The Arizona State Men's Basketball schedule for the 2010-2011 season has officially been released.
This year the Sun Devils' always-difficult Pac-10 schedule has been augmented by an extremely tough non-conference schedule. Among their nine non-conference opponents, five ended last season with at least twenty wins: New Mexico (30-5), UAB (25-9), Baylor (28-8), Richmond (26-9), Nevada (21-13), and Tulsa (23-12).
In addition, for the first time since the 1989-1990 season, three of these non-conference games will be played on the road, as ASU will compete at New Mexico, Nevada, and Baylor.
To add insult to injury, for the first time since 1992, the Sun Devils will open the season on the road (at New Mexico). The last time that happened ASU lost 108-98 to BYU. Not a good omen. Altogether, in over thirty-two years of Pac-10 action, Arizona State has only opened on the road five times.
As it stands, all signs point to the Sun Devils having a tough road ahead of them if they want to return to the NCAA tournament. Herb Sendek has his work cut out for him.