2011-2012 TENTATIVE MBB schedule

No idea how final this all is, but if you look closely on the SIUE Cougars website, namely the composite calender you can find this. In all, we have 27 games scheduled, including an impressive home slate and a full run through the Ohio Valley Conference.

Let's forget the Cornelius Chatt drama and get ready for a great year.

We are under 100 days til' Nov. 1 (We kick off basketball season in conjunction with the @midmajority calender) so here it is. I would imagine an exhibition will still be scheduled as well. I don't know about you, but I am excited, and from the new guys tweets, they are excited too! Glad to have you guys reading, I'll have @AlexH2020 shut up. :)

I don't know where I'll be later in the season, because I am graduating in December. Tentatively, I have marked road games I will get credentials for and cover with an *. Even though I will not be around, I vow to keep eCougarzone.com going throughout at least next season. Of course, I will be at every home game no matter what.

Nov. 14 @ Illinois (Cancun Challenge) *

Nov. 17 @ Illinois State (Cancun Challenge) *

Nov. 22 vs. Hampton/Lipscomb/Sacred Heart (Cancun, Mexico)

Nov. 23 vs. Hampton/Lipscomb/Sacred Heart (Cancun, Mexico)

Nov. 30 vs. Robert Morris (The fake one again)

Dec. 3 vs. Cal State Fullerton (Return Bracketbuster from 2009-2010)

Dec. 6 vs. Ball State

Dec. 10 vs. Hannibal LaGrange (Again? Seriously?)

Dec. 19 @ SIU Carbondale *

Dec. 29 vs. Tennessee Tech (OVC)

Dec. 31 vs. Jacksonville State (OVC)

Jan. 4 vs. Eastern Illinois (OVC)

Jan. 7 @ UT Martin (OVC)

Jan. 12 @ Southeast Missouri (OVC) *

Jan. 14 @ Tennessee State (OVC)

Jan. 19 vs. Austin Peay (OVC) (They have 2 Edwardsville kids on their roster)

Jan. 21 vs. Murray State (OVC)

Jan. 28 @ Jacksonville State (OVC)

Jan. 30 @ Tennessee Tech (OVC)

Feb. 2 vs. Morehead State (OVC, no more Faried!)

Feb. 4 vs. Eastern Kentucky (OVC)

Feb. 11 vs. Southeast Missouri (OVC)

Feb. 15 @ Eastern Illinois (OVC) *

Feb. 18 vs. BRACKETBUSTER IF ESPN DOESN'T DROP US AGAIN!

Feb. 22 @ Eastern Kentucky (OVC)

Feb. 25 @ Morehead State (OVC)

Feb. 29 @ Chicago State

Initial impressions:

The schedule gods had mercy on SIUE for their first run through the OVC. The Cougars do not travel to Murray, and they do not travel to Austin Peay, which are two of the toughest places to play in the conference. That is big, getting those teams at home, and not having to return on the road. SIUE has a chance to steal at home, which they nearly did against the Racers last year. That is much more difficult to do on the road.

Cancun: Interesting to give us the two local teams we would have probably scheduled anyways. I would liked to have been in a tournament with some teams we won't see, or a different Big Ten team than Illinois, but the Illini are vulnerable. So are the Redbirds. ISU is winnable, and you never know what can happen against Illinois. They are a little bipolar.

I will bet you right now, between Hampton, Lipscomb and Sacred Heart, SIUE has a great chance at winning a neutral court tournament for the third straight year. Something about it.

Robbie Morris and Hannibal LaGrange: Yawn.

Ball State and Cal State Fullerton: Winnable at home.

SIUC: I don't have any impressions yet. I despise Carbondale, and cannot pick them to win this game for the life of me. I'll just wait and see. No predictions.

Overall: Non conference sets up nicely for the OVC. Great home-stand between Nov. 30 and Jan. 4.

Chicago State: I have wanted to play them for years. It makes sense, because they are an independent stuck in purgatory. Good way to gauge this team. It's easy to think because we have a conference we have passed them. We have to do it on the road, but we should win.

Post comments and impressions, I think the Cougars will get an exhibition game, and maybe one more regular season game to get to 28. There are a few stints, like between Dec. 19 and Dec. 29 and early March where the Cougars can try and squeeze in an additional game. By no means do I think this is the final schedule, so it is subject to change.

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