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Non-Conference Schedule Strength
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Seahawk Nation 08 Offline
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Post: #1
Non-Conference Schedule Strength
If the term "battle-tested" has any impact on how we'll perform in the CAA, our non-conference SOS may prove helpful. Currently we have the 87th-toughest non-conference schedule in the country as per the RPI. Only Drexel (# 16) has had a tougher road among CAA teams so far, having played @ Colorado (6-3), neutral vs Miami (9-2) and USC (7-4), @ Buffalo (5-2) and @ Penn St (11-1). Drexel lost all of those games, thus missing out on some opportunities at "signature wins" for themselves and the conference.

All of our remaining non-conference games are on the road, but only Minnesota (8-2) represents a chance at a signature win in the early going. There won't likely be any games of that caliber in CAA play, as the conference is most definitely looking like it will be a middling 1-bid league.
12-22-2014 08:32 AM
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solohawks Offline
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Post: #2
RE: Non-Conference Schedule Strength
I am curious to see Coach Keatt's non conference scheduling strategy moving forward. He wanted to close out as many old contracts as he could which I think was a wise move, even if it resulted in us playing a lot of road games moving foward. Looking a the past couple of years worth of schedule it looks as if the only outstanding contracts we may have, assuming other arrangements have not already been made, are return games to Stephen F Austin (2013-2014), Furman (2011-2012), and Morehead State (2010-2011). Last year we went to Marshall and Western Kentucky, does anyone know if those were buy games or can we be expecting to see them on our home schedule soon?

I hope we can keep the ECU series going and I like how that and the Campbell game every year with one being home and one being away. Coastal would be another good one to add around the holiday time as that is another short trip.

It will be interesting to see if Keatt's focuses on a region of the country too. Brownell loved his midwest games and Buzz got us playing more instate and regional opponents then we ever have before.
12-22-2014 06:00 PM
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B_Hawk06 Offline
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Post: #3
RE: Non-Conference Schedule Strength
I'm fine with a lot of road games going forward. In terms of being a mid-major and getting the media heads and those behind the curtain to look at you seriously for a non-auto bid (in the future, likely not this year) the way to do that is go win on someone else's turf. Take it to them there. That's what gets the big attention. Mid major teams that can handle that pressure and succeed.

I also hope we keep the ECU rivalry going, but in terms of RPI they will never help us. It's a fun game for the locals, students, alumni and everyone to enjoy though. I think it should be a schedule staple going forward. That being said, we could go without the Campbell and Coastal games and maybe schedule another regional ACC team or two. Neither of those schools are big crowd draws, don't really excite students and alumni, and similar to ECU... will never help our RPI.

I think a combination of outside regions and instate opponents can be relatively easily accomplished.
12-22-2014 07:36 PM
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Seahawkhoops Offline
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Post: #4
Non-Conference Schedule Strength
Ecu is actually in a decent conf now and can keep their Rpi up that game won't hurt us now as much as It may have in the past
(This post was last modified: 12-22-2014 08:55 PM by Seahawkhoops.)
12-22-2014 08:55 PM
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solohawks Offline
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Post: #5
RE: Non-Conference Schedule Strength
The Campbell game is interesting to me and over the years I have learned to accept it and try to focus on the positives in it. Its an extremely close road trip, which is nice, and our schools have always had a great relationship. Tomorrow is our 100th game against Campbell so I appreciate the history too. I wish it was not such an RPI killer and that it it did not lack that sense of "fun' the ECU game had. Simply put neither one will help our RPI but its fun playing ECU, its a chore playing Campbell.

I am fine with competitive road buy games going foward as they give us money and an opportunity. As long as they are scheduled with consideration of how the team will be that year. I still remember the buy game we had in Wisconsin during Brownell's tenure. There was no TV so CoastGuard, myself, and another friend of ours had a listening party. That opportunity showed us that years team was going to be a force and it helped the team prepare for a great year.
12-22-2014 09:02 PM
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UNCWSuperFan Offline
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Post: #6
RE: Non-Conference Schedule Strength
At this juncture, I'm not sure how much of a concern RPI is. Hopefully, it will become a concern in the next few years. Otherwise, I am a huge fan of playing local teams both home and away. Students & fans alike usually have friends & family members that went to these other schools and both attendance & atmosphere benefit from building these rivalries. I was able to make the short drive up to Campbell today & despite the proximity to the holidays, both the home & visiting crowd were into the game throughout.
12-23-2014 11:59 PM
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geezerhawkdad Offline
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Post: #7
RE: Non-Conference Schedule Strength
The Davidson game this year was a payday for UNCW as Davidson needed more home games because the A10 wants its teams to play 7-8 home games and 3-4 road or neutral games before conference play starts. UNCW wanted the cash.

Some of us are trying to convince the powers that be at Davidson to make that a regular series. Davidson does not draw well around Thanksgiving because the students and staff are gone and people are busy. A road game at UNCW over Thanksgiving would be a nice trip.
12-24-2014 11:43 AM
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UNCWSuperFan Offline
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Post: #8
RE: Non-Conference Schedule Strength
Made that trip this year too. Spent a couple hours before the game at Ass Clown Brewery in Cornelius. Unfortunately, that was the highlight of the trip. Would gladly make it on a regular basis though.
12-24-2014 11:56 AM
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