His selections feature intense matchups that highlight the spirit and challenges of early-season college basketball.

In an emotionally charged game, South Florida is set to face Florida. South Florida endured the recent passing of their coach Amir Abdul-Rahim, and they are expected to channel their emotions to put up a tough fight against Florida. The Gators, who ranked 216th in the nation in points allowed per possession last season, could be in for a challenging contest.

The Iona Gaels are entering the season with a fresh slate after underperforming last year, finishing below .500 for just the second time in 15 seasons. With a full roster turnover, including transfer Dejour Reeves from Northern Colorado who brings his 14.9 points per game and 38% 3-point shooting, Iona is looking to make a strong comeback. Meanwhile, Princeton, despite ranking 14th in points scored per possession last season, struggled with pace and rebounding, ranking 342nd in possessions per game and securing only 21.7% of their missed shots.

USC's reconstruction under new coach Eric Musselman will be put to the test as they go against a seasoned Chattanooga team. Chattanooga boasts a veteran backcourt with Honor Huff and Trey Bonham, who both shot at least 38% from beyond the arc last season and combined for 33.4 points per game.

Wisconsin will take on Holy Cross in another anticipated matchup. Wisconsin has had one of the slowest-paced offenses, ranking 271st or slower in total possessions per game since the 2006-07 season, and they have lost key players from last year. On the other hand, Holy Cross is looking to improve under coach Dave Paulsen, with standout rebounder Caleb Kennedy returning after ranking 27th in the nation with 2.2 blocks per game last season.

Alabama's contest against UNC Asheville promises to be a high-scoring game, given Alabama’s offensive prowess. Last season, Alabama ranked second in points scored per possession but struggled defensively, coming in at 269th in points allowed per possession. With Rutgers transfer Cliff Omoruyi adding defensive strength and Mark Sears looking to build on his impressive 21.5 points per game and 43.6% 3-point shooting from last season, Alabama is gearing up for a dynamic clash. UNC Asheville, known for their sharpshooting, ranked 38th in 3-point shooting percentage last season, setting the stage for an exciting game predicted to go over 161.5 points.

These matchups, carefully analyzed by Greg Peterson, capture the excitement surrounding the start of the college basketball season, highlighting both the potential for surprising upsets and the resilience of teams in the face of adversity.