Monday tip-off: Top 25 clash in Legends Classic

A quick look at the day in college basketball:

Best bets: For many college hoops fans, Thanksgiving week is a time to be truly thankful as the early holiday tournament and special-event season gets into full swing. Among Monday night's college basketball best bests is the Legends Classic in Brooklyn, N.Y., as No. 12 Villanova squares off against No. 15 Virginia Commonwealth (7 p.m. ET, ESPN2).

The Wildcats have won their first three contests with relative ease, but veteran floor leader Ryan Arcidiacono will need all his ball-handling skills against VCU's relentless pressure defense. The Rams are paced by Melvin Johnson and Treveon Graham, who love to lead the fast break.

Another holiday week tradition is the Maui Invitational, which will be celebrating its 31st edition starting today. No.2 Arizona headlines the field. The Wildcats will open the tournament against Missouri (5 p.m. ET, ESPN2).

Number of the day: 38. LaDontae Henton was quite the show stopper for the Providence Friars on Sunday in the finale of the Hall of Fame Tip-Off Classic at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. His career-high 38 points included a 14-for-19 shooting effort from the field as well as the go-ahead free throws with 14.8 seconds to play. But he capped it with a huge defensive play, deflecting Notre Dame's last shot to preserve the 75-74 victory.

Words of the day: "My teammates were passing the ball real well today. They would just drive and kick and I just felt comfortable shooting that jump shot." — Oklahoma's Isaiah Cousins, who scored only six points in the 18th-ranked Sooners' loss at Creighton Wednesday but came back with a 20-point outing Sunday against Northwestern State. Cousins knocked down four-of-five from three-point range, helping teammate Jordan Woodard record nine assists.

Days until Selection Sunday: 111.

GALLERY: HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE WEEK IN COLLEGE HOOPS