Interesting number on teams hitting the 20 game benchmark last year, thanks. This translates to 35%. I wonder if the percentage of teams hitting 20 or more wins is higher or lower than historical trends.I agree that 20 wins doesn't seem to be the same as it used to be, but I don't know if the overall percentage of teams hitting that mark is more or less.

We can look back at Ohio's records and per the athletic department stats, I found 15 of our teams which hit 20 wins on the season. Two did it in the 1960s, none in the 1970s, 4 in the 1980s, 3 in the 1990s, 2 in the 2000s and 4 in the 2010s. Thirteen of the 15 participated in a post season tournament -- 8 NCAA, 3 NIT, 1 CBI, 1 CIT.

I also looked at which game in the season the team won the 20th game. For the most part, the teams considered among our best did it sooner, regardless of number of regular season games played. The 2009-10 team is an outlier -- having finished 17-14 in the regular season, but winning the league tournament and an NCAA game. Here's the data going from fewest to most games it took to get there:

24 games

1969-70 -- 20-4 regular season, 20-5 overall. Lost in NCAA first round.
2011-12 -- 24-7 regular season, 29-8 overall. Lost in NCAA Sweet 16.

25 games

1963-64 - 19-5 regular season, 21-6 overall. Lost in NCAA Elite 8.

26 games

1984-85 -- 20-7 regular season, 22-8 overall. Lost in NCAA first round.
1985-86 -- 21-6 regular season, 22-8 overall. Lost in NIT first round.
2012-13 -- 23-8 regular season, 24-10 overall. Lost in NIT first round.

27 games

1982-83 -- 19-8 regular season, 23-9 overall. Lost in NCAA second round.
1983-84 -- 20-7 regular season, 20-8 overall. No postseason.
1993-94 -- 22-7 regular season, 23-8 overall. Lost in NCAA first round.
1994-95 -- 22-8 regular season, 24-10 overall. Lost in NIT second round.

30 games

2004-05 -- 18-10 regular season; 21-11 overall. Lost in NCAA first round.
2014-15 -- 21-10 regular season, 25-12 overall. Lost in CIT quarterfinals.

32 games

1999-00 -- 18-12 regular season, 20-13 overall. No postseason.
2007-08 -- 19-11 regular season, 20-13 overall. Lost in CBI second round.

34 games

2009-10 -- 17-14 regular season; 22-15 overall. Lost in NCAA second round


We've had seven other teams play in the NCAA/NIT. Here are those teams regular season/overall records: 1940-41 (16-3/18-4), 1959-60 (15-7/16-8), 1960-61 (17-6/17/7), 1964-65 (18-6/19-7), 1968-69 (16-8/17-9), 1971-72 (15-10/15-11) and 1973-74 (16-10/16-11)

Edit: typo in 73/74 regular season record.

Agree. That's what I searched for initially, but couldn't find. I have a mathlete home for winter break from Ohio who could easily calculate and figure out data trends if the information was out there. Absent that, I looked at Ohio's available data.

wWow - what a great link Ted! Numbers, numbers everywhere. This reminds me of a book I got for Christmas when I was 11 (1966)- Great American Athletes of the 20th Century. I still have that book on the bookshelf.

Thanks! Great link. I found a way to pull season-to-season overall records for all of D-1. That'll work.

That is enthralling looking at those numbers going from mid 60s to mid 90s. Given that the Gazelle group started the CBI in 08 it does not quite jive with the 07 jump. The CBI only took 16 teams advancing 8 one more win and 4 2 more wins etc. That does not account for the 06 and 07 jump that is sustained at almost 30 more. I suspect the scheduling and a general move across the NCAA to cupcake scheduling in early season becoming more prevalent is more the case.

As an unrelated aside the Gazelle group also tied CBI participation to the next year scheduling for example in 08 -09 being tied to the Louisville, Indiana State, Lamar weekend where all 4 were tied to each other...

I know about the schedule and the horrible non-con opponents, but after 10-20, I will completely take 9-3, even if it's against nine D-3 teams. I have to think that we can win 11 games in the conference with 7 losses. 2 against balls, 2 Miami, 2 bg, 1 kent, 1 akron, 1 eastern, 1 buffalo, 1 either western or central and a wild card game..perhaps even 12-6....I know we can do it. This last game was against a team that could win the big west.

Not doubting 20

Prior to the 2006-7 season teams were limited to 28 games which included tournament games (Great Alaska Shootout, Paradise Jam, preseason NIT, etc.). Then a team could only play in 2 tournaments in a four year period. Since 2006-7, teams could play 29 regular season or 27 regular season games plus a max. of 4 tournament games or a max. of 31 games. Plus, teams could play in these extra tournaments every year. Conference and post season tournament are not counted in the max., obviously. So these tournaments could easily add up to 4 victories to a team's total before conference and other post season tournaments.

Looking at winning percentages are probably more important than 20 wins e.g. using only regular season: 20 of 24 games = 83.3%, 20 of 28 games = 71.4%, 20 of 31 games = 64.5% (ugh!). I think a better level for the bar these days is 75% or 23 regular season games. Post season tournaments are gravy or bragging points. But that begs the question, is it better to make the sweet 16 or win one of the other post season tournaments?
Dan

8 home games remaining: BG, WMU, Kent, Akron, NIU, EMU, Fiami, Buffalo. I see very little chance we sweep those games 8-0. I see most likely 6-2 in those games, and that may be pushing it.

8 Away games remaining: Kent, CMU, Toledo, Ball, Buffalo, BG, Akron, Fiami. If 6-2 is the home mark in the final 8, we need to pull out 4 of these on the road. Sorry guys, just don't see it happening.

I'll stick by my prediction of 18 total wins before the MAC tourney.

Yes I am doubting 20 wins.

YOu kidding? Can't imagine. 1 sr 4 jrs and the rest underclassmen with 6 frosh on the roster. I would say your statement is totally true....and fairly predictable with any club of that make up.

well not totally. we weren't up 58

This board is a wind sock.