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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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WEST LAFAYETTE, IN – DECEMBER 20: Carsen Edwards #3 of the Purdue Boilermakers reacts after a three point basket during the game against the Ohio Bobcats at Mackey Arena on December 20, 2018 in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN – DECEMBER 20: Carsen Edwards #3 of the Purdue Boilermakers reacts after a three point basket during the game against the Ohio Bobcats at Mackey Arena on December 20, 2018 in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

Purdue Boilermakers

Overall Non-Conference Record:       7-4

True Road Games Record:                    0-2

Neutral Court Games Record:              2-2

Record versus Power 5 opponents:   0-4

Most Impressive wins: Davidson and Belmont

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

Overall Grade: C

It may not show up in the win column for non-conference play for the Boilermakers but Purdue was competitive in all of their non-conference losses and all four losses were by single digits to Power 5 conference opponents. In their two true road losses, they only lost by 1 to Florida State and by 4 to Texas.

Even in the finals of the Charleston Classic, Purdue lost to a very good Virginia Tech team by only 6 points. The Boilermakers may be the most intriguing team entering Big Ten play in January.

Rutgers Scarlet Knights

Overall Non-Conference Record:       7-3

True Road Games Record:                    1-2

Record versus Power 5 opponents:   1-0

Most Impressive wins: At Miami and Boston

Least Impressive Losses (Based on margin of defeat and other factors): Home loss to St. Johns and at Fordham

Overall Grade: D

It is still a mystery why Rutgers has only played 10 non-conference games as opposed to 11 like every other Big Ten team but we may never know. The Scarlet Knights got the worst non-conference grade due to not playing a tough non-conference schedule and some not so good losses like the ones they had against Fordham and a blowout home loss to St. John’s.

However, they did win at Miami which is impressive but that really was the highlight of their non-conference play. Rutgers can bounce back this month in Big Ten play as they have shown sparks of being able to win games that they are not favored in.

Wisconsin Badgers

Overall Non-Conference Record:       8-3

Neutral Court Games Record:             2-1

True Road Games Record:                    1-2

Record versus Power 5 opponents:   3-1

Most Impressive wins: NC State and Oklahoma

Least Impressive Loss (Based on margin of defeat and other factors): At Western Kentucky

Overall Grade: B

Wisconsin started off very strong in non-conference play with a road win at Xavier and double-digit victories against Stanford and Oklahoma in the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament. The Badgers also gave North Carolina State their only loss thus far of the season. However, a tough overtime loss at Marquette and a mind-boggling loss at Western Kentucky seemed to tame Wisconsin a little bit in non-conference play.

Next. Big Ten non-conference takeaways. dark

You also can’t be disappointed too much in their loss to Virginia on a neutral court by single digits. The Badgers will look to make some noise this month in Big Ten play.

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