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**ABC** · February 22, 2011, 09:31 PM

There really aren't very many home games against BCS games during that time frame.

Lots of neutral. I wonder if games in Seattle are considered neutral?

**wusphlash** · February 22, 2011, 09:33 PM

Originally posted by ABC

There really aren't very many home games against BCS games during that time frame.

Lots of neutral. I wonder if games in Seatllte are considered neutral?

Anything not in Spokane would be neutral.

**dregn** · February 22, 2011, 09:35 PM

One aspect to look at is that Gonzaga can afford to go on the road. They get paid more to play away then they bring in at home playing in a 6k seat areana. The Shockers bring in 250K per game in just ticket sales. Additionally donations to SASO are tied directly to basketball tickets and I know I'd have a harder time swalloing less than 12-14 games (typical # of home gonzaga home games for seasons listed) for $250 donation a seat then the current 17 games.

**dregn** · February 22, 2011, 09:37 PM

Additionally, Gonzaga has 4 more non-conference games they can schedule due to playing in an 8 team conference rather than a 10 team like us. If we could give up 4 conference games and get 2 BCS teams on the road, a neutral game and a home game I'd be up for that.

**wusphlash** · February 22, 2011, 09:40 PM

Originally posted by dregn

One aspect to look at is that Gonzaga can afford to go on the road. They get paid more to play away then they bring in at home playing in a 6k seat areana. The Shockers bring in 250K per game in just ticket sales. Additionally donations to SASO are tied directly to basketball tickets and I know I'd have a harder time swalloing less than 12-14 games (typical # of home gonzaga home games for seasons listed) for $250 donation a seat then the current 17 games.

Only the non-conference home games are in the number at the top. They would still have their regular slate of conference home games.

**dregn** · February 22, 2011, 09:44 PM

Yeah, I saw that, but they only have 7 conference home games.

**XManCometh** · February 22, 2011, 10:23 PM

This is how you build your "mid-major" program up. You either go on the road or play at a neutral site, as no BCS team in their right mind heads into an environment like a "mid-major" gym. Plus, the RPI favors road wins over home wins, which helps your tourny bid. And we all know that more national exposure and more tourny appearances equals better recruits. We have to face the fact that to succeed in college basketball today as a "mid-major" program you have to go on the road. Which we don't do. We'd rather jam the non-con with teams like Chicago State. Bill Snyder style.

**Kung Wu** · February 22, 2011, 11:31 PM

I did the same some time ago.

You are right that that's where every mid-major would like to be, but what is more interesting is _how they got there_. It reads like a drama.

Secret Formula on How to Get Good Teams on Your Schedule

Chapter 1: Ground Zero.

In 1991-92 they had a 20-10 record and didn't make post season play. I don't see any big time schools they played.

In 1992-93 they are 19-9 and don't play anybody noteworthy. Again, no post season tourney.

-- So far you have a team that can win some games, which makes them dangerous. But they are getting no media and no street cred -- so they don't get to schedule up.

Chapter 2: The beginning.

In 1993-94 they go 22 and 8 and make the NIT. Their schedule this year AGAIN has nobody of note on it. But they have a decent win record and make the NIT so they get a little media.

In 1994-95 they go 21 and 9. Even though they lose to Wichita State this year (remember this is mid-90's folks) they make the NCAA. They play nobody of note at all this year, except Maryland in the NCAA.

-- Now they have back to back seasons with 20+ wins, an NIT appearance and an NCAA appearance. They are now getting localized media and the attention of a couple of local coaches in Washington.

Chapter 3: Somebody will play them!

In 1995-96 they are getting enough media and momentum by being in the NCAA that Washington State and Washington are playing them. Not huge, but better non-con than the past 3 years. They make it to the NIT with a 20 and 9 record.

-- At this point they have 3 post seasons in a row, including one NCAA and three 20 plus win seasons (back when that mattered).

Chapter 4: New coach, one bad year, then rebound!

In 1996-97 they go 15-12 and have a fairly crappy schedule save for Washington State. However they also have a new coach and don't have a single Senior on the team. They also only have 3 juniors -- so they get a pass.

In 1997-98 they are "safe" to play again after last year's fiasco and not a single junior returning (so AGAIN they have no seniors this year [and only two juniors]). They have Clemson on the schedule and draw Michigan State in a tourney. They make it to the NIT and get a win over Wyoming, and compile a 24 and 10 record.

-- At this point Gonzaga has been to post season play 4 of the past 5 years. Has a couple conference titles and four of the past 5 years are 20+ win seasons. They are definitely been getting solid media over the past five years and their bounce back is compelling. The media they are getting now is national in scope.

Chapter 5: End game: Cinderella.

In 1998-99 they play Kansas, Memphis, Purdue, Washington State, Detroit, and Washington! They win their conference tourney and get into the NCAA and beat Minnesota, Stanford and Florida -- making it into the Elite Eight. They lose to the national champs, UConn.

-- At this point they have all the media they need to have a strong schedule for the next however many years.

Chapter 6: Final conclusion.

1) When you are starting from the ground up, you have to win a few seasons with nobody good on your schedule -- because nobody is interested in playing you.

2) You have to start making post season appearances so the coaches can hob-knob and the media remembers who you are. At this point your schedule will STILL suck, because now you are dangerous and not known enough to be worth the risk.

3) With some patience and post season successes -- the media starts giving you credibility, the perception of losing to you being the worst fate ever fades, and suddenly you start having success scheduling up.

It took Gonzaga 5 years of momentum building just to get WSU/Wash on their schedule. And 7 years with post season success to get the attention of big time programs.

**60Shock** · February 22, 2011, 11:48 PM

Good breakdown, Kung..

**RoyalShock** · February 23, 2011, 08:58 AM

And now potential opposing coaches are wise to that model. No top-tier BCS coach is gong to schedule a good mid-major who is going to be senior-laden.

Gonzaga patented their model and now no one else can use it.

**wusphlash** · February 23, 2011, 12:56 PM

I doubt, as well, that this very high risk model could be duplicated today. Gonzaga was in a weak WCC conference sitting in eastern Washington playing games that were too late to make the morning papers elsewhere. What did they have to lose?

It required, as dregn noted, the sacrifice of home games early and ultimate patience by the fan base. Would we do that? Would any coach in today's "what have you done for me lately" world risk their job? I doubt it.

What would be the Vegas odds that this plan worked as well as it did?

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