Non-conference scheduling in college basketball is often some mix of art and science, with proportions that often aren’t clear when contracts are signed.
NC State was in an unusually awkward spot last offseason, as Mark Gottfried was at the time happy to rant about at length; the bottom line is that State had a difficult time finding opponents willing to fill out the schedule after the Gott Man pulled another one of his late recruiting rallies.
Loyola-Chicago was one of the schools willing to give the Wolfpack a home game, but that agreement also came with a return trip.