Non-Conference Scheduling

by **wildjays** » October 3rd, 2011, 3:00 pm

I don't know if you all saw the post by Ken Pomeroy earlier this summer on his ScheduleMatic idea for scheduling the first week of the NCAA hoops season, but I thought is was pretty interesting and tried to take the idea a little farther by adding a bit of a twist (with a little extra information from him) and then comparing the fantasy versus the reality of what the first four games (minus the MTE/Tourney generated games) of the season would look like for each Valley team.

http://whiteandbluereview.com/?p=14011

This is the first of a three part series we are working on regarding non-conference scheduling. see what you think.

**Sponsor**

by **shockalot** » October 5th, 2011, 8:35 pm

I noticed that CU and WSU have three common non-con opponents this year, which is a little unusual. They are Tulsa, Chicago State, and UAB. These might make for interesting comparison markers for early in the season. I noted that MSU also plays Tulsa again this year, another interesting comparison matchup.

by **shock** » October 6th, 2011, 8:11 am

WSU also plays Newman... :Bam:

by **bigdawg** » October 6th, 2011, 10:31 am

It's a cool idea but will never happen because there's no incentive for the big schools to do it? Hell, Syracuse doesn't play a road out of conference game most years so why would change to make us happy?

by **wildjays** » October 11th, 2011, 1:28 pm

Here's Part II of my non-conference scheduling series: Scheduling a non D-1 school or a team with a 200+ RPI?

Some data to help fuel the discussion.

http://whiteandbluereview.com/?p=14162

by **RoyalShock** » October 13th, 2011, 1:41 pm

wildjays wrote:Here's Part II of my non-conference scheduling series: Scheduling a non D-1 school or a team with a 200+ RPI?

Some data to help fuel the discussion.

http://whiteandbluereview.com/?p=14162

That was a good column and fairly well supported in terms of applying the opinion to the whole of NCAA D1 basketball. But I have to disagree to an extent, at least as it applies to WSU of late.

The Shocks recently had Alcorn St. and a smattering of other similar schools on their schedule. Not all 250+ RPI schools have this trait, but many of them play an awful brand of basketball - usually athletic, but often undisciplined, poorly coached with poor defense. These games are 30+ point blowouts that do nothing to prepare a team for MVC, let alone NCAA tournament competition. However, when you have a non-D1 school in your vacinity (like Emporia St, Fort Hays St., Washburn, Newman) that is well-coached and disciplined, they are likely to be a better opponent.

If Marshall has a game every year where his choices are Alcorn, MD-Eastern Shore or Alabama A&M against Newman or Emporia St, I'll take the latter two every single year.

- Better competition
- Much less payout, presumably
- No RPI hit (it's arguable how much this matters, though)
- Helps out a local school

There are some 250+ RPI teams that will still give you better competition, like UMKC or North Dakota State. They are preferable to the non-D1s.

But on a case-by-case basis I see no problem replacing one game you know is going to be virtually worthless for your team (but expensive to bring them there) with a worthy, must less costly opponent.

by **unipanther99** » October 13th, 2011, 1:57 pm

I will disagree as well. You mentioned fan interest. I would argue that UNI fans would much rather see a game against Loras, Wartburg, Coe, or Upper Iowa than they would some low-major D-1 program from halfway across the country.

The guarantee amount for these games is usually substantially less than low-major D-1 and when the attendance is going to be about the same or better anyway, you come out ahead financially.

Also, UNI has traditionally scheduled it's non-D1 game around finals week or the holiday break. Essentially it does serve as another exhibition game, allowing for a final tune-up heading into the conference schedule.

For those reasons combined with the already mentioned RPI boat anchor issue, I support the decision to schedule ONE non D1 game each season.

by **Haha** » October 13th, 2011, 4:46 pm

unipanther99 wrote:Upper Iowa

Hold everything!

Is Upper Iowa south or north of Northern Iowa?

by **DoubleJayAlum** » October 14th, 2011, 6:37 am

unipanther99 wrote:I will disagree as well. You mentioned fan interest. I would argue that UNI fans would much rather see a game against Loras, Wartburg, Coe, or Upper Iowa than they would some low-major D-1 program from halfway across the country.

If you are talking SWAC or MEAC, I understand. Outside of that though, if people would rather see a D2 team, I find that rather perplexing.

True fans go to see their team play, not the opponent. You learn a lot about the true loyalty of your fan base when the opponent is lackluster.

What I don't understand about some MVC schools is why they have such a low percentage of the student body attending games. Small schools like Creighton, Drake, Evansville and Bradley only have around 5K-7K students. The schools with enrollment of 2, 3 or even 4 or 5 times this should be getting student attendance of at least 5000 alone.

by **Born2Shock** » October 14th, 2011, 6:58 am

DoubleJayAlum wrote:
unipanther99 wrote:I will disagree as well. You mentioned fan interest. I would argue that UNI fans would much rather see a game against Loras, Wartburg, Coe, or Upper Iowa than they would some low-major D-1 program from halfway across the country.

If you are talking SWAC or MEAC, I understand. Outside of that though, if people would rather see a D2 team, I find that rather perplexing.

True fans go to see their team play, not the opponent. You learn a lot about the true loyalty of your fan base when the opponent is lackluster.

What I don't understand about some MVC schools is why they have such a low percentage of the student body attending games. Small schools like Creighton, Drake, Evansville and Bradley only have around 5K-7K students. The schools with enrollment of 2, 3 or even 4 or 5 times this should be getting student attendance of at least 5000 alone.

Who the heck has a 5000 seat student section? Half, HALF!!! of the teams didnt even average 5000 total fans for home games last year.

ATTENDANCE Home Avg
Bradley 16-135148 8447
Creighton 22-297161 13507
Drake 15-63456 4230
Evansville 16-78553 4910
Illinois State 18-83441 4636
Indiana State 13-72822 5602
Missouri State 17-129118 7595
Northern Iowa 18-85814 4767
Southern Illinois 16-67008 4188
Wichita State 18-187711 10428

http://www.mvc.org/mbb/stats/CONFLDRS.HTM