The Big Ten conference has revealed the upcoming schedule for the 2024-25 men’s basketball season, marking the debut of newcomers USC, UCLA, Oregon, and Washington in the league.
In a bid to accommodate the expanded lineup, each of the 18 teams will engage in 20 conference games, with specific dates set to be announced at a later time.
A notable feature of the schedule is that USC and UCLA are embarking on road trips to face the Big Ten’s easternmost schools. Both teams are slated to play two away games each against Rutgers and Maryland, presenting a challenging test for the West Coast competitors in unfamiliar territory.
Similarly, Oregon and Washington will undertake cross-country journeys for their matchups, with each team set to make one road trip to the Big Ten’s eastern outposts. Penn State will host both Oregon and Washington, adding an element of geographical diversity to the conference matchups.
In a nod to their shared history, the former Pac-12 rivals USC and UCLA are scheduled to face off twice during the season, fostering renewed competition between the now-conference adversaries.
This arrangement ensures that the traditional rivalry between the two West Coast powerhouses remains intact despite their transition to the Big Ten.
Additionally, the remaining 14 teams in the conference will also partake in road trips to the West Coast, with each team slated to play two away games against schools from the Pacific region. This balanced approach aims to foster geographical diversity and equitable competition across the conference.
As defending Big Ten regular-season champions, Purdue will face its own set of challenges in the upcoming season. The Boilermakers are scheduled to set on road trips to Washington and Oregon while also hosting UCLA and USC at home, setting the stage for thrilling matchups against formidable opponents.
