1 mid-major game to watch every day this season

If you’re anything like me, you’re starting to think about how you’re going to attack this college basketball season — mainly, what days you’re going to camp out on your couch and avoid human contact.

I’ll make your job a little easier (or harder, depending on how you look at it). Here’s one game for every day of the college basketball season that you’re going to want to watch. Games featuring schools from the traditional seven high-major conferences are excluded due to [gestures wildly at name of website].

TV info is listed. Some of them are local channels, so if you don’t get them, don’t yell at me. Other people do. Think about someone else for a change, okay?

All times are Eastern.

NOTE: THERE’S A TON OF ESPN+ GAMES ON THIS LIST. SIGN UP RIGHT HERE.

Nov. 5: Yale at Stony Brook, 7 p.m., SNY/ESPN+

Some might try to tell you the biggest games in New York on opening night are happening at Madison Square Garden. Don’t believe them. Yale and Stony Brook are both quality teams picked to finish just below the runaway favorites in their conferences. This would be a good resume booster for both that could help a lot come March. Jordan Bruner is the Bulldogs’ lone returning starter, but he’s a force. The rebounding and shot-blocking extraordinaire will anchor a strong front court for Yale. Geno Ford is in his first season with the Seawolves and Elijah Olyani is the guy to watch on his side.

Nov. 6: Belmont at Illinois State, 8 p.m., ESPN+

Nov. 7: UAB at Troy, 8 p.m., ESPN+

Nov. 8: Vermont at St. Bonaventure, 7 p.m., ESPN+

The favorites in the America East face a tough challenge in the first week with a trip to face a potential Atlantic 10 sleeper team. The Bonnies will have a different look without Courtney Stockard and LaDarien Griffen, but they bring back a monster trio of sophomores in Kyle Lofton, Dominick Welch, and Osun Osunniyi.

Nov. 9: UTSA vs. Oakland, 5:30 p.m., FLOSports

Nov. 10: Vermont at Bucknell, 2 p.m., MY-9

Nov. 11: Florida Gulf Coast at Dartmouth, 7 p.m., ESPN+

Shoutout Dartmouth.

Nov. 12: Northeastern at UMass, 7 p.m., ESPN+

Nov. 13: Grand Canyon at San Diego State, 10 p.m., Facebook

Nov. 14: Siena at Harvard, 7 p.m., ESPN+

Nov. 15: Lipscomb at Duquesne, 7 p.m., ESPN+

Nov. 16: Old Dominion at Northeastern, FLOSports, 1 p.m.

Nov. 17: Ball State at Indiana State, ESPN3, 4:30 p.m.

Nov. 18: UTSA at Utah State, Facebook, 9 p.m.

Two preseason The Other Top 25 teams, two awesome duos. Cam wrote about UTSA’s Jhivan Jackson and Keaton Wallace a few weeks ago in a piece that’s well-worth your time. As for the Aggies, it’s Mid-Major Madness player of the year candidate Sam Merrill and one of the best freshmen in the country last year, Neemias Queta. Merrill is your typical 20-point-per-game senior phenom, while Queta was the Mountain West defensive player of the year last season. He blocked 2.4 shots per game and shot 61% from the field.

Nov. 19: Nevada at Davidson, ESPN+, 7 p.m.

If you listened to our latest podcast, you know that I think Davidson should have been ranked in the preseason AP Poll. Nevada won’t be the juggernaut it’s been the last few seasons, but it’ll be a good chance fro the Wildcats to prove they can play. Kellan Grady and Jon Axel Gudmundsson have the potential to be the two best players in the Atlantic 10. Those two will have their work cut out for them against a strong backcourt for the Wolf Pack.

Nov. 20: Belmont at Lipscomb, ESPN+, 7:30 p.m.

The Casey Alexander Bowl.

Nov. 21: New Mexico at New Mexico State, Aggie Vision, 9 p.m.

Nov. 22: Rhode Island vs. North Texas, Jamaica Classic, CBS Sports, 4:30 p.m.

Nov. 23: Utah Valley at North Dakota State, MidcoSN, 6 p.m.

Nov. 24: Loyola Marymount vs. Duquesne, Junkanoo Jam, FLOSports, 6:30 p.m.

Nov. 25: Northeastern vs. South Alabama, Gulf Coast Showcase, FLOSports, 11 a.m.

Nov. 26: Louisiana vs. UC Irvine, MGM Grand Event, 3 p.m.

Nov. 27: Charlotte at Georgia State, ESPN+, 2 p.m.

Nov. 28: UT Arlington at Elon, FLOSports, Noon

This is the only televised game on the schedule (for now) between two mid-majors. It’s Thanksgiving Day, however, so there will be a ton of opportunities for better games once Feast Week brackets shake out.

Nov. 29: Utah State at Saint Mary’s, ESPNU, 11:30 p.m.

Gonzaga is rightfully touted as the best team in the WCC, but the gap between the Bulldogs and Gaels might not be as wide as you think. Randy Bennett’s group brings back four starters from a 22-win team, including Jordan Ford, who was the second-highest scorer in the conference last year and second-best three-point shooter. A healthy Aaron Menzies could be the difference maker. The grad transfer missed last season with a hand injury but got a waiver for this year. He’s 7’3” and set Seattle’s program record for blocks in a season in 2018.

Nov. 30: Belmont at Middle Tennessee, Stadium, 8:30 p.m.

Dec. 1: Utah Valley at Colorado State, Mountain West Network, 4:30 p.m.

Dec. 2: Columbia at Delaware, FLOSports, 7 p.m.

Dec. 3: Murray State at Missouri State, ESPN+, 8 p.m.

Dec. 4: Boise State at New Mexico, Facebook, 9 p.m.

Dec. 5: South Dakota State at Montana State, SWX Montana, 10 p.m.

Another day where there’s only one televised game between two mid-majors, so call your cable provider and demand they carry SWX Montana.

Dec. 6: Columbia at Bryant, NEC Front Row, 7 p.m.

NEC Front Row is the best small-conference digital network in Division I, complete with some A+ local ads.

Dec. 7: Old Dominion at VCU, MASN, 7 p.m.

Dec. 8: Liberty vs. Grand Canyon, Jerry Colangelo Classic, ESPNU, 6:30 p.m.

New Mexico State, rightfully, gets all the hype in the WAC, but Thunder Dan’s group is once again the clear-cut pick for second place. They’ll get a semi-home game against NCAA Tournament contender Liberty for a chance to make a statement on national TV. All-WAC second-teamer Carlos Johnson will lead the way, and if the Lopes can get more consistency from Alessandro Lever, they can give NMSU a run.

Dec. 9: There are no all-mid games on TV, so read a book or something

Dec. 10: Stony Brook at Hofstra, FLOSports, 7 p.m.

Long. Island. Rivalry.

Dec. 11: Yale at UMass, NESN, 7 p.m.

Dec. 12: Northern Iowa at Grand Canyon, FOX 10 Xtra, 9 p.m.

Dec. 13: Gardner-Webb at Kennesaw State, ESPN+, 7 p.m.

Only one ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Dec. 14: Utah State vs. BYU, BYU TV, 7 p.m.

It’s not often that a new head coach inherits a roster with a 21-point-per-game scorer coming back along with one who scores 17 a game. But Yoeli Childs and TJ Haws did just that last year, and Mark Pope will have them both in 2019-20. Pope also brought Jake Toolson over from Utah Valley (15.2 PPG), giving the Cougars plenty of firepower in the WCC. They’re a clear step below Gonzaga and Saint Mary’s, but if they’re going to contend for an at-large bid, here’s a great resume-building opportunity.

Dec. 15: Missouri State at VCU, MASN, 7 p.m.

Dec. 16: Evansville at Jacksonville State, ESPN+, 8:30 p.m.

Dec. 17: Grand Canyon at New Mexico, Mountain West Network, 9 p.m.

Dec. 18: VCU at Charleston, FLOSports, 7 p.m.

Dec. 19: UT Arlington at Georgia State, ESPN+, 7 p.m.

Dec. 20: UC Irvine at UIC, ESPN3, 8 p.m.

UIC returns more minutes from last season than any team in the country, according to Bart Torvik’s awesome nerdiness. The only question is how much quality lies within those minutes. Do-it-all wing Tarkus Ferguson is worth tuning in for alone. He fills up the stat sheet as a double-digit scorer, is a quality rebounder and passer, and proficient three-point shooter. After that, it’s tough to say. The Flames need someone in the front court to make a leap this season.

Dec. 21: St. Bonaventure at Middle Tennessee, CUSA.tv, 3 p.m.

Dec. 22: Davidson at Loyola University Chicago, NBC Sports Chicago, 3 p.m.

Dec. 23: San Francisco at Fresno State, Mountain West Network, 10 p.m.

Dec. 24: The 1:30 a.m. game at the Diamondhead Classic, ESPNU

Not much basketball on Christmas Eve.

Dec. 25: Whichever Diamondhead Classic game features two mids, ESPNU/2, 1:30/3:30/6:30/8:30

Or Christmas Day.

Dec. 26: No scheduled games on TV. Read another book.

Dec. 27: Coppin State at Mount St. Mary’s, NEC Front Row, 7 p.m.

Dec. 28: Belmont at Western Kentucky, Stadium, 7:30 p.m.

Nick Muszynski vs. Charles Bassey. No other words needed.

Dec. 29: Boston University at Merrimack, NEC Front Row, 6 p.m.

Dec. 30: Albany at Columbia, ESPN+, 7 p.m.

Dec. 31: Drake at Bradley, ESPN+, 7 p.m.

Jan. 1: Utah State at UNLV, CBS Sports, 11 p.m.

TJ Otzelberger is the latest head coach to get a shot at restoring UNLV to glory. The Rebels return only two starters from last year’s 17-14 team, but one of them is leading scorer Amauri Hardy (13.1 PPG, 34% 3PT). Look for JuCo transfer Jonah Antonio to make an immediate impact alongside him. The Aggies are still the favorite in the Mountain West with San Diego State, New Mexico, and Boise State not far behind, so it’ll be a struggle for UNLV to break through. A New Year’s upset would be a great start.

Jan. 2: Saint Mary’s at San Francisco, ESPN2, 11 p.m.

Jan. 3: Toledo at Ball State, CBS Sports, 7 p.m.

Jan. 4: San Diego State at Utah State, CBS Sports, 10 p.m.

Jan. 5: VCU at George Mason, NBC Sports, Noon

Jan. 6: South Alabama at UT Arlington, ESPN+, 8 p.m.

God bless the Sun Belt for its ESPN+ deal, making it so easy to watch all these games. Read up on Richie Riley’s group here.

Jan. 7: Valparaiso at Southern Illinois, ESPN+, 8 p.m.

Jan. 8: Davidson at Rhode Island, CBS Sports, 7 p.m.

Jan. 9: BYU at Saint Mary’s, ESPN2/ESPNU, 11 p.m.

Jan. 10: Northern Kentucky at UIC, ESPN2, 7 p.m.

Jan. 11: Utah Valley at Seattle, WAC Digital Network, 10 p.m.

If you want to think of Seattle as “that other decent team in the WAC” behind NMSU and Grand Canyon, do so at your own risk. The Redhawks’ 6-10 conference record from last year is a bit misleading because they battled injuries early on. A better representation of their potential: a 12-3 non-conference stretch with wins over Washington State and Cal, then a 5-1 finish to the regular season. Seattle returns four starters, including leading returning scorer and assist man Terrell Brown.

Jan. 12: Rider at Marist, ESPN+, 2 p.m.

Jan. 13: Boston University at Loyola (Md.), CBS Sports, 7 p.m.

Your only choice for the 13th, but thankfully the Greyhounds should be an intriguing team this year.

Jan. 14: VCU at Dayton, CBS Sports, 8 p.m.

Jan. 15: UTSA at UTEP, ESPN+, 9 p.m.

Jan. 16: Lipscomb at NJIT, ESPN+, 7 p.m.

Jan. 17: Furman at Wofford, ESPNU, 7 p.m.

Two of the best teams in the SoCon from a year ago get a rare national TV audience. This year, Furman and Wofford were picked third and fourth, respectively, in the league; each will rely on all-conference-caliber returners to put them over the top. Jordan Lyons and Nathan Hoover were both instrumental to their teams’ runs last year but now must take charge as the stars of their teams.

Jan. 18: Lipscomb at Liberty, ESPN+, 7 p.m.

Jan. 19: Rider at Canisius, ESPN+, 2 p.m.

Jan. 20: Sacred Heart at Robert Morris, CBS Sports, 5 p.m.

Jan. 21: Air Force at Utah State, ESPNU, 11 p.m.

Jan. 22: St. Bonaventure at Dayton, CBS Sports, 7 p.m.

Jan. 23: Belmont at Murray State, ESPN2, 7 p.m.

Jan. 24: Northern Kentucky at Wright State, ESPNU, 9 p.m.

Jan. 25: Army at Navy, CBS Sports, 1:30 p.m.

The Army-Navy Game, but for basketball. Were they both picked in the bottom half of the Patriot League? Yes. But when else are you going to actually take the time to watch these teams play? Might as well make it a rivalry game.

Jan. 26: Missouri State at Drake, ESPNU/ESPN3, 4 p.m.

Jan. 27: Howard at Coppin State, FLOSports, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 28: Richmond at VCU, CBS Sports, 7 p.m.

Jan. 29: San Diego State at New Mexico, CBS Sports, 9 p.m.

Jan. 30: ESPNU FLEX GAMES!!!!!!

The Big South is up at 7 p.m., where you will see one of the following matchups: USC Upstate at Presbyterian, Winthrop at Charleston Southern, High Point at Campbell, Radford at Longwood, or Gardner-Webb at UNC Asheville.

Then, at 11 p.m., you get one of the following Big West games: UC Irvine at UC Davis, Cal State Fullerton at Cal Poly, Long Beach State at UC Riverside, or UC Santa Barbara at CSUN.

Jan. 31: Harvard at Penn, ESPNU, 5 p.m.

The two favorites in the Ivy League square off at the Palestra in the first of two meetings that could decide the regular season crown. Bryce Aiken and Seth Towns are finally back together (in theory... Aiken technically hasn’t been cleared yet) and they have the Crimson already receiving some Top 25 hype. The Quakers are no pushover, however, and are led by unanimous all-conference first-teamer AJ Brodeur. Brodeur scored in double figures 28 times last season and averaged 17.6 per game.

Feb. 1: Grand Canyon at New Mexico State, Aggie Vision, 9 p.m.

Feb. 2: Iona at Manhattan, ESPN+, 2 p.m.

Feb. 3: Norfolk State at NC Central, ESPNU, 7 p.m.

Feb. 4: UMass at Rhode Island, CBS Sports, 7 p.m.

Feb. 5: Florida Atlantic at Florida International, ESPN+, 7 p.m.

Feb. 6: Louisiana Tech at Western Kentucky, CBS Sports, 9 p.m.

Feb. 7: Davidson at VCU, ESPN2, 7 p.m.

No disrespect to the Ivy League, but it feels like the A-10 is starting to take over Friday nights during conference season. Sure, you can watch Harvard vs. Yale on ESPNU if you want. Or you could watch two probable Top 25 teams battle it out on the deuce.

Feb. 8: Duke at North Caro-hahahahaha no it’s Gonzaga at Saint Mary’s, come on, ESPN, 10 p.m.

The Blue Devils and Tar Heels are the opening act, though, if you feel like watching.

Feb. 9: Valparaiso at Loyola University Chicago, CBS Sports or ESPNU, 2 or 4 p.m.

Feb. 10: Colgate at Boston University, CBS Sports, 7 p.m.

Feb. 11: New Mexico at San Diego State, ESPN2/ESPNU, 11 p.m.

Feb. 12: Middle Tennessee at UAB, ESPN+, 8 p.m.

Feb. 13: Charleston at Hofstra, CBS Sports, 7 p.m.

Feb. 14: Davidson at St. Bonaventure, ESPN2, 7 p.m.

Feb. 15: BYU at San Diego, CBS Sports, 10 p.m.

Feb. 16: Purdue Fort Wayne at South Dakota State, MidcoSN, 3 p.m.

Feb. 17: Jackson State at Prairie View A&M, ESPNU, 9 p.m.

How often do you get #SWACtion on national TV? You can’t pass it up.

Feb. 18: Dayton at VCU, CBS Sports, 8:30 p.m.

Did I set out to include half of VCU’s schedule on here? No. Well, maybe.

Feb. 19: North Dakota State at South Dakota, MidcoSN2, 8 p.m.

Feb. 20: AMERICA EAST FLEX GAME ON ESPNU!!!!!

The potential matchups: Hartford at New Hampshire, UMass Lowell at Binghamton, UMBC at Albany, and Vermont at Stony Brook. You should hope that ESPNU picks up either the UMBC or Vermont games. Those two will pit the four best teams in the conference against each other, sending the favorites on the road in each.

Feb. 21: MAC FLEX GAME ON ESPN2!!!

The NEC will also get a game on CBS Sports and the MAAC plays on ESPNU, but I can’t help but feel I’ve neglected the MAC so far on here. That ends now.

Here are the potential games: Buffalo at Kent State, Central Michigan at Northern Illinois, Miami Ohio at Akron, Eastern Michigan at Ball State, Ohio at Bowling Green, or Rider at Iona.

Feb. 22: Gonzaga at BYU, ESPN/ESPN2/ESPNU, 10 p.m.

Feb. 23: LIU at St. Francis (PA), NEC Front Row, 4 p.m.

Feb. 24: NO MID-MAJOR GAMES ON TV, LISTEN TO OUR PODCAST

Feb. 25: Missouri State at Valparaiso, ESPN+, 8 p.m.

Feb. 26: Boise State at UNLV, CBS Sports, 11 p.m.

Feb. 27: New Mexico State at Grand Canyon, FOX 10 XTRA, 9 p.m.

Feb. 28: Penn at Yale, 7 p.m., ESPN+

Feb. 29: Saint Mary’s at Gonzaga, ESPN, 10 p.m.

The greatest rivalry in mid-major college basketball. Senior night in The Kennel. ESPN. Exactly how the hell it should be.

March 1: Saint Louis at Rhode Island, ESPNU, 2 p.m.

March 2: ASUN TOURNAMENT QUARTERFINALS!!!!

The college basketball postseason officially begins, as always, with the ASUN quarterfinals. Traditionally, the games have streamed on ESPN3, so tune in to some hot, sweaty March Madness action.

March 3: UT Arlington at Troy, ESPN+, 7 p.m.

It’s the Scott Cross Bowl, folks.

March 4: CUSA Bonus Play!!!!, Facebook and Stadium

[pounding clipboard] Bonus play! Bonus play! Bonus play!

We don’t know the matchups but we do know there will be postseason implications.

March 5: ARCH MADNESS FIRST ROUND!!!

The only good St. Louis sports thing.

March 6: VCU at Davidson, ESPN2, 9 p.m.

Winner of this game wins the A-10. Book it.

March 7: Mountain West Championship Game, CBS, 5:30 p.m.

Let’s hand out some auto-bids.

March 8: Missouri Valley Championship Game, CBS, 2 p.m.