I wonder why she hasn't been successful?I find it kind of confusing that folks are criticizing Adia Barnes for scheduling a weak non-conference schedule when she's literally been publicly pleading that better non-conference opponents be willing to play her team:
Adia Barnes, other top coaches struggle to lock in games; costs, wins and fanbases a factor
Of the three issues there costs wins and fan bases I'm wondering which one gets Barnes attention the most. If you're reading my mind as to wins bingo.
Clearly Stanford has no problem scheduling but I wonder about teams like Gonzaga and Idaho who do manage to put together a stronger schedule.
While I'd like to take Barnes at face value and I know it takes time to upgrade a schedule I'm wondering about the sincerity of her claims.
As I recall she's got a relationship with Dawn Staley. It would seem depending on the type of relationship they have she could seek advice from Dawn or even help from Dawn in upgrading the schedule. Since Staley is highly respected and has now moved to the top of the profession I would certainly think she would be of some help if Barnes wanted to go to the extra mile to upgrade the schedule.
Up the road ASU always hosts a little mini tournament recently renamed the Brianna January tournament. While the Sun Devil's don't attract high-level competition I would wonder if Barnes might think: oh I could put together a tournament in Tucson in the winter and attract some people to want to come out to the sun and fun. Going back to Dawn Staley who's a huge advocate of advancing women in the sport given enough time I'll bet Dawn could drum up some SEC teams to come out.
On the issue of costs. I'm wondering how well Barnes is networking the Tucson community. Raytheon has a huge presence down there. If she could get senator Mark Kelly, Democratic elect Governor Katie Cobbs I mean Hobbs and the local head of Raytheon together I bet they could scrape up some and incentives and bucks to get some big teams to come out.
Barnes might also try to set up a Pac-12 versus Big East exchange series during the cold winter months.
Also I wonder about that third issue fan base. Tucson draws amazing down at McKale Center.
Those fans would love to support high quality visiting teams. Heck they show up in pretty good numbers to watch the cupcakes that roll through Tucson in the preseason.