Creighton Basketball: Top 4 confirmed non-conference opponents for 2024-25 season

It was another successful season last year for Creighton Basketball, going 25-10 overall and making the Sweet 16. In the non-conference, the team went 9-2, including wins over Iowa, Loyola-Chicago, Nebraska, and Alabama. In the Greg McDermott era, the Big East program has typically had one of the strongest non-con schedules compared to other teams in college hoops.

That remains the same for the 2024-25 campaign, with the Bluejays having yet another strong non-conference schedule that's been released. It includes its participating in the 1st-ever Players Era Festival Tournament that includes teams such as San Diego State, Texas A&M, and Oregon.

With nine confirmed opponents, who are the top teams to watch on Creighton's schedule? Here's a list of four programs most likely to put up a fight against them.

4. Nebraska - Dec 22nd (H)

The in-state rivalry went Creighton's way last season, winning by 29 points on the road. The Huskers won't have star guard Keisei Tominaga, and will be without forward Reink Mast for next season due to injuries. But double-digit scorers Brice Williams and Juwan Gary are back, joined by key transfers, Rollie Worster, Andrew Morgan, and Braxton Meah, the replacement for Mast. This matchup will always be important to the Bluejays but they should be favored at home next game.

3. Oregon - Nov 26th (N, Las Vegas)

Creighton defeated Oregon in a double-overtime classic in the NCAA Tournament last season and the Ducks two stars (Jermaine Couisnard and N'Faly Dante) are now gone. Sophomore point guard Jackson Shelstad returns, along with key transfers, Brandon Angel, Ra'Heim Moss and Supreme Cook. Depending on what kind of breakout campaign sophomore wings Kwame Evans and Mookie Cook have, the Ducks could be a top-25 caliber team next season.

2. Kansas - Dec 4th (H)

It's hard to find a program that had a better offseason than Kansas, who landed some of the top players from the transfer portal. Transfers AJ Storr and Rylan Griffen replace Kevin McCullar Jr., while star center Hunter Dickinson is back as an All-American candidate. 5-star center prospect Flory Bidunga gives them needed frontcourt depth to help combat Ryan Kalkbrenner of Creighton. The Jayhawks should be a preseason top-5 team for next season and may get some votes at No. 1.

1. Alabama - Dec 14th (A)

The Tide has the best of all worlds this offseason, starting with returning All-American guard, Mark Sears. Starting forward Grant Nelson also is back, while quality transfers, Houston Mallette, Chris Youngblood, and Cliff Omoruyi, join the team. Plus, Alabama has incoming five-star prospects, Derrion Reed and Aiden Sherrell, part of the group.

Not only is Alabama set to be the toughest opponent on the schedule for Creighton Basketball but there's a chance that they'll be the preseason No. 1 team for the 2024-25 campaign. The Bluejays won by three points at home last season and will be looking for the series sweep in Tuscaloosa.