Nebraska Basketball: Top 3 games from 2023-24 non-conference schedule

The non-conference schedule for Nebraska Basketball has been released. Who will be the toughest opponents to watch out for?

After a solid past season overall, the expectations for Nebraska Basketball have risen for the 2023-24 campaign. In order to have a shot at the NCAA Tournament, the Big Ten program will need to be able to navigate the non-conference, which has been a struggle in the past.

The Cornhuskers have released its non-Big Ten slate of games for next season, which is fairly light overall. However, there are still some good opponents that they’ll need to beat to boost their resume. Here’s a look at the three opponents Nebraska will have to worry about the most.

3. (H) Duquesne Dukes – November 22nd

Part of the “Cornhusker Classic”, Duquesne represents the toughest non-power conference program for Nebraska. They’re one of the oldest teams next season, with a whopping seven 5th-year seniors on the roster. Guards Dae Dae Grant and Tre Clark are back after leading the team in scoring, while NC State transfer Dusan Mahorcic gives them frontcourt depth as well.

2. (R) Kansas State Wildcats – December 17th

The lone true road game on the schedule, the Cornhuskers look to get revenge from last year’s 15-point loss. They don’t have Markquis Nowell or Keyontae Johnson anymore but replaced them with a pair of big-time transfers in Tylor Perry (North Texas) and Arthur Kaluma (Creighton). It could end up being the lone Quad 1 game from the non-con for Nebraska so there will be plenty of pressure to try and steal this one.

1. (H) Creighton Bluejays – December 3rd

The best win for Nebraska Basketball last season easily was this game against Creighton, beating them on the road by 10 points. Two of their five double-digit scorers are gone (Kaluma and Ryan Nembhard) but bring back three key pieces in guards Trey Alexander and Baylor Scheierman, as well as star center and two-time Big East Defensive Player of the Year, Ryan Kalkbrenner.

The Bluejays also added Steven Ashworth, who started at Utah State and shot over 40% from three-point range. They’re going to be a preseason top-20 team and one of the toughest opponents the Cornhuskers deal with next season. But as last season’s meeting between the two showed, anything can happen in a rivalry matchup.