by World-Herald Bureau, World-Herald Bureau , Omaha World-Herald

Eight of NU?s nonconference opponents won at least 18 games last year. A strong field in a pre-Christmas tournament in Las Vegas on Dec. 22 and 23 includes possible preseason Top 25 opponent Tulsa along with perennial postseason participants BYU and Nevada.

?This is going to be a difficult nonconference schedule for us with such a young team,? NU coach Doc Sadler said. ?But we know we need to be tested early and learn how to play together, because it will not get any easier in the conference.??

The Huskers will open against South Carolina Upstate on Nov. 14. On Nov. 21, Nebraska will host Texas Christian at the Devaney Center, the same day the Husker football team takes on Kansas State at Memorial Stadium.

Nebraska visits Creighton on Dec. 6 and hosts Oregon State on Dec. 12.

In Big 12 action, the Huskers will host Oklahoma, Baylor and Texas Tech in addition to home-and-home series with Big 12 North schools. Dates for the conference games will be announced in late July or early August after the television contracts are completed with the league?s broadcast partners.

Sadler said he expects the Big 12 to be tougher than ever.

?From top to bottom, the Big 12 will be the best it?s ever been,?? he said. ?So we need to be ready to play from Day One, and this nonconference schedule will help us get ready for that.?

NU will play exhibition games against Arkansas-Fort Smith on Nov. 6 and Hastings College on Nov. 10.

Ticket renewals for fans who held season tickets last season will be mailed in late July. New ticket packages will go on sale at Huskers.com and the Nebraska athletic ticket office at 8 a.m. on July 27.

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