College basketball coaches often break the season schedule into four quadrants as a way to better manage their team and properly set expectations for their program throughout the year. Those sections include:
- Non-Conference Schedule
- First-Half Conference Schedule
- Second-Half Conference Schedule
- Postseason
Managing a long season that can include as many as 30 games can be grueling.
One of the elements that can provide a challenge is the consistent travel. Some conferences are financially strapped. Most notably is the SWAC, as teams often face long bus travel rather than airplane rides, and many of the games scheduled in the non-conference are buy games against superior competition.
I want to focus in on some of the SWAC travel spots to consider, as many of these teams will likely be gassed at the end of some of these tougher non-conference slates. That will create some nice betting opportunities.
While travel alone doesn't automatically guarantee a play at any number, these spots (below) should be monitored as these teams are already at a talent disadvantage. Adding the travel element can really make life tough on them early in the season, and I believe we'll see some good fade spots early on for these SWAC teams.
Jackson State Tigers
Jackson State is the ultimate road warrior team in college basketball. The Tigers haven't played a home game prior to January 1 in any season since 2020.
The front half of Tigers' schedule is consistently filled with road or neutral games, and this year is no different. The Tigers' first 13 games consist of 12 games away from home. They'll get a home game against Winthrop on November 23, but the Tigers also have some wild travel situations.
- Saturday, November 15: Louisiana Tech
- Wednesday, November 19: Auburn
- Friday, November 21: Arkansas
This last spot is the one to circle, as I'll be fading Jackson State against Arkansas.
The Tigers will assuredly bus to Louisiana Tech and they'll hit the road for Auburn from Ruston. From there, it's a quick travel turnaround before having to be in Fayetteville, Arkansas, on a Friday night. This contest against the Razorbacks will be their third in six days, all on the road.
Note: Doubling back for the Sunday home game against Winthrop will also not be easy.
Alabama State Hornets
The Hornets square off against Florida State and UAB on the road before a home date with non-Division-I UVA-Lynchburg.
After that, the Hornets travel to Colorado, where they'll play four consecutive games in six days, all at elevation.
- Monday, November 17: Colorado
- Wednesday, November 19: Air Force
- Friday, November 21: IU Indianapolis
- Sunday, November 23: SIU Edwardsville
It's very hard to imagine this team having anything left in the tank after its second game during this stretch. Plus, IU Indianapolis is seeking to ramp up the pace significantly this season, so the Hornets may get gassed quickly.
This stretch is brutal, and at the end of it, Alabama State hits the road to New Mexico before a much-needed Thanksgiving break. I'm going to seek to fade Alabama State in these games.
Alcorn State Braves
The Braves' first 15 games are on the road this season. Alcorn State doesn’t play a game on its home court until January 17.
This might be the most grueling non-conference slate any SWAC team will face this season.
Some of the tricky spots include five games in a nine-day stretch:
- Tuesday, November 4: Florida State
- Thursday, November 6: South Alabama
- Saturday, November 8: Minnesota
- Tuesday, November 11: Maryland
- Thursday, November 13: Howard
The travel will start in Tallahassee, Florida, and end in Washington D.C., with trips to Mobile, Alabama, Minneapolis, Minnesota, and College Park, Maryland.
This is a brutal stretch of either being on the bus or in and out of airports, while consistently facing teams that are going to beat you by 20+ points.
Alcorn State will play 10 games in the first 30 days of this season, but the next 30-day stretch will consist of just two matchups.
I'll look to fade this team (number permitting) when it plays Minnesota, Maryland and Howard.
With LSU, Oklahoma and Iowa State on the slate in the first 30 days, we could see this team gassed and getting run out of the gym on the frequent.
Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions
This is the last team that I'll talk about, as these Golden Lions will play their first 11 games on the road.
Arkansas-Pine Bluff starts its season out on the West Coast, with three games in three different states during a five day stretch.
- Monday, November 3: Washington
- Thursday, November 6: Portland
- Saturday, November 8: Loyola Marymount
Going from Seattle to Portland to Los Angeles is really going to be taxing, and after doubling back home following this trip, Arkansas-Pine Bluff goes on a road trip at Oklahoma on Tuesday, November 11. I'll certainly be looking to fade Arkansas-Pine Bluff against Loyola Marymount.
There's another block of games that involve significant travel for the Golden Lions.
- Tuesday, November 18: SMU
- Thursday, November 20: Marshall
- Sunday, November 23: Miami (OH)
This stretch will see the Golden Lions travel from Dallas, Texas, to Huntington, West Virginia, to Oxford, Ohio, and back home before a much needed break.
SMU will push the pace and run hard against these guys, so watch for Pine Bluff to have tired legs against Marshall and Miami (OH).
