Indiana nonconference schedule released (#8 of 12)

Nov. 12: FLORIDA GULF COAST (321)
Nov. 14: WRIGHT STATE (80)
Nov. 16: MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE (325)
Nov. 21: EVANSVILLE (250)
Nov. 23: NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL (347)
Nov. 26: NORTHWESTERN STATE (313)
Dec. 1: at Boston College (125)
Dec. 4: SAVANNAH STATE (316)
Dec. 11: at Kentucky (2)
Dec. 17: SOUTHERN ILLINOIS-EDWARDSVILLE (322) -- Las Vegas Classic
Dec. 19: SOUTH CAROLINA STATE (225) -- Las Vegas Classic
Dec. 22: vs. Northern Iowa (17) -- Las Vegas Classic
Dec. 23: vs. New Mexico (10) or Colorado (120) -- Las Vegas Classic

Average RPI/All Opponents: 220.25
Average RPI/Home Opponents: 277.666
2010 NCAA Tournament Qualifiers (2): Kentucky, Northern Iowa

The Quote from the Coach (courtesy of Indiana web site). ...
"This schedule will present us with a lot of unique challenges," Indiana head coach Tom Crean said. "Twice we have stretches early in the season where we will play six games in 14 days so our depth and health will be a critical factor."

It's pretty obvious from his quote that Crean knows the non-Big 10 slate is a piece of crap, especially for the folks filling Assembly Hall. Any Big Ten school with a nonconference schedule that (willingly) includes all of Florida Gulf Coast, Mississippi Valley State, North Carolina Central and Savannah State -- especially one with IU's basketball tradition -- should be ashamed. In Year 3, Crean should be past putting together a schedule that includes 6 creampuffs who finished last season with RPIs north of 300.

BIG TEN NONCONFERENCE SCHEDULE RANKINGS (8 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. Indiana (220.25)
8. 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)
8. Indiana (277.666)