Little scheduling bits have been dripping out for awhile now, but the full, complete schedule for Maryland's 2009-10 season was finally released today. My first reaction: not that bad.
While the full schedule is below the jump, here are my initial thoughts: first, the most difficult stretch might be the Vandy/Cincy, Maui, Indiana, Villanova streak. Those are four difficult games in a row, a prospect Maryland doesn't see much next year. Second, there is no two-game stretch in which Maryland is expected to face a projected top 6 ACC team in consecutive games. Obviously, this is open to interpretation, but it's not clear-cut. That's different than last year, when Maryland had Duke and BC back to back, as well as a killer Clemson-UNC-Duke trio of games. The potential rebound game in-between tough matchups should help out this year. The schedule could definitely be worse, especially considering they only play UNC once, and it's at home.
Also, Maryland is only guaranteed five games on the ESPN family of networks, though that could balloon to seven should they advance to the Maui finals. Surprisingly, there's a CBS game on the docket - a game against Duke in early February.
To make your own conclusions, check the schedule below (copied from Jeff Barker's copy):
Nov. 3 INDIANA, PA. (Exhibition) 8:00
Nov. 13 CHARLESTON SOUTHERN 8:00 CSN
Nov. 17 FAIRFIELD 8:00 CSN
Nov. 20 NEW HAMPSHIRE 8:00
Nov. 23 at Chaminade (EA Sports Maui Invitational) 9:30 ESPNU
Nov. 24 vs. Cincinnati / Vanderbilt (EA Sports Maui Inv.) 1:30 / 7:00 TBA
Nov. 25 at EA Sports Maui Invitational TBA TBA
Dec. 1 at Indiana (Big 10 / ACC Challenge) 7:30 ESPN2
Dec. 6 vs. Villanova (BB&T Classic, Verizon Center) 7:30 MASN / FSSo
Dec. 12 EASTERN KENTUCKY 4:30 CSN
Dec. 22 WINSTON-SALEM STATE 8:00
Dec. 27 FLORIDA ATLANTIC 2:00
Dec. 30 WILLIAM & MARY 7:30 CSN
Jan. 3 at UNC Greensboro 2:00
Jan. 10 FLORIDA STATE* 5:30 FSN
Jan. 12 at Wake Forest* 8:00 Raycom
Jan. 16 at Boston College* 4:00 Raycom
Jan. 19 LONGWOOD 8:00 --
Jan. 23 NC STATE* 5:00 or 6:00 ESPN2
Jan. 28 MIAMI* 9:00 ESPNU
Jan. 31 at Clemson* 5:30 FSN
Feb. 4 at Florida State* 9:00 Raycom
Feb. 7 NORTH CAROLINA* 2:00 FSN
Feb. 10 VIRGINIA* 7:00 RSN
Feb. 13 at Duke* 1:00
Feb. 17 at NC State* 9:00 RSN
Feb. 20 GEORGIA TECH* 2:00 Raycom
Feb. 24 CLEMSON* 9:00 Raycom
Feb. 27 at Virginia Tech 4:00 Raycom
March 3 DUKE* 9:00
March 6 at Virginia* 1:30 Raycom