UConn has just released their non-conference schedule and man is it terrible. To wit:
Nov. 2 (exh.) AIC
Nov. 6 (exh.) CW Post
Nov. 11 Columbia
Nov. 14 Wagner
Nov. 17 Maine
Nov. 20 Coppin State
Nov. 24-26 Battle 4 Atlantis (Atlantis, Paradise Island, Bahamas)
UConn, Harvard, Florida State, Utah, Massachusetts,
Central Florida, College of Charleston, UNC - AshevilleDec. 3 Arkansas (BIG EAST/SEC Challenge)
Dec. 7 Harvard
Dec. 18 Holy Cross
Dec. 22 Fairfield
Jan. 21 at Tennessee
For those keeping track at home, this means UConn will play Big East conference road games before they play out-of-conference road games. It also means the most compelling home OOC game is against what I'm assuming is the 13th best team in the SEC.
Even the early season tournament is terrible. If UConn's name isn't already engraved on that trophy I'd be shocked. Who's the best team we could play there? Florida St.? Maybe UCF or UMass? Goddamn it's just all so terrible.
Still, in the long run this might be for the best. I love Shabazz Napier as much as the next guy, but I suspect it's going to take him more than a handful of games to stop being SHABAZZ~!! and start being a real top-level D1 point guard, and this intro might be just what he needs.
UConn's full press release is after the jump.
STORRS, Conn. - The University of Connecticut basketball program has announced the 2011 non-conference schedule. The Huskies will play 10 non-conference games at home (Including two exhibitions) and four games on the road (Including three games at the Battle 4 Atlantis in Paradise Island, Bahamas). Sites for home games (Gampel Pavilion or XL Center) and game times are still to be determined.UConn will host a pair of teams that competed in the NIT last season (Harvard, Fairfield) and travel to face a Tennessee program that competed in the NCAA Tournament a year ago.
The Huskies will host two exhibition games beginning with Coach Jim Calhoun's alma mater AIC (Nov. 2) followed by a preseason contest against C.W. Post (Nov. 6).
Connecticut begins the regular season with four straight home non-conference games beginning with Columbia on November 11. UConn will then host Wagner (Nov. 14), Maine (Nov. 17) and Coppin State (Nov. 20) before heading to the Battle 4 Atlantis.
The inaugural Battle 4 Atlantis runs from November 24-26. The Huskies will play three games. The tournament field includes Harvard, Florida State, Utah, UMass, Central Florida, College of Charleston and UNC-Asheville. Connecticut's opponents and game times are still to be determined.
The Huskies will also compete in the annual BIG EAST/SEC Challenge. For the first time, the games will take place on campus sites with UConn hosting Arkansas on December 3. The Razorbacks finished 2010-11 with an 18-13 overall record.
Connecticut finishes the non-conference home slate against NIT participants Harvard (Dec.7), Holy Cross (Dec. 18) and NIT participants Fairfield (Dec. 22).
The Huskies close out the non-conference schedule on the road against Tennessee. The Volunteers advanced to the NCAA Tournament last season and finished with a 19-15 overall record. UConn hosted Tennessee in 2010-11 and came away with a 72-62 victory at the XL Center on January 22.
All times and locations will be determined at a later date.
2011-12 Men's Basketball New Season Ticket Purchases: BUY HERE
CONNECTICUT 2011-12 Men's Basketball Schedule
Sites for home games (Gampel Pavilion or XL Center) to be determined in September
Nov. 2 (exh.) AIC
Nov. 6 (exh.) CW Post
Nov. 11 Columbia
Nov. 14 Wagner
Nov. 17 Maine
Nov. 20 Coppin State
Nov. 24-26 Battle 4 Atlantis (Atlantis, Paradise Island, Bahamas)
UConn, Harvard, Florida State, Utah, Massachusetts,
Central Florida, College of Charleston, UNC - Asheville
Dec. 3 Arkansas (BIG EAST/SEC Challenge)
Dec. 7 Harvard
Dec. 18 Holy Cross
Dec. 22 Fairfield
Jan. 21 at Tennessee
BIG EAST Schedule (Dates to be announced in early September)
BIG EAST Home Games
CINCINNATI
DEPAUL
MARQUETTE
NOTRE DAME
PITTSBURGH
ST. JOHN'S
SETON HALL
SYRACUSE
WEST VIRGINIA
BIG EAST Away Games
at GEORGETOWN
at LOUISVILLE
at NOTRE DAME
at PROVIDENCE
at RUTGERS
at SETON HALL
at USF
at SYRACUSE
at VILLANOVA