Friday, Nov. 11, 2016: a day to honor the many brave veterans of the United States military, and also a day that sports fans everywhere have been anticipating for months. With the end of the 2015 college basketball season ending in a buzzer-beater fashion, many fans could not wait to see what the 2016 season had in store.

Let’s begin with the Armed Forces Classic, an event featuring two marquee matchups between ranked opponents in Michigan State vs. Arizona and Indiana vs. Kansas. Spartan freshman Miles Bridges began the game with a couple vicious dunks in hopes of making his young presence known at the collegiate level. However, the Wildcats overcame a late game-tying three point field goal from Michigan State’s Tum Tum Nairn as they drove all the way down the court to score a lay-up and take a 65-63 lead over the Spartans as time expired. Arizona was led by freshman forward Lauri Markkanen who tallied up thirteen points and a steal.

Next, the stage was set for the Hoosiers of Indiana who looked to take down Big 12 powerhouse in the Kansas Jayhawks. Take down is exactly what Indiana did. In a game that featured seventeen lead changes, one overtime, and two teams who had three players each foul out, the fans in attendance got a hint of some March Madness in early November. The Hoosier charge was led by sharp shooting guard James Blackmon, Jr. and big man Thomas Bryant who both combined for a total of 45 points in the 103-99 overtime thriller. Kansas was led by Frank Mason III who had 30 points for the Jayhawks.

Other notable games included Duke’s 96-61 victory over Grand Canyon, North Carolina’s 95-75 rout of Tulane, and John Calipari and the Kentucky Wildcats’ 87-64 win over Stephen F. Austin.