BYU men's basketball nonconference schedule features four in-state opponents

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BYU men's basketball coach Dave Rose on Tuesday released the Cougars' 2017-18 nonconference schedule, which features trips to the Barclay's Center Classic in Brooklyn, N.Y., and Princeton, and four in-state games — including the inaugural Beehive Classic.

The nonconference schedule includes seven home games, three road games and three neutral site games. Eight of BYU's nonconference opponents played in the postseason in 2017.

The regular season opens with a home contest against Mississippi Valley State on Nov. 11 before the Cougars head east to take on Princeton on Nov. 15. BYU opened last season with an 82-73 home win against the Tigers. Princeton won the Ivy League and earned an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.

After a pair of home games against UT Arlington (Nov. 18) and Niagara (Nov. 21), the Cougars head back east for the Barclay's Center Classic in Brooklyn, New York. Game one of the Barclay's will be against Alabama on Nov. 24. The Cougars then will take on UMass on Nov. 25.

Following the Barclay's Center Classic, BYU will play four of five against in-state foes. The stretch starts with the Crosstown Clash against Utah Valley in Orem (Nov. 29). Later that week, the Cougars head to Logan to play Utah State (Dec. 2).

The Cougars will host Illinois State on Dec. 6. Last season the Redbirds finished 28-7 overall, tied for first in the Missouri Valley Conference with Wichita State at 17-1 and earned a No. 1 seed in the NIT.

On Dec. 9, the Cougars will play Weber State in the Beehive Classic at Vivint Smart Home Arena. BYU has won 14 straight against the Wildcats, including a 77-66 win in Provo last season. The Beehive Classic will also feature a matchup between Utah and Utah State.

The nonconference season will conclude with three straight home games: Utah on Dec. 16, Idaho State on Dec. 21 and Texas Southern on Dec. 23. After a one-year hiatus, the Cougars and Utes will renew a rivalry that dates back to 1909. BYU leads the all-time series 129-128. —

2017-18 BYU nonconference schedule

Oct. 25 • Cougar Tipoff

Nov. 1 • Westminster

Nov. 8 • Colorado College

Nov. 11 • Mississippi Valley State

Nov. 15 • at Princeton

Nov. 18 • UT-Arlington

Nov. 21 • Niagra

Nov. 24 • Alabama at the Barclays Center, Brooklyn, N.Y.

Nov. 25 • UMass at the Barclasy Center, Brooklyn, N.Y.

Nov. 29 • at Utah Valley

Dec. 2 • at Utah State

Dec. 6 • Illinois State

Dec. 9 • Weber State at Vivint Smart Home Arena, Salt Lake City

Dec. 16 • Utah

Dec. 21 • Idaho State

Dec. 23 • Texas Southern