Who faces the toughest nonconference schedule?

[Steat]

D ESPN definitely do not have any love for UNC compared to Duke. They just released the teams with the toughest nonconference schedule. No surprise that Duke is not listed. Folks, cut and paste this information and use whenever a Duke fan wants to debate who have a toughest nonconference schedule.

D ESPN went through every nonconference schedule for each team in all the top leagues as well as notable mid-major teams. They assigned a value to every single game on every team's nonconference slate and given it a ranking. This isn't just about the elite games, either. Teams are penalized for playing cupcakes (i.e. Duke). Teams are rewarded for playing a true road game.

A year ago, Kentucky had the top nonconference schedule entering the season. This year, it's Kansas but look who is #2. The Heels have the second toughest nonconference schedule.


1. Kansas Jayhawks
2. North Carolina Tar Heels
The Tar Heels play three road games -- Indiana, Hawaii and Tulane (at Smoothie King Center). The Heels are also in the Maui Invitational, and they face Kentucky in Las Vegas. Coach Roy Williams also has a quality home slate with the likes of Chattanooga, Long Beach State, Davidson, Tennessee, Northern Iowa and Monmouth.
3. Michigan State Spartans
4. Connecticut Huskies
5. Kentucky Wildcats
6. Xavier Musketeers
7. Florida Gators
8. Texas Longhorns
9. Clemson Tigers
10. Villanova Wildcats

 

[uncfan in ky]

Long Beach St & it isn't close. In November they play
@Witicha St
@UNC.
@UL.
@ UCLA
@ WASHINGTON
@ KANSAS
December will bring
@ New Mexico St
@ Texas
@ OREGON St

 

[GoDukeDevils]

No surprise that Duke is not listed. Folks, cut and paste this information and use whenever a Duke fan wants to debate who have a toughest nonconference schedule.

Duke has a top-5 non-conference schedule.

vs. #3 Kansas (neutral)
vs. #9 Michigan State
vs. Florida (neutral)
at UNLV,
vs. #25 Cincinnati (neutral)
vs. Penn State (neutral)

 

[Steat]

Duke has a top-5 non-conference schedule.

vs. #3 Kansas (neutral)
vs. #9 Michigan State
vs. Florida (neutral)
at UNLV,
vs. Cincinnati (neutral)
vs. Penn State (neutral)

There are no "true" road games in your list. Note the criteria that ESPN used for the rating:

Almost verbatum quote:
"They assigned a value to every single game on every team's nonconference slate and given it a ranking. This isn't just about the elite games, either. Teams are penalized for playing cupcakes. Teams are rewarded for playing a true road game".


Blame it on ESPN. Duke didn't make the cut. No true road games and the cupcakes...Sorry.

 

[GoDukeDevils]

Blame it on ESPN. Duke didn't make the cut. No true road games and the cupcakes...Sorry.

Oh, no need to be sorry. I couldn't care less how a random ESPN writer ranks Duke's schedule. Objectively, Duke has a top-5 schedule.

Interesting that you count Tulane as a true road game (played at Smoothie King Center and not Tulane's home court), yet you dont count Duke's game at UNLV (played next to UNLVs campus at the T-Mobile Center) as a road game.

 

[TPFKAPFS]

Interesting that you can't count anything as a true road game for the pukes!

I heard ratty sued and now any true road game goes on his assistants' records if they lose.

 

[BOOGIEMAN1914]

isnt @ UNLV in Las Vegas a true road game...doesnt this new arena replace the Thomas and Mack Center?

 

[gary-7]

Duke has a top-5 non-conference schedule.

vs. #3 Kansas (neutral)
vs. #9 Michigan State
vs. Florida (neutral)
at UNLV,
vs. #25 Cincinnati (neutral)
vs. Penn State (neutral)

Snicker.... #noroadgames #pussies

 

[Steat]

isnt @ UNLV in Las Vegas a true road game...doesnt this new arena replace the Thomas and Mack Center?

Goodman (ESPN) wrote the article. As you know, he is a closet Duke fan. Duke didn't make the cut Boogie. Don't blame the messenger.

 

[Steat]

Oh, no need to be sorry. I couldn't care less how a random ESPN writer ranks Duke's schedule. Objectively, Duke has a top-5 schedule.

Interesting that you count Tulane as a true road game (played at Smoothie King Center and not Tulane's home court), yet you dont count Duke's game at UNLV (played next to UNLVs campus at the T-Mobile Center) as a road game.

Those were ESPN comments. Note that this pertains to "nonconference" schedule, not overall schedule. If you have ESPN Insider, go take a look at it. Just accept the fact that you didn't make the cut. It's not the end of the world.

 

[BD Warrior]

I hate to say it but with the talent Duke has it won't matter who they play.

 

[DSouthr]

I hate to say it but with the talent Duke has it won't matter who they play.

I hate to say it but that BD seems to stand for Blue Devil...Well actually, I don't really hate to say it! LOL