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

By Ryan Kay | Jan 5, 2019

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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LINCOLN, NE – DECEMBER 8: Glynn Watson Jr. #5 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers celebrates in late game action against the Creighton Bluejays at Pinnacle Bank Arena on December 8, 2018 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images) /

Michigan State Spartans

Overall Non-Conference Record: 9-2

True Road Games Record: 1-1

Neutral Court Games Record: 2-1

Record versus Power 5 opponents: 3-2

Most Impressive wins: At Florida and Texas

Least Impressive Loss (Based on margin of defeat and other factors): At Louisville in Overtime

Overall Grade: A-

Beating UCLA and Texas in Las Vegas for the Las Vegas Invitational title looked more impressive then than it does now. However, the Spartans like Illinois arguably played the most difficult non-conference schedule out of any other Big Ten team.

Even the two losses were not at home as Michigan State lost in Indianapolis to the top 5 ranked Kansas Jayhawks and lost on the road in overtime against Louisville. The Spartans have an impressive road victory at Florida and the Spartans decimated their non-conference mid-major opponents by 20, 30, or sometimes 40 plus points. Michigan State has a very high-powered offense and they can lock up and play defense when needed.

Minnesota Golden Gophers

Overall Non-Conference Record: 10-1

True Road Games Record: 0-1

Neutral Court Games Record: 4-0

Record versus Power 5 opponents: 4-1

Most Impressive wins: Washington and Oklahoma State

Least Impressive Loss (Based on margin of defeat and other factors): At Boston College

Overall Grade: B

Minnesota even though it wasn’t always pretty, started non-conference play beating Power 5 conference teams one after another. After beating Texas A&M, the Gophers would go on to beat Washington in the final of the Vancouver Showcase. After a disappointing double-digit loss at Boston College, Minnesota won the rest on their non-conference games. It will be interesting to see the Gophers in the gauntlet of Big Ten play in January.

Nebraska Cornhuskers

Overall Non-Conference Record: 10-1

True Road Games Record: 1-0

Neutral Court Games Record: 2-1

Record versus Power 5 opponents: 2-1

Most Impressive wins: At Clemson and Seton Hall

Least Impressive Loss (Based on margin of defeat and other factors): At Texas Tech

Overall Grade: B+

Nebraska has played well in non-conference play with one exception being a double-digit loss at Texas Tech. The loss to the Red Raiders is not as bad as it seems as Texas Tech only loss was on a neutral court loss to Duke. The Cornhuskers looked great in their win versus Seton Hall as well as when they beat in-state rival Creighton.

The determination and composure they displayed in their true road win versus Clemson was impressive. Nebraska beating Oklahoma State by 20 plus points was good as well. If the Cornhuskers keep up this momentum, they can really be disruptive in Big Ten play.

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