ESPN.com released its analysis of the Atlantic 10 men’s basketball non-conference schedules Wednesday, ranking GW’s lineup an eight on a scale of one to 10 of the “toughness” of its opponents.

The match-ups against California, Kansas State, VCU and Syracuse were deemed the most challenging non-conference opponents GW will face. The next-toughest were Detroit and Austin Peay in the CBE Classic and UAB.

The Colonials tied with Temple and were bested only by Xavier, both NCAA tournament teams last season, for the toughness of the teams’ schedule.

The ranking’s analysis said the Colonials “have the players to vie for their first NCAA tournament bid since 2007,” and pointed to the non-conference schedule as one that could help GW’s RPI rating as it looks to return to the tournament. It also pointed to last season’s top scorer for the Colonials, senior guard Tony Taylor, as a key player in the roster.

Number Crunch: 8

The ‘toughness’ ranking, on a scale of one-10, for the men’s basketball program’s upcoming non-conference schedule, according to ESPN.