Notre Dame has reached the Elite 8 of the NCAA Tournament two straight seasons and begins its quest to go one step further Saturday when Bryant pays a visit in the season opener for both teams. The Fighting Irish have lost their top two scorers, but take an experienced team to the court that includes returning starters Bonzie Colson, Steve Vasturia and V.J. Beachem.

After missing out on a postseason berth for the first time in 12 seasons under coach John Thompson III, Georgetown won't be taking any opponent lightly - and that goes double for South Carolina-Upstate, which pays a visit Saturday in the season opener for both teams. The Hoyas are coming off a dismal Big East season in which they finished three games below .500 and failed to qualify for either the NCAA or NIT tournaments.

Florida State, with an impressive blend of size and athleticism, hosts Charleston Southern on Saturday afternoon to open its 2016-17 season. Despite losing freshman sensation Malik Beasley to the NBA, the Seminoles have one of the ACC's best starting guard tandems and field a starting lineup that has nobody shorter than 6-4 and a roster that features seven players 6-7 or taller.

LSU hopes the departure of one-and-done superstar Ben Simmons reveals talented players emerging from his shadow as it hosts Wofford on Saturday in the season opener for both teams. Simmons averaged 19.2 points, 11.8 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 2.0 steals in his only college campaign before bolting to become the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft by the Philadelphia 76ers while the Tigers also lost second-leading scorer Keith Hornsby and significant contributor Tim Quarterman.

In its season opener, No. 1 Duke proved to be a deep team - perhaps the deepest in the nation. The Blue Devils routed Marist on Friday and are right back at it Saturday as they host Grand Canyon in a non-league contest.

Utah tips off a new season at home Saturday against Division II opponent Northwest Nazarene with one of the most inexperienced rosters in the Pac-12 Conference. The Utes only return two starters and four players overall from its 27-9 squad which played in the Pac-12 Tournament championship game and went 1-1 as a No. 3 seed in the NCAA Tournament.<

Butler sports a new look as it seeks the same old thing – a 20-plus win season and a trip to the NCAA Tournament. The Bulldogs bring in a slew of new faces to join preseason All-Big East first-teamer Kelan Martin as they host Northern Colorado on Saturday night in their season opener.