All articles tagged with #non conference
ESPN has released the schedule for the fourth annual SEC/ACC Men’s and Women’s Basketball Challenge, running Dec. 1-3. The men’s event features 12 teams from ESPN’s Way-Too-Early Top 25, headlined by No. 1 Florida hosting No. 2 Duke. The women’s showcase includes 11 top-25 teams, with No. 1 South Carolina visiting No. 3 Duke. Games will air across ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, SEC Network, and ACC Network.
Missouri coach Eliah Drinkwitz argues that Big Ten success stems from not playing Power Four non-conference opponents and that SEC scheduling is tougher, but the piece counters with the Big Ten’s CFP dominance (4-0 against the SEC in three years), notable non-conference scheduling by Big Ten teams, and Missouri’s light non-conference slate, suggesting his excuses don’t hold up against recent Big Ten results.
Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz says SEC coaches regret moving to a nine‑game conference schedule, arguing the league’s brutal road-heavy grind is undervalued and contrasts with the Big Ten’s non‑conference approach; he notes the SEC’s strength in draft classes and questions the CFP criteria on strength of schedule as the league moves toward a nine‑game slate plus a 10th Power 4 non-conference game, highlighting ongoing debates over playoff selection and conference scheduling.
The SEC voted to end its November 'cupcake weekend' by requiring intraconference games in the second-to-last week of the regular season, with the policy phased in by 2027 after expanding to nine conference games. Four such games will occur this year. The change aims to strengthen rivalry weeks and the TV product, aligning with moves seen in the Big Ten.
Virginia Tech released its 2026 football schedule, featuring a mix of ACC games and notable non-conference trips, including matchups with South Carolina, Vanderbilt, Cal, SMU, and Stanford, along with a home-heavy slate against ACC foes and a neutral-site ACC Championship in Charlotte on December 5.
The No. 13 Nebraska men's basketball team aims to finish their perfect non-conference schedule with a win against New Hampshire, boasting a school-record 16-game winning streak, high national rankings, and notable player performances including multiple triple-doubles under coach Fred Hoiberg.
The Nebraska women's basketball team, ranked 12th, is set to close their non-conference schedule with a game against Cal Baptist, as they aim for their 12th consecutive win to start the season. The Huskers, who are undefeated at 11-0, are one of only three NCAA Division I schools with both men's and women's teams undefeated this season. They have been prolific offensively, scoring at least 80 points in all games, and are tied to school records with multiple 100-point games. The game features a matchup between two strong teams, with Nebraska's top scorer Britt Prince leading the charge, and is part of a doubleheader at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
The UNM Lobos men's basketball team hosts Florida Gulf Coast in their final non-conference game at The Pit, aiming to extend their home winning streak and prepare for Mountain West play, with festivities including Mascot Day and a toy drive.