It’s that time of year again – the highly anticipated Feast Week of men’s college basketball is upon us, serving up a smorgasbord of tantalizing matchups that could have major implications come March Madness. As powerhouse programs and ambitious upstarts converge in early-season tournaments from Maui to the Bahamas, fans are in for a treat of high-stakes hoops action. Let’s dive into the most mouthwatering games on the 2024 Feast Week menu.
Maui Invitational: Tropical Tests for Top Teams
The Maui Invitational never fails to deliver, and this year’s field is stacked with contenders. Defending champ UConn faces a tough road, potentially having to go through Memphis, North Carolina, or Auburn to claim another title. The Tigers already stunned the Huskies in an overtime thriller – will they play spoiler again?
There was unbelievable shot-making from Memphis’ guards. UConn’s first loss since February of last season.
– ESPN’s Jeff Borzello on the Memphis upset
Meanwhile, Auburn vs Iowa State has the feel of a championship game matchup. Both boast elite defenses, so points will be at a premium. Can the Cyclones, masters of forcing turnovers, fluster the Tigers? Or will Auburn’s interior prowess prove too much? No matter who survives the gauntlet, the Maui champ will have earned a major résumé boost.
Players Era Festival: A New Stage
The inaugural Players Era Festival in Las Vegas is making waves with its unique format and $1 million in NIL payouts to each team. Headlined by Houston, Alabama, and Rutgers, this event could set a new standard for holiday tournaments if it goes smoothly.
The clash between Houston’s perennially stifling defense and Alabama’s explosive offense (11 games of 100+ points since last year!) will be must-see TV. Both project as No. 1 seed candidates – an early head-to-head win would loom large on Selection Sunday.
Blue Blood Battles in Sin City
Top-ranked Kansas takes on No. 12 Duke in the Vegas Showdown, featuring presumptive 2025 top NBA draft pick Cooper Flagg. The freshman phenom faces a stiff test against veteran Jayhawk big man Hunter Dickinson in arguably Feast Week’s premier matchup. A win here could propel either blueblood to a top tourney seed down the line.
Atlantis Awaits Gonzaga and Co.
If things go chalk, a juicy final between No. 3 Gonzaga and No. 16 Indiana looms at the Battle 4 Atlantis. The Zags’ top-ranked offense, led by Player of the Year favorite Drew Timme, would be a handful even for the Hoosiers’ stout defense. Not to mention electric Arizona as a potential spoiler. With multiple Top 25 teams in the mix, whoever cuts down the nets in the Bahamas will have a shiny new star on their resume.
Mid-Majors Crash the Party
While the big boys tend to dominate the headlines, Feast Week also gives dangerous mid-majors a chance to play Cinderella. Keep an eye on teams like UC Irvine and Towson, league favorites out for a statement win.
North Florida already has a pair of road wins over power-conference competition in South Carolina and Georgia Tech, before getting another chance here.
– ESPN’s Jeff Borzello on mid-major spoilers
From established powers to ambitious upstarts, the 2024 Feast Week slate offers something for every college hoops fan. With bracket-busting upsets and thrilling clashes of styles on the table, these holiday tourneys provide an early litmus test for March dreams. So dig in and savor the action – Feast Week only comes but once a year!
