This year’s OOC Schedule

[furpop16]

My initial observations on this year’s non-conference schedule compared w/ that of last year’s (arguably better filed under General Idiocy):

The Wow
- Who knew Loyola Chicago was a Home & Home?!?
- A second SEC match

The Good
- Retained a Bball Conference game (2019 American USF vs. 2018 Big East Villanova. Ok, so USF isn’t NCAA #1, but per earlier posts that’s going to be a super game)
- Battle 4 Atlantis (granted it’s the Mainland bracket, but it’s better than 2018’s nothing)
- Overall ave 2019 KenPom of this year’s non-conf opponents = 177 vs. 2018 KenPom of previous year’s non-conf opponents = 180; we’re lucky they're comparable.

The As-Expected
- Non-D1: 1 ea NAIA; 2 ea Div II
- 4 ea Big South (2 Home, 2 Away with 2019 Ave KenPom of 252 vs. 2018 Ave 258)

It’ll be interesting to see how KenPom rates this year’s OOC schedule. He rated last year’s at 236. Will the additional SEC match improve the rating?

Given the scheduling difficulties CBR described (due mostly to the team’s continued success & steady improvement) this looks like great work. Congrats to the staff.

[Monday]

Maybe... Loyola wasn't a home and home. Porter Moser called us wanting revenge. BR said 'Challenge accepted.'

[apaladin]

Another way to compare this year's OOC with last year.

Mid-Major Home Games
2018- 3
2019- 2
Mid-Major Road Games
2018- 3
2019- 4
Hi-Major Home Games
2018- 0
2019- 1
Hi-Major Road Games
2018- 1
2019- 1
P-5
2018- 2(Counting Nova)
2019- 2
Non-D1
3 each year.

Very similar to last year's when you break it down.
Mid-Major 6 each year
Hi -Major- 2 this year, 1 last year. Counting Loyola as Hi-Major
Non D1 3 both years.
P-5 or similar 2 each year.
I give a slight edge to this year's schedule due to one more hi-major. Of course we play one more game this year vs. last year.

[din23]

I'm very glad to have the Loyola home game, but I don't think you can consider a 20-14 MVC team as a high-major. Loyola is the definition of a good mid-major team.

[apaladin]

I'm very glad to have the Loyola home game, but I don't think you can consider a 20-14 MVC team as a high-major. Loyola is the definition of a good mid-major team.

Prolly so, I was thinking more about their final 4 appearance year before last. Maybe I should have said hi-mid-major.

[apaladin]

The next question of course is when is the baseball schedule going to be released.

[Affirm]

The next question of course is when is the baseball schedule going to be released.

Hopefully sometime AFTER the women’s basketball schedule is released.