Big Ten announces move to 20-game conference schedule
Beginning in 2018-19, the Big Ten will move to a 20-game conference schedule in men's basketball, effectively protecting Purdue's rivalry with Indiana and assuring the two schools will meet twice annually.
The Big Ten announced the widely expected move Thursday, as its media day in New York City was set to begin.
Purdue and IU are set to play just once this season, for the final time, as it turns out.
From the Big Ten's release ...
Under the new men’s format, teams will play seven opponents twice and six teams once (three home, three away) in a given season. The three in-state rivalries – Illinois/Northwestern, Indiana/Purdue and Michigan/Michigan State – will be played twice annually, while the new schedule will also include a regional component to increase the frequency of games among teams in similar areas. Over the course of a six-year cycle (12 playing opportunities), in-state rivals will play each other 12 times, regional opponents will play 10 times, and all other teams will play nine times.
The league also announced a move to an 18-game schedule in women's basketball.
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