Big Ten Releases 2015-16 Conference Schedule & Immediate Reactions

On Thursday night, the Big Ten released its upcoming 2015-16 conference schedule and it could be set to be one of the most interesting one in recent years. The conference is bringing back a great deal of talent from last season and has many incoming recruits expected to contribute, which should make for an exciting season. Along with this, teams like Indiana, Maryland, Michigan State, and Purdue are expected to continue and build off their success last season.

There are several interesting things to note about this year's conference schedule, which have been addressed in part below, but first, here is a full look at this year's schedule.

2015-16 Big Ten Conference Schedule:

- Illinois Fighting Illini

Attention, @IlliniMBB fans: Here is your team's 2015-16 @B1GMBBall conference schedule. pic.twitter.com/MVQRPdP3Ms

— Illinois on BTN (@IllinoisOnBTN) August 27, 2015

- Indiana Hoosiers

Just in! Check out @IndianaMBB's 2015-16 @B1GMBBall conference schedule. pic.twitter.com/XCCUlM95ca

— Indiana on BTN (@IndianaOnBTN) August 27, 2015

- Iowa Hawkeyes

Here it is, @IowaHoops fans, your team's 2015-16 @B1GMBBall conference schedule. pic.twitter.com/f6OCmmd9L1

— Iowa on BTN (@IowaOnBTN) August 27, 2015

- Maryland Terrapins

What will @TerrapinHoops do in Year 2 of #B1G? Here is it's 2015-16 @B1GMBBall conference schedule. pic.twitter.com/8hzezxoVP3

— Maryland on BTN (@MarylandOnBTN) August 27, 2015

- Michigan Wolverines

Attention, @umichbball fans: Here is your team's 2015-16 @B1GMBBall conference schedule. pic.twitter.com/x7cLOVunvI

— Michigan on BTN (@MichiganOnBTN) August 27, 2015

- Michigan State Spartans

Here it is, @MSU_Basketball fans, your team's 2015-16 @B1GMBBall conference schedule. pic.twitter.com/fobOvw6Xnx

— Michigan St. on BTN (@MichiganStOnBTN) August 27, 2015

- Minnesota Golden Gophers

Just in! Here is @GopherMBB's 2015-16 @B1GMBBall conference schedule. pic.twitter.com/5QvdBVflB1

— Minnesota on BTN (@MinnesotaOnBTN) August 27, 2015

- Nebraska Cornhuskers

Here it is, @HuskerHoops' fans, your team's 2015-16 @B1GMBBall conference schedule. pic.twitter.com/1lnUPv49cf

— Nebraska on BTN (@NebraskaOnBTN) August 27, 2015

- Northwestern Wildcats

Just in! Get @NUMensBball's 2015-16 @B1GMBBall conference schedule. pic.twitter.com/6GbfKcjTAN

— Northwestern on BTN (@NUOnBTN) August 27, 2015

- Penn State Nittany Lions

Just in! Get your first look at @PennStateMBB's 2015-16 @B1GMBBall conference schedule. pic.twitter.com/ikjglYRXoN

— Penn State on BTN (@PennStateOnBTN) August 27, 2015

- Purdue Boilermakers

Here it is, @BoilerBall fans, your team's 2015-16 @B1GMBBall conference schedule. pic.twitter.com/T1xZ4sS7Xx

— Purdue on BTN (@PurdueOnBTN) August 27, 2015

- Rutgers Scarlet Knights

Just in! Get your first look at @RutgersMBB's 2015-16 @B1GMBBall conference schedule. pic.twitter.com/wAAKFmrPtw

— Rutgers on BTN (@RutgersOnBTN) August 27, 2015

- Wisconsin Badgers

Is a repeat in the cards? Here's your first look at @BadgerMBB's 2015-16 @B1GMBBall conference schedule. pic.twitter.com/UEWRzVyrQr

— Wisconsin on BTN (@WisconsinOnBTN) August 27, 2015

One of things that was already known before this schedule release, but is worth noting is that many of the conference's biggest rivalry games will only be played once this season. Here is a look at some of the rivalry games that will not be played twice this season.

Single Play Rivalries In 2015-16:

• Illinois-Northwestern
• Indiana-Purdue
• Michigan-Michigan State
• Michigan-Ohio State
• Minnesota-Wisconsin

Again, this was already something known before the release of this year's conference schedule, but considering its impact on the fanbases of the impacted teams, it definitely deserves a mention. Many fans will miss seeing these games twice, but it should at least add more rotation to the schedules.

Another really notable thing to keep an eye on about the Big Ten's scheduling is which games get placed on Saturday night. These are typically considered the biggest matchups and often will receive national spotlight attention. Last season, matchups such as Wisconsin at Michigan got major national attention, including an ESPN College Gameday appearance. So keeping an eye on where these fell would also be interesting.

Some of the matchups on Saturday nights that look exciting include Michigan State traveling to face Michigan in Ann Arbor, Maryland facing Wisconsiny, Maryland facing Michigan State, Indiana and Purdue, and a game at the end of the season between Indiana and Maryland, which could be an absolute thriller and nice appetizer heading into the Big Ten Tournament and March Madness.

Overall, it looks like a great conference slate that should feature a lot of Top 25 matchups and battles between potential Final Four contenders in Indiana, Maryland, and Michigan State among others.