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NCAA Basketball: Biggest Winners and Losers from the 2018-19 non-conference

By Adam Childs

DURHAM, NC - NOVEMBER 27: Tre Jones #3 of the Duke Blue Devils reacts after a play against the Indiana Hoosiers during their game at Cameron Indoor Stadium on November 27, 2018 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
DURHAM, NC - NOVEMBER 27: Tre Jones #3 of the Duke Blue Devils reacts after a play against the Indiana Hoosiers during their game at Cameron Indoor Stadium on November 27, 2018 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 06: Shamiel Stevenson #23 of the Pittsburgh Panthers takes a shot against Bonzie Colson #35 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the second half during the first round of the ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament at Barclays Center on March 6, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 06: Shamiel Stevenson #23 of the Pittsburgh Panthers takes a shot against Bonzie Colson #35 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the second half during the first round of the ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament at Barclays Center on March 6, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

No. 9 Loser – Purdue Boilermakers

Purdue has Carsen Edwards who is a possible national player of the year candidate. They also have Ryan Cline who is shooting nearly 40% from outside. The problem is they are the only ones scoring in double figures for the year and their defense has been suspect at best. They did finish the non-conference schedule with a win over Ohio and a good Belmont team, but an 8-5 record is not what they had in mind so far this year.

They have shown that they are not ready for the big boys yet as they have lost to every ranked team they have played except Maryland, who was probably overrated anyway. Combine that with losses to Texas and Notre Dame, and Purdue has not brought much excitement to West Lafayette so far this year. For a team with a talent like Edwards, they should be better.

No. 9 Winner – Pittsburgh Panthers

Pitt went 0-18 in the ACC last year and fired their coach. To say nothing was expected of them would be a huge understatement. So to start the season 10-3 would have to be classified as a major success. Yes, they have not beat any top-tier teams but they have looked pretty good in getting their ten wins. They even had Iowa down for a lot of their game before falling by one late.

They aren’t going to be considered a top 25 team yet, but they have shown early the ability to be able to compete with a lot of teams. Will they beat Duke, Virginia and some other top teams in the ACC? Probably not yet but they are definitely not going winless this year. For the way last season went this non-conference part of their schedule was a big win.

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