Week 1 ain't so weak

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College football is back! To celebrate, today’s Daily is free to every to read.

More importantly, we’re getting closer and closer to the start of the college basketball season. So let’s talk about that first week, shall we?

Also, a quick programming note: We’re off on Monday, so the Daily will return on Sept. 3.

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1. In defense of college basketball’s opening week

College football is officially back. After Week 0 had a handful of games, there’s a full slate that stretches over Labor Day weekend, including a nice Top 25 game between USC and LSU. (If you’re watching Boston College-Florida State on Monday, maybe take a break?)

Saturday features a couple of Top 25 matchups, but for the most part, it’s mostly good vibes from fans who are delighted that football/fall is here.

And yet … it’s strange.

People are stoked for college football, but it’s not exactly a slate that makes someone drop everything and watch football all weekend. There are plenty of the usual cupcake matchups. If this was college basketball, you’d be reading endless amounts of tweets and hearing takes about why the sport is dying because nobody needs to care about November games (at least until Feast Week).

And here’s the thing: College basketball’s first week is actually … pretty good!

Thursday’s news that Gonzaga and Baylor might play on Nov. 6 was just the latest in the trickle of a solid must-see slate.

That’s just the tip of the iceberg. Nov. 4 — Opening Day — has more than 100 games, but is unlikely to have any ranked matchups. That day causes the fans consternation. Here’s where it’s important to remind everyone that the season’s a marathon, not a sprint. (Also, there is a damn fine event happening on Nov. 4.)

Let’s compare college hoops’ first week to college football. You might be surprised to see that there could be four Top 25 matchups.

Here’s a personal ranking of the best Week 1 matchups for football and hoops.

This is a college basketball newsletter, so yes, there’s some bias, but North Carolina at Kansas in week is a dream game for any week, let alone Week 1. Is it bigger than the showdown between Georgia and Clemson? (TV ratings will probably say no. Anyway.)

Beyond that, college basketball has the edge in compelling matchups for casual fans. After all, if you’re watching more than 10 games in a week, you probably cover the sport for a living. (Or have an addiction. In that case, the sign-up button is below.)

Look, we’re glad football’s back. And we’re even happier that college hoops is closer. As a reminder, one certainly doesn’t have to wait until Thanksgiving to fully dine on college hoops.

2. Memphis wants Arterio Morris?

Memphis is still figuring out its roster for 2024-25.

New emerged a few weeks ago that incoming Memphis freshman guard Daniel Vierira-Tuck wouldn’t play this season due to eligibility issues. Meanwhile, George Mason transfer Baraka Okojie will miss the season due to shoulder surgery.

That leaves eight players available for the upcoming season, meaning coach Penny Hardaway and his staff might be open to new players. Well, here’s something.

Morris is talented. He’s a former 5-star prospect who showed promise as a Texas freshman. But there’s more to it. There were allegations of domestic violence before he even went to Austin. He transferred to Kansas last summer, but never played because he was charged with felony rape. That case eventually was dismissed due to insufficient evidence.

He enrolled for a time at Garden City Community College, but ultimately did not play organized basketball last season. Morris has been in the transfer portal since April.

It’ll be interesting to see if Memphis does pursue Morris. This is a preliminary report, so there may not be anything that becomes concrete. Or if Hardaway and his staff look elsewhere.

3. Xavier lands first commit in 2025 class

Xavier eschewed 2024 recruits. That’s not the case for 2025.

The Musketeers have landed in plenty of different “Top lists” for prospects, and now have their first commit in Nyk Lewis, a consensus 4-star point guard from the D.C. area.

Lewis picked the Musketeers over other Big East programs Georgetown, Creighton, and Seton Hall, as well as Michigan and LSU. He gives the program a potential starting point guard, once veterans Dayvion McKnight and Dante Maddox Jr. are gone after this season.

This could be the first of several quality commitments for Xavier in the coming months. Other prospects to watch that Xavier is reportedly in the mix with include forwards Niko Bundalo and Dezmon Briscoe, guard Davion Hannah, and Matt Able, a four-star guard prospect who reportedly will be making his decision on Friday. Could the Musketeers get two commitments in two days?

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Have Mercy

Mark Montgomery knows the drill. The former Michigan State player and assistant spent 10 years running Northern Illinois, and now starts his second stint as a head coach, this time at Detroit Mercy. He talks with Sean Paul about the difference between stints, how he’ll rebuild the Titans and much more.

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Links as you recover from watching San Jose State football until 2 am.

• Do coaches want to expand the NCAA tournament? CBS Sports’ Matt Norlander surveyed 100+ coaches for their answers.

• Atlanta will host the Final Four in 2031.

• West Virginia added Canadian big man Haris Elezovic for the upcoming season.

• The National College Players Association is against the House v. NCAA settlement.

• Bellarmine will play its home games at Knights Hall, not Freedom Hall.

• Big West Commissioner Dan Butterly will chair the Men’s Basketball Oversight Committee.

Thanks for reading The Field of 68 Daily! If you have a news tip or feedback, email us at [email protected].