=>As of today (12/10/07), Toledo (#1) and Miami (#2) have the toughest schedules in the nation so far. The roads have been similar, but they will soon change.
It does get any easier for Miami. Miami has just 1 team (4-7 Chicago State) with a losing record until the end of January when the RedHawks play current 2-7 NIU on January 30th. Until then, Miami faces @Kansas, @ Illinois, @UC, and @ Wright State (which just beat Butler) plus the other stronger MAC East teams.
Just the opposite for Toledo. It does get easier for Toledo. Toledo has just 1 team (6-2 UMass) with a winning record until the end of January when the Rockets play current 6-2 Akron on January 30th. Until then, Toledo face H-Oakland, H-Ball State and the other weaker MAC West teams.
We need the break, that's for sure.
A small nit-pick, but I do not think that "toughest" necessarily equates with "best" schedules. While I think most of us would agree that a cupcake-laden schedule does no one any good, I think it is open for debate whether a grueling schedule like Miami's or Toledo's is the best preparation for a mid-major, as opposed to more balanced, yet difficult schedules like those Kent and Ohio have put together. Yes, tougher is better when you are winning, but I think that in hindsight Joplin would have been better off scheduling an easier home game or two in there.
Actually, Toledo also plays at 5-4 UIC on the 19th.
harry23 Wrote:Actually, Toledo also plays at 5-4 UIC on the 19th.
=>True. On CollegeRPI.com, they only list records vs. Div. I opponets because that is all that factors into the RPI. UIC has a win over on non-DI team so they are not a winning team in that respect (4-4 vs. DI).
BobcatFan Wrote:A small nit-pick, but I do not think that "toughest" necessarily equates with "best" schedules. While I think most of us would agree that a cupcake-laden schedule does no one any good, I think it is open for debate whether a grueling schedule like Miami's or Toledo's is the best preparation for a mid-major, as opposed to more balanced, yet difficult schedules like those Kent and Ohio have put together. Yes, tougher is better when you are winning, but I think that in hindsight Joplin would have been better off scheduling an easier home game or two in there.
Toledo's schedule didn't look like it would be the toughest in the nation at the beginning of the season, but our opponents have been playing out-of-their-mind, freakishly good basketball. All of these road games we've been playing the last two years are for return games next year when we dedicate the new Savage Hall. It will be interesting to see how many back out of their contracts and what the final schedule looks like.
I would not let them back out (unless there's a clause in the contract). Make them stick to it! That could be a nice non-conf home schedule.
RocketJeff Wrote:BobcatFan Wrote:A small nit-pick, but I do not think that "toughest" necessarily equates with "best" schedules. While I think most of us would agree that a cupcake-laden schedule does no one any good, I think it is open for debate whether a grueling schedule like Miami's or Toledo's is the best preparation for a mid-major, as opposed to more balanced, yet difficult schedules like those Kent and Ohio have put together. Yes, tougher is better when you are winning, but I think that in hindsight Joplin would have been better off scheduling an easier home game or two in there.
Toledo's schedule didn't look like it would be the toughest in the nation at the beginning of the season, but our opponents have been playing out-of-their-mind, freakishly good basketball. All of these road games we've been playing the last two years are for return games next year when we dedicate the new Savage Hall. It will be interesting to see how many back out of their contracts and what the final schedule looks like.
Good to know, thanks.