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Big Ten Basketball: Top non-conference matchups for 2019-20 season

By Erik Mauro

EAST LANSING, MI - FEBRUARY 20: Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans looks on during a game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Breslin Center on February 20, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - FEBRUARY 20: Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans looks on during a game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Breslin Center on February 20, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
(Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

Purdue vs. Virginia

A rematch of last year’s Elite 8 matchup that resulted in heartbreak for the Boilermakers. Mamadi Diakite hit a buzzer-beating floater shot to send Virginia to the Final Four – where they would finally get that elusive first National Championship. Diakite returns but the Cavs need to find a way and replace Kyle Guy and DeAndre Hunter.

Hunter was drafted 4th overall by the Los Angeles Lakers and then promptly traded to the Atlanta Hawks. Casey Morsell and Kadin Shedrick should see floor time as freshmen, while Alabama transfer Braxton Key becomes eligible this season. The Cavaliers are awaiting word on Sam Hauser, the other Marquette transfer whose brother ended up at Michigan State.

Returning guard Kihei Clark will become the focal point of this team after starting 20 games last season already.

If we know anything about Tony Bennett coached teams, the Cavaliers should cruise to 25+ wins and a top-half ACC finish.

As for the Boilermakers, they also lost their do-everything player in Carsen Edwards, who is now a member of the Boston Celtics. However, Nojel Eastern showed flashes of superstar potential last year. Matt Haarms returns for his senior season as well, so the Boilers don’t lack experience. Another name to keep an eye on is Eric Hunter, Jr. He played in every game last year but didn’t score much, and he will be asked to contribute a little more offensively. Big man Aaron Wheeler returns for his sophomore season and shot 37 percent from long distance last year.

The ‘Dores recruiting class isn’t as strong as some of the others on this list, but Brandon Newman is the headliner. He was a top-75 overall recruit according to Rivals, and Isaiah Thompson is a bit underrated. Thompson is a guy who can score in a variety of ways, and that will play in college hoops.

Next. Analyzing 2019 recruiting classes. dark

This game is in West Lafayette on Wednesday, December 4th, the same night as the Ohio State-North Carolina game. Congrats, hoops fans, your non-conference slate is loaded this year.

On paper, this looks like a matchup favoring the Cavaliers, but with home-court advantage, anything can happen.

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