I guess I have no point other than it’s harder than it looks because there’s a lot of moving parts for two programs. I continue to back Jimmy Martelli’s raise.
no doubt there are logistics with any schedule but a trip out west has to be exciting for a young team to see America (and Pac 12 teams match up well with VCU)
my simple thought (probably poorly stated) is we can do a lot better with our schedule given the fact that our conference schedule means we play 8-10 games each year against teams with RPIs sub 100 that do little to help our national/tournament profile come March and having another 5-6 in OOC schedule doesn't help ( I understand 2 lightweights to get the winning feeling and love when they are in state teams like a JMU or Radford, W&M or Liberty or .....)
for 25 years I have heard VCU AD and coach after coach say we are a good enough program that we will only do home and homes
fast forward to 2021 and our home and homes are with Penn State and Vanderbilt (two lower tier P5s in their respective conferences) only those home and homes with our former coaches schools because of contractual obligations have rung the bell in the past)
We have to do something else or be resigned to the fact our best games will come in the preseason tournaments or Thanksgiving tournaments and we will have a lukewarm home schedule year after year
Scheduling is partially about relationships between head coaches and ADs when trying to land the big fish (so to speak)
As a side note, I don't know Martelli but don't disagree that he works hard and is worth his salary etc...
Excellent coaches like we have should have their teams ready each game, so I worry less about the banana peel effect when you return from big games (we have bounced back well from early season tourneys over the past decade or so)
as always I enjoy your insight and perspective and I am sure I minimize the difficulty in doing what I suggest
