10 Day Layoff

[MUMountin]

After Saturday, MU doesn't play again until the ASU game on 12/16.  I can't ever remember such a long layoff in the middle of the season.

Is this:

(1) Something to do with finals--maybe a priority for Wojo/new staff?
(2) A result of packing the 5 games in during Thanksgiving week?
(3) Trying to maximize the number of games after Fischer is able to join the team?
(4) Just a scheduling abnormality?

Or, some combination of the above. 

I suspect #3 is a big part of it--try to save a number of the cupcake games for after Fischer is back to give the team time to get up-to-speed with a different lineup.

Just wondering how intentional it was to take such a long break at this point of the season.

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

They have finals, that is the biggest thing. They never had games over finals.

[wadesworld]

Yeah I don't think it's a Wojo priority, the week of finals was always the same week leading up to the Badgers game until this year, and we never played a game that week.

[dgies9156]

They have finals, that is the biggest thing. They never had games over finals.

+10000000

Isn't that what school is about anyway?

[MUfan12]

Usually it's a week off, and they play the Saturday after finals. With ASU on Tuesday, they didn't want the quick turnaround.

[MUMountin]

Usually it's a week off, and they play the Saturday after finals. With ASU on Tuesday, they didn't want the quick turnaround.

Yeah, I thought it was typical to take the week off for finals, but usually they had a game right after finals week.  It was those extra few days that I was wondering about.

[JamilJaeJamailJrJuan]

Why does MU only play 12 NON-CON games this year when they have played 13 the past two years?

[jsglow]

Why does MU only play 12 NON-CON games this year when they have played 13 the past two years?

It's because MU wasn't awarded the extra game associated with the Orlando tournament.  in may years we play a home game considered to be part of that event which isn't counted in the allotted total.  Said another way, one can't replace that tourney game with a buy game.

[JamilJaeJamailJrJuan]

It's because MU wasn't awarded the extra game associated with the Orlando tournament.  in may years we play a home game considered to be part of that event which isn't counted in the allotted total.  Said another way, one can't replace that tourney game with a buy game.

Ahh, I see.  Any idea why we weren't awarded said game this year? 

Excuse my ignorance, but only 12 NON-CON games can be scheduled? I wasn't aware of that. 

[brewcity77]

Why does MU only play 12 NON-CON games this year when they have played 13 the past two years?

It's because of Orlando. Teams are allowed to schedule 9 games and one exempt tournament. Most years, the tournament has scheduled 4 games for us. Games like Norfolk State, Bucknell, and Green Bay among others were set up by the tournaments.

Orlando didn't do that for us. Kansas got a game with Rider and Michigan State played Santa Clara. The next two years we play in New York tourneys that ensure 4 total exempt games for all participants.

[JamilJaeJamailJrJuan]

It's because of Orlando. Teams are allowed to schedule 9 games and one exempt tournament. Most years, the tournament has scheduled 4 games for us. Games like Norfolk State, Bucknell, and Green Bay among others were set up by the tournaments.

Orlando didn't do that for us. Kansas got a game with Rider and Michigan State played Santa Clara. The next two years we play in New York tourneys that ensure 4 total exempt games for all participants.

Thanks for clarifying, Brew.  Haven't mentioned it yet, but it is refreshing to have you back around.  Cheers.

[Nukem2]

Usually it's a week off, and they play the Saturday after finals. With ASU on Tuesday, they didn't want the quick turnaround.

The real reason is Luke Fischer.  He is not eligible until after the first semester.  First semester grades are due in by noon on the 16th.  MU plays that night.  Need to get him into as many games as possible.

[jsglow]

Ahh, I see.  Any idea why we weren't awarded said game this year? 

Excuse my ignorance, but only 12 NON-CON games can be scheduled? I wasn't aware of that. 

As Brew said, next year we go to Brooklyn.  We'll play I believe 2 games here at home first and then be guaranteed 2 games in New York.  I believe the fodder we play here at the BC gets to have a little round robin thingy in Toledo!  I'm not making this up but might have the details slightly wrong.

[jsglow]

Yeah I don't think it's a Wojo priority, the week of finals was always the same week leading up to the Badgers game until this year, and we never played a game that week.

Actually wade, the Badgers have kicked off Finals week for several years with a Buy game the following Saturday just after exams end.  I just got into it with some frantic Frosh mom who thought it evil that they dare play an important basketball game prior to her 'precious' beginning Finals.  Of course the fact that college kids need to learn to budget their time never crossed her mind.

[WarriorInNYC]

As Brew said, next year we go to Brooklyn.  We'll play I believe 2 games here at home first and then be guaranteed 2 games in New York.  I believe the fodder we play here at the BC gets to have a little round robin thingy in Toledo!  I'm not making this up but might have the details slightly wrong.

I think thats accurate.  Though I thought the "fodder" plays the round robin before they play us and the other teams.  I could be wrong on this.

Edit:  I was wrong on this.  The "fodder" have their own mini-tournament in Toledo on the same days as our games.

http://www.gazellegroup.com/events/legends/legends14_bracket.pdf

[MUMountin]

 

As Brew said, next year we go to Brooklyn.  We'll play I believe 2 games here at home first and then be guaranteed 2 games in New York.  I believe the fodder we play here at the BC gets to have a little round robin thingy in Toledo!  I'm not making this up but might have the details slightly wrong.

Yup--here's the link to past years' results: http://www.gazellegroup.com/events/legends/results.htm  

Looks like the "sub-regional" in Toledo seems to rotate based on what teams are in it each year.

Gives everyone 4 games, while the event only needs to pay for Barclays for two days of premium basketball.

[jsglow]

I was just looking at the history.  In 2012, Georgia lost both of its 'fodder' games (everyone send me a dollar when you use that word) and then got swept in NYC.    Bulldogscoop in full meltdown!

[brewcity77]

As Brew said, next year we go to Brooklyn.  We'll play I believe 2 games here at home first and then be guaranteed 2 games in New York.  I believe the fodder we play here at the BC gets to have a little round robin thingy in Toledo!  I'm not making this up but might have the details slightly wrong.

Yup, and they usually do a decent job of getting some decent fodder games. Not like they'll all be sub-300.

[MUMountin]

I was just looking at the history.  In 2012, Georgia lost both of its 'fodder' games (everyone send me a dollar when you use that word) and then got swept in NYC.    Bulldogscoop in full meltdown!

Are you sure the Dawgs weren't meant to be the fodder? 

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

Actually wade, the Badgers have kicked off Finals week for several years with a Buy game the following Saturday just after exams end.  I just got into it with some frantic Frosh mom who thought it evil that they dare play an important basketball game prior to her 'precious' beginning Finals.  Of course the fact that college kids need to learn to budget their time never crossed her mind.

Haha, you should tell her what time I'm getting there. She'd probably have a stroke. My parents are so funny, neither are MU grads or graduates of a high profile D1 team (both graduated from UIC) but they call me every game day asking if I'm in line yet.

My freshman year my dad actually ordered a jimmy johns platter for me and my friends from Chicago to be delivered to the Bradley Center. They have never had any worry about my grades falling because I wait in line for a few hours. In fact they encourage it .

[jsglow]

I'm sure that's true Chitown because you know to keep up your end of the bargain.  Now get your damn ass to the library.

[Brewtown Andy]

Actually wade, the Badgers have kicked off Finals week for several years with a Buy game the following Saturday just after exams end.  I just got into it with some frantic Frosh mom who thought it evil that they dare play an important basketball game prior to her 'precious' beginning Finals.  Of course the fact that college kids need to learn to budget their time never crossed her mind.

You could make the argument that it's beneficial to have the game scheduled there, not to force the kids to budget their time well, but to allow them a therapeutic mental break.

[drewm88]

You could make the argument that it's beneficial to have the game scheduled there, not to force the kids to budget their time well, but to allow them a therapeutic mental break.

Plus the early start=heavy day drinking=pass out earlier=hangover wears off earlier than usual on Sunday, allowing more time to study.

When you think about it, not having the game, or not getting hammered, are both academic impediments.