Sizing up BYU’s upcoming nonconference schedule

Last year, BYU assembled its most ambitious nonconference schedule in program history.

The Cougars faced six different power programs and/or perennial NCAA Tournament teams, including a pair of legitimate blue bloods in Villanova and UConn. They played in a number of prestigious showcase events and television windows. More than half of their games were Quad 1/2 opportunities.

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As BYU enters Year 3 of the Kevin Young era, it appears the Cougars will be following a similar nonconference formula.

Based on insider reports and what the program has already announced, BYU has 12 games scheduled for November and December:

• Oct. 16 — Nebraska (exhibition)* | Marriott Center

• Nov. 18 — Northern Colorado | Marriott Center (per Rosinski)

• Nov. 23-25 — Maui Invitational* | Maui, Hawaii

• Dec. 5 — Northwestern | Delta Center (per Miller)

• Dec. 9 — Utah State* | Marriott Center

• Dec. 15 — Weber State | Marriott Center (per Rosinski)

• Dec. 19 — San Diego State | Palm Springs, California (per Rothstein)

* Officially announced by BYU

With the NCAA now allowing teams to play 32 regular-season games, BYU has room to add two more nonconference contests prior to the start of the 18-game Big 12 schedule.

Additionally, the Cougars can play a second preseason exhibition, joining Nebraska’s scheduled visit to scrimmage at the Marriott Center.

Aside from the Maui Invitational, BYU will face four power conference/perennial tournament teams — Ohio State, Northwestern, Utah State and San Diego State — that could result in Quad 1 chances.

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When the Cougars head to Maui over Thanksgiving week, they’ll take on three of the following seven squads — Arizona, Clemson, Ole Miss, Providence and Washington, two-time defending Atlantic 10 champion VCU, and Colorado State, which has reached the Big Dance three times in the past five years.

This would give BYU seven likely total Quad 1/2 matchups, assuming each of those aforementioned teams lives up to their typical standard, to pair with five more Quad 3/4 buy games.

By comparison, BYU finished last year’s nonconference slate with seven Quad 1/2 games and six others in Quad 3/4 range.

As things stand, BYU does hold one specific advantage this year compared to last season: travel.

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Of BYU’s seven Quad 1/2 nonconference games a year ago, only two were played in the state of Utah. The Cougars made three separate trips to the East Coast to play four games, where each of those opponents had much easier travel to get there.

The flight to Maui is lengthy, but at least BYU will have three games there against teams who had similar travel experiences rather than being at a disadvantage on the East Coast.

The Cougars will have three other quality matchups in Utah, along with a quick ride down to Palm Springs.

Now needing to get two more games scheduled, perhaps Young and his staff will search for another top-tier opponent or two, or maybe they’ll stick to a few more low-major meetings. There’s plenty of quality already on the Cougars’ calendar, so they have the gift of flexibility in filling games No. 13 and 14.