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The Big East’s Non-Conference Scheduling for 2019-20

While the Big East doesn’t have a top 10 slate like Xavier’s of a season ago, the bottom of the league made significant strides in schedule-building this season.

Big East teams in order of non-conference schedule rank (1-3 top; 4-7 middle; 8-10 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

Big East Four-Year Rankings

Team 4-Year Ranking 2018-19 Ranking Ranking Change
Team 4-Year Ranking 2018-19 Ranking Ranking Change
Villanova 6 1 -5
Xavier 31 18 -13
Creighton 32 28 -4
Marquette 33 53 20
Butler 38 21 -17
Seton Hall 40 37 -3
Providence 62 50 -12
Georgetown 84 68 -16
St. John's 92 93 1
DePaul 120 144 24
Average 53.8 51.3 -2.5
Conference Rank 5th of 32 (3rd in 2018-19)

A season ago, the Big East ranked third nationally in the four-year ranking, thanks to nine top 100 teams and a trio of top 25 outfits. Heading into 2019-20, however, both the Big Ten and SEC passed the conference. While the Big East still counts nine top 100 clubs among its membership, just one of those finds itself in the current top 25, last year’s No. 1, Villanova.

Ranking The Schedules

Big East 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
24 51 Seton Hall** 274.6458333
29 93 Butler* 269.9519231
34 79 Villanova** 264.4663462
60 326 Georgetown* 247.4519231
73 104 Providence** 242.8798077
83 10 Xavier** 239.6826923
109 154 Marquette** 229.859375
151 37 Creighton* 216.0769231
174 339 DePaul 205.7307692
207 253 St. John's* 195.8942308
94.4 144.6 Conference Average 238.6639824
4/32 6/32 Conference Rank

Overall, Big East teams continue to schedule well out of conference, with the teams rooted to the bottom of the table last fall stepping up across the board for 2019-20. Heading into 2018-19, the Big East had three non-conference schedules ranked outside of the top 250. This time around, only St. John’s sits outside the top 200. It’s no wonder the Big East’s average schedule strength jumped from sixth to fourth.

Big East 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
22 (19 in 2018-19) 4 (2) 2 (1)
3rd of Power 7 5th t-5th (Big 12, Big Ten)

On aggregate, the Big East will play slightly more road games, both overall and against non-power teams, than it did a season ago. While St. John’s won’t play a true road contest until league play begins, every one of the Red Storm’s conference rivals will play at least two true road games, with Seton Hall and Villanova both scheduling three and DePaul lining up four. On the other hand, the Blue Demons and Creighton both needed to call up non-D1 opponents to complete their schedules. The Bluejays have now done so in four straight seasons.

Big East Non-Conference Games By League

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

No games scheduled or possible against: Big Sky, Big South, WAC

While the Big Ten, partners with the Big East in the Gavitt Tip-Off series, continues to lead the way, the Big 12 is now second thanks to their own scheduling alliance—the Battle—with the conference. The America East and Atlantic Sun both saw their total number of Big East matchups jump, while the Atlantic 10 and ACC were the most notable conferences that saw their totals drop.

No single non-conference opponent appears more than twice on Big East schedules, while three league members will play a trio of opponents from other loops. Both DePaul and Seton Hall scheduled three Big Ten teams, while St. John’s takes on the same number from the America East.

Big East Non-Conference Games By Quad

Opponent Strength Home Away Neutral Total Average Potential
Opponent Strength Home Away Neutral Total Average Potential
Quad 1 8 15 5 28 2.8 15
Quad 2 9 4 4 17 1.7 8
Quad 3 13 2 3 18 1.8 10
Quad 4 47 1 1 49 4.9 5
Non-D1 2 0 0 2 0.2 0
Total 79 22 13 114
Average 7.9 2.2 1.3 11.4
Percentage 0.6929824561 0.1929824561 0.1140350877
Rank (of 32 Conferences) 3rd 27th 12th
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

There’s been a slight uptick in Big East Quad 1 matchups in non-conference play, one that nearly parallels a slight decline in Quad 4 non-league games. There’s also been a slight shift in favor of Quad 2 games over Quad 3 ones when compared to a season ago.

The Big East 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 (2/10): Marquette (no fourth MTE game), Seton Hall (no fourth MTE game)

24. Seton Hall Pirates

*MTE: Bad Boy Mowers Battle 4 Atlantis

Home Games (6) Neutral-Site Games (3) Road Games (3)
Home Games (6) Neutral-Site Games (3) Road Games (3)
5. Michigan State^ 29. Oregon* 23. Iowa State#
24. Maryland 2. Gonzaga or 122. Rutgers
181. Stony Brook 203. Southern Mississippi* 153. Saint Louis
257. Wagner 4. North Carolina/ # - Big 12 Battle
283. Prairie View A&M 9. Michigan/
345. Florida A&M 23. Iowa State/
^ - Gavitt Tip-Off 54. Alabama*

Seton Hall Chronological

Date (Rank) Opponent Event/Venue 2018-19 Meeting (3-1)
Date (Rank) Opponent Event/Venue 2018-19 Meeting (3-1)
Nov. 5 257. Wagner SHU 89-49 (H)
Nov. 9 181. Stony Brook
Nov. 14 5. Michigan State Gavitt Tip-Off Games
Nov. 17 153. Saint Louis SLU 66-64 (H)
Nov. 23 345. Florida A&M
Nov. 27 29. Oregon 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. 8 23. Iowa State Big 12/Big East Battle
Dec. 14 122. Rutgers SHU 72-66 (H)
Dec. 19 24. Maryland SHU 78-74 (@)
Dec. 22 283. Prairie View A&M

Kevin Willard’s Pirates enter the season as a chic pick to challenge for the Big East and NCAA titles and this non-conference schedule is certainly worthy of a team bearing such lofty expectations. For starters, the Pirates will participate in an absolutely loaded Battle 4 Atlantis, where Oregon will be their first opponent, and Gonzaga, North Carolina, Michigan, and Iowa State could all feature in the Hall’s plans for days two and three—and the Pirates will see the Cyclones anyway as part of the new Big 12/Big East Battle. And that’s not the only intrigue a conference challenge will offer Seton Hall this season, as the Pirates will be Michigan State‘s opponent in the Spartans’ long-awaited Gavitt Tip-Off debut. Plus, Myles Powell and co. will also welcome Maryland to Newark, one year after defeating the Terps in College Park.

29. Butler Bulldogs

*MTE: Hall of Fame Classic Powered by ShotTracker

Home Games (8) Neutral-Site Games (3) Road Games (2)
Home Games (8) Neutral-Site Games (3) Road Games (2)
15. Florida 82. Missouri* 21. Baylor#
66. Minnesota^ 37. Oklahoma or 63. Ole Miss
78. Wofford* 99. Stanford* # - Big 12 Battle
176. ULM 7. Purdue!
229. IUPUI ! - Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Indianapolis
249. Morehead State*
266. New Orleans
330. Southern
^ - Gavitt Tip-Off

Butler Chronological

Date (Rank) Opponent Event/Venue 2018-19 Meeting (2-1)
Date (Rank) Opponent Event/Venue 2018-19 Meeting (2-1)
Nov. 6 229. IUPUI
Nov. 9 266. New Orleans
Nov. 12 66. Minnesota Gavitt Tip-Off Games
Nov. 16 78. Wofford Hall of Fame Classic Powered by ShotTracker
Nov. 22 249. Morehead State Hall of Fame Classic Powered by ShotTracker
Nov. 25 82. Missouri Hall of Fame Classic Powered by ShotTracker (Kansas City)
Nov. 26 37. Oklahoma or 99. Stanford Hall of Fame Classic Powered by ShotTracker (Kansas City)
Dec. 3 63. Ole Miss BU 83-76 (H)
Dec. 7 15. Florida BU 61-54 (N) UF 77-43 (@)
Dec. 10 21. Baylor Big 12/Big East Battle
Dec. 14 330. Southern
Dec. 21 7. Purdue Crossroads Classic (Bankers Life Fieldhouse)
Dec. 28 176. ULM

The Bulldogs followed up a 21-victory campaign capped by an NCAA win with a 16-17 clunker in LaVall Jordan’s second season in charge at Hinkle Fieldhouse. While Butler won nine non-conference games a season ago, the presence of seven power-conference matchups on this slate means Butler will be hard pressed to repeat that performance. December could be particularly rough, thanks to road games against Ole Miss and Baylor, plus a visit from Florida and the biennial Crossroads Classic fixture against Purdue.

34. Villanova Wildcats

*MTE: Myrtle Beach Invitational

Home Games (6) Neutral-Site Games (3-4) Road Games (3-4)
Home Games (6) Neutral-Site Games (3-4) Road Games (3-4)
10. Kansas#! 113. Middle Tennessee* 35. Ohio State^
104. UConn! 43. Mississippi State or 88. Temple
137. Penn 240. Tulane* 136. Saint Joseph's
158. Ohio*! 21. Baylor/ 179. Coastal Carolina
186. La Salle 65. Utah/ (or Baylor/Utah/
263. Army West Point 158. Ohio Ohio)*
# - Big 12 Battle (or Coastal Carolina)* ^ - Gavitt Tip-Off
! - Wells Fargo Arena, Philadelphia 278. Delaware$
$ - Newark, N.J.

Villanova Chronological

Date (Rank) Opponent Event/Venue 2018-19 Meeting (4-2)
Date (Rank) Opponent Event/Venue 2018-19 Meeting (4-2)
Nov. 5 263. Army West Point
Nov. 13 35. Ohio State Gavitt Tip-Off Games
Nov. 16 158. Ohio Myrtle Beach Invitational (Wells Fargo Center)
Nov. 21 113. Middle Tennessee Myrtle Beach Invitational (Conway, S.C.)
Nov. 22 43. Mississippi State or 240. Tulane Myrtle Beach Invitational (Conway, S.C.)
Nov. 24 21. Baylor/65. Utah/ 158. Ohio/179. Coastal Carolina Myrtle Beach Invitational (Conway, S.C.)
Dec. 1 186. La Salle Philadelphia Big 5 VU 85-78 (N)
Dec. 4 137. Penn Philadelphia Big 5 UP 78-75 (@)
Dec. 7 136. Saint Joseph's Philadelphia Big 5 VU 70-58 (H)
Dec. 14 278. Delaware Never Forget Tribute Classic (Newark, N.J.)
Dec. 21 10. Kansas Big 12/Big East Battle (Wells Fargo Center) KU 74-71 (@)
Jan. 18 104. UConn Wells Fargo Center VU 81-58 (N)
Feb. 16 90. Temple Philadelphia Big 5 VU 69-59 (H)

Even though the Wildcats struggled a bit last season, particularly early, losing four non-conference game, they still managed to record an NCAA win for the sixth season in succession. Jay Wright’s club should once again contend for the Big East title and national honors, and this non-conference schedule should more than adequately prepare them to meet those goals. As usual, there’s the Big 5, which will see the Wildcats attempt to wrest the crown from (checks notes) Penn. In terms of the two challenge series on offer, Nova has to travel to Ohio State for game two, then host Kansas immediately before the start of conference play. The Myrtle Beach Invitational could be sneaky good, with Mississippi State and Baylor looking like the Wildcats’ optimal opponents. Plus, Villanova will step out of Big East play twice, once to play once-and-future rival UConn at the Wells Fargo Center and then to play Temple to wrap up the City Series. That’s quite a bit on Nova’s plate for the season.

60. Georgetown Hoyas

*MTE: 2K Empire Classic Benefiting Wounded Warrior Project

Home Games (9) True Neutral-Site Games (2) Road Games (2)
Home Games (9) True Neutral-Site Games (2) Road Games (2)
39. Syracuse 34. Texas* 53. Oklahoma State#
48. Penn State^ 3. Duke or 57. SMU
100. UNCG 162. California* #- Big 12 Battle
108. Georgia State*
197. Samford
223. UMBC
288. Mount St. Mary's
290. Central Arkansas*
298. American
^ - Gavitt Tip-Off

Georgetown Chronological

Date (Rank) Opponent Event/Venue 2018-19 Meeting (0-2)
Date (Rank) Opponent Event/Venue 2018-19 Meeting (0-2)
Nov. 6 288. Mount St. Mary's
Nov. 9 290. Central Arkansas 2K Empire Classic Benefiting Wounded Warrior Project
Nov. 14 48. Penn State Gavitt Tip-Off Games
Nov. 17 108. Georgia State 2K Empire Classic Benefiting Wounded Warrior Project
Nov. 21 34. Texas 2K Empire Classic Benefiting Wounded Warrior Project (New York)
Nov. 22 3. Duke or 162. California 2K Empire Classic Benefiting Wounded Warrior Project (New York)
Nov. 30 100. UNCG
Dec. 4 53. Oklahoma State Big 12/Big East Battle
Dec. 7 57. SMU
Dec. 14 39. Syracuse SU 72-71 (@)
Dec. 17 223. UMBC SMU 81-73 (H)
Dec. 21 197. Samford
Dec. 28 298. American

What a difference a year makes for the Hoyas, who have a top 60 non-conference schedule, just 12 months after clocking in well outside of the top 300 nationally in what turned out to be an NIT season. This slate clearly has a different tournament, the four-letter one, in mind. And while Georgetown will play plenty of home games, including four against teams ranked outside of the top 200, both Penn State and ancient rival Syracuse will visit Capital One Arena. Patrick Ewing’s team even hits the road for consecutive games against Oklahoma State and SMU. Then there’s the Hoyas’ exempt event, which will see Georgetown attempt to make some national noise early by defeating Texas in the semifinals at Madison Square Garden. Win that matchup and a Friday night showdown with Duke would undoubtedly await.

73. Providence Friars

*MTE: Wooden Legacy

Home Games (7) Neutral-Site Games (4) Road Games (2)
Home Games (7) Neutral-Site Games (4) Road Games (2)
34. Texas# 15. Florida$ 64. Northwestern^
137. Penn* 200. Long Beach State* 73. Rhode Island
181. Stony Brook 101. Wake Forest or ^ - Gavitt Tip-Off
230. NJIT 106. College of Charleston*
248. Saint Peter's 36. Arizona/
294. Sacred Heart 71. UCF/
(Transitional) Merrimack 137. Penn/
# - Big 12 Battle 217. Pepperdine*
$ - Brooklyn

Providence Chronological

Date (Rank) Opponent Event/Venue 2018-19 Meeting (2-0)
Date (Rank) Opponent Event/Venue 2018-19 Meeting (2-0)
Nov. 5 294. Sacred Heart
Nov. 9 230. NJIT
Nov. 13 64. Northwestern Gavitt Tip-Off Games
Nov. 16 248. Saint Peter's
Nov. 19 (Transitional) Merrimack
Nov. 23 137. Penn Wooden Legacy
Nov. 28 200. Long Beach State Wooden Legacy (Anaheim, Calif.)
Nov. 29 101. Wake Forest or 106. College of Charleston Wooden Legacy (Anaheim, Calif.)
Dec. 1 36. Arizona/71. UCF 137. Penn/217. Pepperdine Wooden Legacy (Anaheim, Calif.)
Dec. 6 73. Rhode Island PC 59-50 (H)
Dec. 14 181. Stony Brook
Dec. 17 15. Florida Basketball Hall of Fame Invitational (Brooklyn)
Dec. 21 32. Texas Big 12/Big East Battle PC 71-65 (@)

Like so many Big East teams, the Friars took a step back in 2018-19, as their string of five straight NCAA bids ended with an 18-16 NIT campaign. In an attempt to get back to field of 68, Ed Cooley’s squad will play a non-conference schedule that’s largely backloaded. The biggest challenge before a four-game Wooden Legacy run that begins with a home game against Penn will be the Gavitt Tip-Off matchup with a Northwestern team that’s not as strong as its four-year ranking indicates. Upon Providence’s return from Orange County, a road trip to neighbors Rhode Island, a showdown with Florida in Brooklyn, and Big 12 Battle with Texas await.

83. Xavier Musketeers

*MTE: Charleston Classic

Home Games (8) Neutral-Site Games (3) Road Games (2)
Home Games (8) Neutral-Site Games (3) Road Games (2)
23. Cincinnati 196. Towson* 41. TCU#
82. Missouri 55. Buffalo or 101. Wake Forest
116. Lipscomb 104. UConn* # - Big 12 Battle
149. Missouri State* 15. Florida/
216. Green Bay 44. Miami (Fla.)/
251. Siena 136. Saint Joseph's/
295. Jacksonville 149. Missouri State*
304. Western Carolina

Xavier Chronological

Date (Rank) Opponent Event/Venue 2018-19 Meeting (0-2)
Date (Rank) Opponent Event/Venue 2018-19 Meeting (0-2)
Nov. 5 295. Jacksonville
Nov. 8 251. Siena
Nov. 12 82. Missouri MU 71-56 (@)
Nov. 15 149. Missouri State Charleston Classic
Nov. 21 196. Towson Charleston Classic (Charleston, S.C.)
Nov. 22 55. Buffalo or 104. UConn Charleston Classic (Charleston, S.C.)
Nov. 24 15. Florida/44. Miami (Fla.)/ 136. Saint Joseph's/ 149. Missouri State Charleston Classic (Charleston, S.C.)
Nov. 30 116. Lipscomb
Dec. 4 216. Green Bay
Dec. 7 13. Cincinnati UC 62-47 (@)
Dec. 14 101. Wake Forest Skip Prosser Classic
Dec. 18 304. Western Carolina
Dec. 22 41. TCU Big 12/Big East Battle
55. Buffalo
79. UConn
16. Florida
38. Miami (Fla.)
173. Missouri State
138. Saint Joseph's
210. Towson

Big things are expected out of Travis Steele’s second Musketeer squad after last season’s 19-16 season that saw Xavier win seven of its last eight Big East games to earn fringe bubble consideration and an NIT bid. The Musketeers will be well-tested, even with a quartet of sub-200 home games on the schedule. It would be a mild surprise if Xavier didn’t end up in the Charleston Classic final on the Sunday night before Thanksgiving, where Florida would be the most optimal matchup. There’s the annual showdown with Cincinnati, set for the Cintas Center this season, and while the Musketeers don’t participate in the Gavitt series this season, they will welcome Missouri from the SEC during that window. In the mandatory challenge series with the Big 12, Xavier travels to TCU, one of two 2019 NIT teams the Musketeers will play in the second half of non-league play, with Lipscomb being the other. Finally, the Skip Prosser Classic series resumes at Wake Forest.

109. Marquette Golden Eagles

*MTE: Orlando Invitational

Home Games (7) Neutral-Site Games (3) Road Games (2)
Home Games (7) Neutral-Site Games (3) Road Games (2)
7. Purdue^ 68. Davidson* 20. Wisconsin
169. North Dakota State 59. USC or 25. Kansas State#
280. Robert Morris 254. Fairfield* # - Big 12 Battle
290. Central Arkansas 24. Maryland/
295. Jacksonville 51. Texas A&M/
302. Loyola (Md.) 88. Temple/
313. Grambling State 126. Harvard*
^ - Gavitt Tip-Off

Marquette Chronological

Date (Rank) Opponent Event 2018-19 Meeting (2-0)
Date (Rank) Opponent Event 2018-19 Meeting (2-0)
Nov. 5 302. Loyola (Md.)
Nov. 13 7. Purdue Gavitt Tip-Off Games
Nov. 17 20. Wisconsin MU 74-69 (OT) (H)
Nov. 23 280. Robert Morris
Nov. 28 68. Davidson Orlando Invitational (Bay Lake, Fla.)
Nov 29 59. USC or 254. Fairfield Orlando Invitational (Bay Lake, Fla.)
Dec. 1 24. Maryland/51. Texas A&M/ 88. Temple/126. Harvard Orlando Invitational (Bay Lake, Fla.)
Dec. 4 295. Jacksonville
Dec. 7 25. Kansas State Big 12/Big East Battle MU 83-71 (H)
Dec. 17 314. Grambling State
Dec. 20 169. North Dakota State
Dec. 28 290. Central Arkansas

Even though the Golden Eagles won 24 games and earned a five seed in the NCAAs last season, going 1-6 in their final seven games undoubtedly left a sour taste in the mouths of Steve Wojciechowski and his players. Marquette won 11 non-conference games a season ago, a mark it will be hard pressed to match in 2019, thanks in part to the fact it only scheduled 12 games. Three of those games will feature top 25 teams from the four-year ranking—Purdue in the Gavitt Tip-Off, Wisconsin in the pair’s annual meeting, and a rematch with Kansas State, who the Golden Eagles handled in Milwaukee last season. Plus, there’s the Orlando Invitational, where Marquette faces a tough quarterfinal draw in Atlantic 10 contender Davidson. Sure, there are no fewer than five sub-200 home games, but those matchups do nothing more than slightly devalue this slate.

151. Creighton Bluejays

*MTE: Continental Tire Las Vegas Invitational

Home Games (9) Neutral-Site Games (2) Road Games (2)
Home Games (9) Neutral-Site Games (2) Road Games (2)
37. Oklahoma# 72. San Diego State* 9. Michigan^
56. Nebraska 11. Texas Tech or 67. Arizona State
127. Louisiana Tech 49. Iowa* ^ - Gavitt Tip-Off
224. North Florida*
262. Oral Roberts
268. UTRGV
322. Kennesaw State
325. Cal Poly*
(Non-D1) Midland
# - Big 12 Battle

Creighton Chronological

Date (Rank) Opponent Event/Venue 2018-19 Meeting (0-2)
Date (Rank) Opponent Event/Venue 2018-19 Meeting (0-2)
Nov. 5 322. Kennesaw State
Nov. 12 9. Michigan Gavitt Tip-Off Games
Nov. 16 127. Louisiana Tech
Nov. 22 325. Cal Poly Continental Tire Las Vegas Invitational
Nov. 24 224. North Florida Continental Tire Las Vegas Invitational
Nov. 28 72. San Diego State Continental Tire Las Vegas Invitational (Las Vegas)
Nov. 29 11. Texas Tech or 49. Iowa Continental Tire Las Vegas Invitational (Las Vegas)
Dec. 3 262. Oral Roberts
Dec. 7 56. Nebraska UNL 94-75 (@)
Dec. 13 268. UTRGV
Dec. 17 37. Oklahoma Big 12/Big East Battle OU 83-70 (@)
Dec. 21 67. Arizona State
Dec. 28 (Non-D1) Midland

Speaking of a schedule that’s devalued by some of the home opposition, the Bluejays will play five power conference opponents in their 13 non-league matchups, but five sub-200 games and a non-D1 contest sink this slate’s value considerably. One season after an NIT quarterfinal appearance, failure to take advantage of contests against Michigan, Oklahoma, Arizona State, and the Jays’ TBD day two opponent in Las Vegas, could see Creighton meet the same fate. That’s particularly true if Greg McDermott’s team finishes near .500 in Big East play for the fifth straight season.

174. DePaul Blue Demons

*MTE: Minnesota MTE

Home Games (9) Road Games (4)
Home Games (9) Road Games (4)
11. Texas Tech# 41. Iowa^
55. Buffalo* 66. Minnesota*
64. Northwestern 110. Boston College
152. Central Michigan* 300. Cleveland State
232. UIC ^ - Gavitt Tip-Off
261. Cornell*
265. Fairleigh Dickinson
346. Alcorn State
(Non-D1) Chicago
# - Big 12 Battle

DePaul Chronological

Date (Rank) Opponent Event/Venue 2018-19 Meeting (3-2)
Date (Rank) Opponent Event/Venue 2018-19 Meeting (3-2)
Nov. 5 346. Alcorn State
Nov. 6 (Non-D1) Chicago
Nov. 8 265. Fairleigh Dickinson
Nov. 11 49. Iowa Gavitt Tip-Off Games
Nov. 16 261. Cornell Minnesota MTE (waiver)
Nov. 23 110. Boston College BC 65-62 (H)
Nov. 26 152. Central Michigan Minnesota MTE DU 100-86 (H)
Nov. 29 66. Minnesota Minnesota MTE
Dec. 4 11. Texas Tech Big 12/Big East Battle
Dec. 8 55. Buffalo Minnesota MTE (waiver)
Dec. 14 232. UIC DU 90-70 (H)
Dec. 18 300. Cleveland State DU 83-73 (H)
Dec. 21 64. Northwestern NU 75-68 (@)

Thanks to the difficulties Minnesota and the Blue Demons had in signing teams up for their exempt event, DePaul added Buffalo as a waiver opponent. As a result, the CBI runners-up’ schedule ends up a little bit stronger than anticipated. And this schedule already included a surprise Big 12 Battle matchup with Texas Tech and Gavitt Tip-Off encounter with Iowa. While Dave Leitao’s squad will play five power conference opponents and a quartet of true road games, the five sub-200 opponents (including Cleveland State, who DePaul will play on the road) and the inclusion of a non-D1 game act as an anchor on this schedule’s ratings.

207. St. John’s Red Storm

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

Home Games (10) Neutral-Site Games (3)
Home Games (10) Neutral-Site Games (3)
28. West Virginia#! 36. Arizona$
75. Vermont* 67. Arizona State*
160. Mercer 1. Virginia or
189. Albany 206. UMass*
219. Columbia* $ - San Francisco
221. Brown
248. Saint Peter's
257. Wagner
317. New Hampshire
337. Central Connecticut State
# - Big 12 Battle
! - Madison Square Garden

St. John’s Chronological

Date (Rank) Opponent Event/Venue 2018-19 Meeting (1-1)
Date (Rank) Opponent Event/Venue 2018-19 Meeting (1-1)
Nov. 6 160. Mercer
Nov. 9 337. Central Connecticut State
Nov. 12 317. New Hampshire
Nov. 16 75. Vermont Air Force Reserve Tip-Off Presented by Citi
Nov. 20 219. Columbia Air Force Reserve Tip-Off Presented by Citi
Nov. 23 67. Arizona State 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. 30 257. Wagner SJU 73-58 (H)
Dec. 3 248. Saint Peter's
Dec. 7 26. West Virginia Big 12/Big East Battle (Madison Square Garden)
Dec. 10 221. Brown
Dec. 18 189. Albany
Dec. 21 36. Arizona Al Attles Classic (San Francisco)

The most noteworthy thing about Mike Anderson’s first St. John’s schedule is the fact they’ll play both of the Pac-12’s Arizona schools on neutral floors. Of course, if they avenge their NCAA Tournament loss to the Sun Devils, they’re likely to play defending National Champion Virginia in the Hall of Fame Tip-Off final. There are few other highlights here beyond a Tip-Off preliminary game against Vermont that screams “upset alert” and the Big 12 Battle contest at MSG with West Virginia. Still, don’t expect the Red Storm to match last season’s 12-1 non-conference mark because of the three games described above.

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