With only a little over a month until the start of the season, it is time to discuss each Big Ten team’s best non-conference game. The Big Ten has many tremendous non-conference matchups this year, and picking just one for each team is difficult. One caveat is that I will not include rivalry matchups that happen every year (i.e. Wisconsin vs. Marquette) or the Champions Classic, which Michigan State competes in every season.
Each Big Ten Team’s Best Non-Conference Game
Illinois at Tennessee
Illinois has an excellent non-conference schedule this season. However, their most interesting matchup is when they go on the road to Tennessee. The Vols are always an exciting matchup as they play suffocating defense. To be successful, the Illini will need to rely on veterans Coleman Hawkins and Terrence Shannon Jr. to lead them to victory in Knoxville.
Kansas at Indiana
Indiana has an incredibly tough schedule this season. This includes a natural site game against UConn and Auburn, but I felt hosting Kansas would be the most intriguing matchup. The two schools are both historically good basketball programs with incredible fanbases. Kansas will be highly ranked coming into this matchup, with many thinking they could be the number one team heading into the season. The Hoosiers had plenty of roster turnover this season, so it will be interesting to see how well they do in this matchup.
Iowa at Creighton
This Gavitt Tipoff matchup saves the Hawkeye’s non-conference schedule. Creighton had an excellent season last year and looks to improve this year. Iowa lost a lot of talent but should still be solid again this year. This matchup should be an offensive explosion. According to Kenpom, this will be a matchup of two of last season’s top twenty-five most efficient offenses.
Maryland at Villanova
This is another Gavitt Games Tipoff matchup. Maryland also had a few interesting games in their non-conference schedule, including a trip to UCLA. However, I decided Villanova would be the more interesting matchup due to how close the schools are. They are only two hours apart and typically fight for the same recruits. This isn’t a historical rivalry, but the two could have some bad blood.
Michigan at Oregon
The Wolverines don’t have many “big-time” opponents on the schedule but have a few interesting options. They play in a few early-season tournaments, but I decided to choose their trip to Oregon. I always tend to favor on-campus matchups because the environments are much cooler than neutral-site games. The Ducks haven’t been amazing over the past few years, but they have had a lot of recent recruiting success. This should be a great matchup.
Baylor vs. Michigan State (Detroit, MI)
Michigan State plays a tough non-conference schedule every season. Baylor has been outstanding over the past few seasons and looks to be great again. Although Michigan State has been below their standard for the past few seasons, they look to be strong again. These two teams should match up well, and it should be an excellent game.
Minnesota at San Francisco
Minnesota probably has the most lackluster non-conference schedule in the conference. A few seasons ago, San Francisco had an incredible season. They were solid again last year. Minnesota has been bad the past few years and will probably be bad again this year. The game should be competitive, especially since it is on the road.
Nebraska vs. Oregon State (Sioux Falls, SD)
Nebraska does not have an amazing non-conference schedule. They play Creighton every year, but I wanted to exclude it because it is not a unique matchup. Nebraska is typically a pretty bad team in the Big Ten, but they overachieved last season. This should be a competitive game if they return to their normal form.
Dayton at Northwestern
The Wildcats had a miracle season last year. They had a First-Team All-Conference guard in Boo Buie, and the team made the NCAA tournament. They hope to build on last year’s success with an interesting non-conference schedule this season. A few games could have made this list, but Dayton is the most interesting one. The Flyers should be good this season. The two fast-paced teams will likely have a great matchup.
Texas A&M at Ohio State
It was a down year for the Buckeyes last season. But they bring back most of their starters and a very strong recruiting class. Their non-conference schedule is tough, with many good games. Texas A&M is an exciting opponent. They were solid last year and are projected by some to win the SEC this year. This will be a great game in Columbus.
Morehead State at Penn State
Morehead will likely be bad this season after having one of the best seasons in program history last year. Their schedule is not incredibly difficult this season, but they play some interesting games. The Nittany Lions also play Texas A&M, but that will likely not be a competitive game. Morehead State is an excellent mid-major team and should give Penn State a fight. I wouldn’t be surprised if an upset occurred here.
Gonzaga vs Purdue (Maui, HI)
Purdue plays a loaded non-conference schedule with matchups that include Alabama, Arizona, and Xavier. But I felt like the biggest matchup was against Gonzaga. The Bulldogs lost their star in Drew Timme, but they are attempting to replace him with a very good transfer class. Purdue brings back the national player of the year, Zach Edey. This will be one of the most exciting games of the non-conference season.
Georgetown at Rutgers
The Scarlet Knights play a few unique opponents, but none better than Georgetown. After a long stint at Providence, Ed Cooley moved south to DC to take over a failing Georgetown program. He has brought in many transfers to make the team competitive. Rutgers has been on an upward trend for a few years with coach Steve Pikiell. Although Rutgers lost a lot of talent, they should still be solid again this year. Since this game is in Piscataway, we will see a great crowd and match.
Virginia vs Wisconsin (Fort Myers, FL)
This will be an incredible matchup. The Badgers have a solid non-conference schedule, but this will be their most exciting game. Wisconsin and Virginia both play extremely slow and defensive styles of basketball. They use the entire shot clock to limit the other team’s possessions. Both teams should be good, and this will be a fun game.
