(09-15-2016 12:56 PM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote:  

(09-15-2016 12:35 PM)randyfensfanclub1 Wrote:  SOS will be 275, 300+.

You will need to lose 5 or less to be talked about for big dance.

They had an awful schedule last year but the MAC play boosted SOS significantly and ended at 162

I didn't realize it was that bad after OSU.

(09-15-2016 12:22 PM)pantone1935 Wrote:  I hope that once we start getting into the dance then better teams will play us, even in Dekalb, as we will have a (name), but at this point it will look bad if we beat them, so coaches don't want anything to do with us. Does that make any sense? I am just happy to see them in person in Tampa.

GO HUSKIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Another Huskie gathering in Tampa in December? And one in Miami? Definitely up for both!

Paging HuskieRak, sarasotahuskie, MiamiHuskie and other Florida Huskie fans!

(09-15-2016 10:25 AM)NiuFootballfan Wrote:  What are the chances we start 13-0 with our non conference schedule? I honestly think we have a pretty good shot.

What are you smoking or drinking?

How does this schedule compare to ISU and SIU? EIU and WIU?

(09-15-2016 01:27 PM)uiniu57 Wrote:  

(09-15-2016 10:25 AM)NiuFootballfan Wrote:  What are the chances we start 13-0 with our non conference schedule? I honestly think we have a pretty good shot.

What are you smoking or drinking?

Didn't they only have 2 OOC losses last year, both to P5 schools? This year they only have Minnesota, and no one else on the schedule is that good.

(09-15-2016 01:44 PM)NIU007 Wrote:  

(09-15-2016 01:27 PM)uiniu57 Wrote:  

(09-15-2016 10:25 AM)NiuFootballfan Wrote:  What are the chances we start 13-0 with our non conference schedule? I honestly think we have a pretty good shot.

What are you smoking or drinking?

Didn't they only have 2 OOC losses last year, both to P5 schools? This year they only have Minnesota, and no one else on the schedule is that good.

Thank you lol.

(09-15-2016 01:44 PM)NIU007 Wrote:  This year they only have Minnesota, and no one else on the schedule is that good.

Scuttle is Minnesota is bad and will be ranked 12 of 12 in the Big Ten. Even below..................... Rutgers.

I know there aren't any high profile teams coming to DeKalb but not bad overall. We have to play a return game out west but the tournament will be fun. It gives us a chance to get more home games. A few of the teams we play as return games were young last year and should be better this season. Let's win a lot of games before conference play starts and go from there.

As far as the double headers, those bring out better crowds. Most fans want more of those. Not sure what the complaint is if you have season tickets to both. Would you prefer having to come out every Saturday if the games were split up?

(09-15-2016 01:52 PM)Lord Stanley Wrote:  

(09-15-2016 01:44 PM)NIU007 Wrote:  This year they only have Minnesota, and no one else on the schedule is that good.

Scuttle is Minnesota is bad and will be ranked 12 of 12 in the Big Ten. Even below..................... Rutgers.

Defeating a Pitino would be awesome.

6 doubleheaders and if you are paying attention, that does not include Saturday, Nov 26. There are 3 games--the men's tournament doubleheader, followed by the women vs Illinois St.


quote='Dog Fan' pid='13573826' dateline='1473953853']
It looks like all Saturday games are doubleheaders with the women's games. I have season tickets to and support both teams, but I can only attend the Saturday games due to the distance we live from NIU. I understand that the teams are scheduled together to save money. For my wife and I, sitting through 2 games can get tiring (especially when we get hoarse cheering in the first game). Last year, there were some first games that went into OT, so that really makes for a long day. So, as the season progresses, we will probably end up choosing one of the games to see. Oh, well, it is what it is.
[/quote]

While the home schedule is not very good, I don't have many complaints. Strength of schedule doesn't matter in the MAC because there is no chance the conference gets more than one bid - just win the conference tournament. Even though it would be nice to have a big or semi-big draw for a game or two at home this schedule should allow NIU to win quite a few games and continue to help change the perception of the program. I wish the could have replaced, 1 or 2, of the non D1 games with another in state school like EIU, WIU, Bradley, etc.

(09-15-2016 08:55 PM)Cowboy95 Wrote:  While the home schedule is not very good, I don't have many complaints. Strength of schedule doesn't matter in the MAC because there is no chance the conference gets more than one bid - just win the conference tournament. Even though it would be nice to have a big or semi-big draw for a game or two at home this schedule should allow NIU to win quite a few games and continue to help change the perception of the program. I wish the could have replaced, 1 or 2, of the non D1 games with another in state school like EIU, WIU, Bradley, etc.

I'm sure they tried to get more in state schools since that's been their goal every year. We've played most of the in state schools within the last 5 years or so. It would be nice to get some yearly games happening. An instate tourney would be great as well. Would probably be a big draw too.

Indiana State and Idaho will be good tests early in the year. The thanksgiving tournament will also be good. UIC last year was a close game and Elon was ok too. Hopefully fans can make it out. The Elon game will probably conflict with the football game vs Kent State. Again, not sexy but ok. Would be nice to have back to back 20 win seasons. Once we start winning more in the MAC, then we can start to get more challenging OOC games.

(09-15-2016 09:26 PM)Dtownboys Wrote:  Indiana State and Idaho will be good tests early in the year. The thanksgiving tournament will also be good. UIC last year was a close game and Elon was ok too. Hopefully fans can make it out. The Elon game will probably conflict with the football game vs Kent State. Again, not sexy but ok. Would be nice to have back to back 20 win seasons. Once we start winning more in the MAC, then we can start to get more challenging OOC games.

Agreed, I think with a developing program it is more important to string together a few successful seasons than having a great schedule. Although, it would be fun to have big time P5 playing in the Convo - will be better if the team can continue improving and there is a decent chance to pull off a win.

While I agree the schedule is weak! I see the biggest mistake is only one Friday night game and 0 Saturday night games. We are going to miss out on many fans. Weekend 7pm starts draw the biggest crowds.

(09-15-2016 10:02 PM)dekalb222 Wrote:  While I agree the schedule is weak! I see the biggest mistake is only one Friday night game and 0 Saturday night games. We are going to miss out on many fans. Weekend 7pm starts draw the biggest crowds.

+1000

Speaking of crowds, don't expect over 1000 per game with this non conference schedule.
When I renewed my season tickets the guy assured me the schedule would be better this year.
I don't think so.

(09-15-2016 11:14 PM)huskie1stdown Wrote:  Speaking of crowds, don't expect over 1000 per game with this non conference schedule.
When I renewed my season tickets the guy assured me the schedule would be better this year.
I don't think so.

There's also a significant cost to get decent opponents to play here. If we continue to win games, attendance will rise and we will be able to pay for big names teams to come here and play. It would be great to get multiple top tier teams to commit to play us here but there has to be enough revenue to pay for it. We will have to be patient a while longer while fans buy into to us being a proven winner.

(09-16-2016 12:30 AM)Dtownboys Wrote:  

(09-15-2016 11:14 PM)huskie1stdown Wrote:  Speaking of crowds, don't expect over 1000 per game with this non conference schedule.
When I renewed my season tickets the guy assured me the schedule would be better this year.
I don't think so.

There's also a significant cost to get decent opponents to play here. If we continue to win games, attendance will rise and we will be able to pay for big names teams to come here and play. It would be great to get multiple top tier teams to commit to play us here but there has to be enough revenue to pay for it. We will have to be patient a while longer while fans buy into to us being a proven winner.

They'd also have to raise the season ticket prices, which is fine by me, because right now they are dirt cheap.

State needs a season open tournament with 4 teams, ranked by how attractiveness and appeal

1. Illinois
2. DePaul
3, ISU
4. SIU
5. UIC
6. Bradley
7. NIU
8. Loyola
9. WIU
10.EIU
11. Chicago St

Would be nearly impossible to get Illinois and highly unlikely to get DePaul. And not sure if could get more than one MVC. But has appeal and potential with the right 4.