BYU basketball: Cougars reveal out of conference schedule

BYU basketball’s out of conference schedule was revealed on Tuesday afternoon. Here’s who the Cougars will be playing this season.

BYU basketball’s non-conference schedule has been released and it features a number of intriguing opponents.

The Cougars will play seven games in the Marriott Center, three games on the road and three neutral site contests.

BYU basketball’s regular season kicks off with a game against the Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils. MVSU went just 7-25 a season ago. The Cougars and Delta Devils will clash on November 11 in the Marriott Center.

Next up for the Cougars will be an away game with the Princeton Tigers. Princeton made the NCAA Tournament last year, after losing to BYU early in the year.

Following this, BYU basketball returns to Provo for a rematch with UT-Arlington. We all remember what UTA did to the Cougars the last time the two schools met, so look for this to be a statement game for the Cougars.

Here’s a look at the entirety of BYU basketball’s non-conference schedule.

November

11 vs MVSU

15 at Princeton

18 vs UT-Arlington

21 vs Niagara

24 vs Alabama

25 vs UMass

29 at UVU

December

2 at Utah State

6 vs Illinois State

9 vs Weber State in the Beehive Classic

16 vs Utah

21 vs Idaho State

23 vs Texas Southern

Some of these games obvious stick out more than others. Princeton will be a tough test early, and so will UT-Arlington.

I’d also like to see BYU basketball be out for blood against UVU to avenge last year’s debacle.

But, clearly the biggest game on the non-conference slate is the matchup with Utah. After the whole attempted-rivalry-cancellation ridiculousness by Utes head coach Larry Krystkowiak, the Marriott Center is going to be electric.

I hope that heads stay cool, but that we still get a tough, hard fought rivalry contest. Regardless of how Utah fans may say they feel, local sports are better when BYU and Utah are playing.