Davidson Basketball: Key non-conference matchups for 2022-23 season
The reigning champions of the Atlantic 10 released its non-conference schedule for the upcoming season. Who are the top opponents for Davidson Basketball?
After a 1-2 last season, Davidson Basketball ended up going on a 15-game winning streak to establish itself as a legit team. One of those wins included an impromptu victory over then-ranked Alabama when covid was messing with everyone’s schedules. The Wildcats finished with 27 wins and made the NCAA Tournament in what ended up being Bob McKillop’s final year as head coach.
The program has a new leader and a relatively new roster but still should be competitive in both Atlantic 10 play and in the non-conference as well. The full schedule is out for Davidson, including in the first couple of months. Here are some key non-con games to watch.
at Wright Raiders – Nov 9th
The Raiders lost their best two players to the transfer portal in Tanner Holden and Grant Basile, which is a combined 40 ppg gone. But 14.6 ppg point guard Trey Calvin is back, along with two other returning starters in big man Tim Finke and guard AJ Braun. If Missouri transfer Amari Bailey, who averaged around 16 ppg in two years at Green Bay prior gets back to that form, this will be am intriguing “shootout” road game.
Charleston Classic – Nov 17-20th (Charleston, South Carolina/Colorado State
Davidson’s MTE is a solid non-conference tournament, featuring a matchup against the home team Cougars. College of Charleston is a solid mid-major program and brings back guard Reyne Smith, who averaged over 12 ppg as a freshman last season. Regardless of whether they win or lose, the second-round matchup will feature either a quality mid-major program with an outstanding veteran guard (Isaiah Stevens) or a power conference team from the SEC with a five-star freshman (GG Jackson).
San Francisco Dons – Nov 25th
The Dons won last year’s matchup in San Francisco, 65-60. They lost star WCC guard Jamaree Bouyea but do bring back Khalil Shabazz, who’s capable of being a lead guard as well. But San Francisco is in a similar spot as a program after head coach Todd Golden went to Florida. San Francisco still has plenty of talent and this matchup once again could have NCAAT implications.
Next. Top-25 mid-major preseason power rankings for 2022-23. dark
Purdue Boilermakers – Dec 17th
Purdue doesn’t have top-5 NBA Draft pick, Jaden Ivey, on the roster, as well as most of last year’s backcourt. Who they do have is 7’4 center Zach Edey, who was highly productive offensively when on the court and won’t be sharing minutes this season. It’ll be up to returning frontcourt players such as Sam Mennenga to try and slow him down and if they do, could pull off the potential upset as well.