2015-16 schedule thread

[GMUgemini]

This team isn't going to be in any discussions for an at-large bid anyway. So I'd rather see if they can string some wins together and build some confidence than getting pummeled every game. Confidence can go a long way, especially for guys like Holloway, Jenkins, and Moore.

 

[MasonFanatic]

Mercer and Manhattan should both be much improved this coming season. Wright State absolutely tanked after we beat them, so maybe they will rebound as well?

Also, if the previous coach left behind a schedule that was "in almost as much disarray as recruiting" that probably also explains some of the weakness of this schedule.

 

[gmubball09]

I posted this in the other thread but I didn't see this one. I think we should have ODU instead of Longwood. ODU and JMU both on the schedule are more rivals than Longwood.

 

[A.-Siegfried]

I posted this in the other thread but I didn't see this one. I think we should have ODU instead of Longwood. ODU and JMU both on the schedule are more rivals than Longwood.

Longwood isn't some "rivalry" game. It's the game after final exams. It's the same game they did with Catawba last year (no RAC this time around though). No chance they would play an ODU right out of the gate after finals. Not this year anyway.

And the Towson game is one of those set up by the Charleston Classic. Hopefully we don't somehow play them twice. That would be brutal.

 

[Five Two]

Perhaps the travel budget was cut from 650k to pay the idiot,

maybe, but then why schedule @Mercer? (assuming its a home-and-home). We could have easily asked for a home-and-home with Navy (RPI 250) or Howard (RPI 253) and instead of a flight to Georgia and hotel rooms, we take a bus the day of the game and are home at a reasonable hour later that night.

 

[GSII]

maybe, but then why schedule @Mercer? (assuming its a home-and-home). We could have easily asked for a home-and-home with Navy (RPI 250) or Howard (RPI 253) and instead of a flight to Georgia and hotel rooms, we take a bus the day of the game and are home at a reasonable hour later that night.

Overall, we seem to be spending less on travel vs last years non conf slate. Charleston instead of Puerto Rico. Wright St and UnI are home. We go to jmu by bus. Mannhatan and mercer are 2 of the 3 by air games.

 

[The Great PATSby]

Clearly the weak OOC schedule was done on purpose. As Paulsen had stated, he's got to get his players in a winning mindset. Once our boys start winning games consistently, that's when the confidence and swag build up and then they start playing with fire... and get hungry to compete with the best. It's all a part of the plan.

 

[mkaufman1]

Longwood isn't some "rivalry" game. It's the game after final exams. It's the same game they did with Catawba last year (no RAC this time around though). No chance they would play an ODU right out of the gate after finals. Not this year anyway.

And the Towson game is one of those set up by the Charleston Classic. Hopefully we don't somehow play them twice. That would be brutal.

Any ideas on which games are one of buy games, besides Longwood? Are Colgate, Wagner, and Penn in that boat?

 

[gmujim92]

I wouldn't be surprised if somebody from the A10 contacted Edwards or DP and gently suggested we go softer on the schedule this season for obvious reasons.

As has been pointed out, we're not gonna be a postseason team anyhow.

But it doesn't help the conference (when it comes time for handing out NCAA at-large bids) if we schedule way above our heads like last season and rack up a bunch of OOC losses.

No more pretending we're a break or two away from being a top-half A10 team. For now, we're one of the 3 worst teams in the league and we should schedule OOC opponents we at least have a chance to beat.

 

[GMUSig03]

I wouldn't be surprised if somebody from the A10 contacted Edwards or DP and gently suggested we go softer on the schedule this season for obvious reasons.

As has been pointed out, we're not gonna be a postseason team anyhow.

But it doesn't help the conference (when it comes time for handing out NCAA at-large bids) if we schedule way above our heads like last season and rack up a bunch of OOC losses.

No more pretending we're a break or two away from being a top-half A10 team. For now, we're one of the 3 worst teams in the league and we should schedule OOC opponents we at least have a chance to beat.

Should we be concerned about the A10's OOC schedule difficulty rule? I don't recall exactly what it is.

 

[Vurbel]

I know I'm not saying anything people don't already know, but I'm still mad about the fact we were a top 25 team four years ago and now we all agree a 15 win season would be a resounding success.

Yes, I'm bitter and haven't moved on.

 

[JimP]

Mercer and Manhattan should both be much improved this coming season. Wright State absolutely tanked after we beat them, so maybe they will rebound as well?

Also, if the previous coach left behind a schedule that was "in almost as much disarray as recruiting" that probably also explains some of the weakness of this schedule.

I checked out Mercer's roster on a whim. They've got some quality experienced guards coming back from a 19-16 team. It'll be tough to get a win at their place.

 

[GreenLantern]

Yes it stinks that we have to set our expectations so low but in some way, I see it as a fresh start. The one thing Hewitt did was allow me to put space between the Larranaga years and today. Now with Paulsen, I won't compare everything from the glory years and hope that he can create a new golden era.

 

[gmujim92]

Should we be concerned about the A10's OOC schedule difficulty rule? I don't recall exactly what it is.

I know you get a certain number of points for playing opponents in P-5 conferences, and a certain number of points based on your opponents' RPI.

There's a formula, but I'm frankly too lazy to look it up.

But I seem to recall that the objective is to get teams to schedule appropriately for their expected level of success.

Considering where we will be picked to finish next season, I highly doubt anyone is going to say we should've scheduled tougher.

 

[Vurbel]

Yes it stinks that we have to set our expectations so low but in some way, I see it as a fresh start. The one thing Hewitt did was allow me to put space between the Larranaga years and today. Now with Paulsen, I won't compare everything from the glory years and hope that he can create a new golden era.

I will think we have truly arrived the first time we lose a road game and their fans rush the court afterwards.

 

[Steve33]

I think this OOC Schedule is just what Mason needs this season. equal opponents for the most part with the Charleston Classic thrown in against some really good teams. looking forward to it. Low expectations bring excitement when they win games. And they should win a few of these.

 

[A.-Siegfried]

Overall, we seem to be spending less on travel vs last years non conf slate. Charleston instead of Puerto Rico. Wright St and UnI are home. We go to jmu by bus. Mannhatan and mercer are 2 of the 3 by air games.

The Puerto Rico vs Charleston "spending less money" doesn't apply. Those tournaments are on the slate sometimes 2-3 years in advance (unofficially).

I'm guessing they will bus to Manhattan. Probably quicker than taking a flight and you can leave right after the game to have the guys home for Thanksgiving. Why battle the airport the week of Thankgiving for a 4 hour bus ride? They bus to Duquesne and it's about the same distance. Same with Fordham.

So basically, two flight trips. @ Mercer and @ Charleston Classic.

 

[gmujim92]

I'm frankly just glad we get to go back to Harrisonburg and beat JMU again.

Pun intended for anyone who was at the hot dog game.

 

[gmutom]

I'm frankly just glad we get to go back to Harrisonburg and beat JMU again. We might not cut the mustard early in the game, but I relish the opportunity to ketchup and eventually kick their buns.

Well said, Jim.

 

[GSII]

The Puerto Rico vs Charleston "spending less money" doesn't apply.

You still have to budget the expenses for that year. Sheesh, what are they teaching up there?