2016-2017 Big Ten preview: Top non-conference games
With the start of college basketball practice season five weeks from Friday, we’ll be taking a long look at the conference at large as well as Indiana’s roster over the next couple of months. Today, we begin our look at the Big Ten with ten non-conference games, listed in chronological order, that you’ll want to mark on your calendars as must see. Note: Rankings are from Eamonn Brennan’s preseason top 25 on ESPN.com.
No. 11 Indiana vs. No. 4 Kansas, Nov. 11
Event: Armed Forces Classic
TV coverage: ESPN
We won’t be waiting long to get a premier matchup in college basketball this season. Two of the most storied programs in the country will square off on the first day of the season, which is on Veterans Day. The venue will be unique as the Hoosiers and Jayhawks will meet at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in Honolulu. The individual battles in this game could be fascinating. Kansas has a veteran backcourt that could give Indiana plenty of problems plus Josh Jackson, who could be the nation’s best freshman. But the Jayhawks will have to contend with IU’s depth up front, which includes a Blue Ribbon preseason first team All-American in Thomas Bryant.
No. 10 Michigan State vs. No. 12 Arizona, Nov. 11
Event: Armed Forces Classic
TV coverage: ESPN
If it wasn’t enough to watch Indiana play Kansas on the opening night of the season, the Armed Forces Classic will also feature the Spartans and Wildcats doing battle. Both of these teams have plenty of young talent. Michigan State will be relying heavily on Miles Bridges and Josh Langford, a pair of freshmen McDonald’s All-Americans. Arizona, meanwhile, loaded up again in recruiting with Rawle Alkins and Lauri Markkanen, a native of Finland to go along with some strong returnees, including Allonzo Trier.
No. 2 Villanova at No. 14 Purdue, Nov. 14
Event: Gavitt Tipoff Games
TV coverage: TBA
The Boilermakers will have a chance to make a statement early in the season as the defending champs make a trip to West Lafayette. Villanova’s preseason ranking isn’t window dressing as Jay Wright has the roster to again contend for a national title. Josh Hart, Kris Jenkins, Phil Booth and Jalen Brunson are all back in the fold and five-star freshman big man Omari Spellman arrives. Purdue, meanwhile, could have one of the nation’s best frontcourts but still has questions in the backcourt. Mackey Arena will provide an amazing atmosphere, but Villanova can win anywhere.
No. 10 Michigan State vs. No. 3 Kentucky, Nov. 15
Event: Champions Classic at Madison Square Garden
TV coverage: ESPN
How’s this for a start to the season for Michigan State? The Spartans play Arizona in Hawaii and then Kentucky on three days rest in New York City. After a second round NCAA tournament exit to Indiana last season, John Calipari has again loaded up his roster with stud recruits. Tyler Ulis is gone, but the Wildcats welcome in five recruits ranked in the top 21 in the final RSCI top 100 rankings. The last time these two teams met in the Champions Classic, Michigan State prevailed 78-74.
No. 8 Wisconsin at No. 20 Creighton, Nov. 15
Event: Gavitt Tipoff Games
TV coverage: TBA
There was an adjustment period for the Badgers last season as they shifted from Bo Ryan to Greg Gard, but there will be no rebuilding project this season in Madison. Gard returns every notable piece from last season’s team that advanced to the Sweet Sixteen. Creighton put together a solid 20-15 season in 2015-16, but missed on the NCAA tournament. The Bluejays return most of their core and also welcome Kansas State transfer Marcus Foster. The Century Link Center provides one of the better home court advantages in the country, which could make an upset possible in Omaha.
No. 25 Syracuse at No. 8 Wisconsin, Nov. 29
Event: Big Ten-ACC Challenge
TV coverage: ESPN
This is a rematch of last season’s thriller at the Carrier Dome, which Wisconsin won, 66-58 in overtime. The Orange lost a ton from last year’s surprising Final Four team, but return Tyler Lydon and welcome top 35 freshman Tyus Battle. The Kohl Center is one of the nation’s toughest venues, but the Badgers surprisingly lost three non-conference games there last season. Don’t expect that to happen again in 2016-17.
No. 10 Michigan State at No. 1 Duke, Nov. 29
Event: Big Ten-ACC Challenge
TV coverage: ESPN
Michigan State could enter this matchup with plenty of confidence after games with Arizona and Kentucky. Or the Spartans could emerge from those two games with a long list of items to work on. Either way, going to Duke won’t be easy. In a normal year, Kentucky would have easily had the nation’s best recruiting class. But this wasn’t a normal year. Coach K went out and nabbed two of the nation’s top four players in Harry Giles and Jayson Tatum. The Blue Devils also return Grayson Allen, a Blue Ribbon preseason first team All-American. Cameron Indoor Stadium will be rocking for this game.
No. 14 Purdue at No. 13 Louisville, Nov. 30
Event: Big Ten-ACC Challenge
TV coverage: ESPN
It might not get the same billing as the other marquee Big Ten-ACC Challenge games, but this should be a fascinating matchup. Both programs typically win with defense and given the size Purdue can put on the floor, Louisville is going to be challenged in the paint. But will Purdue’s guards be able to handle the defensive pressure? The Boilermakers have three potential point guards in Spike Albrecht, P.J. Thompson and Carsen Edwards and one of them better be ready to meet full court pressure head on.
No. 6 North Carolina at No. 11 Indiana, Nov. 30
Event: Big Ten-ACC Challenge
TV coverage: ESPN
For the second time in five seasons, the Tar Heels and Hoosiers will meet in the Big Ten-ACC Challenge in Bloomington. This is also a rematch from last year’s NCAA tournament Sweet Sixteen game in Philadelphia, which North Carolina win comfortably. Indiana was undefeated last season in Assembly Hall and this will be the first and only marquee non-conference home game next season. After a heart breaking loss in the national title game, the Tar Heels return the talent to beat anyone with Justin Jackson, Isaiah Hicks, Kennedy Meeks, Theo Pinson and Joel Berry all back in Chapel Hill.
No. 11 Indiana vs. No. 13 Louisville, Dec. 31
Venue: Bankers Life Fieldhouse
TV coverage: TBA
After locking horns in the 2014 Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden, Indiana and Louisville agreed to a three-year series in the summer of 2015. This is the first of the three games and it’ll tip off in Indianapolis before shifting to Louisville in 2017 and Bloomington in 2018. Fans of both programs hope it will become an annual series. The Cardinals like to win with defensive pressure and Indiana can be turnover prone at times, which will present a challenge for a backcourt that graduated Yogi Ferrell. The Hoosiers could enjoy a frontcourt advantage with Bryant, Anunoby, Juwan Morgan and De’Ron Davis. Given how both fanbases travel to support their teams, Bankers Life Fieldhouse should be full and rocking for this one.
Filed to: 2016-2017 Big Ten preview