The MVC Report - Northern Iowa Panthers preview

by **MVCfans** » October 13th, 2011, 6:01 am

My preview for UNI was added to The MVC Report this morning.

The MVC Report - Northern Iowa Panthers Preview

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by **Pinkie** » October 13th, 2011, 6:51 am

One correction:

The low - Doug McDermott deciding to attend Creighton instead of UNI.

by **2livewu** » October 13th, 2011, 10:03 am

Good review. I am hopeful that this class will show the fruits of the 08-09 & 09-10 labor of the Panther program. They need some new talent to rebuild what has been lost and to stay competitive outside the conference.

I have to take a stance against the comment "......and this is probably the best non-conference slate in the Valley this year".

Seriously? It might be the most even non-conference schedule (and maybe that's the MVC criteria for best.....most even=best) but I don't know how you came up with "best" or frankly anywhere near best.

by **valleychamp** » October 13th, 2011, 11:45 am

ODU, St Marys, Milwaukee, Ohio, Providence, Iowa, Iowa State, Colorado St. That is a really good slate of non-con games.

I don't know everybody else's schedules off hand, but if you can fine one that is definitely better than that one, feel free to post it.

by **2livewu** » October 13th, 2011, 1:34 pm

valleychamp wrote:ODU, St Marys, Milwaukee, Ohio, Providence, Iowa, Iowa State, Colorado St. That is a really good slate of non-con games.

I don't know everybody else's schedules off hand, but if you can fine one that is definitely better than that one, feel free to post it.

1)Bradley:

@ Michigan, @ Drexel, @ George Washington, Wisconsin (N), Wofford, BYU or Nevada (N), @ Wyoming, UMKC

Nobody on UNI's schedule comes close to Wisconsin or Michigan.

by **MVCfans** » October 13th, 2011, 1:38 pm

2livewu wrote:Good review. I am hopeful that this class will show the fruits of the 08-09 & 09-10 labor of the Panther program. They need some new talent to rebuild what has been lost and to stay competitive outside the conference.

I have to take a stance against the comment "......and this is probably the best non-conference slate in the Valley this year".

Seriously? It might be the most even non-conference schedule (and maybe that's the MVC criteria for best.....most even=best) but I don't know how you came up with "best" or frankly anywhere near best.

I'll listen to the argument that Bradley's schedule is better. But from a fan standpoint, I'd bet UNI fans are happier than Bradley fans because they get some of these games at home. Bradley doesn't really play any of the "interesting" non-conference games in Peoria. For that reason as well, UNI's might be the best.

by **2livewu** » October 13th, 2011, 1:41 pm

valleychamp wrote:ODU, St Marys, Milwaukee, Ohio, Providence, Iowa, Iowa State, Colorado St. That is a really good slate of non-con games.

I don't know everybody else's schedules off hand, but if you can fine one that is definitely better than that one, feel free to post it.

2. Wichita State

Colorado (N), Maryland or Alabama (N), Purdue, Temple, Iona or W. Michigan (N), UNLV, UAB, Utah State, @ Tulsa, Charleston Southern

I don't know how anyone can possibly think UNI's schedule is better than WSU's. It defies logic.

by **unipanther99** » October 13th, 2011, 1:42 pm

I agree with the comment about the home games. It makes some of those games that much more winnable. Playing tougher opponents doesn't really make for a better schedule if you end up losing all of those games (not saying Bradley will lose all of the games mentioned, but Wisconsin and Michigan are probably a stretch).

by **2livewu** » October 13th, 2011, 1:43 pm

MVCfans wrote:
2livewu wrote:Good review. I am hopeful that this class will show the fruits of the 08-09 & 09-10 labor of the Panther program. They need some new talent to rebuild what has been lost and to stay competitive outside the conference.

I have to take a stance against the comment "......and this is probably the best non-conference slate in the Valley this year".

Seriously? It might be the most even non-conference schedule (and maybe that's the MVC criteria for best.....most even=best) but I don't know how you came up with "best" or frankly anywhere near best.

I'll listen to the argument that Bradley's schedule is better. But from a fan standpoint, I'd bet UNI fans are happier than Bradley fans because they get some of these games at home. Bradley doesn't really play any of the "interesting" non-conference games in Peoria. For that reason as well, UNI's might be the best.

Okay, so the criteria for "best schedule" is now going to be whose fan base is most satisfied with who they get to play where......got it.

Unreal. :bs:

by **2livewu** » October 13th, 2011, 1:49 pm

Let me just say that the vast majority of Valley teams need to play tougher schedules, no matter where they go to play them, and that includes WSU.

Too many soft schedules is the primary cause of no at larges. Our better teams are getting punished for the weak sisters in the league.

If you can't win some games, at least play a tougher schedule.