Continuing digression from the topic at hand (I love thread drift!):
Bobcat1996, I'd counter your comment by pointing out that it's probably unlikely that those non-D1 wins are part of the criteria the CIT/CBI/NIT committees look at for selection. To that end, I would hope no one would be excited about 2-3 wins were over inferior non-D1 opponents. Of course a fair counter to that is the tough games they've played on neutral and road sites. I would suspect that in the future, there will be fewer of those games.
I still think the measuring stick for this team, and most Ohio hoops teams, is what they do in January, February, and March. Only twice that I can think of in the last 25 years has there been an Ohio hoops team worthy of at-large discussion.
Agreed ... but the reality is if Ohio EVER wants to take a leap a be a program that is ever considered for an at-large ... they can't be playing sisters of the poor all non-conference.
And that includes multiple non-D1s.
This year's schedule is great. Reminds me of the 2013 schedule that had Oklahoma, Memphis and a few other good games on it. That was an at-large worthy schedule had that team won those games. They didn't ... and that's fine. Still made MAC title game with a chance to dance.
No Ohio team will EVER compete for an at-large with a resume that is littered with wins over Heidelberg, Rio Grande, Alabama State, Coppin State, etc.
That was Saul's way ... and I hated it.
Not sure how much Boals had in putting this schedule together ... but it's a serious upgrade. Unfortunately it comes in year one where they are super young and inexperienced. I'd love to see them play a similar schedule in three years when this team/program should really be humming.