Continuous Non-Conference Schedule & Rankings Thread (updated July 28)

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SelectionSunday

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Updated July 28: Harvard, Kansas State, Maryland

Here are the continuous non-conference schedule rankings for all 365 Division 1 teams, a supplement to the "All Things Non-Conference Schedule Releases" thread on the School We Can Not Mention Here board. Teams listed here have COMPLETE non-conference schedules, meaning we already know (if applicable) their in-season tournament opponent(s). On both forums I will add team rankings as non-conference schedules become complete (with tournament opponents).

Rankings emphasize the percentage of games played vs. NET Top 122 opponents (top 33% of Division 1) combined with the average NET ranking of opponents. Non-Division 1 games are excluded from the average opponent NET ranking.

Non-Conference Schedule Rankings (toughest to easiest) -- 45 of 365 complete
1 Mississippi State (69.2% vs. Top 122, 137.166 average NET)
2 New Orleans (66.7%, 101.111)
3 Purdue (63.6%, 107.9)
4 Duke (61.5%, 132.307)
5 Marquette (54.5%, 123.09)
6 UConn (54.5%, 133.818)
7 Saint John's (53.9%, 121.7)
8 Creighton (53.9%, 153)
9 Maryland (53.8%, 188.7)
10 Kansas (46.2%, 118.833)
11 Florida (46.2%, 146.583)
12 Wake Forest (46.2%, 149.583)
13 North Carolina (46.2%, 156.538)
14 Colorado (46.2%, 163.333)
15 Notre Dame (46.2%, 182.666)
16 Wisconsin (45.5%, 162.8)
17 Ohio State (45.5%, 167.454)
18 Iowa State (45.5%, 197.75)
19 Butler (45.5%, 198.545)
20 Tennessee (38.5%, 160.166)
21 Bucknell (38.5%, 187.846)
22 Cal Baptist (38.5%, 204.461)
23 Indiana (36.4%, 190)
24 Providence (36.4%, 197.3)
25 Nebraska (36.4%, 222.9)
26 Minnesota (36.4%, 226.3)
27 Penn (33.3%, 180)
28 ODU (31.4%, 147.222)
29 Idaho State (30.8%, 175.6)
30 American (30.8%, 175.727)
31 College of Charleston (30.8%, 182)
32 Missouri (30.8%, 196)
33 Fairleigh Dickinson (30.8%, 196.5)
34 Kansas State (30.8%, 204.75)
35 Oregon State (28.8%, 162.636)
36 IU-Indianapolis (27.3%, 219.111)
37 DePaul (27.3%, 259.7)
38 LIU (26.7%, 187.642)
39 Cal (23.1%, 225)
40 USC-Upstate (20%, 221.583)
41 UMass (16.6%, 210.888)
42 Loyola-Maryland (15.4%, 225.272)
43 Harvard (14.3%, 210.153)
44 Charleston Southern (.07%, 242.616)
45 UNC-Wilmington (0%, 234.9)

Schedule Incomplete (15)
Bethune-Cookman
BYU
Charlotte
Georgetown
Georgia
Miami-Florida
Prairie View A&M
Rice
Saint Bonaventure
San Diego
Texas
Toledo
USF
Utah Tech
Xavier
 
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We are going to replicate many of SelectionSunday's non-conference posts from the St. Thomas Board thread to this one as well for those that want to see other teams non-conference schedules.

First up among the 365 non-conference schedules for 2025-26 is the Purdue Boilermakers. Per usual, Matt Painter has put together a challenging slate.

An * denotes a NET top 122 team (top 33% of D1) last season. A $ denotes a NIT, College Basketball Crown, or CBI champion. Opponent's final NET ranking is in parentheses.


Purdue Men’s Basketball Releases 2025-26 Non-Conference Schedule - Purdue Boilermakers​

Home games with Iowa State and Marquette highlight another challenging Purdue non-conference schedule which was finalized late last week and announced today.

PURDUE (complete)
Nov. 4: EVANSVILLE (257)
Nov. 7: OAKLAND (193)
Nov. 13: @ *Alabama (6)
Nov. 16: *AKRON* (91)
Nov. 20: vs.* Memphis (49)
Nov. 21: vs. *Texas Tech (7)/*Wake Forest (69)
Nov. 28: EASTERN ILLINOIS (318)
Dec. 6: *IOWA STATE (9)
Dec. 13:* MARQUETTE (26)
Dec. 20: vs. *Auburn (2)
Dec. 29: KENT STATE (128)

NET Top 122 Opponents: 7
Opponents Average NET: 107.9
 

Non-conference schedule release #2 of 365 is the Iowa State Cyclones. The Cyclones have 6 300+ NET opponents on the slate.


ISU Announces Non-Conference Men’s Hoops Schedule - Iowa State University Athletics​

Iowa State has announced its men's basketball non-conference schedule for the 2025-26 season.

IOWA STATE (need Player’s Era Festival matchups)
Nov. 3: FAIRLEIGH DICKINSON (303)
Nov. 6: GRAMBLING (325)
Nov. 10: vs. *Mississippi State (34)
Nov. 17: STONEHILL (312)
Nov. 25-29 (will play 3 of): vs. *Alabama (6)/*Auburn (2)/*Creighton (38)/*Gonzaga (8)/*Michigan (23)/*Notre Dame (103)/*Oregon (29)/*Rutgers (77)/*Saint John’s (13)/*Saint Joseph’s (76)/*San Diego State (52)/Syracuse (133)/*Tennessee (5)/*UNLV (98)
Dec. 3: EAST TEXAS A&M (335)
Dec. 6: @ *Purdue (19)
Dec. 11: *IOWA (63)
Dec. 14: EASTERN ILLINOIS (318)
Dec. 21: LONG BEACH STATE (326)
Dec. 29: HOUSTON CHRISTIAN (287)

NET Top 122 Opponents: 5 or 6
Opponents Average NET: TBD
 

Non-conference schedule release #3 of 365 is the Nebraska Cornhuskers. The College Basketball Crown champion Cornhuskers play no true road games and have 4 300+ NET opponents.

There are 3 NCAA qualifiers (vs. Oklahoma, vs. Mississippi State/New Mexico, Creighton) on the slate, as well as a Dec. 21 home date vs. (Summit League's) North Dakota.

Huskers Release 2025-26 MBB Non-Conference Schedule​


NEBRASKA (CBC champion) (need Hall of Fame Classic matchup)
Nov. 3: WEST GEORGIA (345)
Nov. 8: FIU (260)
Nov. 11: UMES (361)
Nov. 15: vs. *Oklahoma (43)
Nov. 20: vs. *Kansas State (75)/*Mississippi State (34)/*New Mexico (42)
Nov. 21: vs. *Kansas State (75)/*Mississippi State (34)/*New Mexico (42)
Nov. 25: WINTHROP (163)
Nov. 29: USC-UPSTATE (347)
Dec. 7: *CREIGHTON (38)
Dec. 21: NORTH DAKOTA (275)
Dec. 30: NEW HAMPSHIRE (355)

NET Top 122 Opponents: 4
Opponents Average NET: TBD
 


Non-conference schedule release #4 of 365 is the Kansas Jayhawks. Rock Chalk will play a minimum of 5 games vs. Power 5 opponents, with a possibility of 3 more.

Kansas Men’s Basketball Unveils Challenging Non-Conference Slate - University of Kansas​

Highlighted by a marquee home matchup with UConn, a trip to North Carolina and an appearance at Madison Square Garden against Duke, Kansas men's basketball on Wednesday

KANSAS (need Player’s Era Festival matchups)
Nov. 3: GREEN BAY (338)
Nov. 7: @ *North Carolina (36)
Nov. 11: TAMU-CORPUS CHRISTI (165)
Nov. 15: PRINCETON (166)
Nov. 18: vs. *Duke (1)
Nov. 24-27 (will play 3 of): vs. *Alabama (6)/*Auburn (2)/*Creighton (38)/*Gonzaga (8)/*Michigan (23)/*Notre Dame (103)/*Oregon (29)/*Rutgers (77)/*Saint John’s (13)/*Saint Joseph’s (76)/*San Diego State (52)/Syracuse (133)/*Tennessee (5)/UNLV (98)
Dec. 2: *UCONN (32)
Dec. 7: vs. *Missouri (16)
Dec. 13: @ NC State (132)
Dec. 16: TOWSON (151)
Dec. 22: DAVIDSON(153)

NET Top 122 Opponents: 6 or 7
Opponents Average NET: TBD
 

Non-conference schedule release #5 of 365 is the American U Eagles. The defending Patriot League tournament champion's slate is highlighted by visits to Wake Forest, Rutgers, VCU, and Virginia.

Eight Home Games Highlight Men's Basketball's 2025-26 Non-Conference Schedule - American University​

WASHINGTON – For the first time in 50 years, fans will have the chance to see American University men's basketball play eight non-conference games at home, as the

AMERICAN (complete)
Nov. 3: @ *Wake Forest (69)
Nov. 9: PENN (304)
Nov. 12: @ George Washington (124)
Nov. 15: NON-DIVISION 1
Nov. 18: @ *Rutgers (77)
Nov. 24: NON-DIVISION 1
Nov. 28: MAINE (203)
Nov. 29: SIENA (259)
Nov. 30: LONGWOOD (210)
Dec. 3: DREXEL (185)
Dec. 6: UMES (361)
Dec. 17: @ *VCU (31)
Dec. 22: @ *Virginia (110)

NET Top 122 Opponents: 4
Opponents Average NET: 175.727
 

Non-conference schedule release #6 of 365 is the DePaul Blue Demons. Chris Holtmann's squad has 6 opponents on the slate that ranked #300 or higher in last season's final NET rankings.

Woof, woof.

DePaul Basketball Announces 2025-26 Non-Conference Schedule - DePaul University Athletics​

CHICAGO – DePaul men's basketball announced its 2025-26 non-conference schedule, Thursday afternoon. The Blue Demons are set for their second season under th...


DEPAUL (complete)
Nov. 3: CHICAGO STATE (358)
Nov. 7: STONEHILL (312)
Nov. 11: BUFFALO (341)
Nov. 14: *NORTHWESTERN (53)
Nov. 18: GARDNER-WEBB (266)
Nov. 23: DETROIT (329)
Nov. 28: vs. *Georgia Tech (109)
Nov. 29: vs. *Drake (56)/*LSU (89)
Dec. 6: ARKANSAS-PINE BLUFF (363)
Dec. 9: MORGAN STATE (332)
Dec. 13: @ Wichita State (134)

NET Top 122 Opponents: 3
Opponents Average NET: 259.7
 

Non-conference schedule release #7 of 365 is the Providence Friars. The Friars slate is highlighted by the Rady Children's Invitational, with games vs. Wisconsin and either defending national champion Florida or TCU.

Men’s Basketball Announces Non-Conference Schedule - Providence College Athletics​

PROVIDENCE, R.I .- The Providence College men's basketball team's 2025-26 non-conference schedule was announced today (June 17). The Friars will play 11 non-...

PROVIDENCE (complete)
Nov. 3: HOLY CROSS (310)
Nov. 8: vs. Virginia Tech (167)
Nov. 11: PENN (304)
Nov. 14: @ *Colorado (86)
Nov. 18: NEW HAMPSHIRE (355)
Nov. 22: vs. *Penn State (66)
Nov. 27: vs. *Wisconsin (15)
Nov. 28: vs. *Florida (4)/*TCU (78)
Dec. 2: FAIRLEIGH DICKINSON (303)
Dec. 6: RHODE ISLAND (152)
Dec. 9: BROWN (215)

NET Top 122 Opponents: 4
Opponents Average NET: 197.3
 



GopherHole Staff said:
Non-conference schedule release #3 of 365 is the Nebraska Cornhuskers. The College Basketball Crown champion Cornhuskers play no true road games and have 4 300+ NET opponents.

There are 3 NCAA qualifiers (vs. Oklahoma, vs. Mississippi State/New Mexico, Creighton) on the slate, as well as a Dec. 21 home date vs. (Summit League's) North Dakota.

Huskers Release 2025-26 MBB Non-Conference Schedule​


NEBRASKA (CBC champion) (need Hall of Fame Classic matchup)
Nov. 3: WEST GEORGIA (345)
Nov. 8: FIU (260)
Nov. 11: UMES (361)
Nov. 15: vs. *Oklahoma (43)
Nov. 20: vs. *Kansas State (75)/*Mississippi State (34)/*New Mexico (42)
Nov. 21: vs. *Kansas State (75)/*Mississippi State (34)/*New Mexico (42)
Nov. 25: WINTHROP (163)
Nov. 29: USC-UPSTATE (347)
Dec. 7: *CREIGHTON (38)
Dec. 21: NORTH DAKOTA (275)
Dec. 30: NEW HAMPSHIRE (355)

NET Top 122 Opponents: 4
Opponents Average NET: TBD
Click to expand...
West Georgia? Is that a real team?
 

howeda7 said:
West Georgia? Is that a real team?
Click to expand...

I just Googled it, looks like they are real team with real uniforms and everything.

Per Wiki:

The West Georgia Wolves (UWG Wolves, formerly the West Georgia Braves) are the athletic teams that represent the University of West Georgia, located in Carrollton, Georgia, in NCAA Division I intercollegiate sports. The Wolves compete as members of the Atlantic Sun Conference (ASUN) for their 16 varsity sports.

It appears as if my guy Zac Brown attended West Georgia.

Go West Georgia Wolves!!
 

BleedGopher said:
I just Googled it, looks like they are real team with real uniforms and everything.

Per Wiki:

The West Georgia Wolves (UWG Wolves, formerly the West Georgia Braves) are the athletic teams that represent the University of West Georgia, located in Carrollton, Georgia, in NCAA Division I intercollegiate sports. The Wolves compete as members of the Atlantic Sun Conference (ASUN) for their 16 varsity sports.

It appears as if my guy Zac Brown attended West Georgia.

Go West Georgia Wolves!!
Click to expand...
Apparently went to Divison 1 July 1, 2024.
 

Non-conference schedule release #8 of 365 is Missouri. The Tigers will play 4 Power 5 opponents, including the Gophers in Columbia on Nov. 12.

MISSOURI (complete)
Nov. 3: @ Howard (316)
Nov. 7: SOUTHEAST MISSOURI STATE (188)
Nov. 9: VMI (298)
Nov. 12: *MINNESOTA (96)
Nov. 17: PRAIRIE VIEW A&M (356)
Nov. 20: SOUTH DAKOTA (233)
Nov. 25: SOUTH CAROLINA STATE (196)
Nov. 28: CLEVELAND STATE (174)
Dec. 2: @ *Notre Dame (103)
Dec. 7: vs. *Kansas (20)
Dec. 11: ALABAMA STATE (274)
Dec. 14: BETHUNE-COOKMAN (277)
Dec. 22: vs. *Illinois (17)

NET Top 122 Opponents: 4
Opponents Average NET: 196
 



Non-conference schedule release #9 of 365 is Colorado.

COLORADO (complete)
Nov. 3: MONTANA STATE (186)
Nov. 8: EASTERN WASHINGTON (284)
Nov. 14: *PROVIDENCE (100)
Nov. 17: ALABAMA STATE (274)
Nov. 21: UC-DAVIS (237)
Nov. 27: vs. *San Francisco (64)
Nov. 28: vs. *Nevada (79)/*Washington (117)
Dec. 1: CAL BAPTIST (172)
Dec. 6: @ *Colorado State (47)
Dec. 13: UTSA (201)
Dec. 17: PORTLAND STATE (200)
Dec. 20: vs. *Stanford (81)
Dec. 28: *NORTHERN COLORADO (114)

NET Top 122 Opponents: 6
Opponents Average NET: 163.333
 
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Non-conference schedule release #10 of 365 is LIU, my projected NEC automatic qualifier. The Sharks, coached by former DePaul star "Hot Rod" Strickland, will toughen themselves up with games @ Notre Dame, Illinois, Mississippi State, and Georgia.

LIU (complete)
Nov. 3: @ *Notre Dame (103)
Nov. 6: @ IU-Indianapolis (315)
Nov. 8: NON-DIVISION 1
Nov. 11: @ Air Force (323)
Nov. 15: JAMES MADISON (158)
Nov. 20: @ Fordham (239)
Nov. 22: @ *Illinois (17)
Nov. 24: vs. Missouri State (245)
Nov. 29: UMASS-LOWELL (242)
Dec. 2: WINTHROP (163)
Dec. 6: @ Lehigh (281)
Dec. 13: LA SALLE (214)
Dec. 16: @ *Mississippi State (34)
Dec. 20: @ FIU (260)
Dec. 29: @ *Georgia (33)

NET Top 122 Opponents: 4
Opponents Average NET: 187.642
 
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Non-conference schedule release #11 of 365 is Marquette. Very smart schedule put together by Shaka Smart. The Warriors play 6 games vs. NET top 122 opponents, two at home, two on the road, and two at a neutral site. Four of those 6 opponents are from the Big Ten.

MARQUETTE (complete)
Nov. 3: ALBANY (263)
Nov. 5: SOUTHERN U (224)
Nov. 9: vs. *Indiana (54)
Nov. 12: LITTLE ROCK (234)
Nov. 15: *MARYLAND (10)
Nov. 19: *DAYTON (67)
Nov. 22: CENTRAL MICHIGAN (219)
Nov. 28: vs. *Oklahoma (43)
Dec. 2: VALPARAISO (206)
Dec. 6: @ *Wisconsin (15)
Dec. 13: @ *Purdue (19)

NET Top 122 Opponents: 6
Opponents Average NET: 123.09
 

GopherHole Staff said:
Non-conference schedule release #4 of 365 is the Kansas Jayhawks. Rock Chalk will play a minimum of 5 games vs. Power 5 opponents, with a possibility of 3 more.

Kansas Men’s Basketball Unveils Challenging Non-Conference Slate - University of Kansas​

Highlighted by a marquee home matchup with UConn, a trip to North Carolina and an appearance at Madison Square Garden against Duke, Kansas men's basketball on Wednesday

KANSAS (need Player’s Era Festival matchups)
Nov. 3: GREEN BAY (338)
Nov. 7: @ *North Carolina (36)
Nov. 11: TAMU-CORPUS CHRISTI (165)
Nov. 15: PRINCETON (166)
Nov. 18: vs. *Duke (1)
Nov. 24-27 (will play 3 of): vs. *Alabama (6)/*Auburn (2)/*Creighton (38)/*Gonzaga (8)/*Michigan (23)/*Notre Dame (103)/*Oregon (29)/*Rutgers (77)/*Saint John’s (13)/*Saint Joseph’s (76)/*San Diego State (52)/Syracuse (133)/*Tennessee (5)/UNLV (98)
Dec. 2: *UCONN (32)
Dec. 7: vs. *Missouri (16)
Dec. 13: @ NC State (132)
Dec. 16: TOWSON (151)
Dec. 22: DAVIDSON(153)

NET Top 122 Opponents: 6 or 7
Opponents Average NET: TBD
Click to expand...
The more impressive thing about this schedule to me is there's only one real cupcake (the fightin' Gottliebs). NC State is another quality opponent if you count P5s, but is outside the top 122, too.
 

formerlybis said:
The more impressive thing about this schedule to me is there's only one real cupcake (the fightin' Gottliebs). NC State is another quality opponent if you count P5s, but is outside the top 122, too.
Click to expand...
Yep, NC State definitely likely to be an outlier with my "top 122" emphasis. Fully expect them to be in the NCAA tourney this season with Will "The Gangster" Wade and the roster he's assembled.
 

Non-conference schedule #12 of 365 is Duke. The Blue Devils slate includes a late season neutral site clash vs. Michigan.

DUKE (complete)
Nov. 4: vs. *Texas (39)
Nov. 7: WESTERN CAROLINA (342)
Nov. 11: @ Army (307)
Nov. 14: INDIANA STATE (205)
Nov. 18: vs. *Kansas (20)
Nov. 21: NIAGARA (322)
Nov. 23: HOWARD (316)
Nov. 27: vs. *Arkansas (40)
Dec. 2: *FLORIDA (4)
Dec. 6: @ *Michigan State (11)
Dec. 16: *LIPSCOMB (84)
Dec. 20: vs. *Texas Tech (7)
Feb. 21: vs. *Michigan (23)

NET Top 122 Opponents: 8
Opponents Average NET: 132.307
 


Figured with a different emphasis...
Duke has 7 Top 40 teams on their schedule
and Purdue has 5....cupcakes are cupcakes and anything about 230 to 351 is likely a cupcake? or no?
 

60's Guy said:
Figured with a different emphasis...
Duke has 7 Top 40 teams on their schedule
and Purdue has 5....cupcakes are cupcakes and anything about 230 to 351 is likely a cupcake? or no?
Click to expand...
Without checking, I believe Illinois has 5 also: Texas Tech, Alabama, Missouri, Tennessee, UConn. Coach says they are looking for another, too.
 

The Tar Heels enter the rankings at #4 of 12.

NORTH CAROLINA (complete)
Nov. 3: CENTRAL ARKANSAS (343)
Nov. 7: *KANSAS (20)
Nov. 11: RADFORD (161)
Nov. 14: NCCU (319)
Nov. 18: NAVY (270)
Nov. 25: vs. *Saint Bonaventure (97)
Nov. 27: vs. *Michigan State (11)
Dec. 2: @ *Kentucky (14)
Dec. 7: *GEORGETOWN (88)
Dec. 13: USC-UPSTATE (347)
Dec. 16: EAST TENNESSEE STATE (148)
Dec. 20: vs. *Ohio State (41)
Dec. 22: EAST CAROLINA (176)

NET Top 122 Opponents: 6
Opponents Average NET: 156.538
 



UCONN (complete)
Nov. 3: NEW HAVEN (365)
Nov. 7: UMASS-LOWELL (242)
Nov. 10: COLUMBIA (272)
Nov. 15: vs. *BYU (25)
Nov. 19: *ARIZONA (12)
Nov. 23: BRYANT (141)
Nov. 28: vs. *Illinois (17)
Dec. 2: @ *Kansas (20)
Dec. 5: EAST TEXAS A&M (335)
Dec. 9: vs. *Florida (4)
Dec. 13: *TEXAS (39)

NET Top 122 Opponents: 6
Opponents Average NET: 133.818
 
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BUTLER (complete)
Nov. 5: SOUTHERN INDIANA (331)
Nov. 8: IU-INDIANAPOLIS (315)
Nov. 11: CHICAGO STATE (358)
Nov. 15: @ *SMU (46)
Nov. 21: vs. *South Carolina (87)
Nov. 23: vs. *Virginia (110)
Nov. 28: WRIGHT STATE (220)
Dec. 2: EASTERN MICHIGAN (268)
Dec. 6: *BOISE STATE (44)
Dec. 20: vs. *Northwestern (53)
Dec. 22: NJIT (352)

NET Top 122 Opponents: 5
Opponents Average NET: 198.545
 

OREGON STATE (complete)
Nov. 3: NORTH DAKOTA STATE (136)
Nov. 7: UIC (154)
Nov. 12: *NORTH TEXAS (65)
Nov. 17: @ *Oregon (29)
Nov. 21: vs. Evansville (257)
Nov. 22-23: vs. *Akron (91)/Iona (252)
Nov. 24: vs. College of Charleston (150)/Green Bay (338)/UMass (221)/*Yale (72)
Nov. 29: CAL BAPTIST (172)
Dec. 3: VERMONT (232)
Dec. 6: SOUTHERN UTAH (306)
Dec. 13: MONTANA STATE (186)
Dec. 17: SAM HOUSTON (178)
Dec. 21: @ *Arizona State (74)

NET Top 122 Opponents: 3
Opponents Average NET: 162.636
 

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