BYU Basketball’s non-conference schedule is nearing completion. The Big 12 is moving from 20 to 18 non-conference games this season, meaning the amount of non-conference games is moving from 11 to 13. Another change to college basketball scheduling is exhibitions. Previously, teams were allowed two exhibitions/scrimmages. To play an exhibition that was televised and in front of fans, the game had to be a non-D1 opponent. To play a D1 opponent in an exhibition game, you had to either play someone 1) in a “secret” scrimmage; i.e., no media/fan attendance and no publishing any stats or 2) a charity scrimmage where all the proceeds went to charity. With the new rules, teams can play their two exhibitions against D1 opponents in front of fans and on tv like a normal game and use the revenue however they would like.

Below is what we know about the non-conference schedule, either from official releases, national reports, or my reporting/sources. So far I know 12 of the 13 opponents, plus the two exhibitions.

at Nebraska, October 18 (exhibition)

vs North Carolina, October (exhibition, SLC) — this will be after the Nebraska game. My hunch is it will be October 24 or 25.
vs Villanova, November 3 (Vegas)
*vs Holy Cross, November 8 — this will be the home opener, sources tell me
*vs Delaware, November 11
vs UConn, November 15 (Boston)

vs Wisconsin, November 21 (Salt Lake City)
ESPN Events Invitational Game #1, November 27 (Orlando)— Miami, Georgetown, or Dayton
ESPN Events Invitational Game #2, November 28 (Orlando)— Miami, Georgetown, or Dayton
vs Clemson, December 9 (New York City)
*vs Eastern Washington, December 22
*vs Pacific — sometime in December
*vs South Dakota —sometime in December
*vs UC Riverside — sometime in December

*Games with an asterisk are ones that I have reported.

Multiple sources tell me that the final game added is expected to be a Delta Center game against a Quad 3 type of opponent, similar to how BYU played Fresno State in the Delta Center last year. I expect this will be in December.

BYU’s goal for this non-conference slate is to 1) prepare itself better for Big 12 play and 2) add enough quality games to put itself in contention to get a top seed in the NCAA Tournament. I believe BYU checked both of those boxes. I’ll have a more in-depth analysis of the schedule once it becomes official.