How are you feeling right now about the team and program?

[Ramlove81]

Not sure just where to put this, but this seems a good thread.

I've just been checking the NET for VCU's ranking and to see if some of our opponents might be able to move up a quad soon.

While there I was noticing the ranking of some of the teams that have been mentioned at least as teams we should schedule home and home and some have mentioned as possible additions to the A10.

Santa clara 44
San Diego St 45
Tulsa 46
Akron 50
Miami, OH 53 (though I don't remember anyone having mentioned them, one good season)
Belmont 58
Nevada 59
South Florida 62
Grand Canyon 67
Ill. St 71 (don't remember them being mentioned either, just one good season)
Liberty 74
Stephen f Austin 80
High Point 83

That's a good sampling, though there are 7 more mid majors in the top 100 of the NET. Most of these programs are consistently ranked in the top 100. I think we could probably have home and home arrangements with most if not all of these. The games are out there to be had, I hope we can get it done.
BTW, didn't mention New Mexico since we just had a home and home with them, but I'd welcome another with them.

 

[Beirne]

Santa clara 44
San Diego St 45
Tulsa 46
Akron 50
Miami, OH 53 (though I don't remember anyone having mentioned them, one good season)
Belmont 58
Nevada 59
South Florida 62
Grand Canyon 67
Ill. St 71 (don't remember them being mentioned either, just one good season)
Liberty 74
Stephen f Austin 80
High Point 83

Six are a relatively short trip from home, not an east-west coast issue...

 

[BaNgMyPrOgRaM]

 

[share the ball]

Not sure just where to put this, but this seems a good thread.

I've just been checking the NET for VCU's ranking and to see if some of our opponents might be able to move up a quad soon.

While there I was noticing the ranking of some of the teams that have been mentioned at least as teams we should schedule home and home and some have mentioned as possible additions to the A10.

Santa clara 44
San Diego St 45
Tulsa 46
Akron 50
Miami, OH 53 (though I don't remember anyone having mentioned them, one good season)
Belmont 58
Nevada 59
South Florida 62
Grand Canyon 67
Ill. St 71 (don't remember them being mentioned either, just one good season)
Liberty 74
Stephen f Austin 80
High Point 83

That's a good sampling, though there are 7 more mid majors in the top 100 of the NET. Most of these programs are consistently ranked in the top 100. I think we could probably have home and home arrangements with most if not all of these. The games are out there to be had, I hope we can get it done.
BTW, didn't mention New Mexico since we just had a home and home with them, but I'd welcome another with them.

I would also love to see us go after Georgetown for a H&H and Md for a H&H and try and sell them on the fact we are always a top 50 team so this will always be a great resume builder in their OOC win or lose

would suggest we go on the road first while they are still rebuilding (Md) and before Cooley is fired and shoot to get them to the stu in either 2027-28 or 28-29 as the return game when they are likely to be back to top 75 in the NET and at least a Quad 2 game

and why not Seton Hall or Xavier for H&H targets too (Pitino jr agreed to a h&h when he was at new mexico). and now maybe a great time to approach Shaka again when our program is better than his

I think we should play Liberty because it is travelable for VCU fans. (and please I recognize some of my fellow posters are passoionate about their hate / dislike for Liberty - I understand that but lets build a schedule where we possibly can get 2 more Quad 1 games and replace at least 3 quad 4 games with either Quad 1 or 2 games - that will give us more opportunities to get a better resume if we win

of the list you created Akron and Belmont have me the most interested

 

[Half-baked Mcbride]

Not sure just where to put this, but this seems a good thread.

I've just been checking the NET for VCU's ranking and to see if some of our opponents might be able to move up a quad soon.

While there I was noticing the ranking of some of the teams that have been mentioned at least as teams we should schedule home and home and some have mentioned as possible additions to the A10.

Santa clara 44
San Diego St 45
Tulsa 46
Akron 50
Miami, OH 53 (though I don't remember anyone having mentioned them, one good season)
Belmont 58
Nevada 59
South Florida 62
Grand Canyon 67
Ill. St 71 (don't remember them being mentioned either, just one good season)
Liberty 74
Stephen f Austin 80
High Point 83

That's a good sampling, though there are 7 more mid majors in the top 100 of the NET. Most of these programs are consistently ranked in the top 100. I think we could probably have home and home arrangements with most if not all of these. The games are out there to be had, I hope we can get it done.
BTW, didn't mention New Mexico since we just had a home and home with them, but I'd welcome another with them.

Totally agree...I think VCU basketball scheduling needs to embrace a scheduling philosophy that compensates for a consistently "mid" A10 and seeks quality opponents besides the roll of the dice you get at MTE's (which we should still do).
As for cupcakes?? I get it...schedule a few, but make them Virginia schools....There are a plethora of Virginia schools that would elicit more fan excitement.
I don't ever want to see Wagner or St. Peters or Rider or Coppin St again.....W&M, JMU, Liberty, NSU will suffice. Or go for old CAA foes in Delaware or Towson or somethin.

I love that list too....I can't remember the last time I saw a VCU basketball schedule that was a real banger....it just requires thought, effort, and some dogged determination and hard work. The college hoops world has well and truly changed and NONE of the powers that be give a second thought to VCU. God helps those who help themselves...

 

[AlienAiden]

Totally agree...I think VCU basketball scheduling needs to embrace a scheduling philosophy that compensates for a consistently "mid" A10 and seeks quality opponents besides the roll of the dice you get at MTE's (which we should still do).
As for cupcakes?? I get it...schedule a few, but make them Virginia schools....There are a plethora of Virginia schools that would elicit more fan excitement.
I don't ever want to see Wagner or St. Peters or Rider or Coppin St again.....W&M, JMU, Liberty, NSU will suffice. Or go for old CAA foes in Delaware or Towson or somethin.

I love that list too....I can't remember the last time I saw a VCU basketball schedule that was a real banger....it just requires thought, effort, and some dogged determination and hard work. The college hoops world has well and truly changed and NONE of the powers that be give a second thought to VCU. God helps those who help themselves...

A horrible OOC SOS seems to be working for SLU if you can take watching a bunch of blowouts against patsies at home and then follow it up by winning in conference. VCU’s scheduling is in the middle ground of tough. They did play some good teams that others would avoid. I do not buy into the nobody will schedule us narrative that Schertz spouted about their schedule. He has been known to play a weak schedule to pad wins. I do think it is difficult to get good games though. VCU put together one of the best OOC schedules in the A10 this year.

 

[RowdyPkunk]

Totally agree...I think VCU basketball scheduling needs to embrace a scheduling philosophy that compensates for a consistently "mid" A10 and seeks quality opponents besides the roll of the dice you get at MTE's (which we should still do).
As for cupcakes?? I get it...schedule a few, but make them Virginia schools....There are a plethora of Virginia schools that would elicit more fan excitement.
I don't ever want to see Wagner or St. Peters or Rider or Coppin St again.....W&M, JMU, Liberty, NSU will suffice. Or go for old CAA foes in Delaware or Towson or somethin.

I love that list too....I can't remember the last time I saw a VCU basketball schedule that was a real banger....it just requires thought, effort, and some dogged determination and hard work. The college hoops world has well and truly changed and NONE of the powers that be give a second thought to VCU. God helps those who help themselves...

So I agree pretty much with your premise.... there's a couple of issues though.

1. Those VA Schools you mentioned... especially Norfolk State, Liberty & every so often JMU.... they're not cupcake games. Norfolk state beat us at the STU the last time we played them. So if we want true "cupcake games" you're gonna continue to see the likes of Rider & Coppin State on the schedule.

2. Whoever we schedule..... it's a 2 way street. We gotta want to schedule them & they gotta want to schedule us..... or in our case... especially with some of these in state schools as you suggest.... They gotta be willing to play here at the STU with out a return game.

I mean lets be real.... outside of Richmond & GMU (conference opponents).... whens the last time we played at Liberty? 2015 ish give or take a year? Whens the last time we played at Radford? Whens the last time we played at Norfolk State? W&M? JMU? etc.

Isn't that one of the reasons we ended the ODU stuff? I know a bunch of fans say that if we play ODU, it has to be at home.... but they don't want us scheduling a game at ODU or that we shouldn't schedule at ODU anymore? Yes I know their program has gone downhill massively.


The problem is.... what if JMU, Norfolk State, Liberty & other in-state schools start saying.... "Fine we'll play you..... but only if you do a H&H"?

You know.... kinda like how we probably are with any P5/BE schools, because other than the Seton Hall Game in MR's first year VCU hasn't played a True Road Game, that wasn't part of a H&H or some for of Tournament, in ages.

So what if those in-state schools start saying "Sure, lets set up a H&H".... then what do we do? Because it's become increasingly evident over the years that the Ath. Dept / Coaching Staffs.... wanna just load up on Home Games if we can't get P5/BE opponents or at least decent H&H's (Temple, Memphis, Vandy, Cincy... etc.).

I understand the Ath. Dept. needs the money.... but you know what can bring in even more money? Scheduling better opponents (even if on the road), challenging your team & get them more mentally prepared for March & going on a deep NCAA Run.... Because guess what.... the A10 Tournament & the NCAA Tournament aren't played at the Siegel Center.... and if we make the NCAA Tournament.... depending on where we end up & who we are paired up against.... Chances are we could be out numbered in fans..... Even as great of a traveling fan base as we are.


The year we went to the Final 4.... we played 8 of our 14 non-conference games were away from the STU... and 5 of those 7 were true road games. Now 4 of those games were part of H&H's (South Florida, Richmond, UAB & Wichita State- Bracket Buster).... but still, half our non conf games were on the road.

2012.... of 14 non conference games.... 8 of them were away from the STU... and yet again 4 of those 8 were true Road games (WKU, #13 Bama, UNC-G & Akron).

This year..... in 13 non conference games.... we played 5 away from the STU.... and of the 5... Only 1 was a True Road game.


If we want our program to get back to where we were 12-15 years ago... I agree with stop scheduling so many cupcakes.... but we need to go on the road & challenge ourselves. And if that means we gotta go on the road to a Quality opponent & not get a home game in return..... SO BE IT.

 

[Yosi Ram]

A horrible OOC SOS seems to be working for SLU if you can take watching a bunch of blowouts against patsies at home and then follow it up by winning in conference. VCU’s scheduling is in the middle ground of tough. They did play some good teams that others would avoid. I do not buy into the nobody will schedule us narrative that Schertz spouted about their schedule. He has been known to play a weak schedule to pad wins. I do think it is difficult to get good games though. VCU put together one of the best OOC schedules in the A10 this year.

It was a schedule that was both top heavy and bottom heavy.

Other than relationships no Power 5 is coming here. I'd like to see the Belmont's, Northern Iowa's, upper level Ivy/Patriot (formerly Bucknell, Lehigh) replace the Niagara, Wagner, Coppin's and Riders.

One concerning thing is these MTE's are going away or changing in favor of the Players festival. For example Charleston this year had 2 separate tournaments--with the Davidsons, and Utah States not playing with the big boys of WVU/Clemson/GA.

Scheduling will become even more difficult.

 

[AlienAiden]

It was a schedule that was both top heavy and bottom heavy.

Other than relationships no Power 5 is coming here. I'd like to see the Belmont's, Northern Iowa's, upper level Ivy/Patriot (formerly Bucknell, Lehigh) replace the Niagara, Wagner, Coppin's and Riders.

One concerning thing is these MTE's are going away or changing in favor of the Players festival. For example Charleston this year had 2 separate tournaments--with the Davidsons, and Utah States not playing with the big boys of WVU/Clemson/GA.

Scheduling will become even more difficult.

Yeah, there will be an attempt to schedule more neutral site games like the Utah State game this season.

 

[RowdyPkunk]

I mean lets be real.... outside of Richmond & GMU (conference opponents).... whens the last time we played at Liberty? 2015 ish give or take a year? Whens the last time we played at Radford? Whens the last time we played at Norfolk State? W&M? JMU? etc.

To answer my own question.... I went back and looked at every D1 instate school.... and here's the last time we played AT each of them, from what I could find.

(I'm leaving out UR & GMU for obvious reasons)

ODU- 2021
UVA- 2018
Liberty- 2016
William & Mary- 2012
JMU- 2011
Hampton- 2010

Virginia Tech- Not since the days of VCU Being in the Metro Conference I'm Guessing?

Radford- No Clue?
Norfolk State- No Clue?
Longwood- No Clue?
VMI- No Clue?

 

[WillWeaverRVA]

To answer my own question.... I went back and looked at every D1 instate school.... and here's the last time we played AT each of them, from what I could find.

(I'm leaving out UR & GMU for obvious reasons)

ODU- 2021
UVA- 2018
Liberty- 2016
William & Mary- 2012
JMU- 2011
Hampton- 2010

Virginia Tech- Not since the days of VCU Being in the Metro Conference I'm Guessing?

Radford- No Clue?
Norfolk State- No Clue?
Longwood- No Clue?
VMI- No Clue?

Virginia Tech - 1995 (lost)
Radford - 1998 (lost)
Norfolk State - 1973 (won)
Longwood - 2006 (won)
VMI - never

 

[rambunctiousrowdyram]

While I understand home games for revenue I’ve always been for atleast 1-2 true tough road games for really testing our team. You gotta throw your team in the fire. Even if you don’t win it builds resilience. I think about years ago where we went to Akron who had like a 25 home steak or something and we snapped it. Our team was so fired up. We can’t expect a return game all the time and we need to deal with that.

 

[mrgeode]

The OOC schedule this year was great, we just didn't win any of USU/Vandy/NC State. The December tomato cans weren't exciting, and they haven't ever been exciting.

 

[HBK]

A horrible OOC SOS seems to be working for SLU if you can take watching a bunch of blowouts against patsies at home and then follow it up by winning in conference. VCU’s scheduling is in the middle ground of tough. They did play some good teams that others would avoid. I do not buy into the nobody will schedule us narrative that Schertz spouted about their schedule. He has been known to play a weak schedule to pad wins. I do think it is difficult to get good games though. VCU put together one of the best OOC schedules in the A10 this year.

Every VCU coach since the Final Four has spoken about how hard it is to get teams to play us. Fact of life now.

Margin of victory matters in the NET rankings. One thing SLU has done very well is to not give up big leads. Once they have their foot on someone's throat, they typically finish the job and win convincingly, which is what you need to do against Quad 3 and 4 teams. 15 of SLU's 16 wins in Quads 3 and 4 are by double digits; only GW was within 10 points. Meanwhile, all four of our Quad 3 wins are by 8 points or less, including two games we should have won by 18 or more (UR and Fordham). I'll always take any win, but one reason the wins over UR and Fordham were disappointing was that we let those teams make it close. I wish it didn't matter, but we were likely "penalized" by the NET for not winning those two games by double digits. That's the reality in which we live, so credit to SLU for taking care of business in that manner.

One hopeful thing is that the Selection Committee uses the NET as ONE tool in the process. There are other tools and metrics they use.

 

[RowdyPkunk]

Every VCU coach since the Final Four has spoken about how hard it is to get teams to play us. Fact of life now.

Margin of victory matters in the NET rankings. One thing SLU has done very well is to not give up big leads. Once they have their foot on someone's throat, they typically finish the job and win convincingly, which is what you need to do against Quad 3 and 4 teams. 15 of SLU's 16 wins in Quads 3 and 4 are by double digits; only GW was within 10 points. Meanwhile, all four of our Quad 3 wins are by 8 points or less, including two games we should have won by 18 or more (UR and Fordham). I'll always take any win, but one reason the wins over UR and Fordham were disappointing was that we let those teams make it close. I wish it didn't matter, but we were likely "penalized" by the NET for not winning those two games by double digits. That's the reality in which we live, so credit to SLU for taking care of business in that manner.

One hopeful thing is that the Selection Committee uses the NET as ONE tool in the process. There are other tools and metrics they use.

At this point the @SLU, GMU & Both Dayton games are MASSIVE for us.... short of winning the A10 Tournament.... and also even for seeding purposes if we do win the tournament.