2009-10 Nonconference Schedule Update (April 22)

[SelectionSunday]

Will update this as I see/hear reports from the media. By playing in an exempt tournament (Anaheim Classic), am pretty certain the Gophers -- like last season -- will play 12 nonconference games. Guess is the Gophers will play 8 home games, 1 true road game & 3 at a neutral site (Anaheim Classic).

This update adds Miami-Florida, the Gophers' opponent for the ACC/Big 10 Challenge.

Final RPI for 2008-09 listed in parentheses.

Home (8?)
1. South Dakota State (283)

Road (1?)
1. Miami of Florida (65)

Neutral/Anaheim Classic (3?)
3 of these 7:
West Virginia (21, NCAA)
Butler (24, NCAA)
Clemson (28, NCAA)
UCLA (33, NCAA)
Texas A&M (36, NCAA)
Portland (120)
Long Beach State (156)

Average RPI of Known (2) Nonconference Opponents: 174

Rumors (speculation from the Arrogant Old Guy)?
Kansas (11, NCAA)
Saint Joseph's (105)

As a guide, here's a ranking of the Gophers' nonconference schedules in the last 15 seasons. Please note, some nonconference games I consider "non-counters." These are games played beyond the first round of a bracketed tournament vs. opponents not a sure thing when the schedule was released. For example, Gopher games vs. Southern Illinois and Montana in the 2006 Old Spice Classic don't count, but the first-round opponent (in this case Marist) does.

Gophers' Most Difficult to Least Difficult Nonconference Schedules (since 1994-95)
1. 121.363 (1997-98, Haskins)
2. 124.6 (1998-99, Haskins) -- NCAA 1st round
3. 131.09 (1999-00, Monson)
4. 139.4 (1995-96, Haskins)
5. 141.3 (1994-95, Haskins) -- NCAA 1st round
6. 152.545 (2001-02, Monson)
7. 157 (1996-97, Haskins) -- NCAA Final Four
8. 157.636 (2002-03, Monson)
9. 162.25 (2006-07, Monson)
10. 168.272 (2005-06, Monson)
11. 184.75 (2007-08, Smith)
12. 195.833 (2008-09, Smith) -- NCAA 1st round
13. 196.454 (2003-04, Monson)
14. 207.636 (2004-05, Monson) -- NCAA 1st round
15. 210.9 (2000-01, Monson)

 

[Rouser]

The Anaheim classic will be interesting. I would caution that if we don't win our first game then its quite possible we could play both Long Beach St AND Portland, thus losing out on one more solid game.

I figure we will be seeded 3 thru 5 in this tourney, meaning a good game to start but if we lose...I assume we go in the losers bracket which would likely include LB st and Portland.

 

[SelectionSunday]

The winners bracket definitely is likely to enhance the SOS more. Hoping somehow LBSU and Portland are in the same bracket so that we'll be guaranteed 2 quality games out of this thing, though I do think Portland has a chance to be pretty good in the WCC next season.