2016-17 Non-Conference Schedule

[MU/Panther]

MarquetteMBB ‏@MarquetteMBB · 3m3 minutes ago

#mubb will begin daily announcement of non-league schedule today with exhibition game, concluding July 16. Season tickets on sale July 18!

[TheSultan]

Just so stupid. I cannot understand why they think it is a good idea to use social media as a way to generate excitement over buy-game opponents over a two week period. Do they think those types of games are going to get people thrilled about buying season tickets?

Better idea:

Day 1: Announce Thanksgiving tournament
Day 2: Announce Wisconsin date
Day 3: Announce other major opponents
Day 4: Announce the exhibition and buy-games.
Day 5: Mention conference opponents (dates not set yet) and recap.

[MU/Panther]

It does seem odd, I wonder what their reason is by doing this. We already know four dates already. (Vandy, Georgia, Wisconsin and 2K Classic)

[MU/Panther]

Monday, Nov. 7th
(Exhibition) Rockhurst

[Nukem2]

Just so stupid. I cannot understand why they think it is a good idea to use social media as a way to generate excitement over buy-game opponents over a two week period. Do they think those types of games are going to get people thrilled about buying season tickets?

Better idea:

Day 1: Announce Thanksgiving tournament
Day 2: Announce Wisconsin date
Day 3: Announce other major opponents
Day 4: Announce the exhibition and buy-games.
Day 5: Mention conference opponents (dates not set yet) and recap.I agree. Stretching it out really does not create excitement among non-STHs (who probably are not following MU on social media). And, it just irritates STHs and other more interested fans who just want the facts.

[MU/Panther]

So, what is the reason MU does this? I hope nobody gets irritated, it's not that big of a deal in early July.

[TheSultan]

So, what is the reason MU does this? I hope nobody gets irritated, it's not that big of a deal in early July.


An outdated concept of judging your web success based on "page views" or something similar. Or maybe they truly think that it builds excitement for two weeks before season tickets go on sale. I have truly never understood it and I am not aware of any other school that uses its social media platform in such a manner.

[AlexJesswein]

Successful first week of schedule announcements.

Exhibition Opponent
Vanderbilt (known for months)
Unnamed 2k Sports team(s) at home (known for months)
Unnamed 2k Sports team(s) in NYC (known for months)

[TheSultan]

Successful first week of schedule announcements.

Exhibition Opponent
Vanderbilt (known for months)
Unnamed 2k Sports team(s) at home (known for months)
Unnamed 2k Sports team(s) in NYC (known for months)


I'm tingling with excitement.

[MU/Panther]

Announcements continue Saturday and Sunday.

[Nukem2]

We await the days ahead with bated breath.;)

[MUMac]

We await the days ahead with bated breath.;)

Yep. I have never been more excited for a weekend ...

[Alan Bykowski, "brewcity77"]

I think it's incredibly dumb. Here was Mike Broeker's response:

@brewcity77 trying to support sales efforts by creating bit awareness daily. Your feedback is noted. Sometimes things work, sometimes not.

Two problems here. First, season tickets aren't on sale yet, so how does this support sales efforts? Second, how does announcing unnamed opponents and games that will be played across the country increase interest for tickets sold to games in Milwaukee?

[dw3dw3dw3]

Fairly common marketing strategy. You may not like it, but its not for you. There's a limited amount of content they have to push, need to be present everyday in people's lives to have long term impact (eventual ticket sales). Single commercials, single pieces of content don't have long lasting impact.

[Alan Bykowski, "brewcity77"]

It's a dated strategy that only works when you have content to offer. We're on day five and we know one exhibition opponent. They're pushing an empty wagon.

[Gato78]

If we want to go back to the way it used to be, we can just wait until Labor Day when the schedule is announced. I find this argument odd. Who cares how and when they release it? Get the info out and discuss. I think the annual scheduling criticism of Mike Broeker is ridiculous. Here, he responds to you and that isn't good enough? Calling Broeker, by implication, incredibly dumb is just plain rude. He is kind enough to give you an answer to your criticism and you attack him again?

[dw3dw3dw3]

I believe you have passed jaybee and his hate for all things crystal ball with your hate for all things related to schedule. Like he said, he's trying his best to come up with some extra marketing benefit with content that normally has very little value. Very odd to get worked up over this.

[MU/Panther]

Well, some new news today.
Tuesday, November 22
2K Classic Game

[Alan Bykowski, "brewcity77"]

I believe you have passed jaybee and his hate for all things crystal ball with your hate for all things related to schedule. Like he said, he's trying his best to come up with some extra marketing benefit with content that normally has very little value. Very odd to get worked up over this.

I am always (this year is no exception) excited for the schedule. However the way they release it is stupid. It's like click-bait without the bait. Further, most of the schedule is known or semi-known opponents (8/13). They're trying to create news that was already broken. And the news they could be breaking apparently isn't available to them yet (2K). I'd be curious if anyone else does this two-week release process, and if so, does it work to generate STH sales?

The only saving grace right now is at least every other date will actually have an opponent name attached to it.

[Alan Bykowski, "brewcity77"]

Maybe some semblance of intrigue based on this tweet:


#mubb 2nd @2KClassic home matchup will open 3-game homestand & run of 7-of-8 outings at @BMOHBC

So looking at the games...

1) Nov 11: Vanderbilt
2) Nov 14: 2K Home Game
3) Nov 17: 2K NYC Game
4) Nov 18: 2K NYC Game
5) Nov 22: 2K Home Game (First of three game homestand and 7/8 at home)
6) Nov 27: Likely Buy Game (Second of three game homestand, Sunday better than Saturday with students returning after Thanksgiving)
7) Nov 29-Dec 1: Likely Buy Game (Third of three game homestand)
8) Dec 4: Georgia (Road)
9) Dec 6/7: Likely Buy Game (Tune-up before Wisconsin, fourth of 7/8 at home)
10) Dec 10: Wisconsin (fifth of 7/8 at home)
11) Dec 13/14: Likely Buy Game (sixth of 7/8 at home)
12) Dec 17: Likely Buy Game (seventh of 7/8 at home, possibly Fresno State for weekend crowd)
13) Dec 20/21: ?????

If that tweet is accurate, we are either only playing 12 non-con games (which would probably eliminate either the Dec 6/7 or Dec 13/14 game) or there's another opponent we don't yet know on the road or at a neutral site. I've never known of Marquette to only play 12 when 13 were possible. We might have another later-in-the-season game like Stetson last year but that seems unlikely after how poorly that was received. Have to figure that Dec 20/21 date is likely as the team would want to get a game in before the Christmas break, and would also want a last tune-up before the likely start of Big East play on Dec 28.

[MU/Panther]

There won't be a game between Dec. 10th and Dec 17th, if year's past hold true. It's finals week.

[TheSultan]

It's a very poor and dated marketing strategy to use in a social media world. Complete lack of content, and oftentimes very poor content, doesn't do anything. Releasing it all at once, or at best over a couple days, will draw more attention. People are by and large going to stop paying attention doing it this way.

[Alan Bykowski, "brewcity77"]

So if there's no game the 10th-17th, either there's another date I'm not factoring, Big East play won't start the 28th, or if we have a 13th game, it will be a mid-season thing like Stetson.

[MU/Panther]

With Big East play starting a bit early on Dec. 28th, it looks like there will be a non-conference game mid season.

[2012Warrior]

Some teams had High-major conference games during the conference season. Hoping that's the case and not a Stetson level game.

Looks like Houston Baptist 11/26.

[Phantom Warrior]

Houston Baptist. Oh goody, goody, goody. I can hardly contain my excitement. Is that a D-1 team? I have to look it up.

Just looked it up. Yup. D-1. Southland Conference.

Finished the season 17-17 - not too bad. Of course one of their wins was against Crowley's Ridge College, and another was against Arlington Baptist, and a third was against Hillsdale Free Will Baptist.

Hippity hop! Hippity hop!

[MU/Panther]

HBU was the homer opener when Buzz had it's first game as MU coach.

[MU/Panther]

HPU was 17-16 last season, 224 in the RPI.

Lost in the first round of the CBI, to end the season at 17-17. Looks like they lose three starters.

[MUfan12]

Saturday after Thanksgiving. That place will be a ghost town.

[MU/Panther]

Saturday after Thanksgiving. That place will be a ghost town. There will be way more people at this game, than last years game which fell on a Sunday during Thanksgiving weekend.

[TheSultan]

There won't be many at either Thanksgiving week games. But MU doesn't have much choice when it plays its "Thanksgiving tournament" the week prior.

[Nukem2]

There won't be many at either Thanksgiving week games. But MU doesn't have much choice when it plays its "Thanksgiving tournament" the week prior.That is rather weird.

[MU/Panther]

Wed. Nov 30th-Western Carolina

16-18 166 in the RPI. Lost in the first round of the CBI.

[TheSultan]

Solid buy game.

[MU/Panther]

It looks like they lose 3 starters and another main guy of the bench.

[Alan Bykowski, "brewcity77"]

It looks like they lose 3 starters and another main guy of the bench.

They do, but Coach Hunter has won 8+ in conference the last 8 years running. Even in down years they are a reliably decent team, and they also schedule tough (top-100 non con last 8 years). They will likely drop off from last year, but should still be solid.

[MU/Panther]

Monday, Nov. 14
2k Classic-Howard
http://www.hubison.com/news/2016/7/11/howard-unveils-2016-17-mens-basketball-schedule.aspx

10-20 last season, 328 RPI
The Bison, who return all five starters, including senior guard James "J-Byrd" Daniel, III, who led the nation in scoring with over 27 points per game last season, open Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC)

[TheSultan]

I am beginning to think we are going to see two buy games during the conference season. Unless they decide to play something during the week of finals.

By my count, we have five buy games left to announce. (One is Fresno.)

One will be after Georgia and before UW.
UW game on December 10
Finals week December 12
One buy game December 17 or 18
One buy game before Christmas.

Conference season starts December 28.

Or will they try to shove two in the week of December 19? Maybe Tuesday the 20th and Friday the 23rd?

[Alan Bykowski, "brewcity77"]

I doubt we see two in conference:

Nov 11: Vanderbilt
Nov 14: Howard
Nov 17: 2K MSG
Nov 18: 2K MSG
Nov 22: 2K Home
Nov 26: Houston Baptist
Nov 30: Western Carolina
Dec 4: Georgia
Dec 6/7: Buy Game
Dec 10: Wisconsin
Dec 17: Fresno State?

That's 11 games already. Figure there will be at least one more before Big East play on Dec 28. My guess is Dec 21/22 will be a buy game, though they could even slip in a Dec 19 and Dec 22 date. But my guess is Dec 21 at home, Big East on Dec 28, then one in season game in January or February.

[Nukem2]

I doubt we see two in conference:

Nov 11: Vanderbilt
Nov 14: Howard
Nov 17: 2K MSG
Nov 18: 2K MSG
Nov 22: 2K Home
Nov 26: Houston Baptist
Nov 30: Western Carolina
Dec 4: Georgia
Dec 6/7: Buy Game
Dec 10: Wisconsin
Dec 17: Fresno State?

That's 11 games already. Figure there will be at least one more before Big East play on Dec 28. My guess is Dec 21/22 will be a buy game, though they could even slip in a Dec 19 and Dec 22 date. But my guess is Dec 21 at home, Big East on Dec 28, then one in season game in January or February.
Need to fit in a Christmas break as well.

[IrwinFletcher]

I doubt we see two in conference:

Nov 11: Vanderbilt
Nov 14: Howard
Nov 17: 2K MSG
Nov 18: 2K MSG
Nov 22: 2K Home
Nov 26: Houston Baptist
Nov 30: Western Carolina
Dec 4: Georgia
Dec 6/7: Buy Game
Dec 10: Wisconsin
Dec 17: Fresno State?

That's 11 games already. Figure there will be at least one more before Big East play on Dec 28. My guess is Dec 21/22 will be a buy game, though they could even slip in a Dec 19 and Dec 22 date. But my guess is Dec 21 at home, Big East on Dec 28, then one in season game in January or February.

Did I miss something, or have they actually announced who our opponent is for the 11/14 2K Classic game at home? I thought the match ups were coming later.

[TheSultan]

Did I miss something, or have they actually announced who our opponent is for the 11/14 2K Classic game at home? I thought the match ups were coming later.


Howard released their schedule and it indicated that they are coming to Marquette.

[MU/Panther]

Did I miss something, or have they actually announced who our opponent is for the 11/14 2K Classic game at home? I thought the match ups were coming later.
Check post from 3:20pm. It was just Howard who put out their schedule.

[IrwinFletcher]

OK. I hadn't clicked the link before. When I did, though, the coach mentioned Michigan and Marquette, but the first game listed on their schedule is 11/26. Not that it matters, but could the 11/22 game be vs. Howard.

[Alan Bykowski, "brewcity77"]

Need to fit in a Christmas break as well.

Both breaks fit in there. Finals break Dec 10-17, then winter break Dec 22-28. Whether they play one or two from Dec 19-22, there's still enough time for the break.

[MU/Panther]

OK. I hadn't clicked the link before. When I did, though, the coach mentioned Michigan and Marquette, but the first game listed on their schedule is 11/26. Not that it matters, but could the 11/22 game be vs. Howard. I just check the link and the dates for Howard vs Michigan & Marquette have been taken down. It was listed for Howard at Michigan on 11/11 & @Marquette on 11/14.

[MU/Panther]

Both breaks fit in there. Finals break Dec 10-17, then winter break Dec 22-28. Whether they play one or two from Dec 19-22, there's still enough time for the break.
Don't know which winter break you are talking about. The main one goes into mid-January.

[Nukem2]

Don't know which winter break you are talking about. The main one goes into mid-January.

Think he is really referring to the usual break at Christmas week?

[MU/Panther]

Think he is really referring to the usual break at Christmas week? Well, that break is giving by the head coach.

[Alan Bykowski, "brewcity77"]

I just check the link and the dates for Howard vs Michigan & Marquette have been taken down. It was listed for Howard at Michigan on 11/11 & @Marquette on 11/14.

I'm sure those dates are probably right. The same thing happened with Belmont last year. Marquette wants to be able to make the announcement themselves. Last year Belmont released the date with MU before Marquette's schedule, the next day it was taken down with a notice saying "that's not finalized". As soon as MU started the schedule release, there was the date just as Belmont had it originally.

And I did mean the Christmas break, which is why I gave the dates that I did. I thought it went without saying that the players would never get a break until mid-January.

[MU/Panther]

Of course it goes without saying the players would never get a break until mid-Jan. Didn't understand the dates you meant by winter break because the dates didn't add up.

[IrwinFletcher]

Per Andy Katz and ESPN, Marquette/Michigan is the first round match up most commonly discussed for 2K Classic.

[MU/Panther]

Some potential scheduling for early-season tournaments: Coaches have confirmed the Hall of Fame matchups Nov. 19-20 at the Mohegan Sun: Duke-Penn State, Cincinnati-URI; CBE Nov. 21-22 in Kansas City with Kansas-UAB, GW-Georgia; The Legends Classic isn't official yet but at least one coach expects it to be Notre Dame-Colorado, Texas-Northwestern Nov. 21-22 in Brooklyn; The 2K Classic in NYC hasn't been announced yet either but the matchups being discussed most were Marquette-Michigan, SMU-Pitt for the Nov. 17-18 games at MSG; The Men Who Speak Up Main Event in Las Vegas Nov. 21-23 has found its fourth team as Saint Louis coach Travis Ford confirmed the Billikens replaced Minnesota to join BYU, Alabama and Valparaiso. The matchups aren't available yet. And Maui Invitational organizer Dave Odom said the Maui bracket will be announced on July 19.

[IrwinFletcher]

Interesting.

On MU Athletics page for the team schedule, it now lists Howard as the opponent on 11/14.

So, we start with Vandy, Howard, Michigan, SMU/Pitt. Very tough early schedule for a team that has many new parts. Will certainly test Wojo and his staff to get this team on the same page.

[TheSultan]

With Vandy having a new coach, I think that is a game where we actually have an advantage. I have to admit that I think the games in NY are going to be a problem though. That is a very tough slate of opponents.

[Alan Bykowski, "brewcity77"]

Tough start, but I think we have a decent shot to start 3-1. I like our odds against a Vandy team with a new coach and without Baldwin and Jones. And while Howard will have a real shot to win the MEAC, that should be a win. While I think Michigan is a very, very tough game, if we lose there's a good chance we get a SMU team that lost a lot from last year. I think we either beat Michigan and lose to Pitt or lose to Michigan and beat SMU. I have a real hard time seeing past Pitt winning out there. They will be very good.

[Nukem2]

Tough start, but I think we have a decent shot to start 3-1. I like our odds against a Vandy team with a new coach and without Baldwin and Jones. And while Howard will have a real shot to win the MEAC, that should be a win. While I think Michigan is a very, very tough game, if we lose there's a good chance we get a SMU team that lost a lot from last year. I think we either beat Michigan and lose to Pitt or lose to Michigan and beat SMU. I have a real hard time seeing past Pitt winning out there. They will be very good.Pitt will have a new coach in Stallings, so could conceivably have a slow start.

[MU/Panther]

Wow, Fresno State, Bucks schedule will determine game between Georgia and Wisconsin.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CnQDeg-WYAAOWtb.jpg

[TheSultan]

Wow, Fresno State, Bucks schedule will determine game between Georgia and Wisconsin.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CnQDeg-WYAAOWtb.jpg


Ultimately its a Tuesday or Wednesday. No biggie either way.

[Nukem2]

Ultimately its a Tuesday or Wednesday. No biggie either way.True as to the day of week, but I think Panther was alluding to the whole week... @ Georgia and Fresno and UW at the BC. Not a shabby NC week with no tourneys involved.

[MU/Panther]

True as to the day of week, but I think MUPanther was alluding to the whole week... @ Georgia and Fresno and UW at the BC. Not a shabby NC week with no tourneys involved.

Correct. Tough week. Road game at Georgia on Sunday. Mid-week game versus Fresno State and Wisconsin on that Saturday. Most thought, even myself, that Fresno State would be over winter break. Between Dec. 17th- Dec. 22 range.

[TheSultan]

Correct. Tough week. Road game at Georgia on Sunday. Mid-week game versus Fresno State and Wisconsin on that Saturday. Most thought, even myself, that Fresno State would be over winter break. Between Dec. 17th- Dec. 22 range.


Ah got it. Yeah I kind of assumed they would be playing them Dec. 17 after the finals break.

[pbiflyer]

Can we/should we beat Georgia? Have UGA friends, so need to know how much to bet?

[ge1974]

Its official per Jon Rothstein - Marquette vs Michigan in the Wounded Warrior Classic

https://twitter.com/JonRothstein/status/753259180379832321

[MU/Panther]

11/22/16
IUPUI (188 rpi)

[IrwinFletcher]

So 11/13 non conference teams announced with the potentially weakest opponent to be Houston Baptist. Likely to be two duds post UW-Madison game to get ready for Conference play, but they did a nice job of beefing up the bottom portion of the schedule. Not a real marquee game in the group, but no duds either.

[MU/Panther]

10 of 13 we know. 3 teams left to be announced. The weakest might be Howard.

[TheSultan]

So 11/13 non conference teams announced with the potentially weakest opponent to be Houston Baptist. Likely to be two duds post UW-Madison game to get ready for Conference play, but they did a nice job of beefing up the bottom portion of the schedule. Not a real marquee game in the group, but no duds either.


I think only 9 have been announced. (Rockhurt is the exhibition.) With the Wisconsin game slated for 12/10, that would mean three more. So one for 12/17, one early that next week, with the final one either that Friday before Christmas or during the conference season.

[MU/Panther]

I think only 9 have been announced. (Rockhurt is the exhibition.) With the Wisconsin game slated for 12/10, that would mean three more. So one for 12/17, one early that next week, with the final one either that Friday before Christmas or during the conference season. I agree, we could see 12/17, 12/19 & 12/22 or 12/23.

[Alan Bykowski, "brewcity77"]

10 of 13 we know. 3 teams left to be announced. The weakest might be Howard.

Howard's not the weakest on the schedule currently. Houston Baptist looks like a stinker. I also think Howard is probably better than IUPUI or WCU, especially in terms of schedule impact.

[MU/Panther]

Howard's not the weakest on the schedule currently. Houston Baptist looks like a stinker. I also think Howard is probably better than IUPUI or WCU, especially in terms of schedule impact.
I'm just going off the RPI from last season. Howard is the weakest going off of last season.

How do you think Howard is probably better than IUPUI or Western Carolina in terms of schedule impact? I would guess both will have a better RPI in 2016-17 than Howard.

[Alan Bykowski, "brewcity77"]

Because RPI doesn't care about the RPI of your opponents, only their record and their opponents record. IUPUI is a great example. They had a good schedule which reflected on their RPI, but their record was only 12-18 in qualifying games, so they'd be a negative our RPI.

Personally, I feel the best metric to evaluate a team is how well they typically do in conference play because that is the bulk of their games and makes up more than 50% of how their record impacts your RPI. This upcoming year, Howard projects very well in league play. They return the league MVP and will be a tough out. Houston Baptist and Western Carolina in particular lose a lot and will likely have losing records, so regardless of season end RPI, I'll take the team with the better record and consistent league play.

[Alan Bykowski, "brewcity77"]

Because RPI doesn't care about the RPI of your opponents, only their record and their opponents record. IUPUI is a great example. They had a good schedule which reflected on their RPI, but their record was only 12-18 in qualifying games, so they'd be a negative our RPI.

Personally, I feel the best metric to evaluate a team is how well they typically do in conference play because that is the bulk of their games and makes up more than 50% of how their record impacts your RPI. This upcoming year, Howard projects very well in league play. They return the league MVP and will be a tough out. Houston Baptist and Western Carolina in particular lose a lot and will likely have losing records, so regardless of season end RPI, I'll take the team with the better record and consistent league play.

[TheSultan]

I think only 9 have been announced. (Rockhurt is the exhibition.) With the Wisconsin game slated for 12/10, that would mean three more. So one for 12/17, one early that next week, with the final one either that Friday before Christmas or during the conference season.


Well actually in their tweet about the UW game, they said "MU will then break for finals before last 2 non-league games."

So they are leaving a game on the table?

[MUfan12]

So they are leaving a game on the table?

They're just throwing us all off the scent, so they can announce a special game against Northern Southern A&T at the Al.

[MU/Panther]

I'm fine with one less game to make it 30 games and one less ho-umm game to go to at the Bradley Center.

[TheSultan]

Have they left a game on the table before?

[MUBasketball]

They're just throwing us all off the scent, so they can announce a special game against Northern Southern A&T at the Al.

Dangerous squad, don't want to play them in March!

[MU/Panther]

Have they left a game on the table before?
I want to say no they have not. Season-tickets are sold by a base price, not in total amount of games. That change happened around in 2009, with the three different tiers of single game pricing. How the dates were falling, leaving a game off to do another mid-January game. Mid-week game. With the team and fans that could have cared less in the 2nd half, they might have just passed on it.

[TheSultan]

I want to say no they have not. Season-tickets are sold by a base price, not in total amount of games. That change happened around in 2009, with the three different tiers of single game pricing. How the dates were falling, leaving a game off to do another mid-January game. Mid-week game. With the team and fans that could have cared less in the 2nd half, they might have just passed on it.


Especially with an opponent like Stetson who could drag the RPI down.

[TheSultan]

In thinking about this, I think it came down to the earlier start to the conference season. I just looked back on previous schedules, and ever since joining the BE, Marquette has *always* scheduled a game between Christmas and the start of conference play.

Since they can't do that this year, their options were limited such as a game during finals week or a game in the middle of the conference season.

[Alan Bykowski, "brewcity77"]

Someone on Scoop mentioned it could be the Utah game that fell through, I figured Georgia replaced that, but if they were trying to get two H&Hs going, it would make sense. Probably too late to find a decent replacement.

If they are passing on a game instead of trying to squeeze in a SWAC or MEAC bottom feeder, I applaud that decision.

[MU/Panther]

Utah already put it's schedule out.
http://www.utahutes.com/news/2016/7/7/mens-basketball-runnin-utes-announce-2016-17-non-conference-schedule.aspx

[Alan Bykowski, "brewcity77"]

Utah already put it's schedule out.
http://www.utahutes.com/news/2016/7/7/mens-basketball-runnin-utes-announce-2016-17-non-conference-schedule.aspx

They did, maybe dates didn't work with Marquette? They are playing two non-D1 schools, so my guess is one of those replaced Marquette for them.

[The Reptile]

Duke has an opening after Albany dropped out. Maybe da Utes would be willing to play them at Cameron to open the season.

[Alan Bykowski, "brewcity77"]

We also seem to have an opening. Probably help our RPI to play them on the road, even if we lost...

[The Reptile]

I don't think our opening is November 12th.

[Alan Bykowski, "brewcity77"]

I don't think our opening is November 12th.

They could stop in Durham on their way back from Annapolis ;)

I don't think there's any way Marquette would have interest in that game, and I wouldn't blame them. Unless Duke wanted to find a way to put together a midseason home-and-home like they did with St. John's I don't think it would fit into either team's schedule. Even then, Coach K alums don't tend to play each other like that, can't see them playing the Godfather either.

[MU/Panther]

Does Duke even know what a home/home is?

[IrwinFletcher]

Does Duke even know what a home/home is?

This is what always bothers me when they talk about Duke's winning streak at home vs. non conference opponents. The thing is, they rarely play a top flight non conf opponent at home, because they don't do home and homes. They will go to a neutral site for a TV game, but never will they have the likes of another blue blood come into their building. So they wind up playing a mid major or two at home and the rest are cream puffs. With their talent, of course they are going to dominate at home.

[Goose85]

This is what always bothers me when they talk about Duke's winning streak at home vs. non conference opponents. The thing is, they rarely play a top flight non conf opponent at home, because they don't do home and homes. They will go to a neutral site for a TV game, but never will they have the likes of another blue blood come into their building. So they wind up playing a mid major or two at home and the rest are cream puffs. With their talent, of course they are going to dominate at home.

Also factors into why they haven't sold out student tickets in some years too.

[The Reptile]

This is what always bothers me when they talk about Duke's winning streak at home vs. non conference opponents. The thing is, they rarely play a top flight non conf opponent at home, because they don't do home and homes. They will go to a neutral site for a TV game, but never will they have the likes of another blue blood come into their building. So they wind up playing a mid major or two at home and the rest are cream puffs. With their talent, of course they are going to dominate at home.


They play a home game in the Big 10-ACC challenge every other year - this year they have MSU. They also play a lot of big games "home games" New York or New Jersey in front of their other fan base. I think that's the reason for the numbers you're posting about. However, I don't think the purpose is to pad their home win record - simply to bring Duke basketball closer to their alumni.

[MU/Panther]

Dec. 19th St. Francis
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CnaVsPyXEAAHGJ6.jpg

13-17 (9-9 conf) 266 RPI
ended on a 6 game losing streak

[Nukem2]

Dec. 19th St. Francis
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CnaVsPyXEAAHGJ6.jpg

13-17 (9-9 conf) 266 RPI
ended on a 6 game losing streakAt least SFU is not sub-300. Actually, the final NCAA (and Nolan ) RPI is 263. Give these guys a break. ;)

[MU/Panther]

At least SFU is not sub-300. Actually, the final NCAA (and Nolan ) RPI is 263. Give these guys a break. ;) Saw that someone said they lose their 3 top scorers. I agree, at least they are not a 300-sub RPI team. Nice game on a Monday night after exam week. I'm fine with it.

St. Francis (PA) past seasons
2014-15 16-16
2013-14 10-21
2012-13 5-24
2011-12 6-23

[IrwinFletcher]

They do lose their top 3 scorers and leading rebounder, but they also had some young guys who got some minutes. Like others, I have no issues with this and is also a team from the northeast, which is important for exposure

[ge1974]

Playing St Francis of PA. Perhaps MU will have a promotion where they will bless pets at halftime.

[The Reptile]

Playing St Francis of PA. Perhaps MU will have a promotion where they will bless pets at halftime.

Well, Wojo did say in this mornings You Tube video release that they wanted to do more for the fans.

[Nukem2]

Playing St Francis of PA. Perhaps MU will have a promotion where they will bless pets at halftime.Gotta bring some of those Doggy Doo bags...:cool:

[MKE_GoldenEagleFan]

They do lose their top 3 scorers and leading rebounder, but they also had some young guys who got some minutes. Like others, I have no issues with this and is also a team from the northeast, which is important for exposure

how does this provide any exposure for MU in the northeast? I could be very wrong, but I highly doubt they are discussed much on the news or in the papers up there.

[TheSultan]

They do lose their top 3 scorers and leading rebounder, but they also had some young guys who got some minutes. Like others, I have no issues with this and is also a team from the northeast, which is important for exposure


They play in a conference where they play road games in Providence, New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia and Washington.

They don't need some crap game on a Monday in December to give them exposure in the northeast.

[Alan Bykowski, "brewcity77"]

St. Francis loses three senior starters, but will likely have three seniors starting this year as well. Coach Krimmel had increased his wins each season and was on pace to do that last year before a late losing streak after some injuries. I think they'll have a decent shot at being a 12-14 win team, which is good enough for me. We don't need great teams, just good enough.

[TheSultan]

St. Francis loses three senior starters, but will likely have three seniors starting this year as well. Coach Krimmel had increased his wins each season and was on pace to do that last year before a late losing streak after some injuries. I think they'll have a decent shot at being a 12-14 win team, which is good enough for me. We don't need great teams, just good enough.


And I think regardless of who the last game is against, Marquette did a good job with this schedule. Good enough to get them in the dance with a solid BE season. (Assuming they perform well against it.)

[Alan Bykowski, "brewcity77"]

And I think regardless of who the last game is against, Marquette did a good job with this schedule. Good enough to get them in the dance with a solid BE season. (Assuming they perform well against it.)

I really like this schedule. Personally, I advocate for scheduling the middle. Play high-major teams that you expect to be bubble teams or slightly worse. Those teams don't really hurt you if you lose but look good on the resume and RPI if you win. I'd much rather play teams in the 50-100 range than the top-50. Safer, and have a similar RPI benefit as long as they can win 20 or so games. Then try to schedule buy games in the 150-250 range. Lower than that hurts you, higher gives the risk of a loss. The teams that can win 12-18 games on the season are all valuable.

I think the key to good buy games is focusing on teams that consistently win in conference. That's the bulk of their games on the season, so as long as they can do okay there, they'll be okay for your RPI. That's why I like Western Carolina and St. Francis. Neither may be great teams, but their coaches are veterans of the leagues they are in and have shown they can at least be competitive. That's all you really need. Avoid the teams that win single-digit games and you're doing pretty well.

[warriorfan4life]

I really like this schedule. Personally, I advocate for scheduling the middle. Play high-major teams that you expect to be bubble teams or slightly worse. Those teams don't really hurt you if you lose but look good on the resume and RPI if you win. I'd much rather play teams in the 50-100 range than the top-50. Safer, and have a similar RPI benefit as long as they can win 20 or so games. Then try to schedule buy games in the 150-250 range. Lower than that hurts you, higher gives the risk of a loss. The teams that can win 12-18 games on the season are all valuable.

I think the key to good buy games is focusing on teams that consistently win in conference. That's the bulk of their games on the season, so as long as they can do okay there, they'll be okay for your RPI. That's why I like Western Carolina and St. Francis. Neither may be great teams, but their coaches are veterans of the leagues they are in and have shown they can at least be competitive. That's all you really need. Avoid the teams that win single-digit games and you're doing pretty well.

I love this schedule for where we currently are as a program. Solid enough to get to 10-2/9-3 with decent wins, but not so daunting that we should not win any less then 8 non-conference games. Not a schedule that screams protected seed, but a schedule that can certainly get an at-large with 19-20 overall wins.

Now, if we can get back to being a top 20 program, I would want a couple of stiffer challenges (Nova or X likely has zero or one losses against this schedule). However, we are not ready for a schedule with multiple top 25 teams out of conference, and wisely picked a schedule against programs at similar levels currently or worse.

[MU/Panther]

Wednesday, Dec. 21
SIU-Edwardsville

Coach by Jon Harris

[Alan Bykowski, "brewcity77"]

SIUE is probably the weakest team on paper. However, they return 4 of their top 6 in terms of minutes (lost starting PG to transfer) as well as their top two scorers. They have 5 incoming freshmen as well. I don't expect them to be a great team, but they should improve on last season, they play in a strong mid-major, and Harris scheduled tougher than his predecessor ever did in his first year. There are always going to be 2-3 bad teams on any schedule, and if this is the worst, I'll happily take it.

[MU/Panther]

I think the non-conference schedule "buy games" are great! The bar was set at an all time low last season, this year it had to be better, but I was scared it wasn't going to happen. Fresno State, Western Carolina, St. Francis, Houston Baptist and SIU Edwardsville is how I would rank them that Marquette scheduled. Don't know to what control MU has in the 2K Classic in getting IUPUI and Howard.

Sure beat last season Grambling, Chicago State, Presbyterian, Maine, Stetson and San Jose State that finish sub-300 last season.

[MayorBeluga]

Wednesday, Dec. 21
SIU-Edwardsville

Coach by Jon Harris

No one can really object to hosting family in a buy game

[MU/Panther]

No one can really object to hosting family in a buy gameAgree. Very close location as well.

[IWB]

I remember when Jon was at MU his parents followed the team to damn near every game. In the parents' section, every time someone did something really great, Jon's dad would yell. "WHO'S BOY?" and that parent, often Bob Diener, would have to yell back, "MY BOY!" WHO'S BOY?" "MY BOY!"

[Markedman]

#mubb schedule updates: Exhibition vs. Rockhurst moves to Sat. 11/5 and Fresno State game confirmed for Dec. 6 at @BMOHBC

[MU/Panther]

Weird that the Rockhurst game got moved.

[MUBasketball]

Weird that the Rockhurst game got moved.

That's awesome it got moved to a weekend. Now hopefully there is a big Fondy contingent that comes down for the game.