Outside of a few days on the calendar, the non-conference schedule for NCAA Basketball has been completed. And there are only four teams left without a loss. In fact, three of them belong to one conference (SEC). That asks the question… when will each of them lose their first game, and who will be the last to remain unbeaten?
Looking at the upcoming schedules for each team, here’s my prediction for when the first loss will occur to the four remaining unbeaten programs.
Drake Bulldogs (11-0) - Jan 8th at Bradley
Drake is the team to beat in the Missouri Valley, but their biggest threat is likely Bradley (10-2), who is led by four seniors, averaging double figures. They have a recent home win over a good San Francisco squad and have the defense to give the Bulldogs fits.
Florida Gators (12-0) - Jan 4th at Kentucky
SEC play is going to be brutal for all teams, including the Gators. They have three ranked opponents to start out league play, including Tennessee at home on the 7th. But going on the road at Kentucky will be hard, especially since they have one of the top perimeter defenders in the country (Lamont Butler), who can slow down star guard Walter Clayton Jr. That’s a matchup that should favor the Wildcats.
Oklahoma Sooners (12-0) - Jan 4th at Alabama
For those who still aren’t believers in the Sooners, they have as tough an SEC opener as one can ask for, taking on Alabama on the road. The Tide has one of the best offenses in all of NCAA Basketball, and it’s going to be a tough environment for freshman Jeremiah Fears, who has to outplay star guard Mark Sears of Bama to have any shot at getting the win.
Tennessee Volunteers (12-0) - Jan 7th at Florida
If I’m predicting the Gators to lose a few days earlier, look for them to be motivated to give Tennessee its first loss. They’re a team with plenty of depth, inside and out, and can matchup with Chaz Lanier’s scoring production on the perimeter.
Tennessee does play Arkansas at home to open SEC play, but their lack of depth makes them not the ideal candidate. If the Vols can get past Florida, their next ranked road opponent wouldn’t be until Auburn at the end of January.