We have now reached July and have reached the point in which we all get anxious to see the next basketball schedule. Of course, it's early but I expect news of future games to slowly trickle in these next few months (assuming covid issues won't screw up scheduling). As the news comes in, we will update what we know. I'm keeping my eye on twitter and I'm scouting released schedules.

I have separated everything into 3 categories, Happening (means it will happen), Plausible (not surprising if it happens or rumors of it possibly happening), Wish (just my opinion of who we should try to schedule).

As of July 1st, 2021:

Men: Happening: UCA (unknown of location or if 2 games again)
Plausible: Mo St, a HBCU, Non-Con Tourney (plenty of spots open right now)
Wish: Arkansas (perhaps plausible), Texas, Texas Tech, Oklahoma, UNT, Tulsa,
Memphis, Houston, UTEP, Oral Roberts, and Georgetown.

Explanation: UCA is the only game that is supposed to happen for the men. Coach Walker hasn't really developed a consistency in his scheduling other than he will schedule a HBCU of some kind (won't be UAPB btw) and Missouri St. Memphis could also be considered a consistency but they weren't on our schedule last year and I'm not sure if Penny wants to have another close game with us. Honestly Arkansas should happen but we haven't had a confirmation and I have my doubts. All of the wishes include teams with former Trojan coaches (UT, OU, UTEP), local successful mid-majors, and the occasional powerhouse.

Women: Happening: UCA (same situation as men) and Arkansas (@Fayetteville).
Plausible: Rice, Memphis, WKU, La. Tech, Texas A&M, OK St., Texas.
Wish: UTSA, LSU, MTSU, SFA, South Carolina, UCONN (I hope they bring
back the original Home-Home deal)

Explanation: Coach Foley is much easier to predict given his recent success at scheduling big P5 schools through relationships. He's also consistent at scheduling the same opponents every year. I'm assuming UCA will happen for the Governor's showdown and Arkansas has already announced we are going to their place next year. All of the plausible teams are teams that we have scheduled consistently. We owe OK St. a game since Covid cancelled that game and Texas is coached by one of Foley's connections in Coach Schaefer. For the wish list, there isn't as much success in mid-majors in our region other than MTSU and SFA. LSU used to be a plausible but they have a new head coach (former Baylor HC) and I'm not sure if Foley has a connection to her or not. UTSA is now coached by former Trojan, Karen Aston. I threw in South Carolina because why not? UCONN was supposed to happen last year at their place and they were planning on coming to the Jack this year. Covid ruined it but there's hope Geno may bring it back (crossing my fingers).

Anything is possible... watch this space this summer!

Supposedly our men will play in Fayetteville this season, although I obviously have seen nothing official. UConn apparently considers playing in Fayetteville, last season, as fulfilling their obligation to play a game close to home for Christyn Williams. So UConn apparently will not play us in LR.

I thought we were home free with regard to Covid playing havoc with our basketball schedule, but not so fast. Arkansas is near the bottom in vaccinated individuals meaning that the virus will continue to spread in our State. Arkansas currently has one of the highest infection rates and the Delta variant is starting to run rampant (60% of the cases). My son was told today that UAMS just changed their policy and vaccinated patients will now need to have a negative Covid test before they can have a procedure at the hospital. They informed him that this is because they are seeing many vaccinated people test positive for Covid. I had heard some anecdotal reports of vaccinated people being infected, but UAMS saying this is quite concerning. This will get worse if more mutations develop in our unvaccinated population. The thought of another Covid surge is really depressing.

Last I checked, not even soccer or volleyball have announced their schedules and they typically start next month. I have to assume that Covid continues to play a major role in this. I was thinking things were getting closer to "normal", but coaches may still want to minimize long distance travel if they can avoid it. Actually, we may want to get out of this part of the country as AR, AL, Mo, MS are some of the worst Covid states right now. Who knows what things will look like in a few months.

I saw on the asu board the SBC updated its covid policy regarding games. Last season if a team could not play because of covid the game was postponed and the teams tried to make up the games at a later date. This season, for SBC games only, if a team cannot play because of covid, that team forfeits the game. I guess the SBC is trying to put pressure on teams to get vaccinated. Of course we see what happened with NC State in the CWS. The NCAA is not messing around.

(07-02-2021 09:30 AM)ez272 Wrote:  I saw on the asu board the SBC updated its covid policy regarding games. Last season if a team could not play because of covid the game was postponed and the teams tried to make up the games at a later date. This season, for SBC games only, if a team cannot play because of covid, that team forfeits the game. I guess the SBC is trying to put pressure on teams to get vaccinated. Of course we see what happened with NC State in the CWS. The NCAA is not messing around.

I'm not sure how I feel about this policy until I give it some thought. It does seem a little early as things seem to be changing daily with regard to new variants and Covid spread. If it makes all players get vaccinated I guess it is a good thing. Don't see how any coach cannot require his players to get the vaccine. I'm sure they require all their players to get the flu vaccine every year. Just a few weeks ago, I really thought this thing was over, at least, in the USA. Even my wife seemed okay about traveling in the States, but said overseas travel was still out for awhile. I never imagined so many folks would not get vaccinated. Everyone I know was counting the days until their turn to get the vaccine arrived.

Murray State will come to the Jack this season. Very good mid-major as of late!

https://mobile.twitter.com/roccomiller8/...6078798851

(07-10-2021 07:12 AM)TrojanTeen2 Wrote:  Murray State will come to the Jack this season. Very good mid-major as of late!

https://mobile.twitter.com/roccomiller8/...6078798851

That is really good opponent. Right at our level, and one of the better low-major teams in recent years. Good job, Trojan staff!

Let's refer to us and Murray as "Mid Majors".

Sent from my SM-G950U using CSNbbs mobile app

I agree MJS but I was saddened to hear the announcers on a 76ers game I was watching refer to Rayjon as having played at a low major, Little Rock so I fear nationally we are teetering dangerously close to the low major level in a lot of people’s eyes.

(07-12-2021 03:58 PM)Karl B Wrote:  I agree MJS but I was saddened to hear the announcers on a 76ers game I was watching refer to Rayjon as having played at a low major, Little Rock so I fear nationally we are teetering dangerously close to the low major level in a lot of people’s eyes.

We may be "teetering", but I think most national folks still view us as a mid major. I guess our league, to keep that status, needs to occasionally get 2 teams into the NCAA tournament or, at least, win a game. Can't remember the last time we got 2 teams in, but us and GaSt, have at least won a game in the last 8 years or so.

I just go top third, middle third, bottom third.

According to NW State (LA) website, their womens soccer team will play a pre-season match against Little Rock at Coleman Complex, August 14 at 3 pm.

Supposedly we will get Louisiana Tech at home. They have most everybody back and are supposed to be very good. Allegedly they couldn't find anyone to play them. We stepped up, but asked for a 4 year deal. Looks like it will happen, although I'm not sure if it is signed at this point.