NCAA Basketball: 10 non-conference matchups that should be scheduled for 2018

NCAA Basketball teams are creating their 2018-19 non-conference schedules as we speak. Here are 10 that could be great games for all involved.

Right now, NCAA Basketball teams are going through the transfer market to make themselves as good as possible for next season and beyond. That’s what is going on in the forefront, but there are things going on in the shadows that are just as important.

All 353 schools in Division-1 basketball are currently calling each other about possibly scheduling a game for next season. It could be a series when they play each other at home, or just a one-off contest with no return game.

These games are very important, as the Selection Committee has deemed non-conference schedules important when it comes to determining at-large resumes. That played a huge part as to why Oklahoma and Alabama made the Big Dance, while teams like Nebraska, Baylor, and others were sent to the NIT.

For mid-majors, it’s become harder and harder to schedule power conference teams, with many of the top leagues increasing the number of games to 18 or even 20. So any chance they get to play a big-time opponent, they’ll need to take advantage of it.

For this piece, I decided to create 10 non-conference games that would be both fun, as well as realistic. There are some commonly known issues with scheduling, like Indiana and Kentucky not wanting to play one another, as well as teams not willing to play lesser-known in-state opponents (with Indiana as an exception). Conference realignment has also created some hard feelings between certain teams.

Here is a top-10 list of fun hypothetical matchups that could – and should happen.