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Chris20 wrote:I don't expect us to get much preseason love. We need to storm out of the blocks next year to start getting some attention. I think we will.

I agree. But it is hard to "storm" with our OOC schedule. That's the problem. The team has outgrown the training wheels schedule many people said was necessary two seasons ago. Should have been upgraded this year and definitely next. The MAC nonsense doesn't help.

The MAC "nonsense" only is an issue because the rest of our OOC sucks. It never hindered Temple. But we had better do something big to get it better. We cannot allow our OOC to be the reason we just miss the tournament next year, this team is too good for that to be allowed to happen.

The reason the OOC schedule sucks is because of long term contracts. After three years of 12-18, 12-20, and 15-15, I am not sure anyone expected us to change the offense and go 25-12. Seeing the effect of this year may take a year or two more of building the programs name value, but it will get better year after year as old contracts expire and new ones are negotiated.

I'm well aware why it sucks, and I'm well aware that it needs to change ASAP. How that happens is up to the department, but we CANNOT play another OOC like we did this year.

The OOC schedule could really turn out to be a killer come next selection Sunday. We obviously saw what happened to Drexel. Who knows how it will wind up shaking out, but we could be looking at the necessity of going something like 24-7 in the regular season to be a legitimate contender. Then again it won't matter after we cut down the nets in Brooklyn.

^

That's my point. We could have a great season and have it be all for nothing if we get knocked off in the A-10 tournament. As BT said in the other thread, it looks as if we can add either 1 game AND an exempt tournament, OR add 3 games. Plenty of opportunity to play a few more quality opponents.

We'll be in a tournament.

And it's not unreasonable to think some teams we play will be better than last year....BC for example at home, Siena and Northeastern on the road.

We're going to have a better schedule than Drexel last year.....the question is, how much better? We'll be okay if a couple teams improve and we get a decent tournament draw.

A better URI team will help, too....they were a heavy anchor last year.

I know these are kind of pointless, thought I'd throw it out there. At least we are getting some love nationally

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1120 ... -68/page/7

Oh I have no doubt that our schedule overall will be better than Drexel's... the conference alone seals that deal.

Hopefully your thoughts on BC, Siena, NU and URI come true. That would be a big boost, especially BC because of the ACC connection.

Me too!

BC and URI honestly HAVE to get better....I just hope it's somewhat significant improvement.

Ron Burgundy wrote:I know these are kind of pointless, thought I'd throw it out there. At least we are getting some love nationally

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1120 ... -68/page/7

That now makes two publications who have given us some respect. CollegeHoops.net gave us the #42 RPI in their 2012-2013 predictions.

Nice to see...but another in a long line of lazy national opinions on the A10. Including Lasalle and omitting St. Louis is ridiculous. Moreso the omission of Saint Louis.

Ron Burgundy wrote:I know these are kind of pointless, thought I'd throw it out there.

If they mention us, they're worth throwing out there . . . then they're worth throwing out. This kind of stuff is just riding the tails of the season that ended less than 24 hours ago. If they post this in another week, sports fans' minds are already focusing on the young baseball season.

IV your concerns regarding the schedule are well justified. We have an NCAA tournament potential team with a minor league out of conference schedule that will greatly hamper our ability to get an at large berth.

Talk to McCutcheon and voice your concerns. I have and will be doing more shortly. This schedule needs to be upgraded or we will find ourselves back in the NIT.

Many people are hyping Miami as an ACC contender next season. Hope that comes to fruition. That is going to be a huge home game for the team and the students are going to come out in droves.