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

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

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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MADISON, WI – DECEMBER 14: Kameron Hankerson #21 of the Green Bay Phoenix takes a shot during the second half of a game against the Wisconsin Badgers at the Kohl Center on December 14, 2016 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

8) Green Bay

Green Bay is three years removed from their last NCAA Tournament appearance. The Horizon League has just been difficult for them to reclaim over these last few seasons. The non-conference schedule they have put together this season is certainly the start of them getting back on track.

Notable Opponents

@ Purdue (Nov. 6)

@ New Mexico (Nov. 13)

@ Wisconsin (Nov. 21)

Colgate (Nov. 26)

@ Xavier (Dec. 4)

@ UCF (Dec. 10)

Most schools just do not simply go out of their way to schedule two great BIG Ten schools in the non-conference. Green Bay may have very well doomed themselves with this, but at least they are not backing down.

Their tough scheduling did not end there. UCF and Xavier have both been great in the American and Big East, respectively, these last few years. Colgate and New Mexico are both solid mid-majors that have great chances to win their conferences to get back to the NCAA Tournament.

I do not expect to see Green Bay win too many of these games, but nonetheless, they will be stronger this season and ready to compete in the Horizon League for an NCAA Tournament berth.

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