Stop Slamming our Schedule

[spartcat]

Nobody in the conference has more than 4-5 games against power conference teams. We have 4. We are playing UNC, which is about as strong as it gets. We're not behind on that basis.

This is slightly variable because of tournament results, but MSU is playing 4-5 power conference teams, Wisconsin 5, Iowa 2-3 MN 3, Neb 3-4 PSU 3 Purdue 3, Indiana 4-5, Michigan 3, OSU 4, MD 3, etc.

 

[CappyNU]

Nobody in the conference has more than 4-5 games against power conference teams. We have 4. We are playing UNC, which is about as strong as it gets. We're not behind on that basis.

This is slightly variable because of tournament results, but MSU is playing 4-5 power conference teams, Wisconsin 5, Iowa 2-3 MN 3, Neb 3-4 PSU 3 Purdue 3, Indiana 4-5, Michigan 3, OSU 4, MD 3, etc.

I don't think anyone is slamming our schedule based on power conference teams or lack thereof, it's because the rest of our schedule comes from the following conferences with last year's KenPom rank:

14 Ivy - Columbia
18 MAAC - Fairfield
20 OVC - SIU-E
22 Patriot - Loyola MD
26 NEC - Sacred Heart
27 America East - UMass-L
28 Southland - New Orleans
30 WAC - Chicago St
32 SWAC - MVSU

Where's games against teams from the MAC, Mountain West, Atlantic 10, Horizon League, Conference USA? Those are the conferences we need to get games from.

 

[NJCat83588]

I don't think anyone is slamming our schedule based on power conference teams or lack thereof, it's because the rest of our schedule comes from the following conferences with last year's KenPom rank:

14 Ivy - Columbia
18 MAAC - Fairfield
20 OVC - SIU-E
22 Patriot - Loyola MD
26 NEC - Sacred Heart
27 America East - UMass-L
28 Southland - New Orleans
30 WAC - Chicago St
32 SWAC - MVSU

Where's games against teams from the MAC, Mountain West, Atlantic 10, Horizon League, Conference USA? Those are the conferences we need to get games from.

Apart from Columbia, who are the favorite in the Ivy and will give NU a real test, these other teams are really bad. Much as I'd like to make a case for them, they aren't any good. And the Power 5 games, apart from UNC, are against lower-half conference teams. Not going to learn much about NU from the non-conference schedule unless they give UNC a good game and beat Columbia soundly.

 

[Fitz51]

I like wins.

 

[NJCat83588]

I like wins.

You're gonna love the home OOC schedule then.......

 

[DonatelloCat]

Nobody in the conference has more than 4-5 games against power conference teams. We have 4. We are playing UNC, which is about as strong as it gets. We're not behind on that basis.

This is slightly variable because of tournament results, but MSU is playing 4-5 power conference teams, Wisconsin 5, Iowa 2-3 MN 3, Neb 3-4 PSU 3 Purdue 3, Indiana 4-5, Michigan 3, OSU 4, MD 3, etc.

ok no slamming the schedule. pounding the rock is still cool though, yes?

 

[Medill90]

The pre conference schedule doesn't have the same meaning for the Big Ten. Conference gives a team all of the top tier competition it needs to build a resume. Yes, an Izzo will schedule tougher competition. But MSU's had the talent for 20 years to do that. When was the last time that MSU had to "rebuild."

NU will play four or five of the top 25 and nine or ten of the top 60 teams in the country. If that isn't a large enough sample size for the tournament committee they are not very good.

 

[NJCat83588]

The pre conference schedule doesn't have the same meaning for the Big Ten. Conference gives a team all of the top tier competition it needs to build a resume. Yes, an Izzo will schedule tougher competition. But MSU's had the talent for 20 years to do that. When was the last time that MSU had to "rebuild."

NU will play four or five of the top 25 and nine or ten of the top 60 teams in the country. If that isn't a large enough sample size for the tournament committee they are not very good.

Agree. Win 9 Big 10 games and NU is in the conversation for the Tournament. Win fewer and it is highly unlikely NU goes irrespective of the OOC SOS.

 

[olshin]

Agree with this last statement. Maybe when we get to the level of Michigan State, we can schedule like Michigan State. Our schedule is just fine, we have a lot of young guys, let them get used to the college game.

 

[Styre]

Agree with this last statement. Maybe when we get to the level of Michigan State, we can schedule like Michigan State. Our schedule is just fine, we have a lot of young guys, let them get used to the college game.

There's a wide gap between scheduling like MSU and the schedule we're playing.

I don't have a problem with our schedule, I just think it's going to be difficult to get into the tournament -- assuming that's the goal -- unless we win 10-11 conference games. It's a great schedule for stacking wins and getting into the NIT, however. I'll be shocked if we don't do that.

 

[NJCat83588]

we have a lot of young guys, let them get used to the college game.

Respectfully disagree. We don't have a lot of young guys. NU returns all its starters from last season. Olah and Demps, the 2 best players, are seniors. JVZ is a senior. Law, BMac and Lindsey got serious minutes last season. Skelly less so but is a role player. The 3 Freshmen will not need to play immediately although if Falzon is as good a shooter as Collins says he will get his share of minutes.This team has plenty of experience. If they don't do well it won't be because they are inexperienced.

 

[Walker Fan]

I looked over a preseason College Basketball (ATHLON) Preview Magazine and NU will be playing the no. 1 and 2 teams in the rankings three times - UNC - once and Md. twice. Then they play MSU, at Indiana and at Purdue who are predicted to be Elite 8 or Sweet 16 caliber teams. Then they play other tourney teams (UW, at UM, at Iowa). Then they play OSU which most are projected to be a tourney team or on the bubble twice. So they have 10 games against projected tourney teams. Also, they play a Columbia team which has a shot at the tourney. Lastly, they play at V.Tech and Kansas St. or Missouri in Kansas City which is a home game for either team. So the schedule is tough enough for NU to get some quality wins against quality opponents.

Lastly, NU has two senior captains, but the seven sophs and frosh are key contributors to this squad. Collins has said that the "x" factors of this year's team are Vic Law and Scottie Lindsey. And we all know how he feels about his PG MacIntosh. Lastly, Falzon is a top 80 prospect who Collins call one of the best shooting forwards in the nation. That means he will be playing major minutes because he will hit shots and space the floor better. He brings a skill set which NU has not had and does not have. Also, Skelly brings energy and skills and size off the bench. He also has a good passing touch. So yes, Tre and Alex are the captains and are needed to be the leaders, but the sophs and frosh will need to be the backbone of the team if they are able to reach their potential.

 

[NJCat83588]

I looked over a preseason College Basketball (ATHLON) Preview Magazine and NU will be playing the no. 1 and 2 teams in the rankings three times - UNC - once and Md. twice. Then they play MSU, at Indiana and at Purdue who are predicted to be Elite 8 or Sweet 16 caliber teams. Then they play other tourney teams (UW, at UM, at Iowa). Then they play OSU which most are projected to be a tourney team or on the bubble twice. So they have 10 games against projected tourney teams. Also, they play a Columbia team which has a shot at the tourney. Lastly, they play at V.Tech and Kansas St. or Missouri in Kansas City which is a home game for either team. So the schedule is tough enough for NU to get some quality wins against quality opponents.

Lastly, NU has two senior captains, but the seven sophs and frosh are key contributors to this squad. Collins has said that the "x" factors of this year's team are Vic Law and Scottie Lindsey. And we all know how he feels about his PG MacIntosh. Lastly, Falzon is a top 80 prospect who Collins call one of the best shooting forwards in the nation. That means he will be playing major minutes because he will hit shots and space the floor better. He brings a skill set which NU has not had and does not have. Also, Skelly brings energy and skills and size off the bench. He also has a good passing touch. So yes, Tre and Alex are the captains and are needed to be the leaders, but the sophs and frosh will need to be the backbone of the team if they are able to reach their potential.

Good analysis. Game week, Quincy on Friday. Subscribe to BTN Plus or whatever it is called this season to watch the 2015-16 Cats!

 

[EvanstonCat]

Nobody in the conference has more than 4-5 games against power conference teams. We have 4. We are playing UNC, which is about as strong as it gets. We're not behind on that basis.

This is slightly variable because of tournament results, but MSU is playing 4-5 power conference teams, Wisconsin 5, Iowa 2-3 MN 3, Neb 3-4 PSU 3 Purdue 3, Indiana 4-5, Michigan 3, OSU 4, MD 3, etc.

Our SOS isn't going to be a factor, because we'll have wins over two #1 teams in the country when we take down UNC and then Maryland (at which point they will be #1).

It will be great.