Brew started an interesting topic in the Buzz suspension thread so I decided to get it going here.
Say the new conference forms at 10-12 teams as expected. Let's discuss how MU builds a solid schedule out of that. I'm assuming it'll still be 18 conference games where maybe 6 or so are against Top 25 programs. Certainly Wisconsin stays in the mix and I've long advocated for setting up ND on an alternating schedule both to enhance revenue/attendance as well as add a quality opponent. How do we build the rest knowing full well that we need 17+ home dates a year and buy games or lopsided 4-1 contracts are a must to achieve that?
I think it would be worthwhile to approach some of our soon-to-be former conference mates like Louisville, Pittsburgh, Syracuse, etc. about some home and home series.
Quote from: Heavy Gear on January 05, 2013, 08:19:33 AM
I think it would be worthwhile to approach some of our soon-to-be former conference mates like Louisville, Pittsburgh, Syracuse, etc. about some home and home series.
Louisville would be nice. A good history with them.
The others would be great, but I'm not holding my breath.
Home & Homes with:
-UW
-ND
-UofL
-(rotating major conf. team).
That would be pretty good once you add in a tournament and a handful of cupcakes.
This is why I think we should stick with 9 teams and play a 16 game schedule. It would give us flexibility to schedule more out of conference home and home series. Maybe get fairly regular games with ND, UofL, Cincy, or some of our other former conference mates. I imagine SJU and Georgetown would like to do the same with Syracuse.
Quote from: Litehouse on January 05, 2013, 08:27:47 AM
This is why I think we should stick with 9 teams and play a 16 game schedule. It would give us flexibility to schedule more out of conference home and home series. Maybe get fairly regular games with ND, UofL, Cincy, or some of our other former conference mates. I imagine SJU and Georgetown would like to do the same with Syracuse.
No chance it's 9 in my opinion. BEast 2.0 has a TV contract to sell and they need to have enough 'product' to offer. The 10-12 question will be answered as part of the TV negotiation. Heck, teams #10,#11, and #12 will practically be PICKED by the TV partner.
We all assume ND is a no-brainer, and comments from MU leaders have suggested as much. I sure hope that is the case. We need to have ND on our schedule every year!
Quote from: MU82 on January 05, 2013, 08:31:48 AM
We all assume ND is a no-brainer, and comments from MU leaders have suggested as much. I sure hope that is the case. We need to have ND on our schedule every year!
I might suspect ND feels that way too. I wonder it they'll consider DePaul as well although I don't want to hijack my own thread.
It would be nice if BE 2.0 can either continue the challenge with the SEC or come up with something similar. If Gonzaga is in the mix it might be an interesting idea to do a cross country thing with the Pac-12.
Don't forget that MU wants at least 15 home dates, if not more. So you cannot have too many home-home non conference and still achieve this number.
ND as a home-home opposit wisconsin works. Not sure we have room for louisville as a regular.
Looking at this, I think it requires some more in-depth research than just a post. I'll try to get something up in the next day or two on Cracked Sidewalks.
Quote from: AnotherMU84 on January 05, 2013, 09:16:35 AM
Don't forget that MU wants at least 15 home dates, if not more. So you cannot have too many home-home non conference and still achieve this number.
ND as a home-home opposite Wisconsin works. Not sure we have room for Louisville as a regular.
Concur. We've really got one other home/home slot that's been taken in recent years by NC State/Vandy/LSU. It'll be an interesting decision to see if we sacrifice one annual home game (17 the last 2 years) in alternating years to add one more top tier home/home. Perhaps we'll sacrifice the 'neutral court' game in the year we're away to our 3rd home/home opponent. Might we also consider some 3-1 or 2-1 match-ups? Does that accomplish anything? And sorry Mr. Wardle; GB probably doesn't make the cut. Especially when you don't have the decency to lose.
Quote from: brewcity77 on January 05, 2013, 09:37:18 AM
Looking at this, I think it requires some more in-depth research than just a post. I'll try to get something up in the next day or two on Cracked Sidewalks.
Thanks Brew. Guess I gave you a good story idea.
Keep the UW home-and-home, and drop the Green Bay and LSU home-and-homes for ND and UL.