As the 2015-16 college basketball season opens on this Friday the 13th (cue Jason Vorhees, ch-ch-ch-ch-ah-ah-ah-ah), one of the most exciting aspects of any year in college hoops is the early season tournaments. Some teams are magically whisked away to beautiful tropical islands; others go to Alaska (sorry The Last Frontier). Regardless, college hoops junkies are thankful for the plethora of games, allowing them an opportunity to slack off at work and come Thanksgiving week, it’s an excuse to avoid annoying uncles.

Bracket
Dates: November 19-20, 22
Field: Temple, Minnesota, Butler, Missouri State, Miami, Mississippi State, Utah, Texas Tech
Worth Watching: In what is an interesting collection of teams here, the semifinals could feature Temple, Butler, Miami and Utah; all teams that are Big Dance worthy. Plus, the nation gets their first look at Mississippi State frosh Malik Newman (#15 wing) in action.
And The Winner Is: Utah

Charleston Classic

Bracket
Dates: November 19-20, 22
Field: Ole Miss, George Mason, Oklahoma State, Towson, Long Beach State, Seton Hall, Virginia, Bradley
Worth Watching: More like DMV Classic, am I right? Pretty much the only interesting angle the Charleston Classic has going for it, as UVA should run the table fairly easily.
And The Winner Is: Virginia

2K Sports Classic

Bracket
Dates: November 20, 22
Field: Wisconsin, Georgetown, Duke, VCU
Worth Watching: Unfortunately, VCU drew the national defending champions Duke in the first round…but could a Georgetown-VCU match-up happen in the Big Apple in the consolation round? Oh, and there’s that whole re-match of last year’s championship game.
And The Winner Is: Duke

Paradise Jam

Bracket
Dates: November 20-23
Field: Ohio, Tulsa, Indiana State, Norfolk State, Hofstra, Florida State, DePaul, South Carolina
Worth Watching: Not Paradise Jam’s best field, but Tulsa-Florida State could be an entertaining final to start the Thanksgiving week. Also, not jealous at all that those teams get to spend a weekend in St. Thomas (Virgin Islands).
And The Winner Is: Tulsa

Hall of Fame Tip-Off

Bracket
Dates: November 21-22
Field: Purdue, Old Dominion, Florida, St. Joseph’s
Worth Watching: While St. Joseph’s may be the weakest team in the field, they arguably boast the best player of any roster in DeAndre Bembry (#5 wing).
And The Winner Is: Purdue

Gulf Coast Showcase

Bracket
Dates: November 23-25
Field: Murray State, Milwaukee, Pepperdine, Duquesne, Western Kentucky, Drake, Central Michigan, Weber State
Worth Watching: Yeah, yeah, it’s a tournament for mid-majors; but guaranteed at least one of these teams pulls off an upset during March Madness.
And The Winner Is: Pepperdine

Maui Invitational

Bracket
Dates: November 23-25
Field: St. John’s, Vanderbilt, Wake Forest, Indiana, Kansas, Chaminade, UNLV, UCLA
Worth Watching: Always one of the best early season tournaments, an Indiana-Kansas championship game would be must see TV on Thanksgiving Eve (history shows that’s usually the case for the Maui title game).
And The Winner Is: Kansas

Legends Classic

Bracket
Dates: November 23-24
Field: LSU, Marquette, NC State, Arizona State
Worth Watching: One of the more intriguing early season tourney pairings, this semifinal pits LSU’s Ben Simmons (#1 wing) and Marquette’s Henry Ellenson (#18 big) in a battle of highly ranked freshmen.
And The Winner Is: NC State

Men Who Speak Up Against

Bracket
Dates: November 23, 25
Field: Clemson, UMass, Creighton, Rutgers
Worth Watching: It’s for a good cause and it’s in Las Vegas...that’s about it.
And The Winner Is: Creighton...I guess

CBE Hall of Fame Classic

Bracket
Dates: November 23-24
Field: Missouri, Kansas State, Northwestern, North Carolina
Worth Watching: Northwestern-North Carolina is a better game than whoever UNC draws in the final.
And The Winner Is: North Carolina

Cancun Challenge

Bracket
Dates: November 24-25
Field: Rhode Island, TCU, Illinois State, Maryland
Worth Watching: Illinois State should give Maryland somewhat of a test, but not as big of a test as Rhode Island will give the Terps in the championship.
And The Winner Is: Maryland

Battle 4 Atlantis

Bracket
Dates: November 25-27
Field: Gonzaga, Washington, Texas A&M, Texas, Michigan, UConn, Charlotte, Syracuse
Worth Watching: The Maui Invitational of the Atlantic Ocean. While the field may not be as stacked as the 2014 edition, at least five or six of these teams will be dancing come March. Oh and the blue UV lighting looks awesome on TV.
And The Winner Is: Gonzaga

Great Alaska Shootout

Bracket
Dates: November 25-28
Field: San Jose State, Toledo, San Diego, Loyola Chicago, Middle Tennessee, Alaska Anchorage, Drexel, UNC Asheville
Worth Watching: This will help you fall asleep faster than turkey. Or make you want to talk to your uncle.
And The Winner Is: Middle Tennessee

AdvoCare Invitational

Bracket
Dates: November 26-27, 29
Field: Alabama, Xavier, Wichita State, USC, Notre Dame, Monmouth, Iowa, Dayton
Worth Watching: The tournament formerly known as the Old Spice Classic played at the arena formerly known as the Milk House (now HP something something), is currently stacked with a loaded lineup. Any team could potentially win this tourney.
And The Winner Is: Wichita State

Wooden Legacy

Bracket
Dates: November 26-27, 29
Field: UC Irvine, Boise State, Boston College, Michigan State, Evansville, Providence, Santa Clara, Arizona
Worth Watching: 7’6 Mamadou Ndiaye (#22 Big) of UC Irvine is a treat to watch, but the same could be said forl Boise State, Michigan State, Providence and Arizona in this tourney.
And The Winner Is: Michigan State

NIT Season Tip-Off

Bracket
Dates: November 26-27
Field: Arkansas, Georgia Tech, Stanford, Villanova
Worth Watching: Arkansas is the weakest link, but Georgia Tech and Stanford could surprise some people this season. We all know how good Villanova will be.
And The Winner Is: Villanova

Las Vegas Invitational

Bracket
Dates: November 26-27
Field: West Virginia, Richmond, California, San Diego State
Worth Watching: Better basketball than the aforementioned Vegas tournament, the California-San Diego State matchup should be one of the best games of the entire season.
And The Winner Is: California

Emerald Coast Classic

Bracket
Dates: November 27-28
Field: Virginia Tech, Iowa State, UAB, Illinois
Worth Watching: Eh, I've seen better. Expect Iowa State to get to the final - thanks to Georges Niang (#1 big) - and for the Cyclones to meet Illinois – courtesy of Malcolm Hill (#26 wing).
And The Winner Is: Iowa State

Barclays Center Classic

Bracket
Dates: November 27-28
Field: Cincinnati, Nebraska, George Washington, Tennessee
Worth Watching: A great opportunity for an underrated George Washington team to build their resume.
And The Winner Is: Cincinnati