There really are not too many surprises to report as far as the schedule goes. We can't say the same about the Cougar roster, but that's an entirely different post we will deal with later in the day.
The official SIUE schedule is the same as we reported a few months back, with the only exceptions being two exhibition games. SIUE faces Blackburn Nov. 3 and MacMurray Nov. 10.
In past years, these two teams have somehow been on the regular season schedule. Not the case this year, and you can thank the OVC schedule for that. The Cougars are allowed just two non-division I games in the conference. The team had four last year (4-0) so it kind of makes that 8-21 record worse than it actually is. SIUE faces Hannibal La-Grange and Fake Robert Morris this year.
Part of why they are even on there in the first place has to do with the difficulty the Cougars have scheduling quality division I teams to come to the Vadalabene Center. The new series with #RiotDale will certainly help matters down the road, but this year the Cougars travel to ground zero Dec. 19. Lennox wanted a tougher home schedule, but it is simply not possible given SIUE's insignifigance in terms of national reputation and RPI quality. Teams don't want to come here in the non-conference. SIUE does have Ball State, Cal State Fullerton and a mystery team (ala Bracketbusters) coming in though, so that will be fun.
The best part of this schedule to me, atleast is the proximety of some of these teams for travel. Illinois (Nov. 14) Illinois State (Nov. 17) #RiotDale (Dec. 19) SEMO (Feb. 11) and Eastern Illinois (Feb. 15) are all on my itinarary.
I am not going to get into predictions quite yet...still can't get over my win over Iowa prediction last year. That worked out quite well. Overall, initially, I'm going to go with 12-15, which is probably better than most people are giving. Optimism is key.
The OVC shapes up nicely, as if almost the conference decided to be nice and go easy on us. (I know, it's random.)
SIUE opens OVC play with THREE straight home games, and the first is against early favorite Tennessee Tech.
As far as there being ZERO guarantee games on the schedule: Forrester told me yesterday the conference schedule filled up the whole slate fast, and it would have been really easy for an East or West coast team to schedule them. The phone was ringing off the hook. The right opportunity didn't come because they want the players in class and not running all over the country. They'll settle for the free trip to Cancun.
Is Cancun winnable? Certainly, given it is broken up into lesser and upper divisions like Vegas was. Lispcomb is one of those teams that has been teetering between really good and mediocre for some time, while Hampton won a weak MEAC and went dancing last season and I honestly know nothing about Sacred Heart at this point.
Here is the "official" schedule in list form.
Nov. 3 Blackburn (exh.)
Nov. 10 MacMurray #TheMightyMac (exh.)
Nov. 14 @ Illinois
Nov. 17 @ Illinois State
Nov. 22 Lipscomb (Cancun Challenge)
Nov. 23 Hampton/Sacred Heart (Cancun Challenge)
Nov. 30 Robert Morris (The one in Springfield we play every year.)
Dec. 3 Cal State Fullerton
Dec. 6 Ball State
Dec. 10 The Trojans of Hannibal-LaGrange
Dec. 19 #RiotDale
Dec. 29 Tennessee Tech *
Dec. 31 Jacksonville State *
Jan. 4 Eastern Illinois *
Jan. 7 @ UT Martin *
Jan. 12 @ Southeast Missouri *
Jan. 14 @ Tennessee State *
Jan. 19 Austin Peay *
Jan. 21 Murray State *
Jan. 28 @ Jacksonville State *
Jan. 30 @ Tennessee Tech *
Feb. 2 Morehead State *
Feb. 4 Eastern Kentucky *
Feb. 11 Southeast Missouri *
Feb. 15 @ Eastern Illinois *
Feb. 18 Bracketbuster
Feb. 23 @ Eastern Kentucky
Feb. 25 @ Morehead State
Feb. 29 @ Chicago State
Good to see we (almost) play through March. Last year, SIUE was the second earliest at finishing their season behind Longwood.
Hopefully will get two more posts up to update a few other basketball-related items later in the day.
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1 comments:
Overall, I am happy with the schedule. I like that we have Ball State coming in and the home bracketbuster. I am also excited we actually start conference play. All the close games are a big plus too. Getting the SIU thing going is great and I give them a lot of props for that.
As for my dislikes. I don't get how they can use the, we didn't get the right guarantee game offer excuse. This team needs to play as many games as possible at this point, I would think. There aren't any crazy road trips except the tourney. I don't know why they couldn't go east for one game that would give the program money which is something I think they are crazy to pass up at this point. The women are going on a cali road trip and to the Bahamas. I know it is because of the girls from there, but still if they can do it why can't the guys for one game? Now obviously I don’t know the offers but surely one had to work. I would think a MVC team would have scheduled us for one if they actually called around. I know it’s not as much money but it is also not as big a trip as still gets you a full schedule.
Also, I wish I knew more about how slu wasn’t scheduling us. This might be more on them then us so I am keeping that in mind. But I don’t get how they can pass up putting us on their schedule. More people will show up to that game then for arky state, Alabama state, or texas southern. I just hope we aren’t saying only for a home and home or something like that. They have a TBA game on Dec 10th. You would think we could tell Hannibal la grange we are moving their game so we can play at slu. I am just curious if they don’t want to play us or what deal those schools are getting that we didn’t want for a 20 minute drive. Maybe it is an RPI issue but Alabama State was in the high 200’s so its not a huge difference.
Anyways, I sorry about the rant I just wanted to get that stuff out there. I really am fine overall with the schedule. Just not getting a full one kind of irks me. All the conference games should give us a good idea where we are for next year when it really counts. I look forward to hearing more about all the new players.
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