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Big Ten Basketball: 2018-19 non-conference grades for each team

By Ryan Kay

ANN ARBOR, MI - NOVEMBER 28: Ignas Brazdeikis #13 and Zavier Simpson #3 of the Michigan Wolverines celebrate a three point play during the second half of the game against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Crisler Center on November 28, 2018 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan defeated North Carolina Tar Heels 84-67. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MI - NOVEMBER 28: Ignas Brazdeikis #13 and Zavier Simpson #3 of the Michigan Wolverines celebrate a three point play during the second half of the game against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Crisler Center on November 28, 2018 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan defeated North Carolina Tar Heels 84-67. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 28: The Iowa Hawkeyes bench reacts in the second half against the Illinois Fighting Illini during the Big Ten Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Garden on February 28, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 28: The Iowa Hawkeyes bench reacts in the second half against the Illinois Fighting Illini during the Big Ten Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Garden on February 28, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

Iowa Hawkeyes

Overall Non-Conference Record:     11-0

True Road Games Record:                  0-0

Neutral Court Games Record:            3-0

Record versus Power 5 opponents: 3-0

Most Impressive wins: Iowa State and UConn

Least Impressive Wins (Based on margin of victory and other factors): Bryant and Green Bay

Overall Grade: A-

Beating Oregon and UConn in New York for the 2K Classic title looked more impressive then, than it does now. However, Iowa beat both in-state rivals in Iowa State and Northern Iowa by double digits. Even though it was close, they beat Pittsburgh in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge as well. They ended the non-conference with an unimpressive 5 point win over Bryant but the Hawkeyes went undefeated in non-conference play and that is impressive.

Maryland Terrapins

Overall Non-Conference Record:      9-2

True Road Games Record:                  1-0

Neutral Court Games Record:           1-0

Record versus Power 5 opponents: 0-1

Most Impressive wins: Marshall and Hofstra

Least Impressive Loss (Based on margin of defeat and other factors): Seton Hall

Overall Grade: C

A very middle of the road type of non-conference performances for the Terrapins these past two months. The loss to Seton Hall was not that bad because the Pirates are not a bad team. Maryland in their other non-conference loss was to a top 5 ranked undefeated Virginia team.

The Terrapins showed a lot of grit and fight as the battled back after being down early in the game to fall short by only 5 points. However, they don’t have any signature non-conference victories and their true road game the won was against a 3 win Navy team.

Michigan Wolverines

Overall Non-Conference Record:      11-0

True Road Games Record:                    1-0

Neutral Court Games Record:              2-0

Record versus Power 5 opponents:   2-0

Most Impressive wins: North Carolina and at Villanova

Least Impressive Wins (Based on margin of victory and other factors): Western Michigan and South Carolina

Overall Grade: A

They beat every team that they were supposed to beat. It is not the Wolverines fault that Villanova is nowhere near the team that they were last season or that North Carolina though good has been inconsistent and not great so far this season. Michigan could not have forecasted both George Washington and South Carolina having horrific seasons as well.

Providence however, will end up being viewed as a quality win as the Friars so far have been playing well and by beating Providence, the Wolverines won the Air Force Reserve Tip-Off tournament. Michigan has more depth than people realize and they look to take the momentum from non-conference play in the latter part of the season.

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