Missouri announces 2015-16 non-conference basketball schedule

Mizzou Basketball took a second or two away from all the football headlines to drop its non-conference schedule yesterday. It's a pretty tough slate, but it's also mostly balanced -- Mizzou should be able to find itself with seven wins at the least.

Nine games at #Mizzou Arena, 12 total in the Show-Me State = the non-conf. schedule! #MIZ [http://t.co/hzvYIhIcAs] pic.twitter.com/aqfbF9HeBP

— Mizzou Basketball (@MizzouHoops) August 7, 2015

Dave Matter (Post-Dispatch): Mizzou faces another grueling schedule

Steve Walentik (Columbia Tribune): Missouri unveils 2015-16 non-conference schedule

Nine home games and 12 in-state games could help the Tigers get more than seven wins, and we'll break down the schedule further in the coming days, but for now here is how it lays out:

* denotes games apart of the CBE Hall of Fame Classic

Only two true road games, but those are at Xavier and at Arizona. Both teams should be in the top 25, and unless you're an eternal optimist, you probably aren't counting on Mizzou winning those games.

"We have once again put together one of the best and most challenging schedules in the country," head coach Kim Anderson said. "Our non-conference opponents will provide a great test for our young team and hopefully prepare them for the rigors of an always tough Southeastern Conference schedule. Last year, we played one of the top schedules in the country and this one is set to match or exceed that."

We'll have a lot more on the schedule next week from myself, jaeger, HHKB Chris, and Jarrett Sutton. So be on the lookout.

From the Press Release:

Anderson's group get rolling at home to begin its 2015-16 schedule, first with an exhibition matchup against Missouri Western on Nov. 6. The Tigers begin the season in earnest the following week vs. Wofford (Nov. 13) and vs. Maryland-Eastern Shore (Nov. 15) in a pair of host site games for the CBE Hall of Fame Classic. Wofford (28-7, 16-2 Southern) fell in its opening game of the 2015 NCAA Tournament, dropping a 56-53 result to Arkansas in the second round. UMES posted an 18-15 (11-5 MEAC) overall mark a season ago.

Mizzou hits the road for its contest at Xavier on Nov. 17, before it begins CBE games at the Sprint Center from Nov. 23-24. The Musketeers advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament last season, finishing with a 23-14 (9-9 Big East) mark. The Tigers battled Xavier last season at Mizzou Arena, dropping a 74-58 result on Dec. 13, 2014.

Mizzou's opening opponent in the CBE event matches the Tigers against former conference foe Kansas State (Nov. 23). The Black & Gold have battled it out in historically even fashion against the Wildcats, with the all-time series at 117-118 to KSU. Kansas State posted a 15-17 (8-10 Big 12) record a season ago.

Mizzou will face either North Carolina or Northwestern in its second game of the event at the Sprint Center. UNC advanced to the Sweet 16 of the 2015 NCAA Tournament, finishing the season with a 26-12 (11-7 ACC) overall record. Northwestern compiled a 15-17 (6-12 Big Ten) record last season.

The Tigers return home from the CBE with a three-game home stretch vs. Arkansas State (Dec. 1), vs. Northern Illinois (Dec. 4) and vs. Omaha (Dec. 9). The Red Wolves went 11-18 (6-14 Sun Belt) last season, while Huskies posted a 14-16 (8-10 MAC) record. The Mavericks compiled a 12-17 (5-11 Summit) overall record a season ago. Mizzou holds a combined all-time record of 7-0 against the three opponents. The Tigers most recently took down Northern Illinois by a score of 97-61 on Dec. 27, 2010.

Anderson's team heads to the McKale Center in Tucson, Arizona, on Dec. 13, to face Arizona, an Elite Eight squad from a season ago. The Wildcats posted a 34-4 (16-2 Pac-12) overall record last season, spending the majority of their campaign ranked within the nation's Top 5.

Mizzou's Dec. 19 contest vs. N.C. State pits the Tigers against potentially its fourth opponent that advanced to last season's Sweet 16. The Wolfpack posted a 22-14 (10-8 ACC) overall record in 2014-15.

Mizzou closes its non-conference slate with two games over the holiday break, first facing Arkansas-Pine Bluff (Dec. 29) and followed by Savannah State (Jan. 2). The Golden Lions posted a 12-20 (9-9 SWAC) overall record a season ago, while the SVSU Tigers went 9-20 (5-11 MEAC) in 2014-15.

Tickets for the CBE's championship round games at Sprint Center are available through www.axs.com, www.cbehalloffameclassic.com, by phone at 1-888-929-7849 or in-person at the Sprint Center Box Office.

Game times and network designations for non-conference games will be announced at a later date by the SEC.