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 Ten Four-Year Rankings
Team |
4-Year Ranking |
2018-19 Ranking |
Ranking Change |
Team |
4-Year Ranking |
2018-19 Ranking |
Ranking Change |
Michigan State |
5 |
10 |
5 |
Purdue |
7 |
8 |
1 |
Michigan |
9 |
17 |
8 |
Wisconsin |
20 |
22 |
2 |
Maryland |
24 |
32 |
8 |
Ohio State |
35 |
35 |
0 |
Indiana |
42 |
44 |
2 |
Penn State |
48 |
65 |
17 |
Iowa |
49 |
56 |
7 |
Nebraska |
56 |
72 |
16 |
Northwestern |
64 |
63 |
-1 |
Minnesota |
66 |
84 |
18 |
Illinois |
89 |
81 |
-8 |
Rutgers |
122 |
167 |
45 |
Average |
45.42857143 |
54 |
8.571428571 |
Conference Rank |
3rd of 32 |
(4th in 2018-19) |
|
With 11 of the Big Ten’s 14 teams seeing their four-year rankings improve over the last year, it’s no surprise the conference leapt over the Big East and SEC into third place among the 32 Division I conferences. Plus, the league increased its memberships in the top 10 (from two to three), top 25 (four to five) and top 50 (seven to nine). Rutgers remains the lone Big Ten team outside of the national top 100, but the Scarlet Knights are now 45 places closer than they were entering the 2018-19 season. If they improve by even half as much this year—and no one else takes a step back—the Big Ten will be in business next season.
Ranking The Schedules
Big Ten 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 |
13 |
26 |
Purdue* |
288.8863636 |
22 |
4 |
Michigan State** |
276.0965909 |
30 |
211 |
Minnesota |
268.8 |
45 |
82 |
Wisconsin* |
254.2272727 |
59 |
276 |
Iowa* |
248.25 |
68 |
91 |
Michigan** |
244.5113636 |
90 |
23 |
Maryland** |
237.5681818 |
92 |
98 |
Ohio State |
236.1363636 |
124 |
50 |
Indiana |
225.5681818 |
150 |
160 |
Penn State* |
216.1590909 |
200 |
284 |
Northwestern* |
200.25 |
202 |
119 |
Nebraska** |
197.5909091 |
233 |
14 |
Illinois |
185.6136364 |
331 |
214 |
Rutgers |
140.1590909 |
118.5 |
118 |
Conference Average |
229.9869318 |
6/32 |
4/32 |
Conference Rank |
|
Heading into its second season with a 20-game conference schedule, the Big Ten’s non-league slates took a minor step back as a collective. Much of this can be blamed on Rutgers, which owns the second-worst power non-conference slate, with only East Carolina ranking lower nationally. And while the league doesn’t have a top five slate like Michigan State’s of a season ago, there are still three top 30 schedules. However, this is a drop from four in 2018-19.
Big Ten 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 |
20 (22 in 2018-19) |
2 (4) |
2 (1) |
5th of Power 7 |
7th of Power 7 |
t-5th (Big 12, Big East) |
When compared to last season, the Big Ten’s totals of true and non-power road games both declined, while the number of non-D1 contests scheduled doubled. Purdue is brave enough to travel to Athens to take on an Ohio team they hammered in West Lafayette last December, while Illinois visits Grand Canyon before heading down Interstate 10 to take on Arizona.
Indiana won’t play a true road game this season, while six Big Ten teams will play just one away contest during non-league play. Of the other seven members, none play more than two road games.
Big Ten Non-Conference Games By League
Conference |
Games Scheduled Against |
Possible Tournament Games Against |
Conference |
Games Scheduled Against |
Possible Tournament Games Against |
ACC |
16 |
4 |
Big East |
15 |
3 |
SEC |
7 |
5 |
Big 12 |
7 |
3 |
Summit |
7 |
0 |
A 10 |
6 |
3 |
Horizon |
6 |
0 |
MAC |
6 |
0 |
Atlantic Sun |
5 |
0 |
NEC |
5 |
0 |
OVC |
5 |
0 |
Southland |
5 |
0 |
Pac-12 |
4 |
3 |
American Athletic |
4 |
1 |
America East |
4 |
0 |
Big South |
4 |
0 |
MEAC |
4 |
0 |
C-USA |
3 |
2 |
Ivy |
3 |
1 |
MAAC |
3 |
1 |
Patriot |
3 |
0 |
Big West |
3 |
0 |
CAA |
2 |
3 |
Non-D1 |
2 |
1 |
WAC |
2 |
1 |
Big Sky |
2 |
0 |
Sun Belt |
2 |
0 |
WCC |
1 |
2 |
MVC |
1 |
1 |
SoCon |
1 |
0 |
SWAC |
1 |
0 |
MW |
0 |
3 |
As expected, the Big Ten’s two series partners, the ACC and Big East, are well ahead of the rest of Division I in this table. The biggest surprise in this season’s standings is the rise of the Big 12 and SEC into a third-place tie with the Summit League. Last season, third spot went to the MEAC on its own. That conference now has just four Big Ten non-conference games on its slates for 2019-20. No Division I league is completely absent from Big Ten schedules, though the only way a Mountain West opponent will officially appear is in the later round of bracketed tournament play.
Amazingly, only a pair of teams appear on three Big Ten schedules, DePaul and Seton Hall from the Big East. Flipping it around, no Big Ten team will play more than two non-league games against teams from a single conference.
Big Ten Non-Conference Games By Quad
Opponent Strength |
Home |
Away |
Neutral |
Total |
Average |
Potential |
Opponent Strength |
Home |
Away |
Neutral |
Total |
Average |
Potential |
Quad 1 |
7 |
13 |
11 |
31 |
2.214285714 |
12 |
Quad 2 |
10 |
6 |
5 |
21 |
1.5 |
13 |
Quad 3 |
17 |
1 |
6 |
24 |
1.714285714 |
5 |
Quad 4 |
61 |
0 |
0 |
61 |
4.357142857 |
3 |
Non-D1 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0.1428571429 |
1 |
Total |
97 |
20 |
22 |
139 |
|
|
Average |
6.928571429 |
1.428571429 |
1.571428571 |
9.928571429 |
|
|
Percentage |
0.6978417266 |
0.1438848921 |
0.1582733813 |
|
|
|
Rank (of 32 Conferences) |
2nd |
31st |
5th |
|
|
|
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 a remarkable consistency at the top of this table, as the Big Ten lined up 31 Quad 1 games (based on the four-year rankings) both this season and last. There’s also been a bit of improvement at the bottom, with four fewer Quad 4 opportunities, with Quads 2 and 3 seeing marginally higher totals as a response.
The Big Ten 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 (2/14): Minnesota (no fourth MTE game), Northwestern
*MTE: Emerald Coast Classic
Home Games (6) |
Neutral-Site Games (3) |
Road Games (2) |
Home Games (6) |
Neutral-Site Games (3) |
Road Games (2) |
1. Virginia^ |
14. Tennessee or |
33. Marquette# |
34. Texas |
16. Florida State* |
158. Ohio |
142. Jacksonville State* |
38. Butler$ |
# - Gavitt Tip-Off |
152. Central Michigan |
61. VCU* |
|
216. Green Bay |
$ - Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Indianapolis |
|
349. Chicago State* |
|
|
^ - ACC Challenge |
|
|
Purdue Chronological
Date |
(Rank) Opponent |
Event |
2018-19 Meeting (2-3) |
Date |
(Rank) Opponent |
Event |
2018-19 Meeting (2-3) |
Nov. 6 |
216. Green Bay |
|
|
Nov. 9 |
34. Texas |
|
UT 72-68 (@) |
Nov. 13 |
33. Marquette |
Gavitt Tip-Off Games |
|
Nov. 16 |
349. Chicago State |
Emerald Coast Classic |
|
Nov. 23 |
142. Jacksonville State |
Emerald Coast Classic |
|
Nov. 29 |
61. VCU |
Emerald Coast Classic (Niceville, Fla.) |
|
Nov. 30 |
14. Tennessee or
16. Florida State
|
Emerald Coast Classic (Niceville, Fla.) |
FSU 73-72 (@)
PU 99-94 (OT/NCAA) |
Dec. 4 |
1. Virginia |
Big Ten/ACC Challenge |
UVa 80-75 (OT/NCAA) |
Dec. 17 |
158. Ohio |
|
PU 95-67 (H) |
Dec. 21 |
38. Butler |
Crossroads Classic (Indianapolis) |
|
Dec. 28 |
152. Central Michigan |
|
|
The Boilermakers will be well-tested early as they attempt to improve upon last season’s Elite Eight appearance. Not only does Purdue get the team that knocked it out of the NCAAs, champion Virginia, in West Lafayette for the Big Ten/ACC Challenge, but they travel to Marquette for the Gavitt Games, host Texas in a very early high-quality home game, and take on Butler at the Crossroads Classic. And that lineup doesn’t even factor in Purdue’s exempt event, a stacked Emerald Coast Classic, which will see the Boilers take on A 10 favorite VCU, then either Florida State or Tennessee. And the bottom of the slate isn’t terrible either, as Chicago State is the lone truly bad opponent, and the Boilermakers make a rare trip to a MAC arena to play Ohio. This is non-conference scheduling done right, courtesy of Matt Painter.
*MTE: Maui Jim Maui Invitational
Home Games (5) |
Neutral-Site Games (5) |
Road Games (1) |
Home Games (5) |
Neutral-Site Games (5) |
Road Games (1) |
3. Duke^ |
8. Kentucky$ |
40. Seton Hall# |
145. Eastern Michigan |
19. Virginia Tech* |
# - Gavitt Games |
213. Western Michigan |
76. Dayton or |
|
245. Charleston Southern* |
77. Georgia* |
|
328. Binghamton |
10. Kansas/ |
|
^ - ACC Challenge |
52. UCLA/ |
|
|
70. BYU/ |
|
|
(Non-D1) Chaminade* |
|
|
132. Oakland! |
|
|
$ - New York |
|
|
! - Detroit |
|
Michigan State Chronological
Date |
(Rank) Opponent |
Event/Venue |
2018-19 Meeting (2-1) |
Date |
(Rank) Opponent |
Event/Venue |
2018-19 Meeting (2-1) |
Nov. 5 |
8. Kentucky |
Champions Classic
(New York) |
|
Nov. 10 |
328. Binghamton |
|
|
Nov. 14 |
40. Seton Hall |
Gavitt Tip-Off Games |
|
Nov. 18 |
245. Charleston Southern |
Maui Jim Maui Invitational |
|
Nov. 25 |
19. Virginia Tech |
Maui Jim Maui Invitational
(Lahaina, Hawai'i) |
|
Nov. 26 |
76. Dayton or 77. Georgia |
Maui Jim Maui Invitational
(Lahaina, Hawai'i) |
|
Nov. 27 |
10. Kansas/52. UCLA/
70. BYU/(Non-D1) Chaminade |
Maui Jim Maui Invitational
(Lahaina, Hawai'i) |
KU 92-87 (N) |
Dec. 3 |
4. Duke |
Big Ten/ACC Challenge |
MSU 68-67 (NCAA) |
Dec. 14 |
151. Oakland |
Little Caesars Arena, Detroit |
MSU 99-69 (H) |
Dec. 21 |
145. Eastern Michigan |
|
|
Dec. 29 |
213. Western Michigan |
|
|
The Spartans picked a great year to finally participate in the Gavitt Tip-Off series, as the preseason No. 1 team of many is paired up with a Seton Hall Pirates team that should be far better than its four-year ranking of 40th. If that matchup and a season-opening Champions Classic tilt with Kentucky are the appetizers, Michigan State’s trip to Maui and visit from Duke for the Big Ten/ACC Challenge serve as the dual main courses. For dessert, a trio of winnable in-state matchups follow the first Big Ten window of the season, though Tom Izzo’s team will have to play Horizon contender Oakland at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit.
*MTE: Minnesota MTE
Home Games (6) |
Neutral-Site Games (1) |
Road Games (2) |
Home Games (6) |
Neutral-Site Games (1) |
Road Games (2) |
22. Clemson^ |
37. Oklahoma$ |
38. Butler# |
120. DePaul* |
53. Oklahoma State! |
65. Utah |
152. Central Michigan* |
$ - Sioux Falls, S.D. |
# - Gavitt Tip-Off |
235. FIU |
! - Tulsa, Okla. |
|
238. North Dakota* |
|
|
300. Cleveland State |
|
|
^ - ACC Challenge |
|
|
Minnesota Chronological
Date |
(Rank) Opponent |
Event/Venue |
2018-19 Meeting (2-0) |
Date |
(Rank) Opponent |
Event/Venue |
2018-19 Meeting (2-0) |
Nov. 5 |
300. Cleveland State |
|
|
Nov. 9 |
37. Oklahoma |
Sanford Pentagon,
Sioux Falls, S.D. |
|
Nov. 12 |
38. Butler |
Gavitt Tip-Off Games |
|
Nov. 15 |
65. Utah |
|
UM 78-69 (H) |
Nov. 21 |
152. Central Michigan |
Minnesota MTE |
|
Nov. 24 |
238. North Dakota |
Minnesota MTE (waiver) |
|
Nov. 29 |
120. DePaul |
Minnesota MTE |
|
Dec. 2 |
22. Clemson |
Big Ten/ACC Challenge |
|
Dec. 21 |
53. Oklahoma State |
BOK Center, Tulsa, Okla. |
UM 83-76 (N) |
Dec. 28 |
231. FIU |
|
|
Considering the difficulties Richard Pitino had in filling the Golden Gophers’ Minneapolis-focused exempt event, this is a high-quality schedule, even if it is a game short. Six of the 10 opponents are from power conferences, with five of them having a half-decent shot at reaching the NCAAs (sorry DePaul). Four of those matchups take place away from Williams Arena, with road trips to Butler and Utah, a Sanford Pentagon showdown with Oklahoma, and semi-road game against Oklahoma State in Tulsa all contests that aren’t for the faint of heart.
*MTE: Roman Legends Classic Presented by Old Trapper
Home Games (6) |
Neutral-Site Games (3) |
Road Games (2) |
Home Games (6) |
Neutral-Site Games (3) |
Road Games (2) |
33. Marquette |
18. Saint Mary's$ |
14. Tennessee |
185. Rider |
27. Auburn or |
47. NC State^ |
216. Green Bay* |
131. New Mexico* |
^ - ACC Challenge |
255. Milwaukee |
154. Richmond* |
|
284. Eastern Illinois |
$ - Sioux Falls, S.D. |
|
326. McNeese State* |
|
|
Wisconsin Chronological
Date |
(Rank) Opponent |
Event |
2018-19 Meeting (1-1) |
Date |
(Rank) Opponent |
Event |
2018-19 Meeting (1-1) |
Nov. 5 |
18. Saint Mary's |
Sanford Pentagon, Sioux Falls, S.D. |
|
Nov. 8 |
284. Eastern Illinois |
|
|
Nov. 13 |
326. McNeese State |
Roman Legends Classic pres. by Old Trapper |
|
Nov. 17 |
33. Marquette |
|
MU 74-69 (OT) (@) |
Nov. 21 |
216. Green Bay |
Roman Legends Classic pres. by Old Trapper |
|
Nov. 25 |
154. Richmond |
Roman Legends Classic pres. by Old Trapper
(Brooklyn, N.Y.) |
|
Nov. 26 |
27. Auburn or
131. New Mexico |
Roman Legends Classic pres. by Old Trapper
(Brooklyn, N.Y.) |
|
Dec. 4 |
47. NC State |
Big Ten/ACC Challenge |
UW 79-75 (H) |
Dec. 21 |
255. Milwaukee |
|
|
Dec. 28 |
14. Tennessee |
|
|
Dec. 31 |
185. Rider |
|
|
The Badgers rebounded nicely in 2018-19 after a 15-18 campaign the season prior, even if an NCAA First Round exit wasn’t the happiest ending. Wisconsin is one of several teams that will challenge itself early and often during November and December, starting with an Opening Night showdown against defending WCC Tournament champion Saint Mary’s at the Sanford Pentagon. While there are five winnable home games scattered around the slate, a possible Legends Classic championship showdown with Auburn, a visit from in-state rival Marquette, and December road trips to NC State and Tennessee will test the Badgers’ mettle.
*MTE: Continental Tire Las Vegas Invitational
Home Games (6) |
Neutral-Site Games (3) |
Road Games (2) |
Home Games (6) |
Neutral-Site Games (3) |
Road Games (2) |
120. DePaul# |
11. Texas Tech* |
23. Iowa State |
224. North Florida* |
13. Cincinnati$ |
39. Syracuse^ |
262. Oral Roberts |
32. Creighton or |
^ - ACC Challenge |
322. Kennesaw State |
72. San Diego State* |
|
325. Cal Poly* |
$ - Chicago |
|
329. SIU Edwardsville |
|
|
# - Gavitt Tip-Off |
|
|
Iowa Chronological
Date |
(Rank) Opponent |
Event/Venue |
2018-19 Meeting (2-0) |
Date |
(Rank) Opponent |
Event/Venue |
2018-19 Meeting (2-0) |
Nov. 8 |
329. SIU Edwardsville |
|
|
Nov. 11 |
120. DePaul |
Gavitt Tip-Off Games |
|
Nov. 15 |
262. Oral Roberts |
|
|
Nov. 21 |
224. North Florida |
Continental Tire Las Vegas Invitational |
|
Nov. 24 |
325. Cal Poly |
Continental Tire Las Vegas Invitational |
|
Nov. 28 |
11. Texas Tech |
Continental Tire Las Vegas Invitational
(Las Vegas) |
|
Nov. 29 |
32. Creighton or
72. San Diego State |
Continental Tire Las Vegas Invitational
(Las Vegas) |
|
Dec. 3 |
39. Syracuse |
Big Ten/ACC Challenge |
|
Dec. 12 |
23. Iowa State |
|
UI 98-84 (H) |
Dec. 21 |
13. Cincinnati |
Chicago Legends
(United Center, Chicago) |
UI 79-72 (NCAA) |
Dec. 29 |
322. Kennesaw State |
|
|
While the Hawkeyes’ home slate looks rather typical for Fran McCaffery’s tenure, Iowa’s five road and neutral games impress. Yes, the annual series with Iowa State is a given, even if the Hy-Vee Big Four Classic is now part of the history books, and a quality matchup is expected for the ACC Challenge, with Syracuse filling the role for 2019. But the Las Vegas Invitational field is a pleasant surprise, especially with 2019 NCAA runner-up Texas Tech featuring as the Hawks’ semifinal opponent. Plus, the Chicago Legends NCAA rematch with Cincinnati should be an opportunity for Iowa to pick up a strong win in front of what should be a relatively friendly crowd.
*MTE: Bad Boy Mowers Battle 4 Atlantis
Home Games (7) |
Neutral-Site Games (3) |
Road Games (1) |
Home Games (7) |
Neutral-Site Games (3) |
Road Games (1) |
29. Oregon |
23. Iowa State* |
12. Louisville^ |
32. Creighton# |
4. North Carolina or |
^ - ACC Challenge |
227. Appalachian State |
54. Alabama* |
|
252. Elon* |
2. Gonzaga/ |
|
299. UMass Lowell |
29. Oregon/ |
|
309. Houston Baptist |
40. Seton Hall/ |
|
318. Presbyterian |
203. Southern Mississippi* |
|
# - Gavitt Tip-Off |
|
|
Michigan Chronological
Date |
(Rank) Opponent |
Event |
2018-19 Meeting (0-0) |
Date |
(Rank) Opponent |
Event |
2018-19 Meeting (0-0) |
Nov. 5 |
227. Appalachian State |
|
|
Nov. 12 |
32. Creighton |
Gavitt Tip-Off Games |
|
Nov. 15 |
252. Elon |
Bad Boy Mowers Battle 4 Atlantis |
|
Nov. 22 |
309. Houston Baptist |
|
|
Nov. 27 |
23. Iowa State |
Bad Boy Mowers Battle 4 Atlantis
(Paradise Island, Bahamas) |
|
Nov. 28 |
4. North Carolina or
54. Alabama |
Bad Boy Mowers Battle 4 Atlantis
(Paradise Island, Bahamas) |
|
Nov. 29 |
2. Gonzaga/29. Oregon/
40. Seton Hall/203. Southern Mississippi |
Bad Boy Mowers Battle 4 Atlantis
(Paradise Island, Bahamas) |
|
Dec. 3 |
12. Louisville |
ACC/Big Ten Challenge |
|
Dec. 14 |
29. Oregon |
|
|
Dec. 21 |
318. Presbyterian |
|
|
Dec. 29 |
299. UMass Lowell |
|
|
With John Beilein now in the NBA with Cleveland, Juwan Howard begins his first season in charge of his alma mater with five winnable home games and six contests that will quickly give him an idea of how good his Wolverines can truly be. Unlike Iowa’s schedule immediately above, at least Michigan fans will get a couple of interesting games to check out at Crisler, as Creighton visits for the Gavitt series and Oregon also travels to Ann Arbor. The Ducks are also a possible day three opponent for Michigan in the stacked Battle 4 Atlantis. Of course, the Wolverines have to take on Iowa State and either North Carolina or Alabama before that could come to pass on Black Friday. And while Michigan only plays a single true road game, Louisville will be quite the ACC Challenge between a trip to the Bahamas and the first two Big Ten games of the campaign.
*MTE: Orlando Invitational
Home Games (7) |
Neutral-Site Games (3) |
Road Games (1) |
Home Games (7) |
Neutral-Site Games (3) |
Road Games (1) |
45. Notre Dame^ |
88. Temple* |
40. Seton Hall |
73. Rhode Island |
51. Texas A&M or |
|
151. Oakland |
126. Harvard* |
|
166. George Mason |
33. Marquette/ |
|
254. Fairfield* |
59. USC/ |
|
274. Holy Cross |
68. Davidson/ |
|
338. Bryant |
254. Fairfield* |
|
^ - ACC Challenge |
|
|
Maryland Chronological
Date |
(Rank) Opponent |
Event/Venue |
2018-19 Meeting (0-1) |
Date |
(Rank) Opponent |
Event/Venue |
2018-19 Meeting (0-1) |
Nov. 5 |
274. Holy Cross |
|
|
Nov. 9 |
73. Rhode Island |
|
|
Nov. 16 |
151. Oakland |
|
|
Nov. 19 |
254. Fairfield |
Orlando Invitational |
|
Nov. 22 |
166. George Mason |
|
|
Nov. 28 |
88. Temple |
Orlando Invitational
(Bay Lake, Fla.) |
|
Nov. 29 |
51. Texas A&M or 126. Harvard |
Orlando Invitational
(Bay Lake, Fla.) |
|
Dec. 1 |
33. Marquette/59. USC
68. Davidson/254. Fairfield |
Orlando Invitational
(Bay Lake, Fla.) |
|
Dec. 4 |
45. Notre Dame |
Big Ten/ACC Challenge |
|
Dec. 19 |
40. Seton Hall |
|
SHU 78-74 (H) |
Dec. 29 |
338. Bryant |
|
|
Like Michigan, the Terrapins play just one true road game, and it’s a doozy—the back end of a two-year home-and-home series with Seton Hall. While Maryland’s home schedule isn’t quite as weak as either Michigan’s or Iowa’s, a Big Ten/ACC Challenge showdown against Notre Dame and visit from Rhode Island are the only two real difficult matchups. As for the Terps’ exempt tournament, well, the Orlando Invitational won’t be mistaken for either Maui or Atlantis this year. A possible final matchup with Marquette would be the best Mark Turgeon could hope for out of a weekend at Walt Disney World.
*MTE: Ohio State Classic
Home Games (8) |
Neutral-Site Games (2) |
Road Games (1) |
Home Games (8) |
Neutral-Site Games (2) |
Road Games (1) |
6. Villanova# |
8. Kentucky$ |
4. North Carolina^ |
13. Cincinnati |
26. West Virginia! |
^ - ACC Challenge |
155. Purdue Fort Wayne* |
$ - Las Vegas |
|
157. Kent State*% |
! - Cleveland |
|
299. UMass Lowell |
|
|
303. Southeast Missouri State |
|
|
324. Stetson* |
|
|
333. Morgan State* |
|
|
# - Gavitt Tip-Off |
|
|
% - St. John Arena, Columbus |
|
|
Ohio State Chronological
Date |
(Rank) Opponent |
Event/Venue |
2018-19 Meeting (2-0) |
Date |
(Rank) Opponent |
Event/Venue |
2018-19 Meeting (2-0) |
Nov. 6 |
13. Cincinnati |
|
OSU 64-56 (@) |
Nov. 10 |
299. UMass Lowell |
|
|
Nov. 13 |
6. Villanova |
Gavitt Tip-Off Games |
|
Nov. 18 |
324. Stetson |
Ohio State Classic |
|
Nov. 22 |
155. Purdue Fort Wayne |
Ohio State Classic |
OSU 107-61 (H) |
Nov. 25 |
157. Kent State |
Ohio State Classic
(St. John Arena, Columbus) |
|
Nov. 29 |
333. Morgan State |
Ohio State Classic (waiver) |
|
Dec. 4 |
4. North Carolina |
Big Ten/ACC Challenge |
|
Dec. 17 |
303. Southeast Missouri State |
|
|
Dec. 21 |
8. Kentucky |
CBS Sports Classic
(Las Vegas) |
|
Dec. 29 |
26. West Virginia |
Cleveland Classic
(Cleveland) |
|
Yes, the top of the Buckeyes’ schedule is among the best in the country, thanks in no small part to a trio of top eight matchups with North Carolina, Villanova, and Kentucky. But Chris Holtmann’s club will also host no fewer than four teams ranked 299th or worse in the four-year ranking, with two of those games serving as part of Ohio State’s eponymous exempt event. Making matters worse for the Buckeyes, they had to add a waiver game against 333rd-ranked Morgan State, already participating in the Islands of the Bahamas Showcase, to complete their allotment of four games under the current MTE rules.
*MTE: Indiana Challenge
Home Games (9) |
Neutral-Site Games (2) |
Home Games (9) |
Neutral-Site Games (2) |
16. Florida State^ |
45. Notre Dame$ |
46. Arkansas |
104. UConn! |
98. South Dakota State* |
$ - Bankers Life Fieldhouse |
127. Louisiana Tech* |
! - New York |
132. Princeton* |
|
208. Troy* |
|
215. North Alabama |
|
244. Portland State |
|
306. Western Illinois |
|
^ - ACC Challenge |
|
Indiana Chronological
Date |
(Rank) Opponent |
Event/Venue |
2018-19 Meeting (1-1) |
Date |
(Rank) Opponent |
Event/Venue |
2018-19 Meeting (1-1) |
Nov. 5 |
306. Western Illinois |
|
|
Nov. 9 |
244. Portland State |
|
|
Nov. 12 |
215. North Alabama |
|
|
Nov. 16 |
208. Troy |
Indiana Challenge |
|
Nov. 20 |
132. Princeton |
Indiana Challenge (waiver) |
|
Nov. 25 |
127. Louisiana Tech |
Indiana Challenge |
|
Nov. 30 |
98. South Dakota State |
Indiana Challenge |
|
Dec. 3 |
16. Florida State |
Big Ten/ACC Challenge |
|
Dec. 10 |
104. UConn |
Jimmy V Classic
(New York) |
|
Dec. 21 |
45. Notre Dame |
Crossroads Classic
(Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Indianapolis) |
|
Dec. 29 |
46. Arkansas |
|
UA 73-72 (@)
IU 63-60 (H) (NIT) |
The Hoosiers join Minnesota and Ohio State dealing with some exempt event weirdness this season, as Indiana’s game against North Alabama isn’t part of the Indiana Challenge, even though it’s also the Lions’ MTE for the year. Since that game takes place just before the event’s designated November 16th–30th window, Indiana will play Princeton in a waiver game instead. (The Lions are playing one of the numerous other mid-majors tied to the event as part of their participation.) Archie Miller has built a schedule that builds to a crescendo with the opponents gradually becoming more difficult up until Florida State visits Bloomington for the ACC Challenge. Then things get marginally easier (based on the rankings anyway), as the Hoosiers play their lone non-league game outside of Indiana, as they’ll head to New York to take on UConn in the Jimmy V Classic. Finally, the Hoosiers return for a game with Notre Dame in Indianapolis and a third meeting with Arkansas in a little more than a calendar year.
*MTE: NIT Season Tip-Off
Home Games (8) |
Neutral-Site Games (2) |
Road Games (1) |
Home Games (8) |
Neutral-Site Games (2) |
Road Games (1) |
54. Alabama |
63. Ole Miss* |
84. Georgetown# |
101. Wake Forest^ |
39. Syracuse or |
# - Gavitt Tip-Off |
115. Bucknell |
53. Oklahoma State* |
|
121. Yale |
|
|
257. Wagner |
|
|
261. Cornell |
|
|
337. Central Connecticut State |
|
|
350. Maryland-Eastern Shore |
|
|
^ - ACC Challenge |
|
|
Penn State Chronological
Date |
(Rank) Opponent |
Event |
2018-19 Meeting (0-1) |
Date |
(Rank) Opponent |
Event |
2018-19 Meeting (0-1) |
Nov. 5 |
350. Maryland-Eastern Shore |
|
|
Nov. 9 |
257. Wagner |
|
|
Nov. 14 |
84. Georgetown |
Gavitt Tip-Off Games |
|
Nov. 19 |
115. Bucknell |
NIT Season Tip-Off |
|
Nov. 23 |
121. Yale |
NIT Season Tip-Off |
|
Nov. 27 |
63. Ole Miss |
NIT Season Tip-Off
(Brooklyn, N.Y.) |
|
Nov. 29 |
39. Syracuse or
53. Oklahoma State |
NIT Season Tip-Off
(Brooklyn, N.Y.) |
|
Dec. 4 |
101. Wake Forest |
Big Ten/ACC Challenge |
|
Dec. 14 |
54. Alabama |
|
UA 73-64 (@) |
Dec. 20 |
337. Central Connecticut State |
|
|
Dec. 29 |
261. Cornell |
|
|
Would you believe that Pat Chambers is entering his ninth season in charge in State College? It’s true, even if the Nittany Lions have often struggled to hit the .500 mark never mind reach the NCAAs during that time. Coming off a 14-18 2018-19 season, Penn State will need wins—and they should be able to pick up at least four of them during non-conference play. But there are plenty of potential landmines for the Nittany Lions. For starters, all four games in the NIT Season Tip-Off come against teams with legitimate postseason aspirations. Georgetown will be looking to make a statement as Patrick Ewing continues to build that program, while Nate Oats will want to do the same when his Alabama team visits the Bryce Jordan Center. Then there’s the Big Ten/ACC Challenge matchup, a home game against Wake Forest, led by another coach feeling the heat in Danny Manning.
*MTE: Rocket Mortgage Fort Myers Tip-Off
Home Games (6) |
Neutral-Site Games (2) |
Road Games (2) |
Home Games (6) |
Neutral-Site Games (2) |
Road Games (2) |
62. Providence# |
172. Bradley* |
110. Boston College^ |
170. Radford* |
25. Kansas State or |
120. DePaul |
289. Hartford |
111. Pittsburgh* |
^ - ACC Challenge |
297. Norfolk State* |
|
|
329. SIU Edwardsville |
|
|
(Transitional) Merrimack |
|
|
# - Gavitt Tip-Off |
|
|
Northwestern Chronological
Date |
(Rank) Opponent |
Event/Venue |
2018-19 Meeting (1-0) |
Date |
(Rank) Opponent |
Event/Venue |
2018-19 Meeting (1-0) |
Nov. 8 |
(Transitional) Merrimack |
|
|
Nov. 13 |
62. Providence |
Gavitt Tip-Off Games |
|
Nov. 19 |
170. Radford |
Rocket Mortgage Fort Myers Tip-Off |
|
Nov. 22 |
297. Norfolk State |
Rocket Mortgage Fort Myers Tip-Off |
|
Nov. 25 |
172. Bradley |
Rocket Mortgage Fort Myers Tip-Off
(Fort Myers, Fla.) |
|
Nov. 27 |
25. Kansas State or
111. Pittsburgh |
Rocket Mortgage Fort Myers Tip-Off
(Fort Myers, Fla.) |
|
Dec. 3 |
110. Boston College |
Big Ten/ACC Challenge |
|
Dec. 15 |
329. SIU Edwardsville |
|
|
Dec. 21 |
120. DePaul |
|
NU 75-68 (H) |
Dec. 29 |
269. Hartford |
|
|
The Wildcats have followed up 2017’s historic NCAA berth and win by winning just 28 of its last 64 games. So, Chris Collins is yet another coach feeling some pressure. At first glance, the Gavitt Tip-Off matchup with Providence and a potential Thanksgiving Eve showdown with Kansas State look like the most difficult games here by some distance. But given how Northwestern has struggled since breaking through, road trips to Boston College and DePaul will challenge the Cats, so will the Fort Myers Tip-Off semifinal against Arch Madness champ Bradley.
*MTE: Cayman Islands Classic
Home Games (6) |
Neutral-Site Games (3) |
Road Games (2) |
Home Games (6) |
Neutral-Site Games (3) |
Road Games (2) |
98. South Dakota State |
192. Washington State* |
32. Creighton |
238. North Dakota |
96. Old Dominion or |
97. Georgia Tech^ |
276. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi |
166. George Mason* |
^ - ACC Challenge |
311. Southern Utah |
60. New Mexico State/ |
|
312. UC Riverside |
93. Loyola Chicago/ |
|
330. Southern* |
161. Colorado State/ |
|
|
214. South Florida* |
|
Nebraska Chronological
Date |
(Rank) Opponent |
Event/Venue |
2018-19 Meeting (1-0) |
Date |
(Rank) Opponent |
Event/Venue |
2018-19 Meeting (1-0) |
Nov. 5 |
312. UC Riverside |
|
|
Nov. 9 |
311. Southern Utah |
|
|
Nov. 15 |
98. South Dakota State |
|
|
Nov. 22 |
330. Southern* |
Cayman Islands Classic |
|
Nov. 25 |
192. Washington State |
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) |
|
Dec. 4 |
97. Georgia Tech |
Big Ten/ACC Challenge |
|
Dec. 7 |
32. Creighton |
|
NU 94-75 (H) |
Dec. 21 |
238. North Dakota |
|
|
Dec. 29 |
276. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi |
|
|
After a 19-17 campaign that ended in the NIT, not NCAAs, Tim Miles was relieved of his duties in Lincoln, with former Iowa State and Chicago Bulls head coach Fred Hoiberg taking over. The Mayor should be able to get his term in office in Lincoln off to a good start against this slate, which features just one game against a top 50 opponent and just two others guaranteed against teams ranked in the second 50 nationally. However, if the Huskers want to make the postseason, they’ll need to pick up a couple more such wins in the Cayman Islands Classic.
*MTE: O’ahu Classic
Home Games (8) |
Neutral-Site Games (1) |
Road Games (2) |
Home Games (8) |
Neutral-Site Games (1) |
Road Games (2) |
44. Miami (Fla.)^ |
82. Missouri$ |
36. Arizona |
96. Old Dominion |
$ - St. Louis, Mo. |
112. Grand Canyon |
193. Hawai'i* |
|
|
250. Hampton* |
|
|
292. Nicholls State |
|
|
305. The Citadel* |
|
|
331. North Carolina A&T |
|
|
(Non-D1) Lindenwood* |
|
|
^ - ACC Challenge |
|
|
Illinois Chronological
Date |
(Rank) Opponent |
Event/Venue |
2018-19 Meeting (0-1) |
Date |
(Rank) Opponent |
Event/Venue |
2018-19 Meeting (0-1) |
Nov. 5 |
292. Nicholls State |
|
|
Nov. 8 |
112. Grand Canyon |
|
|
Nov. 11 |
36. Arizona |
|
|
Nov. 18 |
193. Hawai'i |
O'ahu Classic |
|
Nov. 20 |
305. The Citadel |
O'ahu Classic |
|
Nov. 23 |
250. Hampton |
O'ahu Classic |
|
Nov. 26 |
(Non-D1) Lindenwood |
O'ahu Classic |
|
Dec. 2 |
44. Miami (Fla.) |
Big Ten/ACC Challenge |
|
Dec. 14 |
96. Old Dominion |
|
|
Dec. 21 |
82. Missouri |
Braggin' Rights
(St. Louis, Mo.) |
MU 79-63 (N) |
Dec. 29 |
331. North Carolina A&T |
|
|
Even though the Fighting Illini went 12-21 in Brad Underwood’s first season, hopes are high in Champaign-Urbana. However, this non-conference schedule doesn’t resemble one of an at-large threat. Sure, games against Arizona, Miami, and Missouri could be worth something ... if those teams improve upon poor 2018-19 campaigns, while Old Dominion and Grand Canyon are quality mid-majors. But Illinois is playing in a weak exempt event, one that features a non-D1 game because of the difficulty the Illini had in filling the field, along with a pair of bottom 50 teams outside of it.
*MTE: Garden State Hardwood Showcase
Home Games (9) |
Neutral-Site Games (1) |
Road Games (1) |
Home Games (9) |
Neutral-Site Games (1) |
Road Games (1) |
40. Seton Hall |
90. St. Bonaventure! |
111. Pittsburgh^ |
199. Stephen F. Austin* |
! - Toronto, Ont. |
^ - ACC Challenge |
206. UMass |
|
|
230. NJIT |
|
|
267. Drexel* |
|
|
285. Niagara* |
|
|
315. Lafayette |
|
|
338. Bryant* |
|
|
(Non-D1) Caldwell |
|
|
Rutgers Chronological
Date |
(Rank) Opponent |
Event |
2018-19 Meeting (1-1) |
Date |
(Rank) Opponent |
Event |
2018-19 Meeting (1-1) |
Nov. 7 |
338. Bryant* |
Garden State Hardwood Showcase |
|
Nov. 10 |
285. Niagara |
Garden State Hardwood Showcase |
|
Nov. 13 |
267. Drexel |
Garden State Hardwood Showcase |
RU 95-66 (H) |
Nov. 16 |
90. St. Bonaventure |
James Naismith Classic
(Toronto, Ont.) |
|
Nov. 20 |
199. Stephen F. Austin |
Garden State Hardwood Showcase |
|
Nov. 26 |
230. NJIT |
|
|
Nov. 29 |
206. UMass |
|
|
Dec. 3 |
111. Pittsburgh |
Big Ten/ACC Challenge |
|
Dec. 14 |
40. Seton Hall |
|
SHU 72-66 (@) |
Dec. 22 |
315. Lafayette |
|
|
Dec. 30 |
(Non-D1) Caldwell |
|
|
Steve Pikiell’s Scarlet Knights are also expecting better things after 2018-19’s 14-17 campaign that had some moments of promise. Rutgers should get off to a great start thanks to this weak, home-heavy schedule. Three dates stand out among the crowd of triple-digits on the opponents’ list: the visit from Seton Hall, the game in Toronto against St. Bonaventure, and the trip to Pittsburgh for the Big Ten/ACC Challenge. Rutgers may need to sweep all three to have a shot being ranked and considered an at-large threat heading into the bulk of Big Ten play.
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