College basketball is less than a month away from kicking off. If you follow Jon Rothstein, he made mention how screwed up non-conference scheduling is for the sport. Despite having multiple months to plan things out, teams are still struggling with the idea of figuring out how to properly do a non-conference slate. Part of the reason is due to the pandemic but the other part is the need for the non-conference for the NCAA Tournament. There is no way college basketball will go without a tournament this season. Marquette does have their December schedule out, and it is an uphill climb.

IT'S HERE! #mubb announced updated 2020-21 schedule through Christmas. @Theojohn123 @jamalcain24 @TheTrueOne1_ RELEASE: https://t.co/DSF6TGWc0o pic.twitter.com/wFF2AOfqC8

— Marquette Basketball (@MarquetteMBB) October 28, 2020

After the first game of the year, things are going to be difficult for Marquette. Eastern Illinois isn’t a bad team out of the OVC conference. Oklahoma State adds Cade Cunningham, a top recruit in the nation, to a young, up-and-coming team. Wisconsin could be one of the best teams in the country. UCLA proved to start turning things around under Mick Cronin last season. And then they get into Big East play in the middle of December. The Big East not only added UConn to the mix, but the conference itself looks to be stacked this year with many returning big-name players.

Each of the four Big East teams that Marquette is scheduled to play in December ranks above them in T-Rank. Marquette currently sits at 76 which is not a great sign for a successful season. If the Golden Eagles can get a split of their four Big East games early, they’ll be in a good spot. The same goes for their non-conference games. Do not trip up over the mid-majors then find a way to beat two out of three of the teams mentioned, that’s a good start to the season. Marquette would likely have a resume that looks good for March if things played out this way.

There is a chance that things could get ugly and get ugly quick. They need to do their best to avoid any long losing streaks or their season could be over quicker than it started.

Charlie.