Great Game! Suprised More Fans Aren't Talking About It!

[Steeleshocker]

As far as scheduling up goes, WSU had by far the highest OOC SOS, if I remember correctly (mid 50s). I think it falls more to the rest of the Valley to schedule tougher. If WSU continues to get a sub 70 OOC SOS, and nobody in the valley is +170, then I think we will be in good shape most years if we get plenty of wins.

On the other hand, if the rest of the valley continues to screw around in the non-con, then we will need to produce a sub 30 OOC SOS.

[The Mad Hatter]

As far as scheduling up goes, WSU had by far the highest OOC SOS, if I remember correctly (mid 50s). I think it falls more to the rest of the Valley to schedule tougher. If WSU continues to get a sub 70 OOC SOS, and nobody in the valley is +170, then I think we will be in good shape most years if we get plenty of wins.

On the other hand, if the rest of the valley continues to screw around in the non-con, then we will need to produce a sub 30 OOC SOS.

Amen. Here is the data, if anyone questions whether the problem is with WSU's scheduling or the rest of the Valley:

http://www.rpiforecast.com/confs/MVC.html

[Shocker Rocker]

The MVC will not be a ball of fire next year, but some teams will certainly be better. I expect a little more breathing room next year, but we will still still to win, win, win.

And some teams will be worse. In your opinion, which ones do you think will improve and which will fall back? Obviously, for some there's no place to go but up . . .

[ShockerFever]

I think the SIU game was the tip of the iceberg, and the VCU game was the sinking ship. It sucks but that's how it's gonna go down.

[SubGod22]

Like most of us I hope we can replace a few of this year's game with better RPIs. Next year's PR Tip Off might turn out to be much better for us than Maui. There is no D-2 host and all the announced teams have a current RPI of less than 100. Two are under 50 with one being in the top 10. All the teams with higher RPI's have good players returning. One team is yet to be announced but with any luck we could face 3 top 100 teams and very possibly a top 50 team or two.

Even if those in charge decide to keep 4 buy games we could upgrade the UMKC slot as that contact has expired. UNLV and Utah State will hopefully be equal or close to what the MVC/MWC and bracketbuster gave of this year. And of course if we perform well we will get another good bracketbuster team.

The MVC will not be a ball of fire next year, but some teams will certainly be better. I expect a little more breathing room next year, but we will still still to win, win, win.

I really wish they'd give up at least one buy game. UMKC doesn't do a lot for us but I don't hate it. It gets us a little more KC recognition. I'd also feel better if we could lock up a few more tournaments soon. We knew about some of them a couple years in advance. But that's not a major thing. Would just feel better is all. Good news is we're known to travel well and that should help keep us in good ones.

I'd still like to see us schedule at least one of: George Mason (20), Xavier (24), ODU (28), UAB (33), Georgia (40), Southern Miss (42), Dayton (55), Marshall (56), Drexel (59), Richmond (61), UCF (68), UTEP (74), Kent St. (85), New Mexico St. (137), Oral Roberts (138), North Texas (155). I'm sure there are others. And some may not be as attractive in the next part. But I'm also not going to look into coaching changes or rosters.

To look at history, here are the teams going back to '05-'06.

George Mason: 158, 51, 62, 119, 27
Xavier: 19, 17, 9, 32, 76
ODU: 27, 103, 133, 37, 66
UAB: 45, 46, 51, 137, 34
Georgia: 106, 192, 97, 58, 107
Southern Miss: 113, 154, 106, 129, 245
Dayton: 54, 27, 30, 71, 185
Marshall: 67, 171, 147, 168, 227
Drexel: 149, 133, 238, 43, 128
Richmond: 25, 129, 121, 272, 205
UCF: 191, 164, 161, 120, 191
UTEP: 38, 85, 114, 211, 78
Kent St.: 47, 137, 25, 87, 48
New Mexico St.: 51, 117, 130, 69, 97
Oral Roberts: 126, 142, 54, 89, 134
North Texas: 104, 126, 141, 126, 201

I'm pretty sure we could arrange some deals with someone on this list. Be it H/H or 2 for 1 or whatever. I know I skipped over some and may go back and look more closely tomorrow or something but something along these lines. We could even go back and look at mid tier BcS types that would maybe be more willing to play.

[tropicalshox]

The MVC will not be a ball of fire next year, but some teams will certainly be better. I expect a little more breathing room next year, but we will still still to win, win, win.

And some teams will be worse. In your opinion, which ones do you think will improve and which will fall back? Obviously, for some there's no place to go but up . . .

Bradley just has to be better! Creighton, Illinois State for sure, and probably Evansville Drake and SIU. Indiana State should remain pretty good. MSU will fall. Hopefully the Shockers will not.

[Downtown Shocker Brown]

Didnt UAB and Mike Davis come up for a buy game a couple years ago?

[tropicalshox]

Didnt UAB and Mike Davis come up for a buy game a couple years ago?

Yes. I don't know if we payed at lot more for them or not. If buy games like that are available, great.

[Smooth007]

Great list subgod. If we substituted North Texas (H&H) and Oral Roberts (H&H) for Chicago State and Alabama A&M our SoS is impacted greatly and we only lose 1 home game. Additionally, I think we have a great chance at winning those games.

[wusphlash]

Like most of us I hope we can replace a few of this year's game with better RPIs. Next year's PR Tip Off might turn out to be much better for us than Maui. There is no D-2 host and all the announced teams have a current RPI of less than 100. Two are under 50 with one being in the top 10. All the teams with higher RPI's have good players returning. One team is yet to be announced but with any luck we could face 3 top 100 teams and very possibly a top 50 team or two.

Even if those in charge decide to keep 4 buy games we could upgrade the UMKC slot as that contact has expired. UNLV and Utah State will hopefully be equal or close to what the MVC/MWC and bracketbuster gave of this year. And of course if we perform well we will get another good bracketbuster team.

The MVC will not be a ball of fire next year, but some teams will certainly be better. I expect a little more breathing room next year, but we will still still to win, win, win.

I really wish they'd give up at least one buy game. UMKC doesn't do a lot for us but I don't hate it. It gets us a little more KC recognition. I'd also feel better if we could lock up a few more tournaments soon. We knew about some of them a couple years in advance. But that's not a major thing. Would just feel better is all. Good news is we're known to travel well and that should help keep us in good ones.

I'd still like to see us schedule at least one of: George Mason (20), Xavier (24), ODU (28), UAB (33), Georgia (40), Southern Miss (42), Dayton (55), Marshall (56), Drexel (59), Richmond (61), UCF (68), UTEP (74), Kent St. (85), New Mexico St. (137), Oral Roberts (138), North Texas (155). I'm sure there are others. And some may not be as attractive in the next part. But I'm also not going to look into coaching changes or rosters.

To look at history, here are the teams going back to '05-'06.

George Mason: 158, 51, 62, 119, 27
Xavier: 19, 17, 9, 32, 76
ODU: 27, 103, 133, 37, 66
UAB: 45, 46, 51, 137, 34
Georgia: 106, 192, 97, 58, 107
Southern Miss: 113, 154, 106, 129, 245
Dayton: 54, 27, 30, 71, 185
Marshall: 67, 171, 147, 168, 227
Drexel: 149, 133, 238, 43, 128
Richmond: 25, 129, 121, 272, 205
UCF: 191, 164, 161, 120, 191
UTEP: 38, 85, 114, 211, 78
Kent St.: 47, 137, 25, 87, 48
New Mexico St.: 51, 117, 130, 69, 97
Oral Roberts: 126, 142, 54, 89, 134
North Texas: 104, 126, 141, 126, 201

I'm pretty sure we could arrange some deals with someone on this list. Be it H/H or 2 for 1 or whatever. I know I skipped over some and may go back and look more closely tomorrow or something but something along these lines. We could even go back and look at mid tier BcS types that would maybe be more willing to play.

For anybody that doesn't think there is a little bit of luck involved in scheduling, note some of the year to year movement. You schedule Richmond when they are 25 and by the time we play them their in the 200's. Kinda like LSU. This is a list of pretty good opponents but it shows that crystal balls are needed for a sure thing.

[pinstripers]

Last night's game was not a great game by any yardstick. Not at all.

We do not need to schedule up. Not that it would hurt, but the main problem is that the other Valley members need to schedule better, Elgin needs to be actively looking to replace a few of the league weak sisters.

Indy St, CU, and Drake will all be greatly improved next season. Creighton will be the pre-season favorite to win the Valley.

[Aargh]

I don't mind the series with UMKC. It's local and it seems UMKC is slowly improving. We have something to lose and not much to gain in that series, but unlike BCS fans, I don't mind my team taking a bit of a risk for a road game that can attract some WSU fans to another venue.

I wouldn't mind a series with North Texas. They seem to be going after decent recruits and seem to be going in the right direction. North Texas is also one of the closest non-BCS D-1 Schools.

[AZ Shocker]

Last night's game was not a great game by any yardstick. Not at all.

A good entertaining tv game it was. I mean I'm here at a Phoenix area sportsbar and people who didn't care who won were glued to the tv. Just adding from an out-of-state perspective. Thought some of locals would like to know that. :good:

[SubGod22]

We do not need to schedule up. Not that it would hurt, but the main problem is that the other Valley members need to schedule better, Elgin needs to be actively looking to replace a few of the league weak sisters.

First part is true but I don't think we can rely on the rest of the league at this point. The 2nd part just isn't going to happen.

And yes, there is some gamble, but if I'd had more time I could have went thru a lot more teams and you can make a pretty educated guess of who will and won't be good. And it's not like we have to schedule nothing but top 50 types. As I've said, just replacing the 250+ types with those in the 100-200 range will help some. And I wouldn't have a problem with the Shox going on the road to some of those schools. Especially if they're located in Texas or the South or somewhere else we recruit. Some of the schools would probably accept a 2-1 deal. A H/H with some wouldn't kill us and only helps the team more through competition and resume building.

From a fan standpoint, the games would be more exciting just because the competition is better. Some of the names might not impress the average fan at all, but neither does Alcorn St., Alabama A&M and Chicago St.

[ShockRef]

Sub brings up some good points and I'll go a bit farther.

The Syracuse's and Cincinnati's of the world can schedule the Utah Valley, Centenary's and SWAC's of the world because the league schedule will do more than enough to raise the RPI to eye catching levels.

Competing in The Valley (especially this years version) magnifies the SWAC non-league games when submitting your bid to the Dance Team Board.

In other words, be justified in your contention if you really want to be included. If your league schedule doesn't merit consideration, at least show you tried to put your best foot forward.

Alabama A&M, Texas Southern & Nicholls may have made the school some quick money, but at what price if you are really trying to be the next Gonzaga? 8)