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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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COLUMBUS, OHIO – MARCH 22: Sam Merrill #5 of the Utah State Aggies drives as he is pressed by the Washington Huskies during the second half of the game in the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Nationwide Arena on March 22, 2019 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OHIO – MARCH 22: Sam Merrill #5 of the Utah State Aggies drives as he is pressed by the Washington Huskies during the second half of the game in the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Nationwide Arena on March 22, 2019 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

9) Utah State

A season ago, Utah State was one of the best mid-majors in the entire country. Unfortunately, they were beaten in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament by Washington. Many experts actually claimed that to be an upset.

Either way, Utah State is going to be a great team again this year. If they happen to fall in the Mountain West Tournament, then their performance against these tough opponents during the non-conference part of the season will be what decides whether or not they are handed an at-large berth to the NCAA Tournament.

Notable Opponents

LSU (Nov. 22)

North Texas (Nov. 24)

@ Saint Mary’s (Nov.29)

BYU (Dec. 14)

South Florida (Dec. 18)

Florida (Dec. 21)

What is notable about this schedule is that Utah State has pursued two matchups with teams from the West Coast Conference and the SEC. Both Saint Mary’s and BYU are often near the top of the WCC while Florida and LSU are set to be strong competitors in the SEC this season.

North Texas is receiving lots of hype as a potential Conference USA contender, and South Florida is going to be knocking on the door of receiving NCAA Tournament berth from the American this season.

I expect to see Utah State win a few of these games because they are certainly capable of doing so. All of these will definitely be close. Utah State is more than capable of competing with anyone in the country. This could make them a huge threat when the NCAA Tournament rolls around.

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