Minnesota nonconference schedule released (#4 of 12)

Keeping it brief with comments on the Gophers' nonconference schedule. This is a significant improvement with regards to the home schedule. This is easily Tubby's best home schedule in his four years at Minnesota (that's not saying much, the first three were horrific). Solid work, Tubby & Joe.

However, there's still room for improvement. At the top of the list -- hopefully beginning next season -- is a yearly appearance at Williams Arena by a BCS opponent (not provided by the ACC/Big Ten Challenge). I would fully expect some decent home-and-homes to begin in 2011-12, especially considering season-ticket holders will be ponying up more dough beginning with the 2012-13 season.

Nov. 12: WOFFORD (69)
Nov. 15: SIENA (31)
Nov. 18: vs. Western Kentucky (132) -- Puerto Rico Tip-Off
Nov. 19: vs. North Carolina (92) or Hofstra (145) -- Puerto Rico Tip-Off
Nov. 21: vs. West Virginia (4), Vanderbilt (26), Nebraska (149) or Davidson (179) -- Puerto Rico Tip-Off
Nov. 24: NORTH DAKOTA STATE (268)
Nov. 29: VIRGINIA (127)
Dec. 4: CORNELL (46)
Dec. 8: at Saint Joseph's (184)
Dec. 11: EASTERN KENTUCKY (155)
Dec. 15: AKRON (89)
Dec. 23: SOUTH DAKOTA STATE (234)

Average RPI/All Opponents: 133.5
Average RPI/Home Opponents: 127.375
2010 NCAA Tournament Qualifiers (3): Cornell. Siena, Wofford

BIG TEN NONCONFERENCE SCHEDULE RANKINGS (4 of 12 complete)
Average RPI/All Opponents
1. GOPHERS (133.5)
2. Penn State (144.272)
3. Iowa (158.8)
4. Purdue (163.083)

Average RPI/Home Opponents
1. GOPHERS (127.375)
2. Penn State (163)
3. Iowa (193.142)
4. Purdue (207.142)

Minimum 10 W Needed

11 W better, to earn NCAA bid in 2011.

Last year 9 W in OOC play hurt Gophers until they rallied in Big 10 tourney.