BYU Basketball releases its non-conference schedule for the 2024-25 season

An avalanche of hype has propelled excitement surrounding the upcoming era of BYU Basketball. Under former NBA assistant Kevin Young, the Cougars have stuffed their coaching staff with valuable experience and a wide array of expertise to support Young in his transition to the collegiate game, and with that coaching staff, BYU's recruiting efforts are unlike anything we've ever seen.

Of course, until the ball is tipped in the Cougars' season opener, all of the hype is just that--hype. On paper, BYU has a lot to get excited about for the upcoming season. A 5-star NBA lottery projection, another projected first-rounder, and plenty of college basketball veterans to support the Cougs' young talent populate the roster of a BYU basketball team unlike anything the Marriott Center has seen before.

With the announcement of the non-conference schedule--which will take place prior to in-conference play--we now know when Provo will get its first taste of BYU basketball in the Kevin Young age.

You can see the schedule listed here:

• Nov. 5: Home vs. Central Arkansas
• Nov. 8: Home vs. UC Riverside
• Nov. 13: Home vs. Queens
• Nov. 16: Home vs. Idaho
• Nov. 23: Home vs. Mississippi Valley State
• Nov. 28: Rady Children’s Invitational vs. Ole Miss
• Nov. 29: Rady Children's Invitational vs. Purdue OR NC State
• Dec. 3: Away vs. Providence (Big 12-Big East Battle)
• Dec. 11: Home vs. Fresno State
• Dec. 14: Neutral vs. Wyoming (Delta Center)
• Dec. 20: Home vs. Florida A&M

As is customary among college basketball's power conference royalty--and most established basketball programs across the nation--the non-conference schedule is stuffed full of easy competition. In the past, some have called these match-ups "tune-ups" or "cupcakes" in reference to how soft or easy the competition is expected to be.

Last season, the Cougars lost a lone non-conference game against rival Utah in the Huntsman Center (which ironically won't be a non-conference game anymore). This season, the Cougars will hope to replicate similar success, but it certainly won't be easy. Clashes with talented teams like Ole Miss, Providence, and Purdue or NC State will be the big-ticket matchups for the non-conference slate. These games should give fans a decent idea how BYU should fare when facing Big 12 competition.

So, circle November 5th on your calendar, because you won't want to miss the BYU Cougars in their first action on the hardwood this season!

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