Bobcat Attack - Ohio Basketball - Half Way Point Status Report

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Topic: Half Way Point Status Report

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OU_Country

1/22/2016 10:42 AM

Brian Smith wrote:expand_more

Looking back at old schedules. 2011-2012 was an interesting year, given where the team ended up. Clearly, it was challenging enough to test the Bobcats for the postseason. A Sweet 16 trip proves that. Very tough road schedule and pretty soft home schedule.

Home games against UT Martin, Lamar, Arkansas St., Morgan St., Marietta, N.C. A&T, Kennesaw St., Robert Morris, UNC Asheville

Road games at Louisville, Marshall, Oakland, Portland, Wright St., N. Iowa

This is the kind of road schedule I'd like to see again moving forward. Maybe a couple upgrades on the home slate from this.

I agree with VAN on minimizing the MEAC, SWAC type teams that are in the bottom RPI conferences. Pop one of those in the schedule for the first game after finals and leave it at that. Regarding Marshall, they aren't an RPI drag this year right now - somewhere around 140 - so at least they're in the top half.

Brian, the only thing I'd say with the 11-12 schedule is that most of the schools in there were top of their leagues if I recall. I wonder how good those leagues themselves were?

I like the idea of playing the Horizon, MVC, even the OVC because of proximity for travel for fans. I know the OVC isn't a high RPI conference, but I'd rather see EKU or Murray State than an Arkansas PB or the like.

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GoCats105

1/22/2016 11:28 AM

OU_Country wrote:expand_more

Brian Smith wrote:expand_more

Brian, the only thing I'd say with the 11-12 schedule is that most of the schools in there were top of their leagues if I recall. I wonder how good those leagues themselves were?

Not sure about the leagues, but only UNC Asheville, Lamar and Louisville made the tournament that year of those teams. Surprisingly Robert Morris and UNI did not.

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OhioCatFan

1/22/2016 12:21 PM

bigtillyoopsupsideurhead wrote:expand_more

That strategy isn't working for Miami.

Nothing works at Miami.

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GoCats105

1/22/2016 12:34 PM

I went back and looked at some of the old Xavier schedules in the 90s and early 2000s. They were littered with several bunnies and 1 or 2 big games on the road versus quality opponents. Even they didn't start scheduling heavy until recently.

Then the argument would come down to how much better was the A-10 back then compared to the MAC.

This is a fantastic website, BTW.

http://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/xavier/1997-s...

Last Edited: 1/22/2016 12:34:29 PM by GoCats105

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giacomo

1/22/2016 3:18 PM

We've all acknowledged that the MAC is a one bid league, so your schedule should prepare you to win the conference tourney. Maybe it wouldn't be a one bid league if schedules were elevated. I'm not saying it's easy. You must go on the road and win a few games above your level. Milwaukee in the Horizon played Minnesota and Wisconsin on the road and won both games. Just maybe if you schedule those kinds of games every year you figure it out and win some. Either way it's good to play those games.

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bornacatfan

1/23/2016 2:37 PM

GoCats105 wrote:expand_more

WHen I read the comment on X in the other thread I did not really consider recruiting and scheduling in the A10. I was thinking back to the 60's ad 70's when X really started competing and trying to become more legit within the world of Basketball. Historically, Dayton, Cincy and Ohio State locally had much success nationally while X was legit when the NIT was the tourney to attend. They languished in the 60s and then decided to get real about hoops with the advent of conferences and TV revenue.

The old MCC battles of the early 80s were their foray into big time basketball as the Midwest City COnference with Depaul Loyola Butler and some others became the Midwest Collegiate and added NIU then went on to become the Horizon. A10 was fairly recent and the jump to the BE was a natural fit that has reaped many benefits right away with recruiting and scheduling. When I originally read the comment I flashed to my memory of X and remembered the Bunnies and them reaching for games with legit opponents and getting on the bigger schools schedules as the MCC got a bit more recognition. Butler and X have continued to ascend while traditional ahd historic powers like Loyola and Depaul have become lesser entities

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71 BOBCAT

2/18/2016 9:44 AM

I just wanted to show all, on this board, that it appears that my original prediction at the half way point in this season was inaccurate. The team has really come along these past 9 games, going 7-2. We have started to learn how to win on the road and we are mentally better prepared to weather the opponents runs.
I think 20 wins is likely now, what a turn around from Saul's year 1. If we win our remaining 5 games we will be considered the most dangerous team going into the conference tournament and possibly the favorite. It's all about momentum and playing your best ball going into the tournament that will decide who will win it.

GO BOBCATS

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Jeff McKinney

2/18/2016 9:54 AM

Good post.