Ranking The Big East Non-Conference Schedules

Posted by CoHoops DeAnte Mitchell

Last season, the Big East conference had a lot of bids once Selection Sunday came around. That was because of physical conference play, and marquee wins.

This season, the conference has one of the weaker non-conference schedules, collectively. The Big East conference teams will only play 15 ranked opponents total, and six teams will not play one at all.

That doesn't mean the conference season will not still be among the best in the country. Here is a look at the conference non-conference schedules, worst to best.

16. St. John's Red Storm - @Saint Mary Gaels, Davidson Wildcats

St. Johns opens the season with the weakest non-conference schedule in the Big East. The Red Storm does not play any ranked teams, or prominent programs as they did a year before. St. Johns has two "tough" games at Saint Mary's and against Davidson.

15. DePaul Blue Demons - Oklahoma State Cowboys*

Last season, the Blue Demons scheduled a few tough SEC opponents. This season, DePaul will only play against a decent Big 12 program in Oklahoma State. The rest are mid-major programs.

14. Cincinnati Bearcats - Dayton Flyers, @Oklahoma Sooners

The Cincinnati Bearcats will have to do a great job during conference play because their non-conference schedule will not win over the selection committee. The Bearcats have two decent games, one at home where Cincinnati host the Flyers. The Bearcats will then travel to take on the Oklahoma Sooners.

13. West Virginia Mountaineers - Davidson Wildcats, @Miami (FL) Hurricanes, Robert Morris Colonials

Despite their less than stellar non-conference games, the Mountaineers should be set headed into conference play. The Mountaineers will play Davidson which should not be a easy-task. West Virginia will also travel to take on Durand Scott and the Miami Hurricanes. Last years Robert Morris team made the tournament and almost upset Villanova, and could pose a problem for the Wildcats.

12. Providence Friars - @Boston College Eagles, Alabama Crimson Tide

The Friars will compete against  the same teams this season, as they did the year before. The Friars will play Boston College again, however, this time it will be on the road. The Friars are also playing an improved Alabama team led by freshman Trevor Releford.

11. South Florida Bulls - @Central Florida Knights, Brigham Young Cougars, Auburn Tigers

The South Florida Bulls will get a chance to pick up some marquee wins before conference play. The BYU Cougars returned Jimmer Fredette, AP Preseason All-American, who will travel to take on the Bulls. South Florida will also travel to play Central Florida, and Auburn.

10. Villanova Wildcats - No. 22 Temple Owls, Maryland Terrapins

The Villanova Wildcats have one of the weaker non-conference schedules in recent memory. The Wildcats will welcome in a ranked Temple team that gave Villanova their first loss a season ago. They will also welcome in the high-powered Terrapins offense led by junior guard Sean Mosley.

9. Pittsburgh Panthers - Maryland Terrapins, Robert Morris Colonials, No. 20 Tennessee Volunteers

The Pittsburgh Panthers were selected to breeze through the conference. Their non-conference schedule doesn't speak championship language. The Panthers only face one ranked team in the Volunteers, who were recently defeated by a Division II school, and sub-par opponents like Robert Morris, and Maryland.

8. Connecticut Huskies - @No. 25 Texas Longhorns, @No. 20 Tennessee Volunteers

The UConn Huskies are poised to rebound and show teams they are for real. The Huskies have two road games scheduled against top-25 opponents. Pulling a win from at least one should set them up great heading into conference play.

7. Seton Hall Pirates - @No. 22 Temple Owls, Alabama Crimson Tide, @Arkansas Razorbacks, Dayton Flyer, Richmond Spiders 

Seton Hall continues to get better, and so does its non-conference schedule. The Pirates will get a rematch with the Owls who handed them their first loss on the season. Seton Hall will also welcome in talented teams such as Alabama, Dayton, and Richmond.

6. Rutgers Scarlet Knights - Miami (FL) Hurricanes, Auburn Tigers, @No. 9 North Carolina Tar Heels

It's not going to be easy for the Scarlet Knights. Rutgers will welcome in both Miami (FL) and the Auburn Tigers. Nonetheless, the biggest game will come on the road against ninth-ranked North Carolina.

5. Syracuse Orange - Detroit Titans, North Carolina State Wolfpack, No. 2 Michigan State Spartans

The Syracuse Orange will have a stellar non-conference season. The Detroit Titans will be lead by five-star freshman Ray McCallum. The Orange will also welcome in NC State, with one of the most dynamic freshman trio's in all of College Basketball. Tom Izzo will bring his second-ranked Spartans in town for the biggest game of their non-conference schedule.

4. Louisville Cardinals - No. 18 Butler, UNLV Rebels, No. 10 Kentucky Wildcats

The Cardinals will open up the season with a matchup against the No. 18 Butler Bulldogs, who were runner-ups last year. Louisville will also get a chance to pick up a key win against the Rebels at home. No. 10 Kentucky Wildcats will also visit for an in-state showdown.

3. Notre Dame Fighting Irish - Georgia Bulldogs*, @No. 10 Kentucky Wildcats, No. 12 Gonzaga Bulldogs

The Fighting Irish may have lost Luke Harangody but will not stop scheduling key opponents. Notre Dame will play an electrifying Georgia team that might crack the top-25 before they play. The Fighting Irish will also travel to play a top-10 in the Kentucky Wildcats, and host the No. 12 ranked Bulldogs.

2. Marquette Golden Eagles - @No. 1 Duke Blue Devils, No. 24 Wisconsin Badgers, @Vanderbilt Commodores 

There is no tougher task than being asked to travel to a hostile environment like Cameron Indoor Stadium and take on the No. 1 team in the country. The Golden Eagles will play Duke on the road, as well as Vanderbilt. Marquette also welcomes in No. 24 Wisconsin in a pivotal non-conference showdown.

1. Georgetown Hoyas - @No. 15 Missouri Tigers, @No. 22 Temple Owls, @No. 19 Memphis Tigers

The Hoyas will open the season on the road against an NCAA tournament team in the Old Dominion Monarchs. After that, the rest of their road games are against top-25 opponents. The Hoyas will grapple a chance to knock off Missouri, Temple, and Memphis on the road in pivotal non-conference games.

(* means neutral location)

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Reviewing the First Day of College Basketball

Posted by CoHoops DeAnte Mitchell

While many teams were still playing their exhibition games, and losing--if you're Alabama, Auburn, or Tennessee, College Basketball opened up with 2k Sports Coaches vs. Cancer Classic.

First to kick things off were the No. 4 Pittsburgh Panthers, and Rhode Island Rams.

The Panthers got off to a sluggish start before making a run to take the lead 37-36 before the half. The Panthers continued their 9-0 run in the second half and did not disappoint.

The Panthers offense took off after a Gary McGhee dunk that put Pitt up three.

The Panthers offense stayed in front for the rest of the game despite letting Rhode Island get as close as three under two minutes.

That is when Brad Wanamaker and Ashton Gibbs took control and scored seven of the last nine points for the Panthers.

Wanamaker paced the Panthers on the night with 24 points, eight assist, and three rebounds. Gibbs chipped in 22 points, 4 rebounds and three assist.

The No. 16 Illinois Fighting Illini opened up the season very impressively. Illinois did not have a problem with the UC Irvine Anteaters after jumping out to a 34-8 advantage early. After that, the Fighting Illini did not look back defeating UC Irvine 79-65.

Demetri McCamey finished the game with 13 points, and eight assist. Brandon Paul came off the bench to score 18 points, all coming from his six three-point attempts.

The Maryland Terrapins finished off the fighting Seattle Redhawks as junior guard Sean Mosley led the Terps to a 105-76 win. Mosley paced the Terps with 21 points,  four assist, and rebounds apiece.

Freshman guard Terrell Stoglin came off the bench to accumalate 15 points, five assist, and a perfect 9-9 from the free throw line.

The Texas Longhorns had to fight tough against the Navy Midshipmen. After going into the break with a nine-point lead the Longhorns come out and owned Navy in the second half.

Jordan Hamilton made the post-Damion James era seem easy. Hamilton scored 26 points, and grabbed 10 rebounds on the night.

Gary Johnson, and Tristian Thompson were the only other players in double figures for the Longhorns, Johnson with 17 and Thompson with 12.

The Longhorns finished off the Midshipmen with an 83-52 victory.

Overall, the first day of College Basketball was very interesting. Some teams came out sluggish while other came to play. Illinois made the biggest statement today by not giving UC Irvine a chance. Although, you have to watch Maryland's offense.

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Ranking The Big 12 Non-Conference Schedules

Posted by CoHoops DeAnte Mitchell

Half of the Big 12 conference made the NCAA tournament last year due to their strength of schedule. Although, there was a power shift, the programs notable for tough schedules still embrace the big games needed for head in to conference play.

However, there are also teams that did not do so well on scheduling significant games for their program.

Here is an in-depth look on the Big 12 non-conference schedules, worst to best.

12. Nebraska Cornhuskers - Vanderbilt Commodores, USC Trojans 

The Cornhuskers will continue with the weak non-conference schedule. The Huskers will have two notable games with Vandy, and USC. The most interesting thing is that none of the Huskers non-conference games are on the road.

11. Iowa State Cyclones - California Bears, @Virginia Cavaliers

The Iowa State are returning from one of the more promising seasons they've had in the Big 12 in a while. However, that was until their players departed and left the program with barely any talent. Their non-conference schedule is not comparable to last years. They will not play any ranked opponents, or any major programs.

10. Colorado Buffaloes - @Georgia Bulldogs, Oregon State Beavers

Compared to last years non-conference schedule, this years is soft. The Buffs will travel on the road to take on a fierce SEC power in Georgia for the biggest game on their non-conference slate of games. Oregon State should also challenge the Buffs' with their size inside.


9. Texas A&M Aggies - No. 17 Washington Huskies, Arkansas Razorbacks

The Texas A&M Aggies will be at home most of the time during non-conference play with only one away game. However, the Aggies will welcome in the No. 17 Washington Huskies, and Arkansas Razorbacks. The Aggies played four ranked teams last year during non-conference play, only one this year.

8. Texas Tech Red Raiders - Liberty Flames, @No. 17 Washington Huskies, UTEP Minors

Last season, the Red Raiders played prominent programs, and ranked teams during their non-conference slate of games. However, there are only a few games worth watching this time around. Texas Tech continues its series with Washington, New Mexico, and UTEP. But also welcomes the Flames to their non-conference slate.

7. Baylor Bears - No. 12 Gonzaga Bulldogs

The Baylor Bears will not spend any time on the road this non-conference slate as they did the year before. However, the Bears will welcome in No. 12 ranked Gonzaga, in hopes, to pull away with a prominent non-conference victory. After that, no other game is worth noting for the Bears.

6. Oklahoma State Cowboys - DePaul Blue Demons, Alabama Crimson Tide, @No. 12 Gonzaga Bulldogs

The Oklahoma State Cowboys has a tougher non-conference schedule than they had a year before. They will welcome in two young teams in DePaul, and Alabama. However, out of the three times the Cowboys travel, Oklahoma State will play the biggest game in their non-conference on the road against No. 12 ranked Gonzaga.

5. Oklahoma Sooners - @No. 10 Kentucky Wildcats, @Arkansas Razorbacks, @Arizona Wildcats, Cincinnati Bearcats

The Sooners were selected to finish close to last in the Big 12, but still managed to accumulate one of the tougher schedules in the conference. The Sooners will travel to a tough No. 10 Kentucky team loaded with five-star freshman. Arkansas, and Arizona are both young teams that have talent and should pull it together this year. Cincinnati's tough playing style could pose a problem for the Sooners as well.

4. Kansas Jayhawks - Arizona Wildcats, UCLA Bruins, No. 19 Memphis Tigers, USC Trojans

The Jayhawks will only travel twice during their non-conference slate of games. But will welcome in talented teams such as the No. 19 ranked Tigers that could possibly challenge their home win streak. Arizona, one of the younger talented teams could surprise with a balanced attack, and UCLA and USC are always prepped for a good basketball season.

3. Missouri Tigers - No. 21 Georgetown Hoyas, No.16 Illinois Fighting Illini 

The Tigers will embrace the chance to play two ranked teams during non-conference play. The Georgetown Hoyas, and Illinois Fighting Illini. Both teams are stacked with a lot of talent, and if Mizzou could pull off a win from either of the two, it would be significant headed into conference play.

2. Kansas State Wildcats - No. 23 Virginia Tech Hokies, No. 12 Gonzaga Bulldogs, @No.11 Florida Gators, UNLV Rebels

Due to the recent success, the Wildcats will now play a tougher non-conference schedule than in recent years. The Wildcats will travel to a No. 11 Florida team that can match their depth, and guard play. They will also play tough teams in Virginia Tech, and Gonzaga. This non-conference slate of games will have the Wildcats fully prepared for a test in the Big 12.

1. Texas Longhorns - No. 16 Illinois Fighting Illini, @No. 9 North Carolina Tar Heels, @No. 2 Michigan State Spartans, Connecticut Huskies

The Longhorns may not be the No. 1 team in the Big 12 but they do grasp one of the tougher schedules. The Longhorns will travel to take on two top-10 ranked squads. Texas will also welcome in sixteen ranked Illinois, along with the rebounding UConn Huskies. If they Longhorns can get key wins in non-conference play I suspect a tough Texas team headed into conference play.

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Villanova reviewing JayVaugh Pinkston Incident

Posted by CoHoops DeAnte Mitchell

Incoming freshman, McDonald's All-American JayVaugh Pinkston was looked on to help ignite the Villanova Wildcats frontcourt or possibly the wing.

Pinkston, a 6-foot-7 combo-forward can play inside-out, and dominate the game with his power.

However, Villanova will have to wait to see their freshman forward on the court due to an incident that occurred last Saturday (November 6).

Pinkston was reportedly in a altercation that resulted in the other person in the hospital.

Villanova released a statement saying that they were made aware of an incident that occurred with Pinkston and other players on the team.

However, Jay Wright, or the Villanova program declined to comment or release details on what exactly happened.

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Ranking The ACC Non-Conference Schedules

Posted by CoHoops DeAnte Mitchell

The ACC conference, last season, did not get many bids to the NCAA tournament due to the fact that many teams had weak non-conference schedules. This season, the trend should be over.

At least every team in the ACC has a notable game before conference season begins.

That will be beneficial once Selection Sunday comes around. The ACC conference will be tough, and a teams non-conference performance could dictact its confidence heading into conference play.

Here is a look at the ACC non-conference schedules--easiest to hardest.

12. Clemson Tigers - Wofford, Michigan


The Clemson Tigers have the easiest non-conference schedule of any team in the ACC. The Tigers do not host any ranked opponents, and most of their opponents are mid-majors. With no Trevor Booker its not surprising, and if the Tigers cannot obtain marquee wins in the ACC the NCAA tournament may be out of reach.

11. Boston College Eagles - Texas A&M, Indiana, Providence

With a new head coach, and the loss of many players, the Eagles non-conference schedule has rebuild written all over it. The Eagles most notable non-conference game this season will be against Texas A&M, who did not received any votes from the AP poll, and was selected to finish 6th in the Big 12. Despite that, no other team that the Eagles will face is currently ranked, or even received votes by any panel for that matter.

10. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets - at Northwestern, Georgia

The Yellow Jackets lost both frontier forces in Derrick Favors, and Gani Lawal. This season, the Yellow Jackets will play notable non-conference teams in Northwestern and Georgia. Both teams have the chance to be really good this year, and received votes to be inside the top-25 of the ESPN/USA Today coaches poll.

9. Wake Forest Demon Decons - at Xavier, No. 12 Gonzaga

The Demon Decons were chosen by the coaches to finish last in the ACC. However, that did not stop them from scheduling two opponents that the Demon Decons can possibly upset on the road, and at home. Wake Forest will embrace the chance to battle it out with a fierce No. 12 Gonzaga team that ranks among the top in the league. Before then, the Demon Decons will have to contain high-scoring Terrell Holloway and the Musketeers.

8. Virginia Cavaliers - No. 18 Washington, at Minnesota

The Cavaliers, who were picked second-to-last in the ACC, will welcome a few solid teams. The Cavaliers will get the chance to target No. 18 Washington at home November 22nd. They will also go on the road to face a tough Minnesota team who I believe will surprise this season.

7. Miami Hurricanes - at No. 19 Memphis, at Rutgers, Ole Miss, West Virginia

The Hurricanes non-conference schedule is a lot tougher than it was last year. They will be on the road for arguably one of the biggest games early on in the season against No. 19 Memphis. The 'Canes will also play a tough Ole Miss, and West Virginia squad. I'm impressed by the scheduling of Miami. If the 'Canes are able to pull away at the least two of these wins they'll be prepared for conference play.

6. Maryland Terrapins - vs. No. 5 Pittsburgh, No. 22 Temple

Maryland Head Coach Gary Williams has his work cut out for him. He did not return his senior but will still open up the season with a top-5 opponent in the Pittsburgh Panthers. That will be the toughest until No. 22 Temple takes a trip to Maryland on the fifth of December.

5. North Carolina State Wolfpack - at Wisconsin, at No. 10 Syracuse, Arizona

The Wolfpack did not benefit from last years non-conference schedule but this year NC State will. The Wolfpack will open up December with back-to-back games against tough opponents. Wisconsin is going to be a tough game, as well as, the young but talented Arizona Wildcats. The biggest game will occur December 4th when NC State travels to Syracuse to take on the Orange.

4. Virginia Tech Hokies - at No. 3 Kansas State, No. 14 Purdue, Penn State, Ole Miss

Last season, the Hokies were snubbed because of their weak non-conference schedule. This season, the Hokies scheduled No. 3 Kansas State, and No. 14 Purdue. No doubt, the opening game against the Wildcats is the toughest opening game for any team this season. Penn State could pose a threat, and Ole Miss could be a crucial game as well.

3. Florida State Seminoles - No. 9 Florida, No. 4 Ohio State

The Seminoles have the chance to make the NCAA tournament if they knock off one of these teams. The Seminoles will host both No. 9 Florida, and No. 4 Ohio State at home. No other team in the ACC will face two top-10 teams at home, which solidifies their strength of schedule.

2. North Carolina Tar Heels - at No. 13 Illinois, No. 11 Kentucky, Texas

The Tar Heels continue to have tough schedules, although last season schedule was a little tougher. This year North Carolina will travel to a stacked No. 13 Illinois team led by Demetri McCamey. They will also host No. 11 Kentucky at home who could be inside the top-10 once they hit the court against the 'Heels. Texas may pose a problem with two talented newcomers.

1. Duke Blue Devils - Marquette, No. 2 Michigan State, No. 17 Butler

The Blue Devils, without a question, have the toughest non-conference schedule in the ACC. The Blue Devils may have the chance to play No. 3 K-State early in the season, as well as a tough Marquette team. No. 2 Michigan State will visit Duke in a pivotal game against the top teams in the NCAA. No. 17 Butler will also seek revenge when they visit Duke.

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