Non-conference scheduling studs and duds: The Big 12

Since most of next season's non-conference schedules have finally been released, it's a good time to assess whose slates are the most daunting and who didn't challenge themselves enough. The Dagger will go league-by-league the next two weeks. Up next: The Big 12.

Toughest non-league schedule: Kansas

One of the reasons Kansas has captured at least a share of 10 straight Big 12 titles is the Jayhawks always prepare themselves with a formidable non-conference schedule. This year is no exception as Kansas will face two of last season's Final Four teams and participate in one of the year's better exempt tournaments.

The two marquee games on the Kansas schedule are a Nov. 18 Champions Classic showdown with likely preseason No. 1 Kentucky and a visit from Florida on Dec. 5. There's also a good chance the Jayhawks meet Michigan State in the title game of the Orlando Classic if Kansas can survive a potential semifinal against Tennessee and the Spartans can get past a potential semifinal against Marquette or Georgia Tech.

What separates Kansas' schedule from those of fellow Big 12 contenders Texas and Oklahoma is the Jayhawks have hardly any gimmes. They'll also visit Georgetown and Temple, host UNLV and face a rapidly improving Utah team in Kansas City. In short, we should have a real sense of how good Kansas can be without Andrew Wiggins and Joel Embiid by the time the Jayhawks begin pursuit of their eleventh straight Big 12 title.

* Easiest non-league schedule: Texas Tech

With leading scorers Jaye Crockett and Jordan Tolbert both gone from a team that went 6-12 in the Big 12 last season and struggled away from home, Texas Tech figures to be hard-pressed to make much progress this season. As a result, it's no surprise Tubby Smith assembled a favorable non-conference schedule in hopes of helping his team build confidence before the Big 12 gauntlet begins.

The toughest non-league game Texas Tech will play next season is a Nov. 18 tip-off marathon road game at LSU, which boasts talented forwards Jordan Mickey and Jarrell Martin and should be in the NCAA tournament next season. The Red Raiders also have one more power-conference opponent as they host an Auburn team that should be improved in year one under Bruce Pearl.

Beyond that, there's not much. Home games against Missouri State and Fresno State. So could the potential title game of the Las Vegas Classic against either Boise State or Houston. And at least Texas Tech's season opener features a compelling storyline — Loyola (Md.) is coached by Tubby Smith's son G.G. Smith.

Team that scheduled too hard: Oklahoma State

While Oklahoma State will likely take a step backward next season with Marcus Smart, Markel Brown, Brian Williams and Kamari Murphy all gone, the Cowboys' schedule doesn't take this into account. Oklahoma State could play as many as six power-conference foes before the start of Big 12 play next season including a road game against a Memphis team that handed the Cowboys' their first loss of the season last December.

In addition to the visit to Memphis, Oklahoma State hosts Maryland, travels to South Carolina and renews acquaintances with former Big 12 foe Missouri in Kansas City. There's also a two-day tournament in Las Vegas in which the Cowboys meet Oregon State on day one and could see an improved Auburn team on day two.

This isn't a schedule that would strike fear into the hearts of Kansas, Texas, Oklahoma or Iowa State, but Oklahoma State is not on their level this season. The Cowboys are counting on LeBryan Nash and Phil Forte to emerge as leaders while an array of newcomers adjust to new roles and try to build confidence. A less demanding schedule might have helped that process.

Team that scheduled too soft: Iowa State

Having won at least one NCAA tournament game each of the past three seasons, Iowa State may be the most consistent Big 12 team outside of Lawrence these days. The Cyclones should be formidable again this season with Georges Niang, Dustin Hogue and UNLV transfer Bryce Dejean-Jones, but their schedule doesn't pack the punch of that of the other Big 12 contenders.

Iowa State's most notable non-conference game this season is probably its annual in-state showdown against Iowa on Dec. 12 in Iowa City. A Big 12-SEC clash with Arkansas might also be challenging, though the game is in Ames and the Razorbacks often get exposed on the road.

Aside from that, there's a home game against elite mid-major Georgia State, a neutral-court clash with South Carolina and the CBE Classic in Kansas City, where Iowa State will meet middling Alabama in the semifinals and either rebuilding Arizona State or Maryland the next day. So, in reality, it's not a terrible schedule for Iowa State. It's just not of the same caliber as the ones Kansas, Texas and Oklahoma are playing.

Three ACC non-conference games to watch:

1. Kansas vs. Kentucky, Nov. 18: The marquee game of the Champions Classic will pit likely preseason No. 1 Kentucky against a Kansas team that lost Andrew Wigins and Joel Embiid yet could be stronger this season than last. Perry Ellis and Wayne Selden could be ready to make the leap to starring roles. Newcomers Kelly Oubre and Cliff Alexander are elite talents. The only question for the Jayhawks is at point guard, where sophomore Frank Mason, combo guard Conner Frankamp or freshman Devonte Graham must emerge.

2. Texas at UConn, Nov. 30: How will elite recruit Myles Turner mesh with returning interior standouts Cameron Ridley and Jonathan Holmes? Texas should have a much better idea after this difficult road game against the defending national champions. These two teams played a home-and-home in 2010 and 2011 with UConn clobbering then-top-ranked Texas in Storrs and eking out a one-point overtime win in Austin.

3. Oklahoma vs. UCLA, Nov. 26: The opening-round game of the loaded Battle 4 Atlantis tournament is a huge show-me game for the Sooners. A win all but guarantees Oklahoma a crack at North Carolina in the semifinals and potentially a chance to face Wisconsin or Florida on day three. A loss likely means facing Butler in the consolation bracket, squandering some of the strength of schedule boost this event should provide.

Game that should have been scheduled but wasn't: Kansas-Wichita State

The argument that Kansas has nothing to gain by playing this game held merit when Wichita State was merely a solid mid-major program few outside the region knew much about. It doesn't so much anymore. The Shockers played in the Final Four in 2013 and became the first team since St. Joseph's in 2004 to enter the NCAA tournament unbeaten last year. They should be formidable yet again this season thanks to the return of a powerful backcourt featuring Fred VanVleet, Ron Baker and Tekele Cotton.

Outside of Kansas' showdown with Kentucky, a matchup with Wichita State might have been the most anticipated game on the Jayhawks' schedule this season. Kansas wouldn't really have to worry about a loss ceding a recruiting advantage to the Shockers either since the two programs pursue players from different stratospheres for the most part. Ultimately, Wichita State needs this game far more than Kansas does since the Jayhawks have a much easier time scheduling marquee games. Still, this would be a highly anticipated game for both programs and it's a shame for college basketball that it won't happen.

* TCU also could be a contender for this category based on what is known about its schedule, but the Horned Frogs have not released their full slate.

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Jeff Eisenberg is the editor of The Dagger on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at daggerblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!

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