Gophers' Nonconference Schedule Update (7/8/09)

[SelectionSunday]

Apparently it's Butler in the Anaheim Classic, with UCLA/Portland also on the Gophers' side of the bracket. So in the second round it'll be either the Bruins or the Pilots & Jack Sikma's kid (Luke). Playing Butler right away is good news because in affect it means the Gophers -- barring an upset somewhere -- will play (and hopefully beat) at least 2 quality opponents in Anaheim.

The Gophers will play 12 nonconference games, 8 at home, 1 on the road, and 3 at a neutral site (Anaheim Classic). Unofficially, there are 3 nonconference home games yet to be announced.

Final RPI for 2008-09 listed in parentheses.

Home (8)
1. Saturday, Dec. 12 -- Saint Joseph's (105)
2. Wednesday, Dec. 23 -- South Dakota State (283)
3. Date TBD -- Stephen F. Austin (74, NCAA)
4. Date TBD -- Morgan State (130, NCAA)
5. Date TBD -- Utah Valley State (238)
6. Opponent TBD
7. Opponent TBD
8. Opponent TBD

Road (1)
1. Wednesday, Dec. 2 -- Miami-Florida (65)

Neutral/Anaheim Classic (3)
1. Thursday, Nov. 26 -- Butler (24, NCAA)
2. Friday, Nov. 27 -- UCLA (33, NCAA)/Portland (120)
3. Sunday, Nov. 29 -- West Virginia (21, NCAA)/Clemson (28, NCAA)/Texas A&M (36, NCAA)/Long Beach State (156)

Average RPI of Nonconference Opponents (thus far): 131.285
NCAA Qualifiers (3): Butler, Morgan State, Stephen F. Austin
Top 100 (3): Butler (24), Miami-Florida (65), Stephen F. Austin (74)