Non Conference Basketball

[talktomewillis]

I was told money from the MTE we are in allowed us to buy Youngstown State and UC Santa Barbara. We won't be going to those places. MTE involves road games against Wyoming and TCU along with the two in Vegas. From what I understand Cal Irvine did well last year. If we play them in Vegas, it will be a good test. Regardless of the source of the funds, good to see that we are buying games for the second year in a row. Dr. Maggard actually believes one non D1 game is OK as somewhat of a tuneup. We probably will play two "secret" scrimmages against nearby D1 schools to help us prepare for the year as no exhibitions are listed. I don't expect to see more than one non D1 going forward. Someone said Youngstown State was terrible. They did struggle last year with a 12 and 20 record. However their conference record was 8 and 10 with most of their conference victories late in the season. They also return just about their entire team. They are in the same league (pretty sure it is the Horizon) as Illinois-Chicago which reached the Final Four in 2018 (remember Sister Jean). I don't expect that game to be a cakewalk. I believe they are the school that took awhile to sign the contract delaying the full release until now. Some were hoping it would be released last week. Cal Santa Barbara won over 20 games last year, were 10 and 6 in the Big West, and lost in the conference tournament semi finals. They also return several players including their best guy who was one of the best inside performers in the Big West last year. That game will definitely be a challenge. I imagine most fans prefer playing teams from the Horizon and Big West than the SWAC. However, Prairie View turned out to be good last year. McNeese will be much improved with all their transfers eligible. The non conference schedule should help us prepare for conference play all the way around this season. I also noted that the road games at LA Tech and ULM are on Saturdays. That makes it easy for fans to attend. Finally, Justin Miller did transfer to Detroit Mercy. From what I understand, he was not granted a waiver and must sit out the upcoming season. If we do play them in Vegas, not sure how much he can tell his team about us due to all the new guys we will have.

UC Irvine won a game in the NCAA Tournament last year, beating Kansas State. They won 30 games. They were at the tournament we played in last year that FCGU hosted, but we did not play them. They won that tournament.

Youngstown State is, in fact, in the Horizon League (I was the one who mistakenly said Missouri Valley).

There is going to be a fourth team in Vegas besides us, UCI and Detroit. Don't know who that is.

Forging relationships with schools outside our footprint is going to be important. McNeese is not renewing the contract with us and this is the final year of that 2 for 1 with Southeastern. Right now, the only school in the state that wants to play us is La. Tech.

[wcd35]

Someone said Youngstown State was terrible. They did struggle last year with a 12 and 20 record. However their conference record was 8 and 10 with most of their conference victories late in the season. They also return just about their entire team. They are in the same league (pretty sure it is the Horizon) as Illinois-Chicago which reached the Final Four in 2018 (remember Sister Jean).

Youngstown State is in the Horizon, same as Illinois-Chicago, but it was Loyola-Chicago that made the Final Four out of the Missouri Valley Conference

[Cajunsmike]

Youngstown State is in the Horizon, same as Illinois-Chicago, but it was Loyola-Chicago that made the Final Four out of the Missouri Valley Conference

Thanks for the correction. You are correct in that Loyola of Chicago made the Final Four. Old age catching up with me.

[CajunVic]

Hilarious how some can get excited about something that is not.

[Cajunsmike]

UC Irvine won a game in the NCAA Tournament last year, beating Kansas State. They won 30 games. They were at the tournament we played in last year that FCGU hosted, but we did not play them. They won that tournament.

Youngstown State is, in fact, in the Horizon League (I was the one who mistakenly said Missouri Valley).

There is going to be a fourth team in Vegas besides us, UCI and Detroit. Don't know who that is.

Forging relationships with schools outside our footprint is going to be important. McNeese is not renewing the contract with us and this is the final year of that 2 for 1 with Southeastern. Right now, the only school in the state that wants to play us is La. Tech.

I have heard that USM may be agreeable to a home and home. Coach Ladner formerly of SLU is now there and he agreed to play us while there.

[RaginDave]

The RPI is no longer valid in college basketball

I understand that. I was just looking at where these guys finished last year. It is still a good gauge of how good or bad our schedule might be.

[ULvictory]

Hilarious how some can get excited about something that is not.

Well, this is a good season to test the waters to see if we can compete with our peers as well as a few P5 schools that can beatable if the pieces fall together. I just don’t wanna see us give up 100+ or lose by 10+ to Sun Belt teams like last season.

[CajunNation]

UL has released their non conference schedule

HOME: Loyola (non D-1), McNeese, Southeastern, Youngstown State, UC Santa Barbara

AWAY: Arizona State, TCU, Wyoming, Louisiana Tech

NEUTRAL: Las Vegas tournament (UC Irvine, Detroit Mercy, TBA (we think it's Eastern Mich.)

[ZoomZoom]

UL has released their non conference schedule

HOME: Loyola (non D-1), McNeese, Southeastern, Youngstown State, UC Santa Barbara

AWAY: Arizona State, TCU, Wyoming, Louisiana Tech

NEUTRAL: Las Vegas tournament (UC Irvine, Detroit Mercy, TBA (we think it's Eastern Mich.)

Basically replaced Nicholls and UNO with Youngstown State and UCSB. Perception is an upgrade. Reality, neither moves the strength of schedule or crowd size in a positive manner. I'm content letting Nicholls and especially UNO rot on the SLC vine. UNO's pecking order in NOLA region has always been 4th at best. "Scooter" will out hustle UNO on any player they are competing for.

Yes, renewed our tickets.

[Cajunsmike]

Basically replaced Nicholls and UNO with Youngstown State and UCSB. Perception is an upgrade. Reality, neither moves the strength of schedule or crowd size in a positive manner. I'm content letting Nicholls and especially UNO rot on the SLC vine. UNO's pecking order in NOLA region has always been 4th at best. "Scooter" will out hustle UNO on any player they are competing for.

Yes, renewed our tickets.

You are correct in that crowd size won't be impacted by the Big West or Horizon Teams. However, Jay said today that UC Santa Barbara may be one of the best non conference teams we have had here for the regular season in a few years. They probably do improve strength of schedule. As far as RPI goes, I don't pay as much attention to it as much as how teams finish in their league. Reason is the RPI is so heavily schedule based it can give a false barometer of a team's ability. . A team could play 6 or 7 money games on the road and struggle in most of those but still be a decent club when they play on neutral sites. Ever notice how the number of road teams winning increases when conference play starts. Reason is familiarity with opponents and venues to some degree but you are not using officials against you to start with. All of this is why RPI was done away with. Wish they could find something to replace it in baseball as well.

[Hatch]

Basically replaced Nicholls and UNO with Youngstown State and UCSB. Perception is an upgrade. Reality, neither moves the strength of schedule or crowd size in a positive manner. I'm content letting Nicholls and especially UNO rot on the SLC vine. UNO's pecking order in NOLA region has always been 4th at best. "Scooter" will out hustle UNO on any player they are competing for.

Yes, renewed our tickets.

I think a better comparison would be to say that Youngstown and UCSB replaced Southern and Prairie View as those were the money games last year. The SLC teams we have played recently have been home and homes or a 2 for 1 as we are finishing with SLU this year. Having a few somewhat regional home and home series is needed in my opinion. Getting a Southern Miss, Tulane, or Houston in a home and home would be a big step in the right direction but that is much easier said than done. Maybe Coach Marlin can call Hunter and remind him of that gift for his grandchild a few years back and see if he wants to return the favor.

[wcd35]

2018 Season Ending RPI for Non Conference Games

N/A Loyola (N.O.) FYI they are NAIA not D2.
333 McNeese State
49 Texas Christian
293 Youngstown State
329 Wyoming
61 UC Irvine
248 Detroit Mercy
N/A TBD--TEAM TO BE ANNOUNCED LATER
228 SLU
39 Arizona State
103 La Tech
163 UCSB

Better comparison is using the NET ranking which is the official ranking NCAA uses now. Doesnt change a whole lot in general; some go up and some down:

Final 2018:
N/A Loyola (N.O.)
327 McNeese State
47 Texas Christian
262 Youngstown State
323 Wyoming
71 UC Irvine
233 Detroit Mercy
N/A TBD
249 SLU
62 Arizona State
123 La Tech
164 UCSB