Power ranking the BBN United Tipoff Classic presented by Kentucky Tourism field

by: Drew Franklin4 hours agoDrewFranklinKSR

It’s here. It is finally here. The college basketball season, and the BBN United Tipoff Classic presented by Kentucky Tourism. The three-game multi-team event is new to the Kentucky Basketball schedule, replacing last year’s BBN Invitational (which UK won easily, I’ll add) on the early November slate. This year’s field features the ninth-ranked Wildcats, along with Nicholls, Valparaiso, and Eastern Illinois, three teams eager to write their Cinderella stories in the BBN United Tipoff Classic presented by Kentucky Tourism.

The 2025 BBN United Tipoff Classic presented by Kentucky Tourism tips off on Tuesday when Kentucky opens its season against Nicholls at Rupp Arena, while Valparaiso and Eastern Illinois square off at Valpo. Kentucky will then host Valpo on Friday before taking a quick break from the BBN United Tipoff Classic presented by Kentucky Tourism for a road trip to Louisville. After that detour, the Wildcats return home to refocus on the prize at hand. Lastly, Eastern Illinois visits Rupp on Friday, November 14, to close out the prestigious BBN United Tipoff Classic presented by Kentucky Tourism.

As we count down to tip-off, a power ranking of the entire BBN United Tipoff Classic presented by Kentucky Tourism field:

1. Kentucky Wildcats

Oct 30, 2025; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Otega Oweh (00) defends against Georgetown Hoyas guard Malik Mack (2) during the second half at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images

I feel pretty comfortable putting Kentucky here, even though the Wildcats dropped their final preseason exhibition game in Rupp Arena last week. Still, Kentucky is a top-10 team in the preseason, hosting all three of its BBN United Tipoff Classic presented by Kentucky Tourism games in Lexington.

Before the loss to Georgetown, Mark Pope’s Wildcats drilled preseason No. 1 Purdue in Lexington. The roster will be short-handed for the beginning of the BBN United Tipoff Classic presented by Kentucky Tourism, but Kentucky is still the heavy favorite to cut the nets. All three of Kentucky’s games will be played in Rupp Arena.

Predicted BBN Tipoff Classic Presented By Kentucky Tourism Record: 3-0

2. Nicholls Colonels

Dec 18, 2024; Spokane, Washington, USA; Nicholls State Colonels head coach Tevon Saddler directs his team against the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the first half at McCarthey Athletic Center. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-Imagn Images

Ranked No. 225 in KenPom entering the season, Nicholls is our presumed second-best team in the BBN United Tipoff Classic presented by Kentucky Tourism. The Colonels have been a consistent winner under third-year head coach Tevon Saddler, a former player who’s already compiled back-to-back 20-win seasons at his alma mater.

This year’s version of the Colonels looks different. Nicholls lost its top six scorers from last season, including all four double-figure scorers, so Saddler rebuilt with transfers and a handful of returners led by guard Jaylen Searles. He’s joined by fellow veterans and new faces like Christian Winborne from Iona and Zee Hamoda from Sacramento State.

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Predicted BBN Tipoff Classic Presented By Kentucky Tourism Record: 2-1

3. Valparaiso Beacons

Dec 17, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Valparaiso Beacons guard Justus McNair (1) dribbles the ball up court during the first half against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Value City Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images

Valparaiso enters the BBN United Tipoff Classic presented by Kentucky Tourism with momentum. Last season, the Beacons doubled their win total, reached the Missouri Valley Tournament semifinals as an 11-seed, and now stand tall under third-year head coach Roger Powell Jr., a former Illinois player and assistant at Valpo, Vanderbilt and Gonzaga.

Valpo’s roster is almost completely rebuilt, with 13 newcomers and plenty of height. Seven players stand 6’8″ or taller. Over on the MVC’s website, the league named its preseason Players To Watch, which included four Valpo players: Justus McNair, a sophomore guard; Mark Brown Jr., a junior guard; Isaiah Barnes, a redshirt senior guard; and Owen Dease, a redshirt-freshman forward. McNair is the one returner of the bunch.

Predicted BBN Tipoff Classic Presented By Kentucky Tourism Record: 1-2

4. Eastern Illinois Panthers

Eastern Illinois Panthers forward Lazar Grbovic (17) and Eastern Illinois Panthers forward Kooper Jacobi (40) walk back to the bench Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024, during an NCAA men’s basketball game between the Butler Bulldogs and the Eastern Illinois Panthers at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Bulldogs defeated the Panthers, 73-58.

Eastern Illinois comes into the BBN United Tipoff Classic presented by Kentucky Tourism on one of the nation’s longest active winning streaks. The Panthers won four straight games to end the 2024-25 season, tying for third in all of college basketball, behind only NCAA and NIT champs Florida and Chattanooga. The Panthers ended last season on a roll, beating Southern Indiana, Morehead State, Little Rock and Southeast Missouri before missing the OVC Tournament with a 12-19 overall record under veteran head coach Marty Simmons.

Picked second-to-last in the preseason OVC poll, Eastern brings back its frontcourt anchor Kooper Jacobi, who led the conference in rebounding at 8.9 boards per game, along with guard Zion Fruster, who averaged 11.6 points and hit 35 percent from deep. They also return reserve Malik Olafioye and a defense known for generating steals. They were 23rd in the NCAA in steals per game (9.0) last year.

Still, the computers aren’t quite as optimistic. KenPom ranks Eastern Illinois outside the top 300, at No. 333 out of 365 nationally.

Predicted BBN Tipoff Classic Presented By Kentucky Tourism Record: 0-3