I really dislike the Dominican game, especially given the two excellent exhibitions that won’t count versus a non-D1 game that will. Unless the Stanford game has moved to Stanford and is no longer an exhibition, though I doubt that’s the case.
Scheduling is quite hard where SCU is at. I’d be happy to see SCU go on the road to another Big East or Big 10 team, but there just aren’t going to be any takers after the Broncos walloped Xavier last season.
What’s being missed in this conversation is that we used to think we wouldn’t win league or the year end tournament so all of this Q1 and Q2 game analysis was more important. I think Santa Clara is the favorite to win outright and take the auto bid.
If we’re being honest, we’re lucky that last years Xavier game even happened. If Pitino isn’t head coach there and Sendek doesn’t have history with that family, that game probably doesn’t get scheduled.
I know scheduling for Santa Clara is very difficult. Buy games have gotten a lot more expensive. Power conference teams don’t want to sacrifice home games so mid majors are feeling the squeeze. Unless you’re willing to play neutral site games or away games it’s gonna be tough for SCU to get a schedule with multiple quad 1 and quad 2 games. In my mind we should play both Stanford & Cal every year but I don’t see that happening. Maybe Sendek needs to use some of his connections to call in some favors when it comes to scheduling.
On the brighter side, I’m hearing there’s a very high likelihood that Elijah is returning for his 5th year. He’s expressed interest in return & the coaches would love to have him back. He just needs to be readmitted as a student at SCU
Based on last years end of season net rankings our nonconf schedule will have the following profile:
Quad 1: (1) GCU
Quad 2: (6) UNM, VCU, Nev, Ill St, McNeese, Boise
Quad 3: (5) Towson, UNT, Fresno, Murray, OSU
Quad 4 (4) Dominican, Milwaukee, Sac St. Utah Tech
Also heard last night that the Acrisure games will most likely be played earlier in the week rather than on the 24th and 25th
Yes the Accrisure Games are Tuesday & Wednesday before Thanksgiving. The Broncos have a home game the Saturday after Thanksgiving
Re Mahi, recent court cases in Colorado and I believe Tennessee have ruled players either can enter portal now or don’t need to enter portal, from an internet search blurb just read. NCAA may appeal.
actually not affirmative rulings but a TRO and preliminary injunction against NCAA enforcing its rules prohibiting 2022 class from participating in 5 year eligibility. Tenn ruling orders portal be opened in August for a limited time.
St. Louis schedule is out and we are not on it.
And I’m saying that’s not enough Bill.
Coming off a breakthrough season and likely being the conference favorite is the time to push the boat out, not to dial back. If every mid-major is having this problem, well, then ok. But I doubt that is the case.
Missouri in St. Louis (not at Chaiffetz), High Point, Colorado or Stanford, S Florida, DePaul. SMC and Grand Canyon are common with SCU. There are a few more likely Q4s, but overall a much more attractive schedule with several major TV opportunities.
Now I’m really not buying that Sendek and Owen couldn’t have done better.
I agree - it is not enough. But until the NCAA grows a pair and tells the major programs that they have to play one true road game at a midmajor to be eligible for the tournament, it is not gonna happen. Majors have too much to lose and nothing to gain until we blow a few majors up in the Tourney.
Let’s just win, baby!
Santa Clara is on the GCU schedule for Sat, Dec 5th in Phoenix. I know the board hates GCU but they have one of the best college basketball atmospheres - students are crazy fun. Worth a trip to Phoenix.