Arkansas Basketball: Razorbacks’ 2017-18 season preview

Nonconference Schedule

The Razorbacks’ non-conference schedule is one of the most favorable in the SEC. With a plethora of talented but not elite teams, Arkansas could put themselves in a good position to succeed by performing well.

If you take out what “should be wins” over Samford, Tory, Oral Roberts, Bucknell, and CSU Bakersfield, Arkansas’ non-conference schedule boasts teams like Fresno State, Oklahoma, Houston, Colorado State, and Minnesota – all of whom are beatable. Minnesota might be the most difficult opponent on the Razorbacks’ non-conference schedule, and they are expected to take a slight step back this season.

Apart from the usual non-conference run, in the middle of the SEC schedule Arkansas will participate in the SEC/Big 12 Challenge, as they face the Oklahoma State Cowboys on January 27.

Last season, the Razorbacks lost to Oklahoma State in the away game, and, especially in light of recent allegations, I have a feeling that Arkansas gets the better of their Big 12 opponents in the second game.

This is a fairly easy non-conference schedule with many potential top 100 RPI opponents, but few elite opponents. If Arkansas can keep their losses to the “bad” teams low, then a three-loss non-conference slate could be enough to keep them in the hunt for an NCAA Tournament berth.