UConn playing a game near LA next year

[champs99and04]

It happens fairly frequently and road wins are always good.

As much as I want to agree with you if you're using the "away game" vs Oakland as an example that was nuetral at best.

Michigan State played a true road game at Navy 2 seasons ago.

Using MSU playing Navy one time two years ago as a counter-argument is like pointing to Hillary Clinton when I say "most presidential candidates are male".

Also played a true road game @ Northeastern this season.

 

[champs99and04]

And while we're on topic, Oklahoma played a game @ Hawaii this season (a situation that would be comparable to ours given it was a throw-in as part of another tournament).

It's not like we're calling up random schools asking for a game, this is clearly a unique situation where we're looking to sandwich a game between a titanic road trip to stay sharp. I think the UConn brand will survive.

 

[zls44]

Using MSU playing Navy one time two years ago as a counter-argument is like pointing to Hillary Clinton when I say "most presidential candidates are male".

How about UNC playing at Long Beach State or at Northern Iowa or you're just an idiot?

 

[caw]

Because we are UConn.

How many other true powerhouse programs do you see playing true road games OOC, let alone road games against teams like those listed above. It presents us little to no advantage. If we win, great, it was an RPI 100+ and we damn well should have beaten them. If we lose, which is very likely considering early season UConn teams usually are far from polished as well as the unfamiliar territory/away crowd's Super Bowl factor makes it a clear trap game.

On top of all of this, the school wouldn't even be compensated with home game ticket sales which is really the only reason cupcakes are played AT HOME in the first place, I've honestly never seen a major program schedule a game like this one being discussed. We need to act like we belong, and not act like a mid major.

Using MSU playing Navy one time two years ago as a counter-argument is like pointing to Hillary Clinton when I say "most presidential candidates are male".

So you ask for examples, are given examples and they don't count?

If UConn were only playing road games at mid to low majors, then you would have a point. Or doing it with no specific goal.

BTW in 2005-2006 UConn played @Pepperdine in its first game of the season. They then continued to fly west to play in the Maui Classic. A year where UConn not only already had 2 NCs but also were a top 5 team entering the season.

In 2011, UConn had three games before the Maui classic at home.

So it's not a given but it's not unprecedented by UConn.

 

[BoatShow]

So you ask for examples, are given examples and they don't count?

If UConn were only playing road games at mid to low majors, then you would have a point. Or doing it with no specific goal.

BTW in 2005-2006 UConn played @Pepperdine in its first game of the season. They then continued to fly west to play in the Maui Classic. A year where UConn not only already had 2 NCs but also were a top 5 team entering the season.

In 2011, UConn had three games before the Maui classic at home.

So it's not a given but it's not unprecedented by UConn.

We've also played at Rice and Buffalo somewhat recently

 

[zls44]

For some reason, BU Husky's POV really set me off. Maybe I'm cranky because its late?

Anyway, here are just a few examples of bigtime programs playing on the road against programs "beneath them" since 2010 alone.

http://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/boxscores/2013-01-06-yale.html
http://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/boxscores/2013-11-25-jacksonville.html
http://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/boxscores/2012-12-01-bradley.html
http://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/boxscores/2011-11-27-eastern-michigan.html
http://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/boxscores/2012-12-18-bowling-green-state.html
http://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/boxscores/2012-11-16-long-beach-state.html
http://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/boxscores/2010-12-08-evansville.html
http://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/boxscores/2013-12-01-alabama-birmingham.html
http://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/boxscores/2014-12-19-texas-el-paso.html
http://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/boxscores/2011-11-29-new-mexico-state.html
http://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/boxscores/2010-12-01-rice.html

 

[BUHusky]

For some reason, BU Husky's POV really set me off. Maybe I'm cranky because its late?

Anyway, here are just a few examples of bigtime programs playing on the road against programs "beneath them" since 2010 alone.

Florida vs. Yale Box Score, January 6, 2013 | College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com
Florida vs. Jacksonville Box Score, November 25, 2013 | College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com
Michigan vs. Bradley Box Score, December 1, 2012 | College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com
Michigan State vs. Eastern Michigan Box Score, November 27, 2011 | College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com
Michigan State vs. Bowling Green State Box Score, December 18, 2012 | College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com
North Carolina vs. Long Beach State Box Score, November 16, 2012 | College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com
North Carolina vs. Evansville Box Score, December 8, 2010 | College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com
North Carolina vs. Alabama-Birmingham Box Score, December 1, 2013 | College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com
Arizona vs. Texas-El Paso Box Score, December 19, 2014 | College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com
Arizona vs. New Mexico State Box Score, November 29, 2011 | College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com
Arizona vs. Rice Box Score, December 1, 2010 | College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com

Just a note, I'm BUHusky. You're talking about BUHusky10. Yes I know, it's confusing. Just ask @OkaForPrez when we were in the Bahamas. I'm pretty sure he thought I was posting to the Boneyard when I was actually swimming in the ocean

 

[BoatShow]

Just a note, I'm BUHusky. You're talking about BUHusky10. Yes I know, it's confusing. Just ask @OkaForPrez when we were in the Bahamas. I'm pretty sure he thought I was posting to the Boneyard when I was actually swimming in the ocean

God damn man I thought you quoted me arguing with yourself

 

[BUHusky]

Using MSU playing Navy one time two years ago as a counter-argument is like pointing to Hillary Clinton when I say "most presidential candidates are male".

Um, ok... And as @champs99and04 pointed out MSU also played a true road game at Northeastern this past season.

And besides @zls44's mega list (which is not exhaustive), he pretty much nailed it when citing UNC. They played a true game at Long Beach St...wait for it...on the way to Maui 4 seasons ago. I guess UNC is a mid-major too...

 

[Leebo]

I've honestly never seen a major program schedule a game like this one being discussed. We need to act like we belong, and not act like a mid major.

I know I'm late to this but, pfffffft bahahaha.

 

[7774]

For some reason, BU Husky's POV really set me off. Maybe I'm cranky because its late?

It's probably because his POV rarely has even the slightest bit of intelligence behind it.

 

[Rico444]

Just a note, I'm BUHusky. You're talking about BUHusky10. Yes I know, it's confusing. Just ask @OkaForPrez when we were in the Bahamas. I'm pretty sure he thought I was posting to the Boneyard when I was actually swimming in the ocean

I apologize if I've ever snapped at you; the other dude is who I'm sure it was meant for.

 

[CallMeBruce]

Just a note, I'm BUHusky. You're talking about BUHusky10. Yes I know, it's confusing. Just ask @OkaForPrez when we were in the Bahamas. I'm pretty sure he thought I was posting to the Boneyard when I was actually swimming in the ocean

Holy crap, I've thought you were just the most schizo poster on here for like 2 years.

 

[Gringo]

Um, ok... And as @champs99and04 pointed out MSU also played a true road game at Northeastern this past season.

And besides @zls44's mega list (which is not exhaustive), he pretty much nailed it when citing UNC. They played a true game at Long Beach St...wait for it...on the way to Maui 4 seasons ago. I guess UNC is a mid-major too...

I can't remember the thread but I remember about a month ago you posted something in reply to the other BUHusky that completely contradicted him. It took me about 20 minutes to figure out it was two separate people.

 

[BUConn10]

Unfortunately for all of you I wasn't speaking in absolutes, so posting a dozen or so handpicked examples of when this has occurred only reinforces that it's a relatively rare event in college scheduling.

The difference between the scheduling examples of the likes of MSU and UNC is that they have heavy conference schedules, as a result they can afford to experiment with games like this, and if they do happen to lose they have a plethora of opportunities to make up for it during the conference slate. We don't have that liberty. Our OOC schedule can make or break our tournament hopes, so every game counts. We saw that this year, we had one of our best OOC schedules in a few years and we still found ourselves sitting on the bubble RPI wise near selection Sunday, the committee has shown time and time again they rely too heavily on that metric.

I can't see how a game against Loyola on the other side of the country, adding in jet lag and Maui on the team's mind is going to help us in any way. The only reason I've heard in support for the game is that it's a "tune-up game for Maui", whatever the hell that is, usually they call that the first round of the tournament. Games like this simply don't present enough benefit to our team and schedule for us to take on the risk, there isn't even the ticket sales to use as justification. Everyone here was s***ing on the fact that we had to play UMass-Lowell this season and are saying we need less of those games, yet are all on board for us playing a UMass-Lowell caliber opponent ON THE ROAD in a different time-zone? Give me a break. Everyone please return to posting links of games from 2002 and high-fiving one another.

 

[lange10]

Unfortunately for all of you I wasn't speaking in absolutes, so posting a dozen or so handpicked examples of when this has occurred only reinforces that it's a relatively rare event in college scheduling.

The difference between the scheduling examples of the likes of MSU and UNC is that they have heavy conference schedules, as a result they can afford to experiment with games like this, and if they do happen to lose they have a plethora of opportunities to make up for it during the conference slate. We don't have that liberty. Our OOC schedule can make or break our tournament hopes, so every game counts. We saw that this year, we had one of our best OOC schedules in a few years and we still found ourselves sitting on the bubble RPI wise near selection Sunday, the committee has shown time and time again they rely too heavily on that metric.

I can't see how a game against Loyola on the other side of the country, adding in jet lag and Maui on the team's mind is going to help us in any way. The only reason I've heard in support for the game is that it's a "tune-up game for Maui", whatever the hell that is, usually they call that the first round of the tournament. Games like this simply don't present enough benefit to our team and schedule for us to take on the risk, there isn't even the ticket sales to use as justification. Everyone here was s***ing on the fact that we had to play UMass-Lowell this season and are saying we need less of those games, yet are all on board for us playing a UMass-Lowell caliber opponent ON THE ROAD in a different time-zone? Give me a break. Everyone please return to posting links of games from 2002 and high-fiving one another.

I'd take the game versus Long Beach St. in a second. OOC road win versus a top 100 ken pom team is a real nice look on the resume. Loss isn't the end of the world.

 

[Leebo]

I'm looking forward to the preseason articles about good OOC schedules next year and seeing us getting praised for whatever this game ends up being.

 

[BUHusky]

God damn man I thought you quoted me arguing with yourself

Holy crap, I've thought you were just the most schizo poster on here for like 2 years.

Lulz. Nope, we are 2 very different posters. No doubt about that.

 

[Dogbreath2U]

A game in LA area has got to be good for recruits from that area to see. KO clearly wants to keep his foot in that door. Maybe it's better for jet lag to break that long trip into 2 parts, take a day or two in between perhaps. Or not. If our guys aren't ready to handle a Long Beach State, well then we better buckle up for Maui.

 

[7774]

Unfortunately for all of you I wasn't speaking in absolutes, so posting a dozen or so handpicked examples of when this has occurred only reinforces that it's a relatively rare event in college scheduling.

The difference between the scheduling examples of the likes of MSU and UNC is that they have heavy conference schedules, as a result they can afford to experiment with games like this, and if they do happen to lose they have a plethora of opportunities to make up for it during the conference slate. We don't have that liberty. Our OOC schedule can make or break our tournament hopes, so every game counts. We saw that this year, we had one of our best OOC schedules in a few years and we still found ourselves sitting on the bubble RPI wise near selection Sunday, the committee has shown time and time again they rely too heavily on that metric.

I can't see how a game against Loyola on the other side of the country, adding in jet lag and Maui on the team's mind is going to help us in any way. The only reason I've heard in support for the game is that it's a "tune-up game for Maui", whatever the hell that is, usually they call that the first round of the tournament. Games like this simply don't present enough benefit to our team and schedule for us to take on the risk, there isn't even the ticket sales to use as justification. Everyone here was s***ing on the fact that we had to play UMass-Lowell this season and are saying we need less of those games, yet are all on board for us playing a UMass-Lowell caliber opponent ON THE ROAD in a different time-zone? Give me a break. Everyone please return to posting links of games from 2002 and high-fiving one another.

It's funny how many times people decide they were "not speaking in absolutes" when they say something ridiculous and other people point out how ridiculous it is.

 

[BUConn10]

It's funny how many times people decide they were "not speaking in absolutes" when they say something ridiculous and other people point out how ridiculous it is.

Do you seriously believe I was saying this type of thig has never happened in the history of the game? You think that was the point of my post? It doesn't surprise me that your entire counter-point is just going to be centered around semantics and wording, it's the lowest form of Internet reply next to the grammar nazi.

 

[BUConn10]

No, I thought the point of your post was to illustrate that you're a spoiled, entitled idiot who thinks that because "we are UCONN", it's beneath us to play a road game against an opponent that is not your typical high major.

Oh boy, this is an embarrassing post. I had a feeling that the "we are UConn" line was the reason for the vitriolic replies, that's just classic Yard. You think I'm being an "entitled spoiled brat" because I made a post describing with several rational reasons on why I think it's not to UConn's benefit to play a certain type of game out of conference? Yet your reply is just some veiled insults and then a full on hissy fit when confronted? So you disagree with my point, big deal, get a grip.

Whether you like it or not there is a hierarchy in college sports and it's the AD's job is to make a schedule that maximizes UConn's potential, not one that is accepting of all opponents for the sake of fairness. Besides, my point had nothing to do with the name brand of the opponent. If we want to stop to play San Diego State or USC on the way to Maui then I can see a benefit, but Loyola Marymount and CS Northridge?

 

[80shusky]

I would think if your choices are playing a cupcake at home vs a cupcake on the road the latter is the better option. If you win a true road game vs a 200 RPI opponent isn't it better than winning one vs a 200 RPI opponent at home? If the team loses, they probably weren't good enough anyway.

 

[HuskyBballFan]

Unfortunately for all of you I wasn't speaking in absolutes, so posting a dozen or so handpicked examples of when this has occurred only reinforces that it's a relatively rare event in college scheduling.

The difference between the scheduling examples of the likes of MSU and UNC is that they have heavy conference schedules, as a result they can afford to experiment with games like this, and if they do happen to lose they have a plethora of opportunities to make up for it during the conference slate. We don't have that liberty. Our OOC schedule can make or break our tournament hopes, so every game counts. We saw that this year, we had one of our best OOC schedules in a few years and we still found ourselves sitting on the bubble RPI wise near selection Sunday, the committee has shown time and time again they rely too heavily on that metric.

I can't see how a game against Loyola on the other side of the country, adding in jet lag and Maui on the team's mind is going to help us in any way. The only reason I've heard in support for the game is that it's a "tune-up game for Maui", whatever the hell that is, usually they call that the first round of the tournament. Games like this simply don't present enough benefit to our team and schedule for us to take on the risk, there isn't even the ticket sales to use as justification. Everyone here was s***ing on the fact that we had to play UMass-Lowell this season and are saying we need less of those games, yet are all on board for us playing a UMass-Lowell caliber opponent ON THE ROAD in a different time-zone? Give me a break. Everyone please return to posting links of games from 2002 and high-fiving one another.

1) There is a pretty significant RPI difference between playing UMass-Lowell at home and one of these teams on the road.

2) Unless our first round opponent is Chaminade, how would the first round of the tournament be a "tune-up game?" How do you know we won't play Wisconsin in the first round? Even if we play Tennessee.....they managed to beat Kentucky and Vandy last year.

3) Last year's OOC schedule looked a lot better on paper than it was in actuality. Syracuse, Ohio State, Gonzaga, Georgetown, Michigan - every single one of those teams had down years. Our RPI would have been much better if those teams were better.....and if we didn't lose to Houston, Temple twice, etc.

4) Not sure if you've noticed, but we've had a bit of success recruiting California lately. I guarantee you there will be multiple recruits at this game, wherever it is, specifically there to watch us play.

 

[brasssbonanzaa]

Maybe I'm cranky because its late?

Nah, prob because none of the assistants have been fired yet.