PretzelDawg wrote:Is ISU really playing a home-and-home with Northwestern State, or is this a typo?
Unfortunately, not a typo. Here's an article providing some rational behind the schedule. Pedon prioritized building a roster over getting the schedule set for year 1. So, instead of trying to find another game for '22, getting through the H/H this year opens up two slots for the '23 season. He mentions this year's schedule is not indicitive of his scheduling philosophy moving forward.
He also wanted to challenge the guys with back to back road games with a quick turn. At EIU on the 10th and down to NW State on the 12. Quick turn, will have to study up. MTE/MVC Tournament type of turnaround.
https://pantagraph.com/sports/college/illinois-state/illinois-states-basketball-team-faces-western-illinois-on-nov-7-in-ryan-pedons-first-game/article_054898c8-1f07-11ed-bbd9-a78634327bbf.html#tracking-source=home-top-storySIUE is a buy game. Chicago State should be the end of a series Muller put together. There may be one more game @Chicago State, though. I'm assuming EIU and WIU are probably H/H. Eastern Michigan is the return game from last year and Ball State is a one off neutral site game, though the Birds did have a H/H with them the last two seasons.
So, for '23 we're likely looking at
@WIU
@Chicago St.
EIU
So, Pedon will have more flexibility with the '23 schedule.