Ranking Nonconference Schedules (using only top 6 projected opponents)

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These nonconference schedule rankings are based on each team's top 6 projected opponents for 2014-15. By & large, it should be a general expectation that teams play half of their non-conference games vs. decent-or-better opponents. ... certainly that should be the case for major programs. Including their exempt tournament, most major-conference teams (ACC, Big East, B1G, Big XII, Pac 12, SEC, etc.) will play 12 or 13 nonconference games.

Some of these top 6 choices will be subjective -- giving the benefit of the doubt to "name" programs over lesser-known ones -- but last season's final RPI rankings will be used as a guide. Will add to these rankings as complete nonconference schedules (including tournament matchups) become available. First up (below) is Illinois State of the Missouri Valley Conference.
 

Illinois State Redbirds (MVC)

Illinois State
1. VCU (13)
2. vs. Clemson (79) -- projected Paradise Jam 3rd-place game opponent
3. vs. LSU (83) -- projected Paradise Jam semifinal opponent
4. Utah State (116)
5. @ UAB (152)
6. @ DePaul (154)

Average RPI of Projected Top 6 Opponents: 99.5

Nonconference Schedule Rankings (1 of 351)
1. Illinois State (99.5)
 

Old Dominion Monarchs (C-USA)

Old Dominion
1. VCU (13)
2. Richmond (75)
3. Georgia State (76)
4. vs. LSU (83)
5. William & Mary (119)
6. vs. Nevada (137) -- projected Paradise Jam consolation-final opponent

Average RPI of Projected Top 6 Opponents: 83.833

Nonconference Schedule Rankings (2 of 351)
1. Old Dominion (83.833)
2. Illinois State (99.5)
 

Brown Bears (Ivy)

Brown
1. @ Providence (40)
2. vs. Stephen F. Austin (52) -- projected Las Vegas Invitational 4th opponent
3. @ Illinois (70)
4. @ Indiana State (71)
5. Northwestern (123)
6. @ Rhode Island (155)

Average RPI of Projected Top 6 Opponents: 85.166

Nonconference Schedule Rankings (3 of 351)
1. Old Dominion (83.833)
2. Brown (85.166)
3. Illinois State (99.5)
 

Kent State Golden Flashes (MAC)

Kent State
1. @ Kansas (3)
2. vs. North Dakota State (35)
3. Yale (147)
4. @ UALR (187)
5. Southern Illinois (200)
6. @ Youngstown State (237)

Average RPI of Projected Top 6 Opponents: 134.833

Nonconference Schedule Rankings (4 of 351)
1. Old Dominion (83.833)
2. Brown (85.166)
3. Illinois State (99.5)
4. Kent State (134.833)
 


Thanks for these reports, SS. I enjoy following them.
 

Navy Midshipmen (Patriot)

Navy
1. Michigan State (18)
2. @ Providence (40)
3. Towson (95)
4. @ Notre Dame (136)
5. VMI (211)
6. vs. Northeastern (222)

Average RPI of Projected Top 6 Opponents: 120.333

Nonconference Schedule Rankings (5 of 351)
1. Old Dominion (83.833)
2. Brown (85.166)
3. Illinois State (99.5)
4. Navy (120.333)
5. Kent State (134.833)
 





Utah Utes (Pac 12) -- Utes take over top spot

http://www.cbssports.com/collegebas...-its-schedule-strength-in-advance-of-big-year

Utah
1. vs. Kansas (2)
2. Wichita State (4)
3. @ San Diego State (15)
4. @ BYU (31)
5. vs. UNLV (108)
6. South Dakota State (138)

Average RPI of Projected Top 6 Opponents: 49.666

Nonconference Schedule Rankings (6 of 351)
1. Utah (49.666)
2. Old Dominion (83.833)
3. Brown (85.166)
4. Illinois State (99.5)
5. Navy (120.333)
6. Kent State (134.833)
 

UIC Flames (Horizon)

UIC
1. @ Dayton (43)
2. @ SMU (53)
3. @ Northwestern (123)
4. vs. Yale (147)
5. @ DePaul (154)
6. UCF (220)

Average RPI of Projected Top 6 Opponents: 123.333

Nonconference Schedule Rankings (7 of 351)
1. Utah (49.666)
2. Old Dominion (83.833)
3. Brown (85.166)
4. Illinois State (99.5)
5. Navy (120.333)
6. UIC (123.333)
7. Kent State (134.833)
 

Yale Bulldogs (Ivy)

Yale
1. @ Florida (1)
2. @ Connecticut (22)
3. @ Vermont (101)
4. vs. Quinnipiac (105)
5. @ Vanderbilt (120)
6. Albany (185)

Average RPI of Projected Top 6 Opponents: 89

Nonconference Schedule Rankings (8 of 351)
1. Utah (49.666)
2. Old Dominion (83.833)
3. Brown (85.166)
4. Yale (89)
5. Illinois State (99.5)
6. Navy (120.333)
7. UIC (123.333)
8. Kent State (134.833)
 

SMU Mustangs (AAC)

SMU
1. @ Michigan (11)
2. @ Gonzaga (20)
3. Arkansas (77)
4. @ Indiana (102)
5. UCSB (107)
6. Wyoming (135)

Average RPI of Projected Top 6 Opponents: 75.333

Nonconference Schedule Rankings (9 of 351)
1. Utah (49.666)
2. SMU (75.333)
3. Old Dominion (83.833)
4. Brown (85.166)
5. Yale (89)
6. Illinois State (99.5)
7. Navy (120.333)
8. UIC (123.333)
9. Kent State (134.833)
 



Army Black Knights (Patriot)

Army
1. @ Duke (9)
2. @ Delaware (65)
3. @ USC (176)
4. Bryant (177)
5. @ Saint Francis-NY (186)
6. VMI (211) -- projected All-Military Classic championship-game opponent

Average RPI of Projected Top 6 Opponents: 137.333

Nonconference Schedule Rankings (10 of 351)
1. Utah (49.666)
2. SMU (75.333)
3. Old Dominion (83.833)
4. Brown (85.166)
5. Yale (89)
6. Illinois State (99.5)
7. Navy (120.333)
8. UIC (123.333)
9. Kent State (134.833)
10. Army (137.333)
 

Providence Friars (Big East)

Providence
1. @ Kentucky (17)
2. Massachusetts (23)
3. vs. Florida State (54)
4. vs. Miami-Florida (110)
5. vs. Notre Dame (136)
6. @ Boston College (207)

Average RPI of Projected Top 6 Opponents: 91.166

Nonconference Schedule Rankings (11 of 351)
1. Utah (49.666)
2. SMU (75.333)
3. Old Dominion (83.833)
4. Brown (85.166)
5. Yale (89)
6. Providence (91.166)
7. Illinois State (99.5)
8. Navy (120.333)
9. UIC (123.333)
10. Kent State (134.833)
11. Army (137.333)
 

Seton Hall Pirates (Big East)

The Hall my sleeper out of the Big East for 2014-15. Pirates will be projected into my preseason "Field of 68", barring any key off-season injuries/suspensions.

Seton Hall
1. @ Wichita State (4)
2. George Washington (29)
3. @ Georgia (74)
4. vs. Clemson (79) -- projected Paradise Jam semifinal opponent
5. vs. LSU (83) -- projected Paradise Jam championship-game opponent
6. Rutgers (192)

Average RPI of Projected Top 6 Opponents: 76.833

Nonconference Schedule Rankings (12 of 351)
1. Utah (49.666)
2. SMU (75.333)
3. Seton Hall (76.833)
4. Old Dominion (83.833)
5. Brown (85.166)
6. Yale (89)
7. Providence (91.166)
8. Illinois State (99.5)
9. Navy (120.333)
10. UIC (123.333)
11. Kent State (134.833)
12. Army (137.333)
 

Baylor Bears (Big XII)

Baylor
1. vs. Memphis (37)
2. Stephen F. Austin (52)
3. vs. Illinois (70) -- projected Las Vegas Invitational championship-game opponent
4. @ Vanderbilt (120)
5. @ South Carolina (140)
6. Texas A&M (148)

Average RPI of Projected Top 6 Opponents: 94.5

Nonconference Schedule Rankings (13 of 351)
1. Utah (49.666)
2. SMU (75.333)
3. Seton Hall (76.833)
4. Old Dominion (83.833)
5. Brown (85.166)
6. Yale (89)
7. Providence (91.166)
8. Baylor (94.5)
9. Illinois State (99.5)
10. Navy (120.333)
11. UIC (123.333)
12. Kent State (134.833)
13. Army (137.333)
 

Grand Canyon Lopes (WAC)

The Lopes are ineligible for the WAC and NCAA tournaments.

Grand Canyon
1. New Mexico (12)
2. @ Kentucky (17)
3. Harvard (46)
4. @ Indiana (102)
5. Buffalo (106)
6. Texas-Arlington (199)

Average RPI of Projected Top 6 Opponents: 80.333

Nonconference Schedule Rankings (14 of 351)
1. Utah (49.666)
2. SMU (75.333)
3. Seton Hall (76.833)
4. Grand Canyon (80.333)
5. Old Dominion (83.833)
6. Brown (85.166)
7. Yale (89)
8. Providence (91.166)
9. Baylor (94.5)
10. Illinois State (99.5)
11. Navy (120.333)
12. UIC (123.333)
13. Kent State (134.833)
14. Army (137.333)
 

Cincinnati Bearcats (AAC): Take over top spot buoyed by stellar home offerings

Cincinnati
1. VCU (13)
2. San Diego State (15)
3. Xavier (47)
4. @ Nebraska (48)
5. @ NC State (55)
6. vs. Ole Miss (94) -- projected Emerald Coast Classic title-game opponent

Average RPI of Projected Top 6 Opponents: 45.333

Nonconference Schedule Rankings (15 of 351)
1. Cincinnati (45.333)
2. Utah (49.666)
3. SMU (75.333)
4. Seton Hall (76.833)
5. Grand Canyon (80.333)
6. Old Dominion (83.833)
7. Brown (85.166)
8. Yale (89)
9. Providence (91.166)
10. Baylor (94.5)
11. Illinois State (99.5)
12. Navy (120.333)
13. UIC (123.333)
14. Kent State (134.833)
15. Army (137.333)
 

Buffalo Bulls (MAC)

Factoid: Alma mater of former Northfield Raider Zach Filzen.

Buffalo
1. @ Wisconsin (6)
2. @ Kentucky (17)
3. @ Saint Bonaventure (89)
4. @ Robert Morris (129)
5. Drexel (132)
6. South Dakota State (138)

Average RPI of Projected Top 6 Opponents: 85.166

Nonconference Schedule Rankings (16 of 351)
1. Cincinnati (45.333)
2. Utah (49.666)
3. SMU (75.333)
4. Seton Hall (76.833)
5. Grand Canyon (80.333)
6. Old Dominion (83.833)
T-7. Brown (85.166)
T-7. Buffalo (85.166)
9. Yale (89)
10. Providence (91.166)
11. Baylor (94.5)
12. Illinois State (99.5)
13. Navy (120.333)
14. UIC (123.333)
15. Kent State (134.833)
16. Army (137.333)
 

Kentucky Wildcats (SEC): Will be tough to top this one

Comment: How's that (see below) for a six-pack of nonconference matchups? And not a single one of 'em is projected.

Kentucky
1. vs. Kansas (3)
2. vs. UCLA (14)
3. @ Louisville (19)
4. North Carolina (25)
5. Texas (36)
6. Providence (40)

Average RPI of Projected Top 6 Opponents: 22.833

Nonconference Schedule Rankings (17 of 351)
1. Kentucky (22.833)
2. Cincinnati (45.333)
3. Utah (49.666)
4. SMU (75.333)
5. Seton Hall (76.833)
6. Grand Canyon (80.333)
7. Old Dominion (83.833)
T-8. Brown (85.166)
T-8. Buffalo (85.166)
10. Yale (89)
11. Providence (91.166)
12. Baylor (94.5)
13. Illinois State (99.5)
14. Navy (120.333)
15. UIC (123.333)
16. Kent State (134.833)
17. Army (137.333)
 

Creighton Bluejays (Big East)

Comment: A decent enough schedule for a program rebuilding without Doug McDermott.

Creighton
1. Oklahoma (26)
2. @ Nebraska (48)
3. Saint Mary's (61)
4. vs. Middle Tennessee (64) -- projected Emerald Coast Classic 3rd-place game opponent
5. @ Tulsa (73)
6. vs. Ole Miss (94)

Average RPI of Projected Top 6 Opponents: 61

Nonconference Schedule Rankings (18 of 351)
1. Kentucky (22.833)
2. Cincinnati (45.333)
3. Utah (49.666)
4. Creighton (61)
5. SMU (75.333)
6. Seton Hall (76.833)
7. Grand Canyon (80.333)
8. Old Dominion (83.833)
T-9. Brown (85.166)
T-9. Buffalo (85.166)
11. Yale (89)
12. Providence (91.166)
13. Baylor (94.5)
14. Illinois State (99.5)
15. Navy (120.333)
16. UIC (123.333)
17. Kent State (134.833)
18. Army (137.333)
 

Chicago State Cougars (WAC)

Chicago State
1. @ Creighton (10)
2. @ Toledo (38)
3. @ Arizona State (44)
4. vs. Georgia State (76)
5. @ Notre Dame (136)
6. DePaul (154)

Average RPI of Projected Top 6 Opponents: 76.333

Nonconference Schedule Rankings (19 of 351)
1. Kentucky (22.833)
2. Cincinnati (45.333)
3. Utah (49.666)
4. Creighton (61)
5. SMU (75.333)
6. Chicago State (76.333)
7. Seton Hall (76.833)
8. Grand Canyon (80.333)
9. Old Dominion (83.833)
T-10. Brown (85.166)
T-10. Buffalo (85.166)
12. Yale (89)
13. Providence (91.166)
14. Baylor (94.5)
15. Illinois State (99.5)
16. Navy (120.333)
17. UIC (123.333)
18. Kent State (134.833)
19. Army (137.333)
 

Wake Forest Demon Deacons (ACC)

Comment: Danny Manning's first Wake schedule is solid and shouldn't be harmful to the Gophers' SOS.

Wake Forest
1. vs. Florida (1)
2. Minnesota (50)
3. Iona (59)
4. @ Richmond (75)
5. @ Arkansas (77)
6. Princeton (122)

Average RPI of Projected Top 6 Opponents: 64

Nonconference Schedule Rankings (20 of 351)
1. Kentucky (22.833)
2. Cincinnati (45.333)
3. Utah (49.666)
4. Creighton (61)
5. Wake Forest (64)
6. SMU (75.333)
7. Chicago State (76.333)
8. Seton Hall (76.833)
9. Grand Canyon (80.333)
10. Old Dominion (83.833)
T-11. Brown (85.166)
T-11. Buffalo (85.166)
13. Yale (89)
14. Providence (91.166)
15. Baylor (94.5)
16. Illinois State (99.5)
17. Navy (120.333)
18. UIC (123.333)
19. Kent State (134.833)
20. Army (137.333)
 

Binghamton Bearcats (America East)

Binghamton
1. @ Providence (40)
2. vs. Manhattan (60)
3. Saint Bonaventure (89)
4. Buffalo (106)
5. @ Notre Dame (136)
6. @ Boston College (207)

Average RPI of Projected Top 6 Opponents: 106.333

Nonconference Schedule Rankings (21 of 351)
1. Kentucky (22.833)
2. Cincinnati (45.333)
3. Utah (49.666)
4. Creighton (61)
5. Wake Forest (64)
6. SMU (75.333)
7. Chicago State (76.333)
8. Seton Hall (76.833)
9. Grand Canyon (80.333)
10. Old Dominion (83.833)
T-11. Brown (85.166)
T-11. Buffalo (85.166)
13. Yale (89)
14. Providence (91.166)
15. Baylor (94.5)
16. Illinois State (99.5)
17. Binghamton (106.333)
18. Navy (120.333)
19. UIC (123.333)
20. Kent State (134.833)
21. Army (137.333)
 

Washington State Cougars (Pac 12)

Comment: This schedule is representative of a struggling program under the direction of a new coach (former Oregon coach Ernie Kent).

Washington State
1. vs. Gonzaga (20)
2. vs. Missouri State (85) -- projected Great Alaska Shootout consolation-final opponent
3. @ UTEP (103)
4. vs. UCSB (107)
5. vs. Hawaii (160)
6. @ TCU (212)

Average RPI of Projected Top 6 Opponents: 114.5

Nonconference Schedule Rankings (22 of 351)
1. Kentucky (22.833)
2. Cincinnati (45.333)
3. Utah (49.666)
4. Creighton (61)
5. Wake Forest (64)
6. SMU (75.333)
7. Chicago State (76.333)
8. Seton Hall (76.833)
9. Grand Canyon (80.333)
10. Old Dominion (83.833)
T-11. Brown (85.166)
T-11. Buffalo (85.166)
13. Yale (89)
14. Providence (91.166)
15. Baylor (94.5)
16. Illinois State (99.5)
17. Binghamton (106.333)
18. Washington State (114.5)
19. Navy (120.333)
20. UIC (123.333)
21. Kent State (134.833)
22. Army (137.333)
 

UCSB Gauchos (Big West)

UCSB
1. @ Kansas (3)
2. @ Oregon (28)
3. @ SMU (53)
4. @ Oregon State (100)
5. vs. Colorado State (182) -- projected Great Alaska Shootout championship-game opponent
6. vs. Washington State (224)

Average RPI of Projected Top 6 Opponents: 98.333

Nonconference Schedule Rankings (23 of 351)
1. Kentucky (22.833)
2. Cincinnati (45.333)
3. Utah (49.666)
4. Creighton (61)
5. Wake Forest (64)
6. SMU (75.333)
7. Chicago State (76.333)
8. Seton Hall (76.833)
9. Grand Canyon (80.333)
10. Old Dominion (83.833)
T-11. Brown (85.166)
T-11. Buffalo (85.166)
13. Yale (89)
14. Providence (91.166)
15. Baylor (94.5)
16. UCSB (98.333)
17. Illinois State (99.5)
18. Binghamton (106.333)
19. Washington State (114.5)
20. Navy (120.333)
21. UIC (123.333)
22. Kent State (134.833)
23. Army (137.333)
 

North Dakota Fighting Sioux (Big Sky)

Factoid: In its first two seasons in the Big Sky, UND has finished 12-8 in conference play both times, and has advanced to the conference tournament semifinals and finals, respectively. The Gophers will host UND on Dec. 8 @ Williams Arena.

North Dakota
1. @ North Dakota State (35)
2. @ Minnesota (50)
3. @ Utah (80)
4. @ Marquette (92)
5. @ Northern Iowa (109)
6. @ South Dakota State (138)

Average RPI of Projected Top 6 Opponents: 84

Nonconference Schedule Rankings (24 of 351)
1. Kentucky (22.833)
2. Cincinnati (45.333)
3. Utah (49.666)
4. Creighton (61)
5. Wake Forest (64)
6. SMU (75.333)
7. Chicago State (76.333)
8. Seton Hall (76.833)
9. Grand Canyon (80.333)
10. Old Dominion (83.833)
11. North Dakota (84)
T-12. Brown (85.166)
T-12. Buffalo (85.166)
14. Yale (89)
15. Providence (91.166)
16. Baylor (94.5)
17. UCSB (98.333)
18. Illinois State (99.5)
19. Binghamton (106.333)
20. Washington State (114.5)
21. Navy (120.333)
22. UIC (123.333)
23. Kent State (134.833)
24. Army (137.333)
 

Southern Illinois Salukis (MVC)

Comment: One might think Salukis head coach Barry Hinson would be embarrassed with this slate, but instead he had this to say. "We've put together a schedule that will challenge our team heading into the conference season."

This is a truly awful schedule for a team playing in a traditionally strong mid-major conference. ... and this is only the "best" 6 opponents.

Southern Illinois
1. @ Saint Louis (27)
2. Murray State (142)
3. vs. Yale (147)
4. @ Southeast Missouri State (257)
5. Chicago State (259)
6. New Orleans (260)

Average RPI of Projected Top 6 Opponents: 182

Nonconference Schedule Rankings (25 of 351)
1. Kentucky (22.833)
2. Cincinnati (45.333)
3. Utah (49.666)
4. Creighton (61)
5. Wake Forest (64)
6. SMU (75.333)
7. Chicago State (76.333)
8. Seton Hall (76.833)
9. Grand Canyon (80.333)
10. Old Dominion (83.833)
11. North Dakota (84)
T-12. Brown (85.166)
T-12. Buffalo (85.166)
14. Yale (89)
15. Providence (91.166)
16. Baylor (94.5)
17. UCSB (98.333)
18. Illinois State (99.5)
19. Binghamton (106.333)
20. Washington State (114.5)
21. Navy (120.333)
22. UIC (123.333)
23. Kent State (134.833)
24. Army (137.333)
25. Southern Illinois (182)
 

Wagner Seahawks (NEC)

Wagner
1. @ Cincinnati (21)
2. @ Maryland (78)
3. @ Vermont (101)
4. @ Columbia (130)
5. Rider (198)
6. @ Lafayette (258)

Average RPI of Projected Top 6 Opponents: 131

Nonconference Schedule Rankings (26 of 351)
1. Kentucky (22.833)
2. Cincinnati (45.333)
3. Utah (49.666)
4. Creighton (61)
5. Wake Forest (64)
6. SMU (75.333)
7. Chicago State (76.333)
8. Seton Hall (76.833)
9. Grand Canyon (80.333)
10. Old Dominion (83.833)
11. North Dakota (84)
T-12. Brown (85.166)
T-12. Buffalo (85.166)
14. Yale (89)
15. Providence (91.166)
16. Baylor (94.5)
17. UCSB (98.333)
18. Illinois State (99.5)
19. Binghamton (106.333)
20. Washington State (114.5)
21. Navy (120.333)
22. UIC (123.333)
23. Wagner (131)
24. Kent State (134.833)
25. Army (137.333)
26. Southern Illinois (182)
 

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