NW schedule released (final Big 10 NC sked rankings)

[SelectionSunday]

I didn't expect an Izzo-like schedule from Northwestern, but considering the expectations in Evanston for the 2010-11 season, this is a disappointing nonconference schedule. Creighton, Georgia Tech and the potential to play St. John's. ... that's about all there is for quality-win opportunities. Five opponents with RPI's south of #250? Barring a sweep of Creighton/Georgia Tech/St. John's, Bill Carmody is pretty much putting all his NCAA eggs in the Big Ten regular-season basket. That's not smart scheduling. With this slate, come March 13 (Selection Sunday) I wouldn't want to be on the bubble if I were the Wildcats.

Nov. 12: at Northern Illinois (261)
Nov. 17: at Texas-Pan American (336)
Nov. 19: ARKANSAS-PINE BLUFF (183)
Nov. 28: CREIGHTON (115)
Nov. 30: GEORGIA TECH (33)
Dec. 13: LONG ISLAND (240)
Dec. 16: AMERICAN (295)
Dec. 20: vs. St. Francis-NY (294) -- MSG Holiday Festival
Dec. 21: vs. St. John's (82) or Davidson (179) -- MSG Holiday Festival
Dec. 23: MOUNT ST. MARY'S (171)
Jan. 20: SOUTHERN ILLINOIS-EDWARDSVILLE (322)

Average RPI/All Opponents: 225
Average RPI/Home Opponents: 194.142
2010 NCAA Tournament Qualifiers (2): Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Georgia Tech

BIG TEN NONCONFERENCE SCHEDULE RANKINGS (complete)
Average RPI/All Opponents
1. GOPHERS (133.5)
2. Michigan State (138.8)
3. Penn State (144.272)
4. Illinois (154)
5. Iowa (158.8)
6. Ohio State (160.692)
7. Purdue (163.083)
8. Wisconsin (182.3)
9. Michigan (183.666)
10. Indiana (220.25)
11. Nebraska (221.416)
12. Northwestern (225)

Average RPI/Home Opponents
1. GOPHERS (127.375)
2. Penn State (163)
3. Michigan State (163.333)
4. Ohio State (181)
5. Illinois (185.428)
6. Iowa (193.142)
7. Northwestern (194.142)
8. Purdue (207.142)
9. Wisconsin (214.142)
10. Michigan (216.5)
11. Nebraska (239.181)
12. Indiana (277.666)

For anyone who might be curious, here's how Big Ten schools finished last season in terms of average RPI of all nonconference opponents. I've also included the number of NCAA qualifiers each team played, as well as the number of top-100 opponents.

1. Wisconsin (134.083) -- 5 NCAA qualifiers/6 top 100
2. Illinois (141.692) -- 5 NCAA qualifiers/5 top 100
3. Michigan State (154.076) -- 5 NCAA qualifiers/6 top 100
4. Purdue (154.916) -- 3 NCAA qualifiers/3 top 100
5. Iowa (157.153) -- 2 NCAA qualifiers/4 top 100
6. GOPHERS (160.916) -- 3 NCAA qualifiers/4 top 100
7. Michigan (164.666) -- 3 NCAA qualifiers/3 top 100
8. Ohio State (166) -- 4 NCAA qualifiers/5 top 100
9. Indiana (188.166) -- 3 NCAA qualifiers/4 top 100
10. Nebraska (205) -- 1 NCAA qualifier/3 top 100
11. Northwestern (209.384) -- 2 NCAA qualifiers/3 top 100
12. Penn State (210.75) -- 2 NCAA qualifiers/2 top 100

 

[Dirk Diggler]

Really? We have the toughest non-conference schedule based on last year's teams? Wow, I didn't think it looked too tough.

 

[SelectionSunday]

I'd still give the title of toughest nonconference schedule to Sparty, but even so the biggest improvement the Gophers made is "avoiding" scheduling the true RPI killers. It doesn't sound like much, but it does matter. For the most part we stayed away from scheduling the cupcakes from #250-347 (the bottom), and just as importantly we have several mid-majors on the schedule who figure to be very solid (Wofford, Siena, Western Kentucky & Akron).

That said, it would be prudent to get into the winners bracket of the Puerto Rico Tip-Off. Like last year at the 76 Classic, that pretty much would guarantee the Gophers will play at least 2 quality opponents in their tournament. The harder part is making sure you beat at least one of those opponents (see Butler last year), the likes of a North Carolina, West Virginia and/or Vandy.

 

[MN1nAZ]

SS - thanks for your input. I learn a lot from you.

 

[Dirk Diggler]

Agreed, thanks for the input...

I'm licking my chops already at a chance to play UNC, that would be amazing.

 

[Holy Man]

'Cats Schedule

Selection, I wonder if scheduling the for Cats might be a challenge. I suspect that many schools don't want to play them as they are on the rise, but a loss would be preceived as "bad." Playing at Welsh-Ryan is not going to be a very big pay day either. The 'Cats could very well have mid-majoritis with quality teams not wanting to play them because a win is expected, and a loss looks brutal even though it is a real possibility. The late schedule posting suggests they were scrambling up to the bitter end to get games, too. The crappy schedule may not be entirely their fault.

 

[SelectionSunday]

Fair points, Holy Man. There's no question that, despite the higher expectations this season, a lot of schools avoided Northwestern because the perception if they lost would be that it was a "bad loss". In reality, at least for those of us who follow Big Ten basketball, it's really not that bad at all, especially if the loss occurs in Evanston.

 

[Formo]

Agreed, thanks for the input...

I'm licking my chops already at a chance to play UNC, that would be amazing.

Yes.

My question is.. How do they 'figure' the ACC challenge games? I would love an opportunity to do what Sconie did and beat Duke.