It’s unlikely Missouri coach Cuonzo Martin relies on a strict recipe for crafting a non-conference schedule. Usually, there are three staples—a multi-team event, the SEC-Big 12 Challenge, and the annual Braggin’ Rights showdown in St. Louis. Yet, those alone can make up six games and almost half the slate.
Over Martin’s first three seasons on the job, it was easy to discern how MU would fill out its remaining slots.
Typically, there would be a couple of quality home-and-homes against a foe from the American Athletic Conference, such as Temple, UCF, or Wichita State. While Utah delayed its return leg to Columbia, MU set up a high-major arrangement with Xavier.