Nebraska 2014-15 Non-Conference Schedule Thoughts

Tim Miles and Nebraska are coming off an unexpectedly successful season that include two wins over top 10 opponents and an NCAA berth. The bid for next season's tournament will begin with non-conference schedule that is mixed bag of cupcakes and potential heavy-hitters.

A Slow Start

Firstly, Nebraska has yet to find an opponent for their opening game, a home game on November 16, and will likely fill the slot with a weak mid-major or lesser opponent. The beginning of the schedule is a little thin, with no 2014 tournament teams on the schedule until Creighton comes to Lincoln. Central Arkansas and Tennessee-Martin failed to qualify for their conference tournaments last season and should offer little resistance. Rhode Island, the first away game, could provide an early test, but the Rams are still a bottom tier A-10 team and should be W, as should Omaha.

ACC/B1G Challenge

A trip to Tallahassee might be the toughest challenge of the Huskers' non-conference schedule. Semifinalists in last season's NIT, the Seminoles lost only one player in the off-season. A large crowd and a pair of experienced teams, hungry to improve on the previous year's success, makes this an early must-watch for B1G fans.

A Contender Sandwich At Home

The Huskers get a six day rest before another big challenge against their biggest basketball rival, Creighton. The Bluejays have lost Doug McDermott to graduation and the NBA, but his father's team should still give Nebraska a tough game. Incarnate Word will be in their second season in Division 1 and Nebraska shouldn't have any problems dispatching the Cardinals before their next test. The Cincinnati Bearcats beat the Huskers last season, but this year's match-up will take place in Lincoln. Cincinnati will likely not be as good as last season, but they will be a competitor in the AAC and a difficult revenge game for Nebraska.

Diamond Head Classic

The Cornhuskers will end their non-conference schedule with Christmas in Hawaii, while competing in the annual Diamond Head Classic. Terran Petteway and crew will open against the hosts, Hawaii. If they can overcome jetlag and the Warriors home-court advantage, they will likely face Wichita State. The Shockers could be a top 5 team at this point at the season and would be a real feather in the cap for Tim Miles and his team. The other side of the bracket includes Ohio, George Washington, Colorado and Depaul, all competitive teams that Nebraska could meet on Christmas Day.

A good run through this schedule should set Nebraska up for another tournament bid if their conference season goes well. However, more than three losses will make for an uphill battle to achieve their second bid in a row.