Breaking down the 2017–18 non-conference slate
So the 2017–18 non-conference slate is out. As we said in the release post, predicted record right now… 6–8. What’s that based off of? Not much.
Longwood is a team of unknowns right now as several new additions join the roster and other players come back from serious injuries. We know the starting five is likely Munoz, Ashe, Walton, Shields, Geter, but beyond that we’re flying blind to a degree.
We’ll continue to fly blind until the team’s November 10 opener against Stephen F. Austin because Longwood will play two closed scrimmages against other schools this year and will not play Hampden-Sydney.
With all that, let’s dive a little deeper into the non-conference slate.
November 10 | vs Stephen F. Austin
Longwood’s biggest challenge is going to get student’s excited about the names on the schedule, but make no mistake this is Longwood’s best non-conference slate EVER.
It starts with a Friday night tip against Southland power Stephen F. Austin. The Lumberjacks have been to the NCAA Tournament three out of the last four years. Last season they went 18–15 and made the CIT at the end of the year. Longwood nearly knocked them off in Nacogdoches last season in a 66–60 game where Isaiah Walton posted 15 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 steals.
An opening night win over SFA would be a huge confidence boost for this program.
November 14 | vs Columbia
Last time Longwood matched up with the Lions was two seasons ago in New York City when the Lancers upset the Ivy League power 70–69. The win was the highest rated in Longwood history and hopefully the remaining Columbia players have forgotten about it.
Columbia went 11–16 last year, the first under head coach Jim Engles. Engles will be no stranger to Willett Hall visiting multiple times as the head man at NJIT.
This should be a pretty even match up and a great opportunity for Longwood.
November 18 | St. Francis (PA)
Speaking of even match ups… the Red Flash of St. Francis come to town on November 18. Longwood played really poorly against the NEC squad last year, losing 87–72 in Loretto. Thankfully, this Longwood team should be a lot more solid and many of the contributing pieces for St. Francis have moved on via graduation or transfer.
St. Francis finished last season 17–17 and made it to the second round of the CIT. This is a quality program making their way to Willett.
November 21 | at UNC Greensboro
Longwood last played the Spartans two seasons ago beating them 81–79 in overtime on a neutral court. Since then Wes Miller’s squad had a breakout season last year going 25–10 and making it to the Southern Conference finals and the NIT. A lot of the key contributors from last year’s squad have moved on, but this will still be a tough road match up for the Lancers.
November 22 | vs Delaware
The team will stay in Greensboro another night for the UNCG Tournament and face CAA foe Delaware. The Blue Hens went 13–20 last year under first year head coach Martin Inglesby. The roster is still a little strange this year and this will be a good match up for LU.
November 26-Dec 2 | vs Non-D1s
After the trip to Greensboro, Longwood will come home to play three straight non-Division I teams in North Carolina Wesleyan, Bluefield State, and Fayetteville State. None of these teams were particularly good last season at their respective levels and this is a great opportunity for Longwood to build a little confidence heading into a tough December slate.
December 9 | at VMI
Longwood’s best chance at grabbing a road win is the December 9 trip to Lexington. The Keydets went 6–24 last season, the second under head coach Dan Earl. This year’s squad has eight freshman and four sophomores.
December 13 | at Illinois
The first of Longwood’s Power 5 match ups will come in Champagne against Illinois and first year head coach Brad Underwood. Jayson Gee will be familiar with Underwood’s style of play after matching up with his former team, Stephen F. Austin two years in a row.
The Illini were 20–15 last year and made it to the third round of the NIT. Longwood last played them way back in 2004–05 when Illinois made it to the national championship game.
December 16 | vs Cornell
Longwood comes back to Willett for their final non-conference home game to take on their second Ivy League opponent of the year. The Big Red went 8–21 last season and this is definitely a winnable game. The Lancer last met up with them in Las Vegas in 2013, a 84–78 loss for the good guys.
December 19 | at Arizona State
The second Power 5 match up comes against Arizona State. The Sun Devils went 15–18 last year under first year head coach Bobby Hurley. They should be improved this year and a tough Pac12 match up for Longwood.
December 21 | at Grand Canyon
Longwood ventures into one of the most hostile environments in the country right before Christmas for a visit with Thunder Dan and the Antelopes of Grand Canyon. The WAC contenders won 20 last season and will be another tough road match up for Gee’s squad.
