College basketball’s exhibition season takes center stage today, highlighted by a Top 10 clash between Rick Pitino’s No. 5 St. John’s Red Storm and No. 7 Michigan. The NCAA’s new rule now permits Division I teams to play exhibition games against four-year institutions, reshaping the preseason format.
Instead of traditional tune-ups against small programs, fans nationwide will see top-tier matchups that preview the 2025-26 campaign. With major programs in action across the country, this new approach offers an early glimpse at how elite teams measure up before the regular season begins.
College Basketball Exhibition Games Today: St. John’s vs. Michigan and More to Watch
St. John’s vs. Michigan
Date: Saturday, October 25, 2025
Location: Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
Time: 7:00 PM ET
Streaming: B1G+
A top-10 matchup headlines today’s exhibition slate as Rick Pitino’s No. 5 St. John’s faces No. 7 Michigan at Madison Square Garden. This game marks St. John’s first-ever exhibition appearance at “The World’s Most Famous Arena” as part of the Bad Boy Mowers Series.
The Red Storm enters the season following a 31-5 campaign in 2024-25, sweeping both the Big East regular season and tournament titles. St. John’s holds its highest preseason ranking in program history, at No. 5 in the AP Poll and No. 6 in the USA TODAY Coaches Poll.
Harvard at Providence
Date: Saturday, October 25, 2025
Location: Amica Mutual Pavilion, Providence, RI
Time: 4:00 PM ET
Streaming: Friars Live (Friars.com)
Providence looks to continue its dominance over Harvard, having won all six prior meetings. Their last matchup came in 2015, with the Friars winning 76-64. Head coach Kim English leads a team featuring preseason All-Big East selections Jason Edwards (Second Team) and Oswin Erhunmwunse (Third Team).
Colorado State at Creighton
Date: Saturday, October 25, 2025
Location: CHI Health Center Omaha, Omaha, NE
Time: 6:00 PM CT
Streaming: GoCreighton.com
No. 23 Creighton wraps up its exhibition schedule against Colorado State. Head coach Greg McDermott brings a remarkable 33-0 record in exhibition games across his Division I career. Creighton finished last season 25-11 and second in the Big East.
USC at Grand Canyon
Date: Saturday, October 25, 2025
Location: Global Credit Union Arena, Phoenix, AZ
Time: 6:30 PM PT / 6:30 PM MST
Streaming: Mountain West Network (free) / 3TV (Phoenix local)
Grand Canyon, entering its first Mountain West season under head coach Bryce Drew, dropped its earlier exhibition to Baylor 79-74. The Lopes finished 26-8 last season, making their fourth NCAA Tournament appearance in five years. This game marks the programs’ first meeting and Grand Canyon’s home debut this season in front of its “Havocs” student section.
Oklahoma State at SMU
Date: Saturday, October 25, 2025
Location: Moody Coliseum, Dallas, TX
Time: 2:00 PM CT
Streaming: Live stats on smumustangs.com (no TV/radio)
Oklahoma State closes its preseason against SMU after defeating Auburn on October 15. Head coach Steve Lutz returns to Dallas, where he served as an SMU assistant from 2006-2010.
The Cowboys have won 36 straight public exhibition games and 58 of their last 59. Oklahoma State defeated SMU twice last year, including an 85-83 win in the NIT. Bryce Thompson led the Cowboys with 24 points in both contests. SMU returns three starters and features preseason All-ACC Second Team guard Boopie Miller.
Duquesne at Virginia Tech
Date: Saturday, October 25, 2025
Location: Cassell Coliseum, Blacksburg, VA
Time: 1:00 PM ET
Streaming: Live stats on HokieSports.com
Virginia Tech continues its exhibition schedule against Duquesne after falling 81-74 at Pitt on October 19.
Buffalo at Syracuse
Date: Saturday, October 25, 2025
Location: KeyBank Center, Buffalo, NY
Time: 7:00 PM ET
Streaming: Cuse.com (free)
Syracuse meets Buffalo in an in-state exhibition that counts as a home game for the Orange. Syracuse brings a nearly new roster, with only three returnees, including J.J. Starling (17.8 ppg) and Donnie Freeman (13.4 ppg).
Head coach Adrian Autry enters his third year after a 14-19 season. Buffalo finished 9-22 last year and last beat Syracuse in 2018. The Orange lead the all-time series 29-6.
