Illinois nonconference schedule released (#7 of 12)

Even though there are too many opponents (4) above the 250+ RPI mark, this is a solid nonconference slate for the Illini. Any NC sked that includes Gonzaga, Mizzou, North Carolina and Texas will provide sufficient opportunities to earn quality wins.

Nov. 8: CAL-IRVINE (276) -- Coaches vs. Cancer Classic
Nov. 10: TOLEDO (324) -- Coaches vs. Cancer Classic
Nov. 13: SOUTHERN ILLINOIS (170)
Nov. 18: vs. Texas (29) -- Coaches vs. Cancer Classic
Nov. 19: vs. Pitt (15) or Maryland (24) -- Coaches vs. Cancer Classic
Nov. 23: YALE (267)
Nov. 27: at Western Michigan (150)
Nov. 30: NORTH CAROLINA (92)
Dec. 4: vs. Gonzaga (36) -- Seattle
Dec. 8: OAKLAND (52)
Dec. 12: NORTHERN COLORADO (117)
Dec. 18: vs. Illinois-Chicago (291) -- United Center
Dec. 22: vs. Missouri (44) -- Saint Louis

Average RPI/All Opponents: 154
Average RPI/Home Opponents: 185.428
2010 NCAA Tournament Qualifiers (4): Gonzaga, Missouri, Oakland, Texas

BIG TEN NONCONFERENCE SCHEDULE RANKINGS (7 of 12 complete)
Average RPI/All Opponents
1. GOPHERS (133.5)
2. Penn State (144.272)
3. Illinois (154)
4. Iowa (158.8)
5. Purdue (163.083)
6. Wisconsin (182.3)
7. Nebraska (221.416)

Average RPI/Home Opponents
1. GOPHERS (127.375)
2. Penn State (163)
3. Illinois (185.428)
4. Iowa (193.142)
5. Purdue (207.142)
6. Wisconsin (214.142)
7. Nebraska (239.181)

I don't know that that I would rate the PSU schedule ahead of the Illinois schedule - no matter who Illinois plays in the CVC (Pitt or Maryland), the worst they will have is a 144.0 average for all opponents when you factor that game in, still beating the PSU schedule (144.272) in the worst-case scenario.

all im sayin is, who cares da gophs are leading and this makes us look good

"I don't know that that I would rate the PSU schedule ahead of the Illinois schedule. ..."

No argument here. I'm only providing the rankings based on (last season's) RPI of opponents definitely on the schedule. Obviously, this isn't foolproof, but usually the rankings do serve as a decent gauge of how coaches schedule outside their league.

Speaking as a Gopher fan, yes, I'd much rather have Illinois' nonconference schedule than the one the Gophers have. I'm just glad for once that it appears the Gophers will be toward the top of these rankings and not the bottom, where they've usually appeared under both Dan the Man & Tubby.