Blogging the Bracket ranks Gophers' non-conference schedule #11 of B1G's 14

[SelectionSunday]

http://www.bloggingthebracket.com/2...ball-non-conference-schedule-rankings-big-ten

MINNESOTA
Puerto Rico Tip-Off: Temple (77), Butler (46)/Missouri State (200), Utah (54)/Miami (38)/Mississippi State (193)/Texas Tech (147)
Oklahoma State (24) (Sioux Falls), Clemson (78), South Dakota State (100), Milwaukee (206), South Dakota (247), ULM (265), Omaha (269), UMKC (301), Chicago State (325)

Average opponent four-year ranking: 190.42
Schedule rank among at-large contenders: 93rd
Big Ten rank: 11th

Oh look, it's yet another Big Ten schedule with a whole lot of winnable home games and a lot riding on an exempt event. Making matters worse for the Golden Gophers is a weak draw in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge—Clemson. Making matters worse for their fans, their most attractive non-Puerto Rico Tip-Off game—against Oklahoma State—will take place in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

This slate screams "NIT bid" at the top of its lungs and refuses to quiet down.

 

[BarnBoy]

http://www.bloggingthebracket.com/2015/11/11/9702454/2015-16-college-basketball-non-conference-schedule-rankings-big-ten MINNESOTA Puerto Rico Tip-Off: Temple (77), Butler (46)/Missouri State (200), Utah (54)/Miami (38)/Mississippi State (193)/Texas Tech (147) Oklahoma State (24) (Sioux Falls), Clemson (78), South Dakota State (100), Milwaukee (206), South Dakota (247), ULM (265), Omaha (269), UMKC (301), Chicago State (325) Average opponent four-year ranking: 190.42 Schedule rank among at-large contenders: 93rd Big Ten rank: 11th Oh look, it's yet another Big Ten schedule with a whole lot of winnable home games and a lot riding on an exempt event. Making matters worse for the Golden Gophers is a weak draw in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge—Clemson. Making matters worse for their fans, their most attractive non-Puerto Rico Tip-Off game—against Oklahoma State—will take place in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. This slate screams "NIT bid" at the top of its lungs and refuses to quiet down.

Isn't the converse of this the higher probability that we may actually win more games and not be on the bubble?

/homer

 

[tmvander]

This year I actually don't mind the easy schedule. The NIT is probably our ceiling anyway.

 

[GopherOhana]

our bigten schedule may not be that tough either. 5 games against the preseason top 4. two against rutgers - though zero against the 13th rated team (us)

seems like a good year to build toward next season

 

[bemidjigopher]

our bigten schedule may not be that tough either. 5 games against the preseason top 4. two against rutgers - though zero against the 13th rated team (us)

seems like a good year to build toward next season

The away schedule is favorable, I would say the home schedule, while great for the gate is gonna be tough sledding

 

[cjbfbp]

This year I actually don't mind the easy schedule. The NIT is probably our ceiling anyway.

Exactly.