Big East Basketball: Biggest in-state battles in non-conference schedule for 2018-19

Creighton at Nebraska (Dec. 8)

All-time: CU leads 26-25
Last meeting: CU 75-65 (2017)

The Cornhuskers owned the rivalry in the latter part of the 20th century, winning 16 of the 22 matchups from 1980-99, but the Bluejays have completely flipped the script in the new millennium. Creighton has won seven consecutive meetings – all by double digits – and is 15-4 since 2000. Nebraska hasn’t cracked 70 points against Creighton since 2006.

Well, here’s your chance, Huskers. The Bluejays lost star guards Khyri Thomas and Marcus Foster, and are picked to finish towards the bottom of the Big East. Meanwhile, Nebraska is receiving votes in the preseason AP top-25 poll and returns three key seniors: James Palmer Jr., Isaac Copeland, and Glynn Watson Jr. That trio provided 40.6 points, 13.8 rebounds, 7.4 assists, and 3.2 steals a night for Tim Miles and Co. last year.

Palmer, especially, should take another leap in his final collegiate season – he had a solid night at CU last year, posting 16 points on 11 shots, but he really took a step forward once Big Ten play ratcheted up, averaging 19 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game over the final 18 contests. With another offseason as the lead dog on a potential tournament team, Palmer seems poised to improve upon his already impressive first-team honor last year.

DePaul at Northwestern (Dec. 8)

All-time: DPU leads 20-13
Last meeting: NU 62-60 (2017)

These Chicago area schools have generally fielded two of the worst programs in the nation over the past two decades, but after the Wildcats’ first NCAA tournament appearance in 2017, NU has a little more momentum than usual – along with the newly renovated Welsh-Ryan – heading into this matchup. DePaul is also on the right track for the first time since what feels like the George Mikan era, as the Blue Demons have already picked up three recruits, including two four-stars, from the Class of 2019.

However, this still figures to be a sloppy game. Those elite recruits can’t help head coach Dave Leitao now, who has forward Max Strus to count on, and that’s about it. Chris Collins and the ‘Cats have a little more returning talent to work with (Dererk Pardon and Vic Law), but question marks remain after losing seniors Bryant McIntosh and Scottie Lindsey. Northwestern is relying upon transfers AJ Turner (Boston College) and Ryan Taylor (Evansville) to bridge the gap in Evanston this year.

DePaul has lost three in a row to Northwestern and four of the last five. Neither team has been ranked in this head-to-head matchup since the Blue Demons were 19th in 1986, a streak that is very likely to continue when they play each other one month into the season.