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http://hamptonroads.com/2013/05/odu-conf...ts-network

Very informative write-up by Harry Minium. One thing that caught my eye was the planned change to a 19-game conference schedule for basketball in the 2014-2015 season. In comparison, the 2013-2014 season will feature 16 conference games. If the overall competitive level of the basketball league has indeed been raised, this might not be too bad of a change. Excluding the occasional down year, I don't see many sub-par teams in the conference. There won't be any "miles ahead" teams (a la Memphis), but probably a slew of average teams with the opportunity to excel. (And there will almost always be one or two teams in the dump for various reasons, I suppose.)

We'll have to make those OOC games count, though. I'd be disappointed if we made the Liberty Tax cupcake carnival a habit.

Thanks for posting this, 78!

speaking of OOC games, are there any that are definite at this point? are we playing VCU again? what about UR?

From what I understand they only have 1 spot to fill and 1 yet to be named opponent in the Cancun Challenge at home. That means they must have been busy because we have dropped 2 conference games.

19 is way too many, they should find a way to keep at 16.

(05-23-2013 10:23 AM)ODU_NYG Wrote:  speaking of OOC games, are there any that are definite at this point? are we playing VCU again? what about UR?

@VCU @UR, Murray State, Missouri State, Charleston

Cancun Challenge 2 home games, probably Presbyterian and yet to be named opponent then West Virginia and either St Louis/Wisconsin on day 2.

I'm guessing we start a series with both JMU and William and Mary.

19 is a lot of conference games, especially when you also have a conference tournament.

Not a fan of basketball divisions either.

(05-23-2013 10:47 AM)monarchman Wrote:  19 is a lot of conference games, especially when you also have a conference tournament.

Not a fan of basketball divisions either.

We've played 18 conference games for years, not sure not much worse 19 can be.

(05-23-2013 11:05 AM)devyanks90 Wrote:  

(05-23-2013 10:47 AM)monarchman Wrote:  19 is a lot of conference games, especially when you also have a conference tournament.

Not a fan of basketball divisions either.

We've played 18 conference games for years, not sure not much worse 19 can be.

It will all depend on how good the league actually is in any given year. It's one less game we can put on the schedule for a reliably strong OOC opponent. It can be hit or miss.

18 was too many with relatively simple travel. 19 is an odd number, half the teams will play more road games each year.

I don't see the value in traveling to UTSA just to get to 19 games, leave it at 16 and encourage schools to play strong OOC games.

Your AD has previously stated his wishes to stay at 16, so this must be being pushed by other schools.

Thanks ODUAlum. Great article. Must be a strange feeling being Wood Selig. Going from being a new guy on the job in a failing conference to chatting with the big boys at the C-USA table.

SEC Tournaments are headed to Nashville beginning in 2015 and possibly forever per SEC Commish Mike Slive. That could be great news for Wood Selig as their tournament is traditionally at the exact same time.

Unless I'm missing something Norfolk could be the leader in the clubhouse for the 2015 CUSA Tournament if we make a bid.

How long is the MEAC Tourney scheduled for the Scope? I'd prefer for the tournament to be there, but the Ted is OK too.

Not sure. But the MEAC moved its HQ to Norfolk a few years ago. I think they are probably real committed to it staying there for awhile.

(05-29-2013 03:38 PM)pandorazboxx Wrote:  How long is the MEAC Tourney scheduled for the Scope? I'd prefer for the tournament to be there, but the Ted is OK too.

Current contract is through 2015 so the Scope is out and the Ted can not host both the men and women alone. I don't consider the Ted + Hampton Coliseum a reasonable option.

I'd be stunned if C-USA didn't see Charlotte as every bit as attractive as Nashville. Both are great cities and Charlotte's downtown facility is just as nice. And its airport has more access than BNA.

Not sure whether the ACC will be holding its tournament in there soon though.

We are making a play for the tournament but forget it. Its would only be a few games to run at the same time for two days. So wed and Thursday womens games and then all move to the ted.

And city of norfolk is not looking at meac for long time use of the scope. Well the games were great issues that came after were bad. The city doesn't want bad press caused by big fights in baxters and the marriot lobby.