College basketball feels like it’s forever away, but I promise it’ll be here soon enough. When it does return, you’ll need to know everything you can about the early season college basketball tournaments that will be plentiful in November and December.
There are tons of early season college basketball tournaments and events across the country, but you only have so much time. So we narrowed it down to a handful to make your viewing schedule a bit easier this year.
This article was originally published Aug. 18, 2021. We’re bringing it back to the forefront to keep you up-to-date on the early-season tournaments on the horizon.
Best Early Season College Basketball Tournaments
Some of these tournaments include on-campus games that are played in conjunction with the event but don’t affect the tournaments themselves. Those contests will not be included in this early season college basketball tournaments watch guide.
Information for all early season college basketball tournaments have not been released, including game times and broadcast details. For those that are missing information, they will be updated as they come in.
All times Eastern.
Shriners Children’s Charleston Classic
When: Thu.-Fri. and Sun., Nov. 18-19 and 21
Where: Charleston, South Carolina (TD Arena)
Who: Boise State, Clemson, Elon, Marquette, Ole Miss, St. Bonaventure, Temple, West Virginia
Schedule
Thu., Nov. 18 (Quarterfinals)
G1: St. Bonaventure vs Boise State – 2 p.m. (ESPN2)
G2: Clemson vs. Temple – 4:30 p.m. (ESPN2)
G3: Marquette vs. Ole Miss – 7 p.m. (ESPN2/U)
G4: Elon vs. West Virginia – 9:30 p.m. (ESPN2/U)
Fri., Nov. 19 (Semifinals/Consolation Semifinals)
G5: G1 Loser vs. G2 Loser – 12 p.m. (ESPN2/U)
G6: G1 Winner vs. G2 Winner – 2:30 p.m. (ESPN2/U)
G7: G3 Winner vs. G4 Winner – 7 p.m. (ESPN2)
G8: G3 Loser vs. G4 Loser – 9:30 p.m. (ESPN3)
Sun., Nov. 21 (Finals)
G9: G5 Loser vs. G8 Loser (7th/8th Place) – 10:30 a.m. (ESPNU)
G10: G5 Winner vs. G8 Winner (5th/6th Place) – 1 p.m. (ESPN2)
G11: G6 Loser vs. G7 Loser (3rd/4th Place) – 5 p.m. (ESPN2)
G12: G6 Winner vs. G7 Winner (Championship) – 7:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Myrtle Beach Invitational
When: Thu.-Fri. and Sun., Nov. 18-19 and 21
Where: Myrtle Beach, South Carolina (HTC Center)
Who: Davidson, East Carolina, Indiana State, New Mexico State, Oklahoma, Old Dominion, Penn, Utah State
Schedule
Thu., Nov. 18 (Quarterfinals)
G1: Davidson vs. New Mexico State – 12 p.m. (ESPNU)
G2: Penn vs. Utah State – 2:30 p.m. (ESPNU)
G3: Oklahoma vs. East Carolina – 7 p.m. (ESPN2/U)
G4: Indiana State vs. Old Dominion – 9:30 p.m. (ESPN2/U)
Fri., Nov. 19 (Semifinals/Consolation Semifinals)
G5: G1 Winner vs. G2 Winner – 12 p.m. (ESPN2/U)
G6: G1 Loser vs. G2 Loser – 2:30 p.m. (ESPN2/U)
G7: G3 Winner vs. G4 Winner – 5 p.m. (ESPNU)
G8: G3 Loser vs. G4 Loser – 7:30 p.m. (ESPN2)
Sun., Nov. 21 (Finals)
G9: G6 Loser vs. G8 Loser (7th/8th Place) – 12:30 p.m. (ESPN News)
G10: G5 Winner vs. G7 Winner (Championship) – 3 p.m. (ESPN2)
G11: G6 Winner vs. G8 Winner (5th/6th Place) – 6 or 8:30 p.m. (ESPN2/U)
G12: G5 Loser vs. G7 Loser (3rd/4th Place) – 6 or 8:30 p.m. (ESPN2/U)
Roman Main Event
When: Fri. and Sun., Nov. 19 and 21
Where: Las Vegas, Nevada (T-Mobile Arena)
Who: Arizona, Michigan, UNLV, Wichita State
Schedule
Fri., Nov. 19 (Semifinals)
G1: Arizona vs. Wichita State – 10 p.m. (ESPNU)
G2: Michigan vs. UNLV – 12:30 a.m., Nov. 20 (ESPN2)
Sun., Nov. 21 (Finals)
G3: G1 Winner vs. G2 Winner (Championship) – 9:30 p.m. (ESPN)
G4: G1 Loser vs. G2 Loser (Consolation) – 12 a.m., Nov. 22 (ESPN2)
Hall of Fame Tip-Off
When: Sat.-Sun., Nov. 20-21
Where: Uncasville, Connecticut (Mohegan Sun Arena)
Who: North Carolina, Purdue, Tennessee, Villanova
Schedule
Semifinals (Sat., Nov. 20)
G1: Villanova vs. Tennessee – TBD
G2: Purdue vs. North Carolina – TBD
Finals (Sun., Nov. 21)
G3: G1 Winner vs. G2 Winner (Championship) – TBD
G4: G1 Loser vs. G2 Loser (Consolation) – TBD
Maui Invitational
When: Mon.-Wed., Nov. 22-24
Where: Lahaina, Hawaii (Lahaina Civic Center)
Who: Butler, Chaminade, Houston, Notre Dame, Oregon, St. Mary’s, Texas A&M, Wisconsin
Schedule
Mon., Nov. 22 (Quarterfinals)
G1: Texas A&M vs. Wisconsin – 2 p.m. (ESPN2)
G2: Butler vs. Houston – 4:30 p.m. (ESPN2)
G3: Oregon vs. Chaminade – 9 p.m. (ESPNU)
G4: St. Mary’s vs. Notre Dame – 11:30 p.m. (ESPN2)
Tue., Nov. 23 (Semifinals/Consolation Semifinals)
G5: G1 Loser vs. G2 Loser – 2:30 p.m. (ESPN)
G6: G1 Winner vs. G2 Winner – 5 p.m. (ESPN)
G7: G3 Winner vs. G4 Winner – 8 p.m. (ESPN)
G8: G3 Loser vs. G4 Loser – 10:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Wed., Nov. 24 (Finals)
G9: G6 Loser vs. G7 Loser (3rd/4th Place) – 2:30 p.m. (ESPN2)
G10: G6 Winner vs. G7 Winner (Championship) – 5 p.m. (ESPN)
G11: G5 Loser vs. G8 Loser (7th/8th Place) – 9 p.m. (ESPNU)
G12: G5 Winner vs. G8 Winner (5th/6th Place) – 11:30 p.m. (ESPN2)
Fort Myers Tip-Off
When: Mon.-Wed., Nov. 22-24
Where: Fort Myers, Florida (Suncoast Credit Union Arena)
Who: Beach Division: California, Florida, Ohio State, Seton Hall | Palms Division: Bowling Green, Milwaukee, Southern Utah, Yale
Schedule
Mon., Nov. 22 (Beach Division Semifinals)
G1: California vs. Florida – TBD (FS1)
G2: Ohio State vs. Seton Hall – TBD (FS1)
Tue., Nov. 23 (Palms Division Semifinals)
G3: Bowling Green vs. Milwaukee – TBD
G4: Southern Utah vs. Yale – TBD
Wed., Nov. 24 (Beach & Palms Divisions Finals)
G5: G1 Winner vs. G2 Winner (Championship) – TBD (FS1)
G6: G1 Loser vs. G2 Loser (Consolation) – TBD (FS1)
G7: G3 Winner vs. G4 Winner (Championship) – TBD
G8: G3 Loser vs. G4 Loser (Consolation) – TBD
Legends Classic
When: Mon.-Tue., Nov. 22-23
Where: Newark, New Jersey (Prudential Center)
Who: Georgia, Northwestern, Providence, Virginia
Schedule
Mon., Nov. 22 (Semifinals)
G1: Virginia vs. Georgia – TBD
G2: Providence vs. Northwestern – TBD
Tue., Nov. 23 (Finals)
G3: G1 Winner vs. G2 Winner (Championship) – TBD
G4: G1 Loser vs. G2 Loser (Consolation) – TBD
Hall of Fame Classic
When: Mon.-Tue., Nov. 22-23
Where: Kansas City, Missouri (T-Mobile Center)
Who: Arkansas, Cincinnati, Illinois, Kansas State
Schedule
Mon., Nov. 22 (Semifinals)
G1: Cincinnati vs. Illinois – 6:30 p.m. (ESPNU)
G2: Arkansas vs. Kansas State – 9 p.m. (ESPN2)
Tue., Nov. 23 (Finals)
G3: G1 Loser vs. G2 Loser (Consolation) – 7 p.m. (ESPN News)
G4: G1 Winner vs. G2 Winner (Championship) – 9:30 p.m. (ESPN2)
Battle 4 Atlantis
When: Wed.-Fri., Nov. 24-26
Where: Paradise Island, The Bahamas (Imperial Arena)
Who: Arizona State, Auburn, Baylor, Connecticut, Loyola Chicago, Michigan State, Syracuse, VCU
Schedule
Wed., Nov. 24 (Quarterfinals)
G1: Michigan State vs. Loyola Chicago – 12 p.m. (ESPN)
G2: Auburn vs. Connecticut – 2:30 p.m. (ESPN)
G3: Syracuse vs. VCU – 5 p.m. (ESPN2)
G4: Baylor vs. Arizona State – 7:30 p.m. (ESPN2)
Thu., Nov. 25 (Semifinals/Consolation Semifinals)
G5: G1 Winner vs. G2 Winner – 12 p.m. (ESPN)
G6: G3 Winner vs. G4 Winner – 2:30 p.m. (ESPN/2)
G7: G1 Loser vs. G2 Loser – 5 p.m. (ESPN/2)
G8: G3 Loser vs. G4 Loser – 7:30 p.m. (ESPN2/U)
Fri., Nov. 26 (Finals)
G9: G5 Winner vs. G6 Winner (Championship) – 11 a.m. (ESPN)
G10: G5 Loser vs. G6 Loser (3rd/4th Place) – 1:30 p.m. (ESPN/2)
G11: G7 Winner vs. G8 Winner (5th/6th Place) – 4:30 p.m. (ESPN2/U)
G12: G7 Loser vs. G8 Loser (7th/8th Place) – 7 p.m. (ESPN2/U)
NIT Season Tip-Off
When: Wed. and Fri., Nov. 24 and 26
Where: Brooklyn, New York (Barclays Center)
Who: Iowa State, Memphis, Virginia Tech, Xavier
Schedule
Wed., Nov. 24 (Semifinals)
G1: Xavier vs. Iowa State – 7 p.m. (ESPNU)
G2: Memphis vs. Virginia Tech – 9:30 p.m. (ESPN2)
Fri., Nov. 26 (Finals)
G3: G1 Loser vs G2 Loser (Consolation) – 7 p.m. (ESPN2/U/News)
G4: G1 Winner vs. G2 Winner (Championship) – 9:30 p.m. (ESPN2)
ESPN Events Invitational
When: Thu.-Fri. and Sun., Nov. 25-26 and 28
Where: Lake Buena Vista, Florida (HP Field House at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex)
Who: Alabama, Belmont, Dayton, Drake, Iona, Kansas, Miami (FL), North Texas
Schedule
Thu., Nov. 25 (Quarterfinals)
G1: Dayton vs. Miami (FL) – 12 p.m. (ESPN/2)
G2: North Texas vs. Kansas – 2:30 p.m. (ESPN/2)
G3: Alabama vs. Iona – 5 p.m. (ESPN/2)
G4: Belmont vs. Drake – 7:30 p.m. (ESPN2/U)
Fri., Nov. 26 (Semifinals/Consolation Semifinals)
G5: G1 Loser vs. G2 Loser – 11 a.m. (ESPN2)
G6: G1 Winner vs. G2 Winner – 1:30 p.m. (ESPN/2)
G7: G3 Loser vs. G4 Loser – 4:30 p.m. (ESPN2/U)
G8: G3 Winner vs. G4 Winner – 7 p.m. (ESPN2/U)
Sun., Nov. 28 (Finals)
G9: G5 Loser vs. G7 Loser (7th/8th Place) – TBD
G10: G5 Winner vs. G7 Winner (5th/6th Place) – TBD
G11: G6 Loser vs. G8 Loser (3rd/4th Place) – TBD
G12: G6 Winner vs. G8 Winner (Championship) – TBD
Wooden Legacy
When: Thu.-Fri., Nov. 25-26
Where: Anaheim, California (Anaheim Arena at Anaheim Convention Center)
Who: Georgetown, St. Joseph’s, San Diego State, USC
Schedule
Thu., Nov. 25 (Semifinals)
G1: USC vs. St. Joseph’s – TBD
G2: Georgetown vs. San Diego State – TBD
Fri. Nov. 26 (Finals)
G3: G1 Loser vs. G2 Loser (Consolation) – 9 p.m. (ESPNU)
G4: G1 Winner vs. G2 Winner (Championship) – 11:30 p.m. (ESPN2)
Bahamas Championship
When: Thu. and Sat., Nov. 25 and 27
Where: Nassau, The Bahamas (Baha Mar Convention Center)
Who: Louisville, Maryland, Mississippi State, Richmond
Schedule
Thu., Nov. 25 (Semifinals)
G1: Louisville vs. Mississippi State – TBD
G2: Maryland vs. Richmond – TBD
Sat., Nov. 27 (Finals)
G3: G1 Loser vs. G2 Loser (Consolation) – TBD
G4: G1 Winner vs. G2 Winner (Championship) – TBD
Emerald Coast Classic
When: Fri.-Sat., Nov. 26-27
Where: Niceville, Florida (Raider Arena)
Who: LSU, Oregon State, Penn State, Wake Forest
Schedule
Fri., Nov 26 (Semifinals)
G1: Penn State vs. LSU – 7 p.m. (TBD)
G2: Wake Forest vs. Oregon State – 9:30 p.m. (TBD)
Sat., Nov. 27 (Finals)
G3: G1 Loser vs. G2 Loser (Consolation) – 4 p.m. (TBD)
G4: G1 Winner vs. G2 Winner (Championship) – 7 p.m. (TBD)
Diamond Head Classic
When: Wed.-Thu. and Sat., Dec 22-23 and 25
Where: Honolulu, Hawaii (SimpliFi Arena at Stan Sheriff Center)
Who: BYU, Hawaii, Liberty, Northern Iowa, South Florida, Stanford, Vanderbilt, Wyoming
Schedule
Wed., Dec. 22 (Quarterfinals)
G1: Liberty vs. Northern Iowa – 3 p.m. (ESPNU)
G2: Wyoming vs. Stanford – 5:30 p.m. (ESPNU)
G3: BYU vs. South Florida – TBD (ESPN2/U)
G4: Vanderbilt vs. Hawaii – TBD (ESPN2/U)
Thu., Dec. 23 (Semifinals/Consolation Semifinals)
G5: G1 Winner vs. G2 Winner – 4 p.m. (ESPN2)
G6: G1 Loser vs. G2 Loser – 6:30 p.m. (ESPNU)
G7: G3 Winner vs. G4 Winner – 10 p.m. or 12:30 a.m., Dec. 24 (ESPN2)
G8: G3 Loser vs. G4 Loser – 10 p.m. or 12:30 a.m., Dec. 24 (ESPN2)
Sat., Dec. 25 (Finals)
G9: G6 Loser vs. G8 Loser (7th/8th Place) – 1 p.m. or 3:30 p.m. (ESPNU)
G10: G6 Winner vs. G8 Winner (5th/6th Place) – 1 p.m. or 3:30 p.m. (ESPNU)
G11: G5 Loser vs. G7 Loser (3rd/4th Place) – 6:30 p.m. (ESPN2)
G12: G5 Winner vs. G7 Winner (Championship) – 9 p.m. (ESPN2)
