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NCAA Basketball: 75 best non-conference games for 2019-20 season

By Donovan Darlington

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 31: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans is defended by Tre Jones #3 of the Duke Blue Devils during the first half in the East Regional game of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 31, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 31: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans is defended by Tre Jones #3 of the Duke Blue Devils during the first half in the East Regional game of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 31, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – MARCH 21: Trevelin Queen #20 of the New Mexico State Aggies reacts during the second half against the Auburn Tigers in the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Vivint Smart Home Arena on March 21, 2019 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – MARCH 21: Trevelin Queen #20 of the New Mexico State Aggies reacts during the second half against the Auburn Tigers in the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Vivint Smart Home Arena on March 21, 2019 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

Matchups Between Strong Mid-Majors

Ah, so do you want to try and find out who might play the role of David during the NCAA Tournament? If so, I suggest you pay close attention to the non-conference games that feature some of the nation’s best mid-majors. No, most of them are not ranked, but these games will certainly be exciting.

10. Pepperdine vs. UC Irvine (Nov. 9)

Pepperdine and UC Irvine are two West Coast teams that are extremely exciting to watch. They both have talented backcourts and will be tough competitors in their respective leagues. I like the Anteaters in a close game.

Winner: UC Irvine

9. VCU vs. Missouri State (Dec. 15)

As VCU looks to regain a footing at the top of the A10, they will be met with a Missouri State squad that has the firepower to be a contender in the Missouri Valley. I think Missouri State will give VCU a tough test, but the Rams will survive.

Winner: VCU

8. Harvard vs. UC Irvine (Jan. 4)

Harvard has a lot of depth. UC Irvine does not have as much depth as they did last season, and this will be what hurts them in this game. The Bryce Aiken and Evan Leonard backcourt matchup will be great to watch and Harvard will need help from others to win this game.

Winner: Harvard

7. Yale vs. Vermont (Dec. 1)

Coming off of an Ivy League Championship and an NCAA Tournament appearance in 2019, Yale knows that the odds are against them. For that, when they get to play another strong mid-major in Vermont, they will play tough and keep it close. I just think Vermont is too much.

Winner: Vermont

6. New Mexico vs. New Mexico State (Dec. 14)

The New Mexico state championship features the established New Mexico State Aggies and a New Mexico Lobos squad that will be competitive this year. The Lobos do not have the depth that the Aggies do, and because of that, New Mexico State will be the best team in the state once again.

Winner: New Mexico State

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