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Toughest college basketball schedules 2021-22: Alabama, UNC, Gonzaga face difficult nonconference slates

Here are the five toughest nonconference schedules for power conference teams this season


The countdown to college basketball season is going by quickly as teams begin taking the court this weekend for exhibition games in anticipation of opening day on Nov. 9. For some programs, the sense of urgency to prepare may be particularly strong because of what awaits in the opening weeks of the season. While some programs have opted for nonconference schedules composed mostly of cupcake opponents -- we'll cover those next week -- others are preparing for early-season gauntlets.

There can be a big payoff for playing a challenging nonconference schedule, as it offers teams a chance to solidify their NCAA Tournament resumes before league play ever begins. But a tough schedule brings the risk of amassing losses and being embarrassed in a primetime slot.

So who is playing the toughest nonconference in college basketball this season? After surveying every schedule in the sport's top conferences along with those of other national contenders, five emerged as the best. It's an inexact science, because the opponents for some teams will be determined how the brackets shake out in early-season tournaments. But for now, here's a ranking of the toughest five nonconference schedules.

The preseason AP Top 25 rankings are used if applicable with Matt Norlander's No. 1-358 rankings used for all others.

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1. Alabama

Nov. 9: vs. Louisiana Tech -- 76
Nov. 12: vs. South Dakota State -- 107
Nov. 16: vs. South Alabama -- 175
Nov. 19 vs. Oakland -- 225
Nov. 25: Iona (neutral) -- 139
Nov. 27: Belmont/Drake (neutral) 38/72
Nov. 28: TBA in ESPN Events Invitational (potentially No. 3 Kansas)
Dec. 4: at No. 1 Gonzaga (Seattle)
Dec. 11: vs. No. 15 Houston
Dec. 14: at No. 12 Memphis
Dec. 18: vs. Jacksonville State -- 23
Dec. 21: vs. Colorado State -- 32
Jan. 29: vs. No. 8 Baylor

The Crimson Tide play three of last season's Final Four teams in Gonzaga, Houston and Baylor. They also face No. 12 Memphis on the road. If things break as expected in the ESPN Events Invitational, the Crimson Tide could also play No. 3 Kansas. A meeting with the Jayhawks would mean this team ends up playing five of the top 15 from the preseason AP Top 25. That's a crazy slate. Even the Crimson Tide's "easy" nonconference games are against respectable foes such as Colorado State, Louisiana Tech, South Dakota State and Iona.

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