Feast Week In College Basketball Begins
Feast Week in college basketball is a highly anticipated event that takes place annually during the week of Thanksgiving. It is a time when college basketball teams from across the country participate in various tournaments and competitions.
The event is a celebration of the sport, bringing together teams, coaches, and fans in a week-long basketball extravaganza. It is a time when the college basketball season truly kicks off, with teams getting the opportunity to showcase their skills and potential for the upcoming season.
Before we get further into the article, make sure to check out Fanatics.com! Fanatics has all of the best NCAA basketball fan gear!
Feast Your Eyes On College Basketball
The Feast Week is not just about the games; it's also about the rivalries, the upsets, and the breakout performances. It's a time when unknown players can make a name for themselves and when powerhouse programs can be toppled by underdogs. The unpredictability of the games is part of what makes Feast Week so exciting. Every game matters, and every team has something to prove, making for some of the most thrilling basketball of the season.
One of the highlights of Feast Week is the numerous tournaments that take place. These tournaments often feature top-ranked teams and are held in various locations across the country, and sometimes even internationally. Some of the most notable tournaments include the Maui Invitational, the Battle 4 Atlantis, and the NIT Season Tip-Off. These tournaments provide teams with the opportunity to face off against high-level competition early in the season, which can be a valuable experience as they prepare for conference play and the postseason.
March Madness Resume Builders/Retractors
Feast Week also serves as an important time for teams to build their resumes for the NCAA Tournament. With multiple games against quality opponents, teams have the chance to earn impressive wins that can boost their tournament resumes. On the flip side, poor performances during Feast Week can be damaging, putting teams in a hole that they have to dig out of as the season progresses.
For fans, Feast Week is a basketball lover's dream. With games happening all day and night, there's never a shortage of action. Whether it's watching a marquee matchup between top-ranked teams, or rooting for a Cinderella team hoping to pull off an upset, there's something for every fan during Feast Week. It's also a time when fans can get a glimpse of the future stars of the sport, as many freshmen and under-the-radar players use the spotlight of Feast Week to announce their arrival on the college basketball scene.
2023 Feast Week Tournaments, Teams, Outlook
Shriners Children’s Charleston Classic, Myrtle Beach Invitational, ESPN Events Invitational, NIT Season Tip-Off and Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic owned and operated events return this fall. Vegas Showdown to debut Nov. 23-24 during Feast Week
Shriners Children’s Charleston Classic
November 16, 17 and 19
TD Arena | Charleston, S.C.
Teams: Dayton, Houston, LSU, North Texas, St. John’s, Towson, Utah, Wake Forest
Tournament Notes: Houston after earning a No. 1 seed and advancing to the Sweet 16 in the 2023 NCAA Men’s Tournament, opens play against Towson, which finished 21-12 last season. St. John’s brings a revamped roster to Charleston under Hall of Fame new head coach Rick Pitino. The Red Storm’s opener is against 2023 NIT champion North Texas, which finished with an impressive 31-7 record in 2022-23.
Myrtle Beach Invitational
November 16, 17 and 19
HTC Center | Conway, S.C.
Teams: Coastal Carolina, Charleston, Furman, Liberty, Saint Louis, Vermont, Wichita State, Wyoming
Tournament Notes: The opening game in Myrtle Beach features a battle of defending conference champions and NCAA Tournament teams – Charleston (CAA) vs. Vermont (America East). The home state Cougars are coming off a 31-4 record, one of the best seasons in school history. Also, reigning SoCon champion Furman, which earned a memorable upset victory in the NCAAs in March, opens play against Liberty, which participated in last season’s NIT.
NIT Season Tip-Off
November 22 and 24
Barclays Center | Brooklyn, N.Y.
Teams: Baylor, Florida, Oregon State, Pittsburgh
Tournament Notes: Baylor, the 2021 National Champion, opens play against Oregon State. Opening night also features a compelling matchup of SEC versus ACC teams as Florida battles Pittsburgh, an NCAA Tournament team last season.
Vegas Showdown
November 23 and 24
Michelob Ultra Arena | Las Vegas, Nev.
Teams: Arizona State, BYU, NC State, Vanderbilt
Tournament Notes: All four teams in the new Vegas Showdown won at least 20 games last season. ACC and SEC teams face off in the opening game as NCAA Tournament qualifier NC State will face Vanderbilt, which reached the later rounds of last season’s NIT. The late game pits Arizona State against BYU. The Sun Devils reached the second round of last season’s NCAA Tournament.
ESPN Events Invitational
November 23, 24 and 26
State Farm Field House at ESPN Wide World of Sports | Kissimmee, Fla.
Teams: Boise State, Butler, Florida Atlantic, Iowa State, Penn State, Texas A&M, Virginia Tech
Tournament Notes: The loaded eight-team field includes six NCAA Tournament teams from last season. After making its 2023 Final Four run, FAU will tip off against Butler, while the Aggies face Penn State, which advanced to the NCAA second round last season.
Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic (Christmas week)
December 21, 22 & 24
SimpliFi Arena at Stan Sheriff Center | Honolulu, Hawaii
Teams: Georgia Tech, Hawaii, UMass, Nevada, Old Dominion, Portland, TCU, Temple
Tournament Notes: The 14th edition of the Diamond Head Classic features a pair of NCAA Tournament teams from last season – Nevada and TCU. The Wolf Pack opens play against Temple, followed by the Horned Frogs matchup against Old Dominion. Hawai’i is both the tournament host and defending champion.
Feast Week is one of the most exciting times in college basketball. It's a week filled with high-stakes games, breakout performances, and thrilling upsets. It's a time when teams can make a statement, players can become stars, and fans can immerse themselves in the sport they love. Whether you're a die-hard fan or a casual observer, there's no denying the excitement and anticipation that comes with college basketball's Feast Week.
Subscribe to College SportsCast on YouTube for three plus fun, original college sports shows a week. Or follow your favorite platforms on their Linktree page.
Use code STADIUMRANT20 for a 20% discount at, Bulletproof Coffee, SwingJuice for your golf apparel needs, and Performix for protein and health supplements. If you're a fan of shotgunning beers, use code STADIUMRANT10 at Wild Man Drinking Company.
If you enjoyed this article, try Stadium Rant Original shows on our Youtube channel, and subscribe!