NCAA Basketball: 5 toughest non-conference schedules for 2018-19

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LAWRENCE, KS – JANUARY 30: Head coach John Calipari of the Kentucky Wildcats and head coach Bill Self of the Kansas Jayhawks greet each other prior to the game at Allen Fieldhouse on January 30, 2016 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

Scheduling has become one of the most important factors in the NCAA Basketball Tournament Selection Committee’s process. These teams are challenging themselves more than the rest.

Don’t think scheduling matters in NCAA Basketball? Just look at the bubble teams that missed out on the NCAA Tournament last year.

Saint Mary’s, USC, Oklahoma State, Nebraska, and Louisville, among others, both found themselves on the outside looking in due to a lackluster strength of schedules and, more prominently, a lack of Quadrant 1 wins. On the flip side, teams like Oklahoma and Arizona State made the field when many thought they would not because their resumes were strong in those categories.

Several teams have taken note and are really challenging themselves with their non-conference schedules this year, giving them more chances to rack up high quality wins before the grind of the conference season kicks in.

Some will have chances to redeem themselves in conference play, but for conferences expected to have down years (looking at you, Big Ten and Pac-12), a major non-conference win could make the difference between the NCAA Tournament and the NIT come March.

So, which teams are challenging themselves the most in November and December (and sometimes in January)? Here are the five toughest non-conference schedules in the country:

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