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The Pac-12’s Non-Conference Scheduling for 2019-20

After a couple of rough March Madness campaigns, many the conference’s likely contenders decided to beef up their non-league slates, just one year before the Pac-12 hops the 20-conference-game bandwagon.

SEC teams in order of non-conference schedule rank (1-4 top; 5-8 middle; 9-12 bottom)
Image by Chris Dobbertean using logos from SportsLogos.net

For all of the posts in this series, visit the 2019-20 Non-Conference Scheduling Hub.

Warning: Tables may not appear optimally when viewing on a mobile device.

Ranking The Teams

Pac-12 Four-Year Rankings

Team 4-Year Ranking 2018-19 Ranking Ranking Change
Team 4-Year Ranking 2018-19 Ranking Ranking Change
Oregon 29 25 -4
Arizona 36 13 -23
UCLA 52 31 -21
USC 59 52 -7
Utah 65 36 -29
Arizona State 67 70 3
Colorado 74 76 2
Washington 80 100 20
Stanford 99 79 -20
Oregon State 109 125 16
California 162 101 -61
Washington State 192 184 -8
Average 85.33333333 74.33333333 -11
Conference Rank 6th of 32 (6th in 2018-19)

While the Pac-12 ended up placing three teams in the 2019 NCAA Tournament, that total required both an Oregon win the Pac-12 Tournament final and Selection Sunday oxygen-deprivation on the part of both Washington and Arizona State. And while all three teams managed to win at least one tournament game, bettering 2018’s goose egg, the heights of 2017 look to be long in the past when looking at these four-year rankings. Note that only four teams improved their standing when compared to 2018-19’s edition, with only the Huskies and Oregon State moving up by double digits. In other words, the Pac-12 really needs a strong year on the hardwood ... and soon.

Ranking The Schedules

Pac-12 Non-Conference Schedule Rankings

Average Schedule Strength Ranking 2019-20 Average Schedule Strength Ranking 2018-19 Team (* = number of TBD bracketed games) Average Schedule Strength 2019-20
Average Schedule Strength Ranking 2019-20 Average Schedule Strength Ranking 2018-19 Team (* = number of TBD bracketed games) Average Schedule Strength 2019-20
23 81 Oregon** 274.6730769
33 180 Utah** 265.3125
40 69 Arizona State* 258.5384615
51 287 Colorado* 252.4519231
55 193 California* 249.5673077
64 145 USC** 246.3125
79 54 Arizona** 240.9206731
120 68 Washington** 226.1105769
126 41 UCLA** 225.4855769
162 9 Stanford* 213.5144231
265 277 Oregon State 173.8333333
317 347 Washington State** 150.7403846
111.25 145.9166667 Average 231.4550614
5/32 7/32 Conference Rank 6th
2018-19 Ranking 13th

Even though the Pac-12 doesn’t have a top 10 non-conference schedule nationally, the league has improved on aggregate when compared to a season ago. Seven slates rank in the top 100 nationally, a modest improvement upon the six of a season ago. However, 10 teams have non-conference schedules that rank in the top half nationally—just four did a season ago. Utah and Colorado, in particular, deserve credit for upping their games in seasons when they’re expected to do well.

Pac-12 Road/Non-D1 Games

True Road Games Scheduled Road Games Scheduled Against Non-Power 7 Teams Non-D1 Opponents Scheduled
True Road Games Scheduled Road Games Scheduled Against Non-Power 7 Teams Non-D1 Opponents Scheduled
17 (26 in 2018-19) 12 (14) 0 (0)
7th of Power 7 t-1st (Amer.) t-1st (Amer., SEC)

While the Pac-12 will play the fewest true road games of the power conferences this season, over two-thirds of these will feature mid-major opposition. Sure, Washington State makes the short trip to Moscow to play neighbors Idaho and Utah meets Coastal Carolina on its home floor in the quarterfinals of the Myrtle Beach Invitational, but there are plenty of Mountain West and WCC opponents on the list, along with a trip to Princeton for Arizona State.

No Pac-12 team will play more than two true road games, with six league members doing so. Five play just one, while Washington isn’t guaranteed one at all. However, the Huskies could meet Hawai’i on day two of the Diamond Head Classic.

Pac-12 Non-Conference Games By League

Conference Games Scheduled Against Possible Tournament Games Against
Conference Games Scheduled Against Possible Tournament Games Against
WCC 20 2
MW 15 2
Big West 14 2
Big Sky 11 0
SWAC 10 0
Big 12 8 5
Summit 7 0
SEC 5 5
WAC 5 1
ACC 4 6
Big East 4 5
Big Ten 4 3
American Athletic 3 5
CAA 3 1
MAAC 3 0
MEAC 3 0
Sun Belt 3 0
Ivy 2 2
NEC 2 0
Pac-12 2 0
Southland 2 0
A 10 1 4
C-USA 1 4
MAC 1 1
MVC 1 1
America East 1 0
Atlantic Sun 1 0
SoCon 1 0
Non-D1 0 1
Big South 0 0
Horizon 0 0
OVC 0 0
Patriot 0 0

No games scheduled or possible against: Big South, Horizon, OVC, Patriot

As you would expect, the Pac-12’s four mid-major neighbors dominate once again. These conferences combine for 60 non-league games in 2019-20, compared to 58 a season ago. However, the Pac-12 more than tripled its number of non-league games against the SWAC, which ultimately damages the conference’s overall metrics. Note that the Pac-12 appears in this table itself because Arizona State and Colorado will play a non-conference game in China to start the season.

Both Long Beach State and San José State will play four Pac-12 opponents in non-conference play, while Big Sky member Montana, SWAC squad Prairie View A&M , and four WCC teams—Pepperdine, San Diego, San Francisco, and Santa Clara—will play three apiece, with both the Dons and Broncos getting two home games. Cal plays both on the road, half of their four-game WCC slate. Stanford plays three teams from that same conference, while UCLA takes on a trio of Big West opponents.

Pac-12 Non-Conference Games By Quad

Opponent Strength Home Away Neutral Total Average Potential
Opponent Strength Home Away Neutral Total Average Potential
Quad 1 6 7 11 24 2 18
Quad 2 4 3 10 17 1.416666667 15
Quad 3 25 5 5 35 2.916666667 10
Quad 4 53 2 4 59 4.916666667 6
Non-D1 0 0 0 0 0 1
Total 88 17 30 135
Average 7.333333333 1.416666667 2.5 11.25
Percentage 0.6518518519 0.1259259259 0.2222222222
Rank (of 32 Conferences) 6th 32nd 1st
Q1 1-30 1-75 1-50
Q2 31-75 76-135 51-100
Q3 76-160 136-240 101-200
Q4 161-353 241-353 201-353

While the Pac-12 collectively cut down on Quad 4 opposition this season, by eight games in total and 10 home contests, Quad 3 teams picked up the bulk of this matchups. The conference’s total number of guaranteed Quad 1 and 2 games even declined by two when compared with 2018-19, from 43 to 41.

Curiously, even though the Pac-12 plays the smallest percentage of road games nationally, their home game percentage doesn’t even crack the top five. That’s because the league leads the country in neutral-site contests by a decent margin.

The Pac-12 By Team

Teams are listed in order of their Average Schedule Ranking. The number in front of an opponent name is its Four-Year Ranking.

Teams that failed to max out their schedules (3/12): Oregon State, Utah (no fourth MTE game), Washington (Hawai’i exemption, but no MTE fourth game)

23. Oregon Ducks

*MTE: Bad Boy Mowers Battle 4 Atlantis

Home Games (8) Neutral-Site Games (4) Road Games (1)
Home Games (8) Neutral-Site Games (4) Road Games (1)
17. Houston 95. Memphis! 9. Michigan
79. Fresno State 40. Seton Hall*
91. Boise State 2. Gonzaga or
117. Montana 203. Southern Mississippi*
118. UT Arlington* 4. North Carolina/
193. Hawai'i 9. Michigan/
222. Texas Southern 23. Iowa State/
340. Alabama State 54. Alabama*
! - Portland, Ore.

Oregon Chronological

Date (Rank) Opponent Event/Venue 2018-19 Meeting (2-2)
Date (Rank) Opponent Event/Venue 2018-19 Meeting (2-2)
Nov. 5 79. Fresno State
Nov. 9 91. Boise State UO 66-54 (H) UO 62-50 (@)
Nov. 12 95. Memphis Phil Knight Invitational (Portland, Ore.)
Nov. 17 118. UT Arlington Bad Boy Mowers Battle 4 Atlantis
Nov. 22 17. Houston UH 65-61 (@)
Nov. 27 40. Seton Hall Bad Boy Mowers Battle 4 Atlantis (Paradise Island, Bahamas)
Nov. 28 2. Gonzaga or 203. Southern Mississippi Bad Boy Mowers Battle 4 Atlantis (Paradise Island, Bahamas)
Nov. 29 4. North Carolina/9. Michigan/ 23. Iowa State/54. Alabama Bad Boy Mowers Battle 4 Atlantis (Paradise Island, Bahamas)
Dec. 7 193. Hawai'i
Dec. 14 9. Michigan
Dec. 18 117. Montana
Dec. 21 222. Texas Southern TSU 89-84 (H)
Dec. 29 340. Alabama State

The Ducks closed 2019 well, winning the Pac-12 Tournament and a pair of NCAA games, but Dana Altman will hope his squad gets off to a better, healthier start this fall. This schedule is both home-heavy and largely front-loaded. Oregon starts with a pair of tricky Mountain West opponents before taking on Memphis in the Phil Knight Invitational in Portland. They’ll then meet UT Arlington and Houston before traveling to the loaded Battle 4 Atlantis. If the Ducks can get past Big East favorite Seton Hall, a semifinal matchup with Gonzaga would likely await. Upon their return to Eugene, Oregon should be able to relax, though they did fall to Texas Southern a season ago and a trip to Michigan, a potential day three foe in the Bahamas, is a serious obstacle before Pac-12 play begins.

33. Utah Utes

*MTE: Myrtle Beach Invitational

Home Games (5) Neutral-Site Games (5) Road Games (2)
Home Games (5) Neutral-Site Games (5) Road Games (2)
66. Minnesota 21. Baylor or 30. Nevada
70. BYU 158. Ohio* 179. Coastal Carolina*
204. UC Davis 6. Villanova/
290. Central Arkansas 43. Mississippi State/
348. Mississippi Valley State 113. Middle Tennessee/
240. Tulane*
8. Kentucky$
72. San Diego State%
174. Weber State!
$ - Las Vegas
% - Los Angeles
! - Vivint Smart Home Arena

Utah Chronological

Date (Rank) Opponent Event/Venue 2018-19 Meeting (1-4)
Date (Rank) Opponent Event/Venue 2018-19 Meeting (1-4)
Nov. 5 30. Nevada UN 86-71 (H)
Nov. 8 348. Mississippi Valley State UU 98-63 (H)
Nov. 15 66. Minnesota UM 78-69 (@)
Nov. 21 179. Coastal Carolina Myrtle Beach Invitational (Conway, S.C)
Nov. 22 21. Baylor or 158. Ohio Myrtle Beach Invitational (Conway, S.C)
Nov. 24 6. Villanova/ 43. Mississippi State/ 113. Middle Tennessee/ 240. Tulane Myrtle Beach Invitational (Conway, S.C)
Nov. 29 204. UC Davis
Dec. 4 70. BYU BYU 74-59 (N)
Dec. 7 290. Central Arkansas
Dec. 14 174. Weber State Beehive Classic (Vivint Smart Home Arena, Salt Lake City)
Dec. 18 8. Kentucky T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas UK 88-61 (@)
Dec. 21 72. San Diego State Basketball Hall of Fame Classic (Los Angeles)

After several seasons of underwhelming non-conference schedules, Larry Krystkowiak really turned things up a notch this season after 2018-19’s postseason-less 17-14 campaign. The number of sub-300 opponents has been more than halved (halved if you want to count 290th-ranked Central Arkansas), while the Utes will open the season at Nevada, even if the Mountain West power might be heading into a rebuilding season. Minnesota, a 2019 NCAA team, visits the Huntsman Center before Utah heads to the Myrtle Beach Invitational, where a pair of top 40 games might await, provided the Utes can knock off the hosts in the quarterfinals. BYU travels to Salt Lake City for this season’s edition of the hardwood Holy War, while Utah closes non-league play with a trio of neutral-site contests, the middle of which features top-five Kentucky.

40. Arizona State Sun Devils

*MTE: Air Force Reserve Tip-Off Presented by Citi

Home Games (7) Neutral-Site Games (4) Road Games (2)
Home Games (7) Neutral-Site Games (4) Road Games (2)
33. Creighton 18. Saint Mary's! 105. San Francisco
77. Georgia 74. Colorado$ 132. Princeton
125. Louisiana 92. St. John's*
185. Rider* 1. Virginia or
222. Texas Southern 206. UMass*
283. Prairie View A&M ! - Phoenix
337. Central Connecticut State* $ - Shanghai, China

Arizona State Chronological

Date (Rank) Opponent Event/Venue 2018-19 Meeting (4-2)
Date (Rank) Opponent Event/Venue 2018-19 Meeting (4-2)
Nov. 8 74. Colorado Pac-12 China Game (Shanghai, China) ASU 83-61 (H) CU 77-73 (@)
Nov. 14 337. Central Connecticut State Air Force Reserve Tip-Off Presented by Citi
Nov. 17 185. Rider Air Force Reserve Tip-Off Presented by Citi
Nov. 23 92. St. John's Air Force Reserve Tip-Off Presented by Citi (Uncasville, Conn.) ASU 74-65 (NCAA)
Nov. 24 1. Virginia or 206. UMass Air Force Reserve Tip-Off Presented by Citi (Uncasville, Conn.)
Nov. 26 132. Princeton PU 67-66 (H)
Dec. 3 105. San Francisco Cancelled
Dec. 7 125. Louisiana
Dec. 11 283. Prairie View A&M
Dec. 14 77. Georgia ASU 76-74 (@)
Dec. 18 18. Saint Mary's Basketball Hall of Fame Showcase (Phoenix)
Dec. 21 33. Creighton
Dec. 28 222. Texas Southern ASU 83-71 (H)

Bobby Hurley’s Sun Devils will begin their quest for a third straight NCAA bid by taking on plenty of familiar foes. For starters, Arizona State opens with a conference game that’s not a conference game: against Colorado in Shanghai, China. Then, after a pair of Hall of Fame Tip-Off on-campus games, the Sun Devils meet St. John’s, the team they defeated in the First Four last March. After a pair of games in Connecticut, one of which could see ASU face the defending National Champions from Virginia, they’ll hang out on the East Coast with the hopes of avenging a stunning home loss to Princeton. Next up, a trip to San Francisco to take on the Dons in a game that makes up for one canceled because of wildfires last fall. And while Hurley’s team will hang around the Valley of the Sun for their final six non-league contests, visits from Georgia and Creighton and a showdown with Saint Mary’s in downtown Phoenix mean Arizona State won’t be able to take it easy during December.

51. Colorado Buffaloes

*MTE: MGM Resorts Main Event

Home Games (7) Neutral-Site Games (4) Road Games (2)
Home Games (7) Neutral-Site Games (4) Road Games (2)
103. UC Irvine* 67. Arizona State$ 10. Kansas
140. Northern Iowa 76. Dayton% 161. Colorado State
141. San Diego* 210. Wyoming*
146. Iona 22. Clemson or
167. Loyola Marymount 41. TCU*
283. Prairie View A&M $ - Shanghai, China
296. Sacramento State % - Chicago

Colorado Chronological

Date (Rank) Opponent Event/Venue 2018-19 Meeting (2-1)
Date (Rank) Opponent Event/Venue 2018-19 Meeting (2-1)
Nov. 8 67. Arizona State Pac-12 China Game (Shanghai, China)
Nov. 16 141. San Diego MGM Resorts Main Event (waiver) USD 70-64 (@)
Nov. 18 103. UC Irvine MGM Resorts Main Event
Nov. 24 210. Wyoming MGM Resorts Main Event (Las Vegas)
Nov. 26 22. Clemson or 41. TCU MGM Resorts Main Event (Las Vegas)
Nov. 30 296. Sacramento State
Dec. 4 167. Loyola Marymount
Dec. 7 10. Kansas
Dec. 10 140. Northern Iowa
Dec. 13 161. Colorado State CU 86-80 (H)
Dec. 19 283. Prairie View A&M
Dec. 21 76. Dayton Chicago Legends (Chicago) CU 78-73 (H)
Dec. 29 146. Iona

While the Buffaloes entered the NIT with 21 wins and finished with 23 after falling to Texas in that event’s quarterfinals, they could have earned a bid to the four-letter tournament had 2018’s non-conference schedule been a bit stronger. Tad Boyle got the hint and upgraded Colorado’s November/December slate for 2019-20. While the bulk of the quality comes early, thanks to the trip to China to play Arizona State, a trio of decent Main Event matchups, and a December 7th trip to former Big 8/12 rival Kansas, the Buffs will also close well, thanks to a Chicago Legends matchup with Atlantic 10 contender Dayton and the late addition of a home game against perennial MAAC champ Iona.

55. California Golden Bears

*MTE: 2K Empire Classic Benefiting Wounded Warrior Project

Home Games (8) Neutral-Site Games (3) Road Games (2)
Home Games (8) Neutral-Site Games (3) Road Games (2)
18. Saint Mary's 3. Duke* 105. San Francisco
79. Fresno State 34. Texas or 211. Santa Clara
126. Harvard 84. Georgetown*
148. UNLV 110. Boston College!
168. Cal Baptist* ! - San Francisco
204. UC Davis
217. Pepperdine
283. Prairie View A&M*

California Chronological

Date (Rank) Opponent Event/Venue 2018-19 Meeting (1-3)
Date (Rank) Opponent Event/Venue 2018-19 Meeting (1-3)
Nov. 5 217. Pepperdine
Nov. 12 148. UNLV
Nov. 15 168. Cal Baptist 2K Empire Classic Benefiting Wounded Warrior Project
Nov. 18 283. Prairie View A&M 2K Empire Classic Benefiting Wounded Warrior Project
Nov. 21 3. Duke 2K Empire Classic Benefiting Wounded Warrior Project (New York)
Nov. 22 34. Texas or 84. Georgetown 2K Empire Classic Benefiting Wounded Warrior Project (New York)
Nov. 26 204. UC Davis
Dec. 4 105. San Francisco USF 79-60 (H)
Dec. 7 211. Santa Clara UC 78-66 (H)
Dec. 11 79. Fresno State FSU 95-73 (@)
Dec. 14 18. Saint Mary's SMC 84-71 (@)
Dec. 21 110. Boston College Al Attles Classic (Chase Center, San Francisco)
Dec. 29 126. Harvard

Mark Fox replaces Wyking Jones in Berkeley, following a pair of eight-win campaigns. And even though the Golden Bears will only leave the Golden State once before Pac-12 play, for a pair of games in New York as part of the Empire Classic, this schedule might be a bit overly ambitious for a team that has struggled since Cuonzo Martin left for Missouri. The home slate isn’t all that straightforward, as UNLV is expected to be improved, while Fresno State, Saint Mary’s, and Harvard are all capable of winning in Berkeley. And while Cal plays a pair of WCC road games, those will come not long after what’s likely to be an 0-2 trip to Manhattan. With this schedule, it could be a long November and December in the Bay Area.

64. USC Trojans

*MTE: Orlando Invitational

Home Games (7) Neutral-Site Games (5) Road Games (1)
Home Games (7) Neutral-Site Games (5) Road Games (1)
88. Temple* 41. TCU$ 30. Nevada
98. South Dakota State 50. LSU!
156. FGCU 254. Fairfield*
200. Long Beach State 33. Marquette or
217. Pepperdine 68. Davidson*
310. Portland 24. Maryland/
345. Florida A&M 51. Texas A&M/
88. Temple/
126. Harvard*
! - Staples Center
$ - Dickies Arena, Fort Worth

USC Chronological

Date (Rank) Opponent Event/Venue 2018-19 Meeting (1-2)
Date (Rank) Opponent Event/Venue 2018-19 Meeting (1-2)
Nov. 5 345. Florida A&M
Nov. 8 310. Portland
Nov. 12 98. South Dakota State
Nov. 16 30. Nevada UN 73-61 (H)
Nov. 19 217. Pepperdine
Nov. 22 88. Temple Orlando Invitational
Nov. 28 254. Fairfield Orlando Invitational (Bay Lake, Fla.)
Nov. 29 33. Marquette or 68. Davidson Orlando Invitational (Bay Lake, Fla.)
Dec. 1 24. Maryland/51. Texas A&M/ 88. Temple/126. Harvard Orlando Invitational (Bay Lake, Fla.)
Dec. 6 41. TCU Dickies Arena, Fort Worth TCU 96-61 (N)
Dec. 15 200. Long Beach State USC 75-65 (H)
Dec. 21 50. LSU Hall of Fame Classic (Staples Center)
Dec. 29 156. FGCU

Andy Enfield’s Trojans took a major step back in 2018-19, following up a pair of NCAA appearances and a disappointing 2018 NIT trip with a 16-17 campaign. Oddly enough, Enfield’s former employer, FGCU, closes USC’s non-conference slate in a season when he enters on the hot seat. And there’s plenty of intrigue on this schedule beyond that contest, as the Trojans visit Nevada and host Summit power South Dakota State before playing four games as part of the Orlando Invitational. After visiting Mickey Mouse, USC visits Dickies Arena for a semi-road contest against TCU. And before Dunk City heads to L.A., the Trojans make the short trip to Staples Center for a semi-home game with LSU. Enfield will hope his team gets off to a good start, as last season’s 7-6 non-conference run doomed the Trojans to further mediocrity.

79. Arizona Wildcats

*MTE: Wooden Legacy

Home Games (8) Neutral-Site Games (4) Road Games (1)
Home Games (8) Neutral-Site Games (4) Road Games (1)
2. Gonzaga 217. Pepperdine* 21. Baylor
60. New Mexico State 71. UCF or
89. Illinois 137. Penn*
98. South Dakota State 62. Providence/
198. Omaha 101. Wake Forest/
200. Long Beach State* 106. College of Charleston/
323. San José State 200. Long Beach State*
327. Northern Arizona 92. St. John's$
$ - San Francisco

Arizona Chronological

Date (Rank) Opponent Event/Venue 2018-19 Meeting (0-2)
Date (Rank) Opponent Event/Venue 2018-19 Meeting (0-2)
Nov. 6 327. Northern Arizona
Nov. 10 89. Illinois
Nov. 14 323. San José State
Nov. 17 60. New Mexico State
Nov. 21 98. South Dakota State
Nov. 24 200. Long Beach State Wooden Legacy
Nov. 28 217. Pepperdine Wooden Legacy (Anaheim, Calif.)
Nov. 29 71. UCF or 137. Penn Wooden Legacy (Anaheim, Calif.)
Dec. 1 62. Providence/ 101. Wake Forest/ 106. College of Charleston/ 200. Long Beach State Wooden Legacy (Anaheim, Calif.)
Dec. 7 21. Baylor BU 58-49 (H)
Dec. 11 198. Omaha
Dec. 14 2. Gonzaga GU 91-74 (N)
Dec. 21 92. St. John's Al Attles Classic (San Francisco)

The Wildcats missed the postseason for the first time since Sean Miller’s first season in Tucson, way back in 2009-10. Despite the presence of a home game with Gonzaga and trip to Baylor, this schedule looks to be extremely manageable as Arizona looks to rebound. Sure, early home games with Illinois, New Mexico State, and South Dakota State could be tricky, but the Wildcats will be heavily favored to win the Wooden Legacy, with Providence looking like their most serious obstacle on the way to the crown. A game at the new Chase Center against St. John’s adds further intrigue to a December schedule that already includes games with the Bulldogs and Bears.

120. Washington Huskies

*MTE: Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic

Home Games (8) Neutral-Site Games (4-5) Road Games (0-1)
Home Games (8) Neutral-Site Games (4-5) Road Games (0-1)
2. Gonzaga 14. Tennessee$ 193. Hawai'i
117. Montana 21. Baylor% (or UTEP)*
141. San Diego 143. Ball State*
147. South Dakota 270. UTEP
184. Eastern Washington (or Hawai'i)*
218. Seattle 17. Houston/
288. Mount St. Mary's 91. Boise State/
341. Maine 97. Georgia Tech/
310. Portland*
$ - Toronto, Ont.
% - Anchorage, Ak.

Washington Chronological

Date (Rank) Opponent Event/Venue 2018-19 Meeting (3-1)
Date (Rank) Opponent Event/Venue 2018-19 Meeting (3-1)
Nov. 8 21. Baylor Armed Forces Classic (Anchorage, Ak.)
Nov. 12 288. Mount St. Mary's
Nov. 16 14. Tennessee James Naismith Invitational (Toronto, Ont., Canada)
Nov. 19 341. Maine
Nov. 22 117. Montana
Nov. 24 141. San Diego UW 66-63 (H)
Dec. 2 147. South Dakota
Dec. 4 184. Eastern Washington UW 83-59 (H)
Dec. 8 2. Gonzaga GU 81-79 (@)
Dec. 17 218. Seattle UW 70-62 (H)
Dec. 22 143. Ball State Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic (Honolulu, Hawai'i)
Dec. 23 193. Hawai'i or 270. UTEP Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic (Honolulu, Hawai'i)
Dec. 25 17. Houston/91. Boise State/ 97. Georgia Tech/310. Portland Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic (Honolulu, Hawai'i)

While the Huskies won the Pac-12 regular-season title, there was a little bit of trepidation heading into Selection Sunday, due to a lack of quality wins. And even though Mike Hopkins’ squad ended up getting into the field with room to spare—as a nine seed—that was more due to the “quality” of the bubble than Washington’s non-conference slate. This schedule is rather similar to last season’s, but a bit more challenging. And indeed, Washington there’s little breathing room right out of the gate, as they’ll take on both Baylor and Tennessee in neutral-site contests before Thanksgiving. After those, the Huskies won’t leave Seattle again until heading to Hawai’i for the Diamond Head Classic over Christmas week. If they struggle in the season’s opening weeks, the Dawgs might need to take care of business there and top Gonzaga at home to have some decent non-league wins on their profile..

126. UCLA Bruins

*MTE: Maui Jim Maui Invitational

Home Games (8) Neutral-Site Games (4) Road Games (1)
Home Games (8) Neutral-Site Games (4) Road Games (1)
124. Hofstra 72. BYU* 45. Notre Dame
148. UNLV 10. Kansas or
178. UC Santa Barbara (Non-D1) Chaminade*
200. Long Beach State 5. Michigan State/
205. Cal State Fullerton 19. Virginia Tech/
256. Denver 76. Dayton/
311. Southern Utah* 77. Georgia*
323. San José State 4. North Carolina$
$ - Las Vegas

UCLA Chronological

Date (Rank) Opponent Event/Venue 2018-19 Meeting (2-1)
Date (Rank) Opponent Event/Venue 2018-19 Meeting (2-1)
Nov. 6 200. Long Beach State UCLA 91-80 (H)
Nov. 10 178. UC Santa Barbara
Nov. 15 148. UNLV
Nov. 18 311. Southern Utah Maui Jim Maui Invitational
Nov. 21 124. Hofstra
Nov. 25 72. BYU Maui Jim Maui Invitational (Lahaina, Hawai'i)
Nov. 26 10. Kansas or (Non-D1) Chaminade Maui Jim Maui Invitational (Lahaina, Hawai'i)
Nov. 27 5. Michigan State/ 19. Virginia Tech/ 76. Dayton/77. Georgia Maui Jim Maui Invitational (Lahaina, Hawai'i)
Dec. 1 323. San José State
Dec. 8 256. Denver
Dec. 14 45. Notre Dame UCLA 65-62 (H)
Dec. 21 4. North Carolina CBS Sports Classic (Las Vegas) UNC 94-78 (N)
Dec. 28 205. Cal State Fullerton

After an annus horriblus that saw Steve Alford dismissed before the New Year, the Bruins still managed to finish with a winning record and .500 mark in the Pac-12. However, new coach Mick Cronin will hope UCLA gets off to a better start than the 7-6 November and December of 2018 that cost Alford his job. Even with three games in Maui, a road trip to Notre Dame, and a CBS Sports Classic matchup with North Carolina on tap, the home games alone should get the Bruins off to a great start, as long as they don’t replicate last fall’s performances.

162. Stanford Cardinal

*MTE: Hall of Fame Classic Presented by ShotTracker

Home Games (9) Neutral-Site Games (3) Road Games (1)
Home Games (9) Neutral-Site Games (3) Road Games (1)
10. Kansas 37. Oklahoma* 323. San José State
105. San Francisco 38. Butler or
117. Montana 82. Missouri*
165. William & Mary* 141. San Diego!
190. UNCW ! - San Francisco
200. Long Beach State
205. Cal State Fullerton
211. Santa Clara
350. Maryland-Eastern Shore*

Stanford Chronological

Date (Rank) Opponent Event/Venue 2018-19 Meeting (3-2)
Date (Rank) Opponent Event/Venue 2018-19 Meeting (3-2)
Nov. 6 117. Montana
Nov. 9 205. Cal State Fullerton
Nov. 12 200. Long Beach State SU 93-86 (H)
Nov. 16 211. Santa Clara
Nov. 19 350. Maryland-Eastern Shore Hall of Fame Classic Presented by ShotTracker
Nov. 21 165. William & Mary Hall of Fame Classic Presented by ShotTracker
Nov. 25 37. Oklahoma Hall of Fame Classic Presented by ShotTracker (Kansas City, Mo.)
Nov. 26 38. Butler or 82. Missouri Hall of Fame Classic Presented by ShotTracker (Kansas City, Mo.)
Dec. 1 190. UNCW SU 72-59 (@)
Dec. 14 323. San José State SU 78-73 (H)
Dec. 17 105. San Francisco USF 74-65 (@)
Dec. 21 141. San Diego Al Attles Classic (San Francisco)
Dec. 29 10. Kansas KU 90-84 (OT) (@)

Jerod Haase begins his fourth season in charge on the Farm in search of his first NCAA bid, with last season’s four-win decline being a significant disappointment following 2018’s NIT trip. As a result, the Cardinal’s 2019-20 non-conference schedule is a significant step back after 2018-19’s top 10 effort. Stanford leaves the Bay Area just once before Pac-12 play, to play a pair of games in Kansas City. The one true road game, against San José State, is nothing to write home about, while Haase’s alma mater, Kansas, provides the biggest challenge aside from the Hall of Fame Classic and Chase Center showdown with San Diego.

265. Oregon State Beavers

*MTE: Continental Tire Las Vegas Classic

Home Games (7) Neutral-Site Games (3) Road Games (2)
Home Games (7) Neutral-Site Games (3) Road Games (2)
23. Iowa State 37. Oklahoma! 51. Texas A&M
178. UC Santa Barbara* 195. UTSA# 210. Wyoming
238. North Dakota 323. San José State*
244. Portland State* ! - Portland, Ore.
307. CSUN # - Houston, Texas
314. Grambling State*
339. Arkansas-Pine Bluff

Oregon State Chronological

Date (Rank) Opponent Event/Venue 2018-19 Meeting (1-1)
Date (Rank) Opponent Event/Venue 2018-19 Meeting (1-1)
Nov. 5 307. CSUN
Nov. 9 23. Iowa State
Nov. 12 37. Oklahoma Phil Knight Invitational (Portland, Ore.)
Nov. 16 210. Wyoming OSU 83-64 (H)
Nov. 20 178. UC Santa Barbara Continental Tire Las Vegas Classic
Nov. 23 314. Grambling State Continental Tire Las Vegas Classic
Nov. 27 323. San José State Continental Tire Las Vegas Classic (Las Vegas)
Dec. 1 244. Portland State Continental Tire Las Vegas Classic
Dec. 14 339. Arkansas-Pine Bluff
Dec. 18 195. UTSA The Battleground 2K19 (Houston, Texas)
Dec. 21 51. Texas A&M A&M 67-64 (N)
Dec. 29 230. North Dakota

Despite finishing 18-13, Wayne Tinkle’s Beavers didn’t earn an NIT invite, likely because of a mediocre showing in non-league play. And while Oregon State should win plenty of games this fall, thanks to a weak exempt event and seven total sub-200 games, the Beavers will likely need to grab a pair of Big 12 wins, over Iowa State in Corvallis and Oklahoma in the Phil Knight Invitational in Portland, to enter Pac-12 play with at-large hopes.

317. Washington State Cougars

*MTE: Cayman Islands Classic

Home Games (7) Neutral-Site Games (4) Road Games (2)
Home Games (7) Neutral-Site Games (4) Road Games (2)
198. Omaha* 56. Nebraska* 211. Santa Clara
218. Seattle 60. New Mexico State! 291. Idaho#
312. UC Riverside 96. Old Dominion* # - Cowan Spectrum, Moscow
316. Idaho State 166. George Mason*
334. Incarnate Word 60. New Mexico State/
339. Arkansas-Pine Bluff 93. Loyola Chicago/
345. Florida A&M 161. Colorado State/
214. South Florida*
! - Spokane

Washington State Chronological

Date (Rank) Opponent Event/Venue 2018-19 Meeting (2-3)
Date (Rank) Opponent Event/Venue 2018-19 Meeting (2-3)
Nov. 7 218. Seattle WSU 78-69 (N)
Nov. 12 211. Santa Clara SCU 79-71 (N)
Nov. 17 316. Idaho State
Nov. 21 198. Omaha Cayman Islands Classic
Nov. 25 56. Nebraska Cayman Islands Classic (George Town, Cayman Islands)
Nov. 26 96. Old Dominion or 166. George Mason Cayman Islands Classic (George Town, Cayman Islands)
Nov. 27 60. New Mexico State/ 93. Loyola Chicago/ 161. Colorado State/ 214. South Florida Cayman Islands Classic (George Town, Cayman Islands) NMSU 69-63 (@) NMSU 75-72 (N)
Dec. 4 291. Idaho Cowan Spectrum, Moscow, Idaho WSU 90-79 (H)
Dec. 7 60. New Mexico State Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Spokane, Wash. NMSU 69-63 (@) NMSU 75-72 (N)
Dec. 15 312. UC Riverside
Dec. 19 345. Florida A&M
Dec. 21 334. Incarnate Word
Dec. 29 339. Arkansas-Pine Bluff

After five seasons without a single winning campaign, Ernie Kent was let go in Pullman, with former San Francisco coach Kyle Smith taking over. While the Cougars won just 11 games a season ago, seven of those victories came in non-league play. And with a soft schedule featuring nine teams rated 198th or worse in the four-year rankings, including five sub-300 teams, Washington State should be able to better that total this time. Also, did the NCAA pass a rule that requires Wazzu and New Mexico State to meet as often as possible when no one was paying attention? Last season, the Aggies defeated the Cougars twice, once in Las Cruces, and later in the consolation game of the Las Vegas Classic. This time, NMSU is the guest for Washington State’s annual Spokane game, which will be held 10 days after the pair could meet on day three of the Cayman Islands Classic.

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