Seven Mid-Major Non-Conference Games To Watch

We are seven days away from the start of college basketball season and there are plenty of great games to watch in the early non-conference slate. Here are seven mid-major matchups we’re looking forward to in the coming weeks.

UNC Wilmington at UNC Asheville | November 11 | Kimmel Arena (Asheville, NC)

This game has it all. In-state rivalry? Check. Two rising star head coaches? Check. Old heads that can hoop? Check.

Mike Morrell and Takayo Siddle are both on the radars of many high major athletic directors and they’ll go toe-to-toe for the first time since the COVID-shortened season. These teams went a combined 51-18 last season and they both return a ton of meaningful production from very successful squads.

For UNC Asheville, it’s the Drew Pember show. The reigning Big South Player of the Year is back for one last dance after averaging 20pts & 9rebs a year ago. The Bulldogs shot 38.6% from three as a team last year, good for 8th in the country. They’ll face a formidable UNC Wilmington defense that specializes in running teams off the three-point line. The Seahawks are anchored by the rangy Trazerien White, who averaged 14.2pts and 5.9rebs per game last year. It’ll be strength vs. strength in what should be a great atmosphere at Kimmel Arena.

Furman vs. Liberty | November 16 | HTC Center (Conway, SC)

Furman and Liberty just win, plain and simple. Over the last five seasons, Liberty has 131 wins – most by any mid-major program and 4th most in the country overall. Furman has 116 wins – 7th most by a mid-major and 17th overall.

Bob Richey and Ritchie McKay run two of the best programs in the country and they’ll have targets on their backs this season as preseason favorites in their respective conferences. Both coaches lose impact players from teams that won a combined 55 games last year. How will Liberty overcome the loss of Darius McGhee? How will Furman replace Jalen Slawson and Mike Bothwell?

Liberty will rely on a steady diet of Kyle Rode and Bowling Green transfer Kaden Metheny. The Flames should have a much more balanced attack this season, fueled by a cutting offense that generates three pointers on almost half of their possessions. Furman returns NCAA tournament hero JP Pegues and fellow starters Marcus Foster and Garrett Hien. The Dins may actually have more depth than last year’s squad and could very well have a different leading scorer every night. This is a great early season matchup for two extremely successful programs looking to avoid a drop in production.

Charleston vs. Vermont | November 16 | HTC Center (Conway, SC)

Charleston won 31 games last year and is trying to establish itself as the next great mid-major power. Vermont won their 7th straight regular season title despite an uncharacteristically shaky start. The two will face off in an early season litmus test for both programs.

Pat Kelsey earned a massive contract extension following a historic season in The Six. The Cougars high-octane pace and barrage of threes is wildly entertaining (and effective)! They lost three double-digit scorers from last year’s crew, but this is a system that has no problem finding scoring. Vermont is used to reloading with in-house development. John Becker already has Aaron Deloney waiting in the wings after the departures of Finn Sullivan and Dylan Penn.

On the floor, there are a couple intriguing stylistic matchups. Charleston is known for their ability to crash the offensive glass, but can they have success against a Vermont team that finished 3rd in offensive rebound percentage allowed? Who will control the pace? Charleston averaged 70.8 possessions/game last year to Vermont’s 64.4. Was Charleston’s success just a flash in the pan? We’ll find out early on in this one.

San Diego State vs. Saint Mary’s | November 17 | T-Mobile Arena (Las Vegas, NV)

This might be the Super Bowl of mid-major matchups. The national runners-up take on a legitimate national title contender and perennial WCC power. It’s a shame this matchup is on a neutral court, considering both teams have incredible home atmospheres.

San Diego State is coming off their best season in school history. Brian Dutcher has made a point this off-season for his program to ditch the “mid-major” label, but for the sake of this exercise, they still qualify. They take on a Saint Mary’s program that could arguably ditch the label themselves. Randy Bennett’s crew has won 21 games in all but one season since 2008. Both schools routinely punch well above their weight..

If there’s one thing we can guarantee about this matchup, it’s that tremendous defense will be played. Both teams finished top-10 in adjD last season, per KenPom. On the offensive side of the ball, Saint Mary’s has a killer in sophomore Aidan Mahaney. He’s the straw that stirs the drink for the Gaels and with Logan Johnson gone, it’s his show. For SDSU, Darrion Trammell and Lamont Butler take the reigns after the departures of Matt Bradley and Keshad Johnson. Transfer Jay Pal (Campbell) and Reese Waters (USC) give the Aztecs some more pop offensively.

If you like points, this game probably isn’t for you. But if you like culture, grit and tenacity, this is a must watch.

Colgate vs. Yale | November 17 | Avenir Centre (Moncton, NB)

Nerds that can hoop. That’s the headline and the truth in this battle of preseason favorites in their respective conferences.

Colgate head coach Matt Langel is another #SearchSzn darling that continues to win games at one of the toughest jobs in the country. The Raiders have made the NCAA tournament in four of the last five seasons – they own the Patriot League. Yale returns nearly everyone from last year’s 21-win team and they’re the overwhelming favorite in the Ivy League. James Jones has 10 straight winning seasons and four NCAA tournaments in that span.

This game will be a masterclass in analytics and efficiency. Colgate finished with the highest effective field goal percentage in the country last season. They shot 40.5% (!) from three as a team. Yale paced the Ivy in both offensive and defensive efficiency ratings last season. Both teams are extremely well coached and expect to make the NCAA tournament every year. You’ll have to cross the border to catch this one in person, but the smart people say it’ll be well worth the trip.

Drake vs. Nevada | December 9 | Dollar Loan Center (Henderson, NV)

Drake vs. Nevada might be the best non-SMC/SDSU mid-major game of the season. Nevada is coming off their best season in the Alford era and Drake is in the midst of a dominant run in the Missouri Valley.

The Wolfpack return what is arguably the best backcourt in the Mountain West with Kenon Blackshear and Jarod Lucas. The dynamic duo averaged 31ppg combined last season and will be relied on even more after the departure of big man Will Baker. Drake is led by the coach’s son and MVC Player of the Year, Tucker DeVries. DeVries and center Darnell Brodie are the only returning starters from last year’s team, so the Bulldogs will lean heavily on three transfers in the backcourt.

One stat to keep an eye on in this matchup is assists. Nevada’s offense under Alford is predicated on ball movement and setting up the open man. They finished 20th in assist percentage last season. Drake’s defense under DeVries is designed to limit assists and force one-on-one matchups. If Nevada can swing the ball around, they’ve got a good chance to get the win on a semi-neutral floor.

Florida Atlantic vs. St. Bonaventure | December 16 | MassMutual Center (Springfield, MA)

Florida Atlantic made the Final Four last season and were a buzzer-beater away from the national title game. That sentence will never feel real to type. St. Bonaventure is coming off a disappointing season, but brought in a transfer portal haul good enough to return them to the top of the A10 standings.

The Owls were one of five teams not to lose a player to the transfer portal. Their roster continuity after making the Final Four has them in the top-10 of the preseason polls. Dusty May’s ball-screen heavy, three-point offense is back and should improve with another off-season of practice. Mark Schmidt brought in some firepower with the additions of Charles Pride and Mika-Adams Woods. Both were pursued by high major teams, but opted to play for the Bonnies (NIL is awesome). Pair them with returners Kyrell Luc and Daryl Banks, III and you’ve got a roster that can really go.

The key in this game is the three-point line. FAU shoots them well (and often) and St. Bonaventure defends them well. By the time these two play, St. Bonaventure should start to gel with all their new pieces. There should be some high-level shot making in this one.

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