded as a season ago, but they still have a chance.

Prediction: Duke

5. Xavier at Villanova, Jan. 10: These are the two top teams in the Big East, and one is trying to repeat as national champ. Love the point-guard matchup between Xavier’s Edmond Sumner and Nova’s Jalen Brunson, and there’s also the potential Trevon Bluiett-Josh Hart battle. The atmosphere should be phenomenal for this one.

Prediction: Nova

6. Michigan State at Duke, Nov. 29: Man, I love the ACC-Big Ten Challenge for games like this one. Arguably the top two coaches in the game -- Mike Krzyzewski and Tom Izzo -- go up against one another at Cameron Indoor Stadium. The Spartans may be overmatched, but it will be a fun one to watch.

Prediction: Duke

7. North Carolina vs. Kentucky, Dec. 17 (Las Vegas): The Tar Heels and Cats. Big-time college hoops in Sin City. I wonder where Roy Williams will be gambling. Williams and UNC have more experience, but this one could easily go either way.

Prediction: UNC

8. Kansas vs. Indiana, Nov. 11 (Armed Forces Classic in Honolulu): Both matchups in Hawaii will be must-watch games, but this is the heavyweight bout. The Jayhawks are national title contenders, and Indiana could be in the mix -- especially if the Hoosiers are able to take care of the ball and find a competent point guard.

Prediction: Kansas

9. Michigan State vs. Kentucky, Nov. 15 (Champions Classic in New York): This is the undercard this year at the Champions Classic, only because the Spartans have plenty of question marks. Calipari’s team is loaded with talented frosh again, but Tom Izzo has a few of his own.

Prediction: Kentucky

10. Michigan State vs. Arizona, Nov. 11 (Armed Forces Classic in Honolulu): The Armed Forces Classic opens the season with a bang. Tom Izzo vs. Sean Miller. We’ll get an early look at talented Spartans combo forward Miles Bridges as well as Arizona’s under-the-radar, 7-foot, Finnish frosh Lauri Markkanen.

Prediction: Arizona

11. Louisville vs. Indiana, Dec. 31 (Indianapolis): I wonder if my wife wants to spend New Year’s Eve in Indy this year? This is an awesome nonconference contest. Two teams fairly close in proximity -- and programs with no shortage of tradition.

Prediction: Louisville

12. Duke at Syracuse, Feb. 22: Coach K vs. Jim Boeheim at The Carrier Dome. We may not get many more of these matchups, and the Orange -- on their home floor -- will have a chance to knock off the Blue Devils. It will be interesting to see if Cuse 7-foot-2 big man Paschal Chukwu can neutralize the Duke front line.

Prediction: Duke

13. UConn vs. Syracuse, Dec. 5 (in New York): The two former Big East powers will renew acquaintances at Madison Square Garden, and both have a chance to be really good this season in their new leagues. I love UConn’s point-guard duo of Jalen Adams and Alterique Gilbert.

Prediction: UConn

14. Virginia at Villanova, Jan. 29: The Cavaliers have been the ACC’s best team over the past couple of years and Tony Bennett is considered one of the best coaches in the game. Jay Wright is coming off a national title and has three starters back. I hope these two programs keep this series going.

Prediction: Villanova

15. Washington at Gonzaga, Dec. 7: Trust me, you’ll want to watch this one -- for a couple of reasons. Mainly to see potential No. 1 overall pick Markelle Fultz, the do-it-all point guard at U-Dub. The other storyline is former Washington point guard Nigel Williams-Goss, who will likely start for the Zags in this one after sitting out last season.

Prediction: Gonzaga

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