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

By Brian Rauf

LAWRENCE, KS - NOVEMBER 18: Kansas Jayhawks fans hoist a giant flag during the game between the Siena Saints and the Kansas Jayhawks at Allen Fieldhouse on November 18, 2016 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
LAWRENCE, KS - NOVEMBER 18: Kansas Jayhawks fans hoist a giant flag during the game between the Siena Saints and the Kansas Jayhawks at Allen Fieldhouse on November 18, 2016 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 08: Myles Powell #13 of the Seton Hall Pirates celebrates his shot in the first half against the Butler Bulldogs during quarterfinals of the Big East Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 8, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 08: Myles Powell #13 of the Seton Hall Pirates celebrates his shot in the first half against the Butler Bulldogs during quarterfinals of the Big East Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 8, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

4. Seton Hall

Home: Wagner, New Haven, Saint Louis, Louisville, New Hampshire, Rutgers, Sacred Heart
Neutral: Wooden Legacy, Kentucky
Away: Nebraska, Maryland

Seton Hall is expected to go through a bit of a rebuilding year after losing their star trio of Angel Delgado, Khadeen Carrington, and Desi Rodriguez, but head coach Kevin Willard has created a monster of a schedule that will test the Pirates early and often.

First off, two true road games against Big Ten bubble teams in Nebraska and Maryland will be great tests in determining where exactly Seton Hall stands in the national pecking order. Both the Cornhuskers and Terrapins have talented rosters and are hoping to make the NCAA Tournament after missing out last year, but both also have obvious flaws. If the Pirates can win one of these games – or both – it would help their tournament chances significantly.

Related Story. Myles Powell to lead the Pirates in 2018-19. light

Their home schedule is also highlighted by two talented teams in Saint Louis and Louisville, both of whom are expected to make the NCAA Tournament after not being in the field last year. The Billikens have reloaded thanks to a number of transfers and are among the favorites in the Atlantic 10, while the Cardinals have high hopes in Year One under new head coach Chris Mack.

However, Seton Hall’s neutral site games really put them over the top. Facing Kentucky is obviously the highlight but a stacked Wooden Legacy field will provide three quality tests. They will open against a Grand Canyon team that is one of the favorites in the WAC (and nearly made the Big Dance a year ago) before (likely) facing Utah. If they were to win those games, Seton Hall would expect to take on Miami in the championship game.

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