Non-conference Schedule Released Today

[NJCat]

Here it is:

11/4 Illinois Springfield (Exhibition)
11/11 MVSU
11/14 TBA (Part of Legends)
11/16 @Butler
11/21 Legends in Brooklyn (ND, Colorado, Texas)
11/22 Legends
11/25 TBA (Part of Legends)
11/28 Wake Forest
12/3 DePaul
12/11 New Orleans
12/14 Chicago State
12/17 Dayton @ United Center
12/20 IUPUI
12/22 Houston Baptist

Still a bunch of the same crappy teams (MVSU, UNO, CSU, HBU) but some real good early tests (Butler, Wake, Legends). Sadly, only 2 home games in WRA against major conference foes: DePaul and Wake.

http://nusports.com/news/2016/6/8/m...tern-sets-2016-17-nonconference-schedule.aspx

http://www.nusports.com/schedule.aspx?path=mbball&

 

[thewildcat2011]

Overall: meh. Doesn't do us any favors...better than last season but we will be heavily dependent on strong conference record to make any postseason.

 

[JournCat]

The non-conference schedule is the truest indication of a coach's expectations for the team ... and so I'd say Collins thinks we should make the NIT this year.

 

[willycat]

Here it is:

11/4 Illinois Springfield (Exhibition)
11/11 MVSU
11/14 TBA (Part of Legends)
11/16 @Butler
11/21 Legends in Brooklyn (ND, Colorado, Texas)
11/22 Legends
11/25 TBA (Part of Legends)
11/28 Wake Forest
12/3 DePaul
12/11 New Orleans
12/14 Chicago State
12/17 Dayton @ United Center
12/20 IUPUI
12/22 Houston Baptist

Still a bunch of the same crappy teams (MVSU, UNO, CSU, HBU) but some real good early tests (Butler, Wake, Legends). Sadly, only 2 home games in WRA against major conference foes: DePaul and Wake.

http://nusports.com/news/2016/6/8/m...tern-sets-2016-17-nonconference-schedule.aspx

http://www.nusports.com/schedule.aspx?path=mbball&

Actually only 4 crappy programs. I would bet that schools like Illinois, Minnesota, Nebraska, Rutgers and likely a few other conference foes have similar schedules.

 

[Alan Smithee]

Terrible.

 

[Catreporter]

Terrible.

I think critics are forgetting the financial factor of luring mid-majors into WR. Lots of other teams with bigger arenas can afford to pay more, and many of those teams could want a home-and-home deal that NU doesn't want to give. Smaller schools can be up and down. New Orleans has been good in the past (Tim Floyd coached there), everyone in the BIG plays one of the SWAC teams to help them out financially (Miss Valley State), ditto Chicago State. Am I crazy about seeing these games? No, but I think this is a reasonable schedule. Tournament hopes will always come down to how we do in the BIG. Get over .500 in the league and you'll have a great chance irregardless of the non-conference.

 

[Styre]

It's not a terrible schedule. The Brooklyn tournament gives us two great neutral site games, the trip to Butler is very good, Dayton is a very good opponent, hopefully Wake Forest will be a little better this year, and hopefully DePaul will have a pulse. I just wish they would aim a little higher with the games they control.

 

[Sec.112]

I think critics are forgetting the financial factor of luring mid-majors into WR ...

Catreporter,

Are B10 teams required to maintain a certain number of pre-conference home games for BTN purposes?

I assume the network needs the rights to a certain number of games to keep a full programming schedule.

 

[NJCat]

Catreporter,

Are B10 teams required to maintain a certain number of pre-conference home games for BTN purposes?

I assume the network needs the rights to a certain number of games to keep a full programming schedule.

Many of these crap games are only available on BYN Plus, and use student announcers. I doubt there is much revenue generation from these as there are no commercials shown, and subscribers pay only $9.95per month.

 

[DC Cats]

I'm fine with it. Winning a bunch of games in the B1G is far more important than the non-con SOS.

Is the season about to start yet?

 

[Styre]

I'm fine with it. Winning a bunch of games in the B1G is far more important than the non-con SOS.

Of course it is, but it's much easier to control your non-con SOS than it is to win the 11-12+ conference games necessary to offset a bad schedule and still make the tournament.

 

[Noah121]

It's too bad that our home schedule often is filled with the Nobodies based on our current program stature. But this has been endemic to the 'Cats as long as I have followed them... and honestly even to the Huskers when I lived in Lincoln.

 

[willycat]

Here it is:

11/4 Illinois Springfield (Exhibition)
11/11 MVSU
11/14 TBA (Part of Legends)
11/16 @Butler
11/21 Legends in Brooklyn (ND, Colorado, Texas)
11/22 Legends
11/25 TBA (Part of Legends)
11/28 Wake Forest
12/3 DePaul
12/11 New Orleans
12/14 Chicago State
12/17 Dayton @ United Center
12/20 IUPUI
12/22 Houston Baptist

Still a bunch of the same crappy teams (MVSU, UNO, CSU, HBU) but some real good early tests (Butler, Wake, Legends). Sadly, only 2 home games in WRA against major conference foes: DePaul and Wake.

http://nusports.com/news/2016/6/8/m...tern-sets-2016-17-nonconference-schedule.aspx

http://www.nusports.com/schedule.aspx?path=mbball&

Not all bad, with only 3 or 4 low level opponents, one who may not open come this fall. Noticed that you noted a strength of schedule on the football board, so is there somewhere to view schedules for the upcoming season. I've attempted to check on other Big Ten sites but upcoming schedules aren't posted. Wonder how many programs have released their schedules, since NU is normally one of the last to do so.

 

[Catreporter]

Catreporter,

Are B10 teams required to maintain a certain number of pre-conference home games for BTN purposes?

I assume the network needs the rights to a certain number of games to keep a full programming schedule.

I'm sure that NU works with BTN when they set nonconference games. I don't think any number is required but I'm sure BTN would give input on starting times and perhaps even dates to help fill out their schedule. Plus, I'm sure NU would like to have as many games as possible up on the network for recruiting purposes.

 

[Styre]

I'm sure that NU works with BTN when they set nonconference games. I don't think any number is required but I'm sure BTN would give input on starting times and perhaps even dates to help fill out their schedule. Plus, I'm sure NU would like to have as many games as possible up on the network for recruiting purposes.

NU and their opponents set the dates, then BTN decides what games it wants to pick up after the Big Ten teams settle their non-conference schedules and after ESPN and possibly CBS take what they want. That's why all the game times are TBA right now.

I'm sure the Big Ten contract calls for a certain minimum number of televised non-conference games on BTN, and there might be a provision in there for at least one TV game per school or something like that, but the sheer number of non-conference games means BTN will never struggle to fill its schedule.

 

[ColumbusCatFan1]

Overall: meh. Doesn't do us any favors...better than last season but we will be heavily dependent on strong conference record to make any postseason.

Depends on what you consider a strong conference record. Assuming the BIG is back up to snuff and the Cats split the toughies (while sweeping the rest - 2 total losses), the NIT should be very manageable with an 8-10 or even 7-11 conference mark.