How Rhody MBB's Non-Conference Schedule Stacks Up to the Rest of the Atlantic 10
I decided to take some time to see how well all 14 Atlantic MBB teams' non-conference schedules stack up on the national scale, in my eyes. I am very well aware of what the selection committee stresses when picking teams for at-large bids for the annual NCAA tournament in March and my evaluations will reflect that.
Atlantic 10 MBB teams (in alphabetical order):
Davidson - Just like what URI did, scheduling Nevada is a good move with where the Wolfpack are. As a state tradition, playing UNC (the defending national champions) can only help the Wildcats. Moreover, Virginia is a constant contender in the ACC. If Davidson gets to meet Miami in the Diamond Head Classic, then that will be at least four quality opponents (three from the ACC) on their non-conference schedule. In addition, scheduling UNC-Wilmingston could be a good move, depending on how well Seahawks adapt without Kevin Keatts.
Dayton - Besides Saint Mary's, this non-conference schedule is pretty weak. Auburn and Akron could turn out to be decent wins. If they are able to play Clemson and Old Dominion/Temple in the Gildan Charleston Classic, that will help the Flyers to an extent.
Duquesne - The Dukes have two decent opponents with Pittsburgh and San Francisco.
Fordham - West Virginia is a mainstay in the Top 25 of college basketball. Meanwhile, East Tennessee State and Harvard are decent opponents with some upside.
George Mason - Louisiana Tech and Louisville are quality opponents, while Auburn and Penn State have some potential.
George Washington - The Colonials have an impressive non-conference schedule for a team that is expected to not do very much this season. Florida State, Xavier, Miami, and Princeton are quality opponents. Kansas State/Arizona State, Temple, Harvard, and Penn State are decent opponents with some upside.
La Salle - Northwestern, Miami, Villanova, and Bucknell are quality opponents. Texas Tech/Boston College and Temple have potential.
Massachusetts - Minnesota, BYU, South Carolina, and Providence are quality opponents. Harvard and Georgia are decent opponents with some upside.
Rhode Island - URI is the clear favorite to win the conference regular season title and the conference tournament in March. Dan Hurley's team has a non-conference schedule that puts almost all of the other Division 1 college basketball teams to shame, including blue blood schools.
Richmond - Wake Forest and Bucknell are NCAA tournament-quality teams. Georgetown, Old Dominion, and Boston College are all teams that have low to middling expectations but they all have potential.
Saint Bonaventure - Maryland, Syracuse, and TCU (if they get to play them) are quality opponents. Vermont and Yale are decent opponents with some upside.
Saint Joseph's - Princeton, Bucknell, Villanova, and Saint Mary's (if they play them) are quality opponents. Temple, Harvard (if they play them), and St. John's have moderate potential.
Saint Louis - Virginia Tech, Providence (if they get to play them), and Butler are quality opponents. Houston and Oregon State are decent opponents with some upside.
Virginia Commonwealth - Virginia, Marquette, California/Wichita State, Bucknell, and Seton Hall are quality opponents. Old Dominion and Winthrop are decent opponents. Texas is a team with extremely high expectations that could really help out the Rams in the long run.
Rhode Island MBB's non-conference schedule came out pretty well overall and their non-conference looks like a masterpiece, compared to the majority of the other Atlantic 10 MBB teams.
