Sparty nonconference schedule completed (#11 of 12)

[SelectionSunday]

Nov. 12: EASTERN MICHIGAN (201)
Nov. 16: SOUTH CAROLINA (93)
Nov. 22: at Chaminade (348) -- Maui Invitational
Nov. 23: vs. Wichita State (43) or Connecticut (64) -- Maui Invitational
Nov. 24: vs. Kentucky (2), Washington (41), Oklahoma (124) or Virginia (127) -- Maui Invitational
Nov. 28: TENNESSEE TECH (196)
Dec. 1: at Duke (3)
Dec. 4: BOWLING GREEN (189)
Dec. 7: vs. Syracuse (5) -- Jimmy V Classic
Dec. 11: vs. Oakland (52) -- Auburn Hills
Dec. 18: PRAIRIE VIEW A&M (272)
Dec. 22: TEXAS (29)

Average RPI/All Opponents: 138.8
Average RPI/Home Opponents: 163.333
2010 NCAA Tournament Qualifiers (4): Duke, Oakland, Syracuse, Texas

The Quote from the Coach (courtesy of MSU web site). ...
"I believe this will be one of our most challenging schedules ever," said Spartans head coach Tom Izzo. "When you look at the out-of-conference games with teams like Duke, Syracuse, Texas and South Carolina and potential matchups against Kentucky, Connecticut, Washington and other great teams in Maui, it sounds like an Elite Eight. Four of those teams were ranked No. 1 in the polls at some point last season, and they'll all be strong again."

No argument here, Tom. The late addition of Prairie View A&M to the schedule dropped Go Green/Go White below the Gophers in terms of average RPI of nonconference opponents, but make no mistake, this is the Big Ten's most taxing nonconference schedule. To prepare his team any other way for the grind of the Big Ten season (and beyond) just wouldn't be Tom Izzo.

BIG TEN NONCONFERENCE SCHEDULE RANKINGS (11 of 12 complete)
Average RPI/All Opponents
1. GOPHERS (133.5)
2. Michigan State (138.8)
3. Penn State (144.272)
4. Illinois (154)
5. Iowa (158.8)
6. Ohio State (160.692)
7. Purdue (163.083)
8. Wisconsin (182.3)
9. Michigan (183.666)
10. Indiana (220.25)
11. Nebraska (221.416)

Average RPI/Home Opponents
1. GOPHERS (127.375)
2. Penn State (163)
3. Michigan State (163.333)
4. Ohio State (181)
5. Illinois (185.428)
6. Iowa (193.142)
7. Purdue (207.142)
8. Wisconsin (214.142)
9. Michigan (216.5)
10. Nebraska (239.181)
11. Indiana (277.666)

 

[Friend Of Tubby]

Nov. 12: EASTERN MICHIGAN (201)
Nov. 16: SOUTH CAROLINA (93)
Nov. 22: at Chaminade (348) -- Maui Invitational
Nov. 23: vs. Wichita State (43) or Connecticut (64) -- Maui Invitational
Nov. 24: vs. Kentucky (2), Washington (41), Oklahoma (124) or Virginia (127) -- Maui Invitational
Nov. 28: TENNESSEE TECH (196)
Dec. 1: at Duke (3)
Dec. 4: BOWLING GREEN (189)
Dec. 7: vs. Syracuse (5) -- Jimmy V Classic
Dec. 11: vs. Oakland (52) -- Auburn Hills
Dec. 18: PRAIRIE VIEW A&M (272)
Dec. 22: TEXAS (29)

Average RPI/All Opponents: 138.8
Average RPI/Home Opponents: 163.333
2010 NCAA Tournament Qualifiers (4): Duke, Oakland, Syracuse, Texas

The Quote from the Coach (courtesy of MSU web site). ...
"I believe this will be one of our most challenging schedules ever," said Spartans head coach Tom Izzo. "When you look at the out-of-conference games with teams like Duke, Syracuse, Texas and South Carolina and potential matchups against Kentucky, Connecticut, Washington and other great teams in Maui, it sounds like an Elite Eight. Four of those teams were ranked No. 1 in the polls at some point last season, and they'll all be strong again."

No argument here, Tom. The late addition of Prairie View A&M to the schedule dropped Go Green/Go White below the Gophers in terms of average RPI of nonconference opponents, but make no mistake, this is the Big Ten's most taxing nonconference schedule. To prepare his team any other way for the grind of the Big Ten season (and beyond) just wouldn't be Tom Izzo.

BIG TEN NONCONFERENCE SCHEDULE RANKINGS (11 of 12 complete)
Average RPI/All Opponents
1. GOPHERS (133.5)
2. Michigan State (138.8)
3. Penn State (144.272)
4. Illinois (154)
5. Iowa (158.8)
6. Ohio State (160.692)
7. Purdue (163.083)
8. Wisconsin (182.3)
9. Michigan (183.666)
10. Indiana (220.25)
11. Nebraska (221.416)

Average RPI/Home Opponents
1. GOPHERS (127.375)
2. Penn State (163)
3. Michigan State (163.333)
4. Ohio State (181)
5. Illinois (185.428)
6. Iowa (193.142)
7. Purdue (207.142)
8. Wisconsin (214.142)
9. Michigan (216.5)
10. Nebraska (239.181)
11. Indiana (277.666)

Maui tourney, Syracuse, and AT Duke are all tough games for Sparty.