Mo State and Wright State. The good news. We lost to Rice, Mo State and Wright State, and not Harding, UAM or Hendrix. D1 schools with some name recognition. No more D2 schools. Kudos for Chris and Steve for scheduling all D1 schools. I certainly feel I'm getting more for my money when I can see games like this instead of D2 schools. Nothing against those schools, but we're a D1 program, and that's who I want to play every game, win or lose. Eighteen wins this season will be the same as 20 wins last year, since the two wins against D2 schools don't even count on our RPI rating, so we wouldn't be losing ground if that occurs. Still have hopes of 20 though.

(12-30-2008 10:15 AM)Dr. J. Wrote:  Eighteen wins this season will be the same as 20 wins last year

Not necessarily. There are a lot of D2 teams around that are better than the bottom feeders in D-1. There are some pretty bad teams in D1.

(12-30-2008 10:33 AM)MICHAELSPAPPY Wrote:  

(12-30-2008 10:15 AM)Dr. J. Wrote:  Eighteen wins this season will be the same as 20 wins last year

Not necessarily. There are a lot of D2 teams around that are better than the bottom feeders in D-1. There are some pretty bad teams in D1.

Definitely true. But the NCAA computer does not count DII wins, but counts all DI wins no matter how bad the team is.

Don't get me wrong, I agree absolutely with the philosophy of not scheduling D2 teams and was thrilled that we did not this year. Even though it might not actually be a tougher schedule, it LOOKS like it is tougher. And, it should be pointed out, that although we did schedule some teams that ended up being pretty bad, we did not schedule anyone from the really bad conferences (SWAC, MEAC, etc.)

(12-30-2008 10:42 AM)MICHAELSPAPPY Wrote:  we did not schedule anyone from the really bad conferences (SWAC, MEAC, etc.)

Then again, the way things are going, the SBC may be one of those before long.

(12-30-2008 10:36 AM)mjs Wrote:  

(12-30-2008 10:33 AM)MICHAELSPAPPY Wrote:  

(12-30-2008 10:15 AM)Dr. J. Wrote:  Eighteen wins this season will be the same as 20 wins last year

Not necessarily. There are a lot of D2 teams around that are better than the bottom feeders in D-1. There are some pretty bad teams in D1.

Definitely true. But the NCAA computer does not count DII wins, but counts all DI wins no matter how bad the team is.

That's really the bottom line. I don't get any thrill beating a D2 team, no matter how good they are. But I do enjoy beating a D1 team from a decent conference, even if they are in a down cycle. And if we lose, at least it's to someone our own size.

In a related question: is there any value to scheduling teams that are really bottom-feeders, those that would be as much a "guarantee win" as a D2 team? I don't think we ever ought to be too good to play other D1 teams in Arkansas, but outside of the state?