The unofficial online home for fans of the Old Dominion University Monarchs. Part of Collegiate Sports Nation (CSN).

For those bothered about how this affects ODU's chances at an at-large bid, I offer two observations:

1. ODU very likely won't be at-large good anyway.
2. Even if they were, there's really only two paths to an at-large as a CUSA—a) have a .667 or better record against a strong OOC, or b) win as many games as possible. Whether by choice or by circumstance, ODU is going with Option B.

That said, it's not a sexy schedule at all. @Fairfield must have been a Hail Mary to complete the schedule since that's the kind of program that should only be a buy game for, well, the top half of CUSA. UMES is an accessible tomato can, insomuch as anything on the other side of the CBBT can be accessible. Bowling Green is ... random. The former CAA opponents are at least familiar names and largely respectable, though unless VCU gels quickly with their new coach and players, none of them are going to be big wins either.

As for the Charleston tournament, it's winnable, which is both a blessing and a curse—blessing for record purposes, but Dayton's having the same rebuilding task as VCU, Clemson and Auburn are bottomfeeders, Hofstra's in the same pile as the rest of the ex-CAA crew, Ohio's respectable by conference standards but nowhere near what they used to be (sound familiar?) Indiana State wasn't good last year or ever, but their leading scorer is back so ... yay? Temple might be the best team in the field and even they're probably an NIT team.

In sum, there's a distinct possibility that ODU won't play an at-large NCAA team this season, or even a conference champion outside of CUSA. ODU's probably going to have to win at least 24 games this season for it to even be considered remotely successful, and I have my doubts they will. But as long as they win 20, JJ will be safe.

(07-13-2017 12:20 PM)Monarchblue Wrote:  

(07-13-2017 09:58 AM)jumpshooter Wrote:  

(07-13-2017 09:28 AM)ODUBB35 Wrote:  Let me turn the question around a little? Aside from the Charleston Classic and the automatic game vs. VCU, what would you say is the highlight of our schedule? JMU? W&M? Richmond?

I would say that we could realistically add two games against either ACC, Big East, SEC, or even AAC. If you have to go on the road, so be it.

Football can get home games with ACC teams. Why can't basketball get a road game?

If you have to, add another A10 team or UNCW.

Instead, we get "games against quality teams from the A-10, CAA, MAAC and MAC".

The current schedule will get us 20 wins and qualify for one of those CHIT Tournaments. Then again, the fact that we now consider W&M a "tough outing" speaks volumes.

In a season in which JJ needs to get to the NCAAs, this schedule won't help. The only option looks to be to win the conference tournament as our at-large hopes are already shot on July 13.

"We don't" consider W&M a tough outing. I do, because I think they've become a better program than people who remember the W&M of two decades ago want to give them credit for. . . . And you'd be pissed if we went on the road to LSU or Mississippi or NC State or Wake and got our asses handed to us. Why? Just so we could say we played someone with more name recognition? . . . Again, not saying this is a great schedule -- I don't know. But I think people say they want to see us play the old CAA teams, they want us to play UR and VCU, want us to play in challenging tournaments, and the NSU thing is good for the city, or should be. After all that and CUSA, that doesn't leave much room IMO

That whole good for the city thing is nonsense. The city doesn't care. Its not like its some big made for TV game that brings a bunch of attention and aside from that, it does nothing but create a game where we have to go play in a terrible arena, against a team that will hurt our RPI, even with a win, and if we lose, it is an embarrassment.

I disagree. It's a goodwill gesture, and one game of many.

When was the last great home game we had? I cannot remember any big names coming through the building in the last 4 or so seasons.

Just answered my own question....either ranked VCU at home like 3 years ago...or Missouri back in 2011.

(07-13-2017 12:20 PM)Monarchblue Wrote:  

(07-13-2017 09:58 AM)jumpshooter Wrote:  

(07-13-2017 09:28 AM)ODUBB35 Wrote:  Let me turn the question around a little? Aside from the Charleston Classic and the automatic game vs. VCU, what would you say is the highlight of our schedule? JMU? W&M? Richmond?

I would say that we could realistically add two games against either ACC, Big East, SEC, or even AAC. If you have to go on the road, so be it.

Football can get home games with ACC teams. Why can't basketball get a road game?

If you have to, add another A10 team or UNCW.

Instead, we get "games against quality teams from the A-10, CAA, MAAC and MAC".

The current schedule will get us 20 wins and qualify for one of those CHIT Tournaments. Then again, the fact that we now consider W&M a "tough outing" speaks volumes.

In a season in which JJ needs to get to the NCAAs, this schedule won't help. The only option looks to be to win the conference tournament as our at-large hopes are already shot on July 13.

"We don't" consider W&M a tough outing. I do, because I think they've become a better program than people who remember the W&M of two decades ago want to give them credit for. . . . And you'd be pissed if we went on the road to LSU or Mississippi or NC State or Wake and got our asses handed to us. Why? Just so we could say we played someone with more name recognition? . . . Again, not saying this is a great schedule -- I don't know. But I think people say they want to see us play the old CAA teams, they want us to play UR and VCU, want us to play in challenging tournaments, and the NSU thing is good for the city, or should be. After all that and CUSA, that doesn't leave much room IMO

That whole good for the city thing is nonsense. The city doesn't care. Its not like its some big made for TV game that brings a bunch of attention and aside from that, it does nothing but create a game where we have to go play in a terrible arena, against a team that will hurt our RPI, even with a win, and if we lose, it is an embarrassment.

It definitely good for the city.

I'm sorry, but almost nobody in Norfolk cares if ODU is playing UMES, Western Kentucky, La Tech, UTEP, etc, they just care that ODU is playing in those game. That doesn't really help grow ODU's presence in the area, and it doesn't make ODU more a part of the community. A game between ODU and NSU has a lot more at stake, locally, and is a lot more visible to your everyday Norfolkian. This creates interest and dialogue between two fanbases that don't interact too much. It gives residents reasons to smack-talk and form relationships that might not have happened otherwise. It gives the city, its residents (and their families staying over for the holidays) an event to go to featuring a bragging-rights showdown between two of the most visible institutions of Norfolk.

I think if this is done right, it could be an awesome event and I personally hope it's an annual classic.

(07-13-2017 12:32 PM)Cyniclone Wrote:  For those bothered about how this affects ODU's chances at an at-large bid, I offer two observations:

1. ODU very likely won't be at-large good anyway.

Maybe or maybe not, but I hate to concede the possibility of an at-large bid 4 months before the first game. This schedule does just that.

(07-13-2017 12:32 PM)Cyniclone Wrote:  2. Even if they were, there's really only two paths to an at-large as a CUSA—a) have a .667 or better record against a strong OOC, or b) win as many games as possible. Whether by choice or by circumstance, ODU is going with Option B.

Option B isn't really an options. There is no way we are getting an at-large with the schedule. Maybe Option A was a long shot, but at least it was a shot.

(07-13-2017 12:32 PM)Cyniclone Wrote:  That said, it's not a sexy schedule at all. @Fairfield must have been a Hail Mary to complete the schedule since that's the kind of program that should only be a buy game for, well, the top half of CUSA.

We had a home and home late in Blaine's tenure with Fairfield. (Their game might have been neutral site in Springfield?) I have no idea if there's a connection.

The days of getting P5 teams here regularly are over for now. We can get them here for football to recruit and I'm not sure basketball has the same need.

My ideal OOC schedule is heavy A10 and AAC with buy games vs top half MEAC, Big South, SoCon and Atlantic Sun. Get games vs P5 in the early season tournaments.

Sent from my XT1635-02 using CSNbbs mobile app

(07-13-2017 09:16 AM)jumpshooter Wrote:  OK, folks, let's play a little game. You're ODU's schedule maker. You think this schedule sucks. Create a better, realistic schedule, given this team's returning talent, one that will test it, but give it chances for success and prep it for the CUSA season.

at JMU W
Temple
Tournament (2P5 & a cupcake)
at WM W(???)
UMES W
at VCU L
Richmond L
Central Fl W
at VT W
ECU W

(07-13-2017 12:35 PM)jumpshooter Wrote:  

(07-13-2017 12:20 PM)Monarchblue Wrote:  

(07-13-2017 09:58 AM)jumpshooter Wrote:  

(07-13-2017 09:28 AM)ODUBB35 Wrote:  Let me turn the question around a little? Aside from the Charleston Classic and the automatic game vs. VCU, what would you say is the highlight of our schedule? JMU? W&M? Richmond?

I would say that we could realistically add two games against either ACC, Big East, SEC, or even AAC. If you have to go on the road, so be it.

Football can get home games with ACC teams. Why can't basketball get a road game?

If you have to, add another A10 team or UNCW.

Instead, we get "games against quality teams from the A-10, CAA, MAAC and MAC".

The current schedule will get us 20 wins and qualify for one of those CHIT Tournaments. Then again, the fact that we now consider W&M a "tough outing" speaks volumes.

In a season in which JJ needs to get to the NCAAs, this schedule won't help. The only option looks to be to win the conference tournament as our at-large hopes are already shot on July 13.

"We don't" consider W&M a tough outing. I do, because I think they've become a better program than people who remember the W&M of two decades ago want to give them credit for. . . . And you'd be pissed if we went on the road to LSU or Mississippi or NC State or Wake and got our asses handed to us. Why? Just so we could say we played someone with more name recognition? . . . Again, not saying this is a great schedule -- I don't know. But I think people say they want to see us play the old CAA teams, they want us to play UR and VCU, want us to play in challenging tournaments, and the NSU thing is good for the city, or should be. After all that and CUSA, that doesn't leave much room IMO

That whole good for the city thing is nonsense. The city doesn't care. Its not like its some big made for TV game that brings a bunch of attention and aside from that, it does nothing but create a game where we have to go play in a terrible arena, against a team that will hurt our RPI, even with a win, and if we lose, it is an embarrassment.

I disagree. It's a goodwill gesture, and one game of many.

I know it is not your intention, but a goodwill gesture feels a bit pretentious to me, and I am afraid that a percentage of NSU's fans take the way we treat these games as such.

(07-13-2017 01:48 PM)monarx Wrote:  

(07-13-2017 09:16 AM)jumpshooter Wrote:  OK, folks, let's play a little game. You're ODU's schedule maker. You think this schedule sucks. Create a better, realistic schedule, given this team's returning talent, one that will test it, but give it chances for success and prep it for the CUSA season.

at JMU W
Temple
Tournament (2P5 & a cupcake)
at WM W(???)
UMES W
at VCU L
Richmond L
Central Fl W
at VT W
ECU W

Highly unlikely

(07-13-2017 12:53 PM)Blue_Trombone Wrote:  

(07-13-2017 12:20 PM)Monarchblue Wrote:  

(07-13-2017 09:58 AM)jumpshooter Wrote:  

(07-13-2017 09:28 AM)ODUBB35 Wrote:  Let me turn the question around a little? Aside from the Charleston Classic and the automatic game vs. VCU, what would you say is the highlight of our schedule? JMU? W&M? Richmond?

I would say that we could realistically add two games against either ACC, Big East, SEC, or even AAC. If you have to go on the road, so be it.

Football can get home games with ACC teams. Why can't basketball get a road game?

If you have to, add another A10 team or UNCW.

Instead, we get "games against quality teams from the A-10, CAA, MAAC and MAC".

The current schedule will get us 20 wins and qualify for one of those CHIT Tournaments. Then again, the fact that we now consider W&M a "tough outing" speaks volumes.

In a season in which JJ needs to get to the NCAAs, this schedule won't help. The only option looks to be to win the conference tournament as our at-large hopes are already shot on July 13.

"We don't" consider W&M a tough outing. I do, because I think they've become a better program than people who remember the W&M of two decades ago want to give them credit for. . . . And you'd be pissed if we went on the road to LSU or Mississippi or NC State or Wake and got our asses handed to us. Why? Just so we could say we played someone with more name recognition? . . . Again, not saying this is a great schedule -- I don't know. But I think people say they want to see us play the old CAA teams, they want us to play UR and VCU, want us to play in challenging tournaments, and the NSU thing is good for the city, or should be. After all that and CUSA, that doesn't leave much room IMO

That whole good for the city thing is nonsense. The city doesn't care. Its not like its some big made for TV game that brings a bunch of attention and aside from that, it does nothing but create a game where we have to go play in a terrible arena, against a team that will hurt our RPI, even with a win, and if we lose, it is an embarrassment.

It definitely good for the city.

I'm sorry, but almost nobody in Norfolk cares if ODU is playing UMES, Western Kentucky, La Tech, UTEP, etc, they just care that ODU is playing in those game. That doesn't really help grow ODU's presence in the area, and it doesn't make ODU more a part of the community. A game between ODU and NSU has a lot more at stake, locally, and is a lot more visible to your everyday Norfolkian. This creates interest and dialogue between two fanbases that don't interact too much. It gives residents reasons to smack-talk and form relationships that might not have happened otherwise. It gives the city, its residents (and their families staying over for the holidays) an event to go to featuring a bragging-rights showdown between two of the most visible institutions of Norfolk.

I think if this is done right, it could be an awesome event and I personally hope it's an annual classic.

I think that is fantasy. I live in NFK and work in NFK, and have not noticed any significant chatter about these games. Other than The Pilot getting a couple extra articles out, and Booman visiting our message board (which may be in itself be enough reason to play these matchups), there is no noticeable buzz around town.

(07-13-2017 11:25 AM)Old Dominion Wrote:  

(07-13-2017 10:27 AM)757ODU Wrote:  

(07-13-2017 10:25 AM)Gilesfan Wrote:  If we win 28 games, we will be in the tournament.

We don't know if attempts were made to play those teams or not. Its not as easy as just saying I want to play Georgetown.

What I think some posters don't understand is that the inability to schedule some of these teams is in some ways a sign of respect. Name me one of these teams that wants to lose at home to ODU.

I disagree. These teams don't want to lose to us at OUR place, so they won't schedule h/h's. If we accepted a one time , play for pay, I suspect we'd be able to schedule some of them.

Giles seems to think a 28 win season would get us into the Dance. Based on the selection committees obvious bias for P5's, I'm not so sure. Especially if your SOS sucks from playing UMES and others. We see this play out every year where P5's with decent SOS but mediocre records beat out G5's with better records but weak SOS.
Bottom line, if you want to be the best you have to beat the best and in order to beat the best you have to play them, even on their terms (at first).

We were 24-6 2 years ago and squarely on the bubble (probably should have been in, but on bubble) with a SOS that will likely end up worse than ours will be this year. Add 4 wins and you are in.

(07-13-2017 12:54 PM)ODUBB35 Wrote:  

(07-13-2017 12:32 PM)Cyniclone Wrote:  For those bothered about how this affects ODU's chances at an at-large bid, I offer two observations:

1. ODU very likely won't be at-large good anyway.

Maybe or maybe not, but I hate to concede the possibility of an at-large bid 4 months before the first game. This schedule does just that.

(07-13-2017 12:32 PM)Cyniclone Wrote:  2. Even if they were, there's really only two paths to an at-large as a CUSA—a) have a .667 or better record against a strong OOC, or b) win as many games as possible. Whether by choice or by circumstance, ODU is going with Option B.

Option B isn't really an options. There is no way we are getting an at-large with the schedule. Maybe Option A was a long shot, but at least it was a shot.

It may also be that Option A wasn't possible. Had the St. Bonaventure game come through, that would have helped because the Bonnies low-key could be an A-10 contender. Had Maryland not dropped out of the Charleston tournament, ODU would have had a shot at a better schedule (though Maryland's probably a fringe at-large team right now). Even so, for ODU to have an OOC that produces enough opportunities to get at-large consideration, it'd almost certainly have to be buy-game heavy, and that would create its own frustration with the fanbase. One or two better games probably won't do it.

(07-13-2017 12:32 PM)Cyniclone Wrote:  For those bothered about how this affects ODU's chances at an at-large bid, I offer two observations:

1. ODU very likely won't be at-large good anyway.
2. Even if they were, there's really only two paths to an at-large as a CUSA—a) have a .667 or better record against a strong OOC, or b) win as many games as possible. Whether by choice or by circumstance, ODU is going with Option B.

That said, it's not a sexy schedule at all. @Fairfield must have been a Hail Mary to complete the schedule since that's the kind of program that should only be a buy game for, well, the top half of CUSA. UMES is an accessible tomato can, insomuch as anything on the other side of the CBBT can be accessible. Bowling Green is ... random. The former CAA opponents are at least familiar names and largely respectable, though unless VCU gels quickly with their new coach and players, none of them are going to be big wins either.

As for the Charleston tournament, it's winnable, which is both a blessing and a curse—blessing for record purposes, but Dayton's having the same rebuilding task as VCU, Clemson and Auburn are bottomfeeders, Hofstra's in the same pile as the rest of the ex-CAA crew, Ohio's respectable by conference standards but nowhere near what they used to be (sound familiar?) Indiana State wasn't good last year or ever, but their leading scorer is back so ... yay? Temple might be the best team in the field and even they're probably an NIT team.

In sum, there's a distinct possibility that ODU won't play an at-large NCAA team this season, or even a conference champion outside of CUSA. ODU's probably going to have to win at least 24 games this season for it to even be considered remotely successful, and I have my doubts they will. But as long as they win 20, JJ will be safe.

FWIW, Auburn could be pretty good this year. They have a decent shot at getting in the tourney.

(07-13-2017 01:48 PM)monarx Wrote:  

(07-13-2017 09:16 AM)jumpshooter Wrote:  OK, folks, let's play a little game. You're ODU's schedule maker. You think this schedule sucks. Create a better, realistic schedule, given this team's returning talent, one that will test it, but give it chances for success and prep it for the CUSA season.

at JMU W
Temple
Tournament (2P5 & a cupcake)
at WM W(???)
UMES W
at VCU L
Richmond L
Central Fl W
at VT W
ECU W

I don't think we'd BeAt VT. Especially not there.

Sent from my SM-G928P using CSNbbs mobile app

(07-13-2017 02:03 PM)Gilesfan Wrote:  

(07-13-2017 11:25 AM)Old Dominion Wrote:  

(07-13-2017 10:27 AM)757ODU Wrote:  

(07-13-2017 10:25 AM)Gilesfan Wrote:  If we win 28 games, we will be in the tournament.

We don't know if attempts were made to play those teams or not. Its not as easy as just saying I want to play Georgetown.

What I think some posters don't understand is that the inability to schedule some of these teams is in some ways a sign of respect. Name me one of these teams that wants to lose at home to ODU.

I disagree. These teams don't want to lose to us at OUR place, so they won't schedule h/h's. If we accepted a one time , play for pay, I suspect we'd be able to schedule some of them.

Giles seems to think a 28 win season would get us into the Dance. Based on the selection committees obvious bias for P5's, I'm not so sure. Especially if your SOS sucks from playing UMES and others. We see this play out every year where P5's with decent SOS but mediocre records beat out G5's with better records but weak SOS.
Bottom line, if you want to be the best you have to beat the best and in order to beat the best you have to play them, even on their terms (at first).

We were 24-6 2 years ago and squarely on the bubble (probably should have been in, but on bubble) with a SOS that will likely end up worse than ours will be this year. Add 4 wins and you are in.

24-6 with a win against a ranked VCU and five other top-100 RPI teams while in a conference with three NIT teams and a better RPI than now. There's a chance that ODU may not play five top-100 teams this season. So they'd better win an awful lot.

I'll concede that 28 wins should get them in, but because there's precedent: From what I can gather, no eligible team with at least 28 wins has been left out of the field — Drexel and Oral Roberts (2012), Murray State (2015) and Illinois State (2017) with 27 wins each have the highest win total to not make the tournament.

(07-13-2017 01:59 PM)Monarchblue Wrote:  

(07-13-2017 12:35 PM)jumpshooter Wrote:  

(07-13-2017 12:20 PM)Monarchblue Wrote:  

(07-13-2017 09:58 AM)jumpshooter Wrote:  

(07-13-2017 09:28 AM)ODUBB35 Wrote:  Let me turn the question around a little? Aside from the Charleston Classic and the automatic game vs. VCU, what would you say is the highlight of our schedule? JMU? W&M? Richmond?

I would say that we could realistically add two games against either ACC, Big East, SEC, or even AAC. If you have to go on the road, so be it.

Football can get home games with ACC teams. Why can't basketball get a road game?

If you have to, add another A10 team or UNCW.

Instead, we get "games against quality teams from the A-10, CAA, MAAC and MAC".

The current schedule will get us 20 wins and qualify for one of those CHIT Tournaments. Then again, the fact that we now consider W&M a "tough outing" speaks volumes.

In a season in which JJ needs to get to the NCAAs, this schedule won't help. The only option looks to be to win the conference tournament as our at-large hopes are already shot on July 13.

"We don't" consider W&M a tough outing. I do, because I think they've become a better program than people who remember the W&M of two decades ago want to give them credit for. . . . And you'd be pissed if we went on the road to LSU or Mississippi or NC State or Wake and got our asses handed to us. Why? Just so we could say we played someone with more name recognition? . . . Again, not saying this is a great schedule -- I don't know. But I think people say they want to see us play the old CAA teams, they want us to play UR and VCU, want us to play in challenging tournaments, and the NSU thing is good for the city, or should be. After all that and CUSA, that doesn't leave much room IMO

That whole good for the city thing is nonsense. The city doesn't care. Its not like its some big made for TV game that brings a bunch of attention and aside from that, it does nothing but create a game where we have to go play in a terrible arena, against a team that will hurt our RPI, even with a win, and if we lose, it is an embarrassment.

I disagree. It's a goodwill gesture, and one game of many.

I know it is not your intention, but a goodwill gesture feels a bit pretentious to me, and I am afraid that a percentage of NSU's fans take the way we treat these games as such.

I didn't mean good will towards NSU; I meant good will with the city of Norfolk, which pretty obviously is in favor of this game downtown.

(07-13-2017 02:15 PM)Cyniclone Wrote:  

(07-13-2017 02:03 PM)Gilesfan Wrote:  

(07-13-2017 11:25 AM)Old Dominion Wrote:  

(07-13-2017 10:27 AM)757ODU Wrote:  

(07-13-2017 10:25 AM)Gilesfan Wrote:  If we win 28 games, we will be in the tournament.

We don't know if attempts were made to play those teams or not. Its not as easy as just saying I want to play Georgetown.

What I think some posters don't understand is that the inability to schedule some of these teams is in some ways a sign of respect. Name me one of these teams that wants to lose at home to ODU.

I disagree. These teams don't want to lose to us at OUR place, so they won't schedule h/h's. If we accepted a one time , play for pay, I suspect we'd be able to schedule some of them.

Giles seems to think a 28 win season would get us into the Dance. Based on the selection committees obvious bias for P5's, I'm not so sure. Especially if your SOS sucks from playing UMES and others. We see this play out every year where P5's with decent SOS but mediocre records beat out G5's with better records but weak SOS.
Bottom line, if you want to be the best you have to beat the best and in order to beat the best you have to play them, even on their terms (at first).

We were 24-6 2 years ago and squarely on the bubble (probably should have been in, but on bubble) with a SOS that will likely end up worse than ours will be this year. Add 4 wins and you are in.

24-6 with a win against a ranked VCU and five other top-100 RPI teams while in a conference with three NIT teams and a better RPI than now. There's a chance that ODU may not playfive top-100 teams this season.

You could get 2 to 3 in conference out of MTSU, Marshall, WKY, UAB, LT. Overall, the conference should be significantly better than 2 years ago...as 6 teams could make a cast to break in top 100. Not sure who we will play, but Auburn and Clemson are certainly going to be top 100; maybe Dayton/Temple. Towson is close to top 100. VCU is wildcard? Would have to drop off a ton to not be top 100. Richmond was top 100 last year.

Combine all that with 28 wins and you can mark it down.

(07-13-2017 11:05 AM)ODUBB35 Wrote:  

(07-13-2017 09:16 AM)jumpshooter Wrote:  OK, folks, let's play a little game. You're ODU's schedule maker. You think this schedule sucks. Create a better, realistic schedule, given this team's returning talent, one that will test it, but give it chances for success and prep it for the CUSA season.

FWIW, I don't know if the schedule is good or bad, because I know nothing about Bowling Green and/or Fairfield. Charleston tournament certainly looks good and challenging and I think playing anyone on the road in this age of mid-major parity is a tough outing. Yes, even W&M. Then again, I'm a dope.

To answer your original question...

I understand the attraction of in-state rivalries, but...

UMES
Bowling Green
Fairfield
Norfolk State

Look, I don't want to be Seth Greenberg "holier-than-thou", and refuse to play these schools. But not all four in the same season. We have enough RPI killers in CUSA play.

Drop two of these and add some beef.

Our good games are away or on a neutral floor. If we win, isn' that good for the RPI and chances for an at large?

(07-13-2017 02:29 PM)BigBlueMonarch Wrote:  

(07-13-2017 11:05 AM)ODUBB35 Wrote:  

(07-13-2017 09:16 AM)jumpshooter Wrote:  OK, folks, let's play a little game. You're ODU's schedule maker. You think this schedule sucks. Create a better, realistic schedule, given this team's returning talent, one that will test it, but give it chances for success and prep it for the CUSA season.

FWIW, I don't know if the schedule is good or bad, because I know nothing about Bowling Green and/or Fairfield. Charleston tournament certainly looks good and challenging and I think playing anyone on the road in this age of mid-major parity is a tough outing. Yes, even W&M. Then again, I'm a dope.

To answer your original question...

I understand the attraction of in-state rivalries, but...

UMES
Bowling Green
Fairfield
Norfolk State

Look, I don't want to be Seth Greenberg "holier-than-thou", and refuse to play these schools. But not all four in the same season. We have enough RPI killers in CUSA play.

Drop two of these and add some beef.

Our good games are away or on a neutral floor. If we win, isn' that good for the RPI and chances for an at large?

Assuming we win the Charleston Classic, we might pull it off. I don't know what you mean by "good" games, but I don't see anything at home or on the road that will get the committee's attention (though finally beating VCU and W&M would be an accomplishment in and of itself.)

(07-13-2017 02:07 PM)Gilesfan Wrote:  

(07-13-2017 12:32 PM)Cyniclone Wrote:  For those bothered about how this affects ODU's chances at an at-large bid, I offer two observations:

1. ODU very likely won't be at-large good anyway.
2. Even if they were, there's really only two paths to an at-large as a CUSA—a) have a .667 or better record against a strong OOC, or b) win as many games as possible. Whether by choice or by circumstance, ODU is going with Option B.

That said, it's not a sexy schedule at all. @Fairfield must have been a Hail Mary to complete the schedule since that's the kind of program that should only be a buy game for, well, the top half of CUSA. UMES is an accessible tomato can, insomuch as anything on the other side of the CBBT can be accessible. Bowling Green is ... random. The former CAA opponents are at least familiar names and largely respectable, though unless VCU gels quickly with their new coach and players, none of them are going to be big wins either.

As for the Charleston tournament, it's winnable, which is both a blessing and a curse—blessing for record purposes, but Dayton's having the same rebuilding task as VCU, Clemson and Auburn are bottomfeeders, Hofstra's in the same pile as the rest of the ex-CAA crew, Ohio's respectable by conference standards but nowhere near what they used to be (sound familiar?) Indiana State wasn't good last year or ever, but their leading scorer is back so ... yay? Temple might be the best team in the field and even they're probably an NIT team.

In sum, there's a distinct possibility that ODU won't play an at-large NCAA team this season, or even a conference champion outside of CUSA. ODU's probably going to have to win at least 24 games this season for it to even be considered remotely successful, and I have my doubts they will. But as long as they win 20, JJ will be safe.

FWIW, Auburn could be pretty good this year. They have a decent shot at getting in the tourney.

It could be. They have enough returners from last season and Bruce Pearl probably has to **** or get off the pot this year. I might be underestimating them some.