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NCAA Basketball: 10 toughest non-conference schedules for 2019-20 season

By Donovan Darlington

ST LOUIS, MO - MARCH 23: A view of Basketballs lined up during warm ups prior to game between the Stanford Cardinal and the Kansas Jayhawks in the third round of the 2014 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Scottrade Center on March 23, 2014 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
ST LOUIS, MO - MARCH 23: A view of Basketballs lined up during warm ups prior to game between the Stanford Cardinal and the Kansas Jayhawks in the third round of the 2014 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Scottrade Center on March 23, 2014 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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CHAPEL HILL, NC – DECEMBER 20: Players of the Wofford Terriers celebrate following their win against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Dean Smith Center on December 20, 2017 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Wofford won 79-75. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NC – DECEMBER 20: Players of the Wofford Terriers celebrate following their win against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Dean Smith Center on December 20, 2017 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Wofford won 79-75. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) /

1) Wofford

Don’t get me wrong, the 9 non-conference schedules mentioned previously are going to be extremely tough, but the strength of Wofford’s non-conference schedule is in a league of its own. Even last season, a glance at Wofford’s non-conference slate would have made anyone tremble in fear, but due to departures, the schedule looks a lot more challenging this season.

Notable Opponents

@ Butler (Nov. 16)

@ Missouri (Nov. 18)

@ South Florida (Nov. 21)

NC Central (Dec. 2)

Gardner Webb (Dec. 7)

@ North Carolina (Dec. 15)

@ Duke (Dec. 19)

One of the things that makes this schedule so challenging is the fact that Wofford’s matchups against power-conference opponents are all true road games, rather than at neutral sites. Every single one of these notable opponents could very well be near the top of their respective conferences this season.

Both Butler and Missouri are looking to get back on the right track this year. South Florida is coming off of a CBI victory and is said to have one of its best teams in years. NC Central and Gardner Webb were both tournament teams a season ago, and they are certainly capable of causing trouble.

Then… Wofford heads down Tobacco Road for back-to-back games against North Carolina and Duke. I would not wish that upon anyone.

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A schedule of such magnitude will only pay dividends in the long run. Wofford went into North Carolina and won back in 2017, and their challenging non-conference schedules the past two years definitely helped fuel their SoCon success last season.

Yes, it may seem insane to make a non-conference schedule this challenging, but in the end, it is pure brilliance.

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