2017-2018 Season

[GoldenDieners32]

Going to be a huge year for us..Some things i hope wojo and the coaching staff do:
-Teach the players defense and get better at rebounding
- Work with all the players individually on their weaknesses
- Get a solid non con schedule next season(better cupcake games)
These are just some of the things... Can't wait for the upcoming season this year was progress i like where we are going

[damuts222]

Want to be more specific..geez. This is a young team..as we all know well the best thing about freshman is that they become sophomores. Howard needs to make better decisions with the ball if he is a pg..can't turn the ball over at such a high rate. There was a reason he and cheatham didn't handle ball or get high minutes. Rowsy great shooter but can be quick on the trigger...cheatham shooting and right hand, he let offense and tough finishes around basket, hauser lateral quickness.

I can go on but the coaches know these things and we are progressing immensely since buzzfeed left. Excited for what's to come.

[GoldenDieners32]

This is irrelivant but i think we should bring back the prediction board for 2017-2018

[Buzz Williams' Spillproof Chiclets Cup]

For nonconference scheduling brainstorming purposes only:

MU's 2017-18 schedule already features commitments to the Gavitt Games (MU must play 5 times in the next 6 years), Wisconsin (away), Georgia (home) and Maui (3 games against a field that also includes Notre Dame, Michigan, VCU, Wichita State, Cal, and LSU). Maui will likely come with a "mainland" game against a no-name opponent. That right there is 7 nonconference games. MU had 12 nonconference games this year. Notably, only two of those games are confirmed to be at home (Georgia and a Maui Mainland Game).

MU needs buy games to fill out the slate. Teams from Major and Mid-Major Conferences will likely want a home-and-home, and Small Conference teams will likely be satisfied with a buy game. For discussion's sake, Major Conferences = The Six You Think Of, Mid-Major Conferences = American, A10, Valley, Mountain West, West Coast, and Small Conferences = The Rest.

With that in mind, here are teams that are from small conferences that were also in the RPI Top 150, and accordingly, at least in theory, will not be schedule-killers(Yes, I know that these numbers are meaningless for next year, the following is solely for discussion). Numbers are per Live-RPI.com.

#27 UNC-Wilmington (Colonial)
#35 Middle Tennessee (Conference USA)
#45 UT-Arlington (Sun Belt)
#46 Vermont (America East)
#47 Princeton (Ivy League)
#49 Monmouth (MAAC)
#55 East Tennessee State (Southern Conference)
#58 Akron (MAC)
#60 Belmont (OVC)
#62 College of Charleston
#64 Bucknell (Patriot League)
#70 Winthrop (Big South)
#71 Valparaiso (Horizon League)
#73 UNC-Asheville (Big South)
#75 Cal State-Bakersfield (WAC)
#85 Florida Gulf Coast (Atlantic Sun)
#87 Northern Kentucky (Horizon League)
#88 Iona (MAAC)
#91 Towson (Colonial)
#95 UNC-Greensboro (Southern Conference)
#96 Furman (Big South)
#97 Lehigh (Patriot League)
#104 Georgia State (Sun Belt)
#105 Texas State (SWAC)
#108 Oakland (Horizon League)
#109 William & Mary (Colonial)
#110 North Dakota State (Summit League)
#111 Marshall (Conference USA)
#114 Louisiana Lafayette (Sun Belt)
#115 Wright State (Horizon League)
#116 Louisiana Tech (Conference USA)
#117 Ohio (MAC)
#119 Arkansas State (Sun Belt)
#121 South Dakota (Summit League)
#122 Georgia Southern (Sun Belt)
#123 Siena (MAAC)
#127 New Hampshire (America East)
#128 Yale (Ivy League)
#129 Albany (America East)
#130 St. Peter's (MAAC)
#132 Grand Canyon (WAC)
#135 UC-Irvine (Big West)
#136 Northeastern (Colonial)
#138 Old Dominion (Conference USA)
#139 Nebraska-Omaha (Summit League)
#140 Chattanooga (Southern Conference)
#142 Kent State (MAC)
#143 Harvard (Ivy League)
#144 North Dakota (Big Sky)
#146 Buffalo (MAC)
#147 Troy (Sun Belt)
#148 Eastern Washington (Big Sky)
#150 Mount St. Mary's (NEC)

So the teams are out there. Go find them, MU.

[GoldenDieners32]

For nonconference scheduling brainstorming purposes only:

MU's 2017-18 schedule already features commitments to the Gavitt Games (MU must play 5 times in the next 6 years), Wisconsin (away), Georgia (home) and Maui (3 games against a field that also includes Notre Dame, Michigan, VCU, Wichita State, Cal, and LSU). Maui will likely come with a "mainland" game against a no-name opponent. That right there is 7 nonconference games. MU had 12 nonconference games this year. Notably, only two of those games are confirmed to be at home (Georgia and a Maui Mainland Game).

MU needs buy games to fill out the slate. Teams from Major and Mid-Major Conferences will likely want a home-and-home, and Small Conference teams will likely be satisfied with a buy game. For discussion's sake, Major Conferences = The Six You Think Of, Mid-Major Conferences = American, A10, Valley, Mountain West, West Coast, and Small Conferences = The Rest.

With that in mind, here are teams that are from small conferences that were also in the RPI Top 150, and accordingly, at least in theory, will not be schedule-killers(Yes, I know that these numbers are meaningless for next year, the following is solely for discussion). Numbers are per Live-RPI.com.

#27 UNC-Wilmington (Colonial)
#35 Middle Tennessee (Conference USA)
#45 UT-Arlington (Sun Belt)
#46 Vermont (America East)
#47 Princeton (Ivy League)
#49 Monmouth (MAAC)
#55 East Tennessee State (Southern Conference)
#58 Akron (MAC)
#60 Belmont (OVC)
#62 College of Charleston
#64 Bucknell (Patriot League)
#70 Winthrop (Big South)
#71 Valparaiso (Horizon League)
#73 UNC-Asheville (Big South)
#75 Cal State-Bakersfield (WAC)
#85 Florida Gulf Coast (Atlantic Sun)
#87 Northern Kentucky (Horizon League)
#88 Iona (MAAC)
#91 Towson (Colonial)
#95 UNC-Greensboro (Southern Conference)
#96 Furman (Big South)
#97 Lehigh (Patriot League)
#104 Georgia State (Sun Belt)
#105 Texas State (SWAC)
#108 Oakland (Horizon League)
#109 William & Mary (Colonial)
#110 North Dakota State (Summit League)
#111 Marshall (Conference USA)
#114 Louisiana Lafayette (Sun Belt)
#115 Wright State (Horizon League)
#116 Louisiana Tech (Conference USA)
#117 Ohio (MAC)
#119 Arkansas State (Sun Belt)
#121 South Dakota (Summit League)
#122 Georgia Southern (Sun Belt)
#123 Siena (MAAC)
#127 New Hampshire (America East)
#128 Yale (Ivy League)
#129 Albany (America East)
#130 St. Peter's (MAAC)
#132 Grand Canyon (WAC)
#135 UC-Irvine (Big West)
#136 Northeastern (Colonial)
#138 Old Dominion (Conference USA)
#139 Nebraska-Omaha (Summit League)
#140 Chattanooga (Southern Conference)
#142 Kent State (MAC)
#143 Harvard (Ivy League)
#144 North Dakota (Big Sky)
#146 Buffalo (MAC)
#147 Troy (Sun Belt)
#148 Eastern Washington (Big Sky)
#150 Mount St. Mary's (NEC)

So the teams are out there. Go find them, MU.

Great work, id like to see us play South Dakota state, FGCU and Western Kentucky. I know WKU is not on that list but they would be an interesting team to play because they will have Lamonte Bearden(Went to germantown the same time as Luke im pretty sure) and because they landed 5 Star Center Mitchell Robinson

[brewcity77]

The thing is, most of our non-conference schedule is probably set. Negotiations are ongoing and just because they haven't been announced doesn't mean that the non-conference isn't pretty much done with little more than fine details to be arranged.

When it comes to making these games, it's often a case of having to predict how a team will be two years ahead of time.

[AZMarqfan]

I've wanted the Big East to partner with the WCC (another primarily Christian league full of decent small schools) to give each Big East member 2 opponents for non-conference games each year.  Each team would get one in the top half and one in the bottom half from previous season

[GB Warrior]

Do we have a thread going from a ways back of our current scheduling commitments?

[brewcity77]

Do we have a thread going from a ways back of our current scheduling commitments?

• Maui, 3 guaranteed games on the island, likely one at home against a low or mid major.
• Georgia at home.
• Bucky on the road.
• Gavitt game at home.

[Buzz Williams' Spillproof Chiclets Cup]

Great work, id like to see us play South Dakota state, FGCU and Western Kentucky. I know WKU is not on that list but they would be an interesting team to play because they will have Lamonte Bearden(Went to germantown the same time as Luke im pretty sure) and because they landed 5 Star Center Mitchell Robinson

Speaking of Western Kentucky, Fun Fact: In the 12 seasons Marquette has played since leaving Conference USA, MU only played one game against an opponent from Conference USA, and it was its first game after leaving (11/18/2005 vs. Rice). That being said, only 3 of Conference USA's 14 teams were in Conference USA when Marquette was there (Charlotte, UAB, Southern Miss), so there's not a lot of ties that bind.

Looking at the conference's team RPIs, after MTSU, C-USA runs the gamut from "passable" to "awful."

Conference USA RPIs (2016-17, per ESPN)
1.) Middle Tennessee (#35)
2.) Marshall (#110)
3.) Louisiana Tech (#117)
4.) Old Dominion (#138)
5.) Rice (#170)
6.) Alabama-Birmingham (#200)
7.) Texas-El Paso (#224)
8.) Western Kentucky (#225)
9.) Charlotte (#243)
10.) Texas-San Antonio (#267)
11.) Florida Atlantic (#282)
12.) Southern Missisippi (#331)
13.) North Texas (#337)
14.) Florida International (#338)

[GoldenWarrior11]

Considering Stan's West Coast-ties, I would not be shocked to see a road game to a PAC-12, MWC or WCC opponent.  We know that Arizona and UCLA refuse to schedule any Big East teams, but possibly getting another arrangement with Utah (we were supposed to play last year), or Colorado, San Diego State or any of the California WCC schools. 

The Big East, with exception to the UC/XU and Georgetown/UConn matchups, have also refused to schedule any American schools - most likely due to the bad animosity since the divorce. 

I would love to get Notre Dame back on the schedule, or Louisiville, or even Pittsburgh - but those are all pipe dreams.

[GGGG]

I thought the Utah games weren't cancelled.  Just delayed.  Was I wrong about that?

[Galway Eagle]

I've wanted the Big East to partner with the WCC (another primarily Christian league full of decent small schools) to give each Big East member 2 opponents for non-conference games each year.  Each team would get one in the top half and one in the bottom half from previous season

I like this idea in theory but there's a massive drop off from the top 3 in that conference to the rest. Last year it wasn't terrible but my understanding is there have been years when after BYU/St Mary's the next teams are in the 200s.

[Buzz Williams' Spillproof Chiclets Cup]

I like this idea in theory but there's a massive drop off from the top 3 in that conference to the rest. Last year it wasn't terrible but my understanding is there have been years when after BYU/St Mary's the next teams are in the 200s.

You're somewhat correct. The drop off isn't quite as pronounced as 200 RPIs after the WCC's Big Three, but there's a pretty significant drop off, and you can usually count on several Sub-200 RPI teams in the WCC each year. Since BYU joined the WCC in 2011-12...

RPI of Top 2 WCC teams other than Gonzaga, BYU, or St. Mary's (i.e., who's #4 and #5?)
2017: San Francisco (#94), Santa Clara (#126)
2016: Pepperdine (#130), Loyola Marymount (#223)
2015: Pepperdine (#134), Portland (#141)
2014: San Francisco (#72), Pacific (#128)
2013: Santa Clara (#97), San Diego (#160)
2012: Loyola Marymount (#120), San Francisco (#134)

WCC Schools with sub-200 RPIs
2017: 4 (San Diego, Pacific, Portland, Pepperdine)
2016: 6 (Loyola Marymount, San Francisco, Portland, Santa Clara, Pacific, San Diego)
2015: 3 (Santa Clara, Pacific, Loyola Marymount)
2014: 1 (Santa Clara)
2013: 3 (Pepperdine, Loyola Marymount, Portland)
2012: 3 (Portland, Pepperdine, Santa Clara)

[spartan3186]

• Maui, 3 guaranteed games on the island, likely one at home against a low or mid major.
• Georgia at home.
• Bucky on the road.
• Gavitt game at home.

Are we sure we'd have a home Gavitt game and not a road Gavitt game? We had Iowa at home in Y1 and nothing in Y2. Could be a road Gavitt game to replace the Georgia game from this year?

[JamilJaeJamailJrJuan]

When is the schedule usually announced? IIRC, not until like August-ish right?

[GoldenDieners32]

When is the schedule usually announced? IIRC, not until like August-ish right?

Yeah in August

[Benny B]

When is the schedule usually announced? IIRC, not until like August-ish right?

Depending on which day they start, they might still be announcing it in September.

[Billy Hoyle]

I've wanted the Big East to partner with the WCC (another primarily Christian league full of decent small schools) to give each Big East member 2 opponents for non-conference games each year.  Each team would get one in the top half and one in the bottom half from previous season

Catholic, not Christian.

And guess, what, few Big East teams will accept road games in west coast gyms that seat 5K or less.

[MDMU04]

It's too bad the relationship with teams in the American is bad. I wouldn't mind a home and home series with Cincinnati like the one we play with UW.

[SaveOD238]

I emailed the AD about Gonzaga a few months back at another scoopers suggestion and actually got a response.  Broeker said they have talked to Gonzaga and would love to do something, but that Gonzaga has "other series that need to sunset" first.  Essentially, we've tried, but no dice yet.

In terms of scheduling opponents in the West/SW, I think that besides Stan's connections there will also be a push to schedule games that are more local for the family and friends of our West Coast players (Markus, Bailey eventually).  If the Utah series gets rescheduled, I'd guess home this year, then @Utah in 2018 to give Markus and Brendan a closer to home game.

[bradley center bat]

When is the schedule usually announced? IIRC, not until like August-ish right?

Non-conference in July. Big East around Labor Day.

[brewcity77]

Are we sure we'd have a home Gavitt game and not a road Gavitt game? We had Iowa at home in Y1 and nothing in Y2. Could be a road Gavitt game to replace the Georgia game from this year?

According to the season ticket holder literature Marquette sent me earlier this month, it will be a home Gavitt game. Should be a pretty good home schedule this year. At least two high-majors.

And Sultan, I do remember hearing Utah may have just been delayed as well. Not sure where that stands. Ideally, I'd like to see Bailey get a chance to play there. North Carolina tries to do that for recruits, and I always found it a nice tradition.

[MUBigDance]

this has been an interesting thread. I do think MU needs to step up its schedule and it looks like next year will be a step up.

But lots of issues I didn't think about: Some quality opponents have their own commitments. WestCoast can take its toll. How big is the gym (actually that factor makes sense to me).

What I don't understand is where these apparent animosities come from: Pac-12's won't schedule a Big East? (is that for real). We won't schedule American? Do these things really exist?

Why not UWM? where does that stand. I can see the big upside for the panthers and pitfalls for MU...but it makes sense to me.

[T-Bone]

Why not UWM? where does that stand. I can see the big upside for the panthers and pitfalls for MU...but it makes sense to me.

I thought UWM wanted a home game from us and we don't want to lose that revenue.

[Herman Cain]

We need to get Detroit or Oakland on the schedule rotation now that we have recruited Jamal Cain and Ike Eke. A 3 for 1 would be good.

[Benny B]

I thought UWM wanted a home game from us and we don't want to lose that revenue.

That's what it's boiled down to the last few years, but let's be clear that we're talking both ticket revenue and TV (UWM would get media rights for their home game)... MU has to provide the Big East with so many home games that FS1 can air (or sell) every year on the OOC schedule, and with MU trending to annual holiday tourneys, more "conference challenges" and more 1 for 1's with other high-majors, to give up one game every three or four years - in addition to what they're already committed to - could be more of a strain on MU and/or the conference that it seems... especially with not knowing where the conference could be 3-4 years from now (adding Dayton to the Big East* and going to a 20-game R/R schedule would further reduce the opportunity for OOC media rights).

That said, at this point I think Wojo would have enough pull to put UWM on the schedule if he wanted, but it would likely come at the expense of a secret scrimmage or exhibition game, the former of which coaches seem to be leaning on these days.  And given the choice between a scrimmage against a quality opponent that doesn't count against you or a game vs. the local mid-major who - win or lose - would likely be a drag on your RPI (and your revenues), I think most coaches would opt for the former.  So we're probably not going to see UWM anytime soon.


* Just keeping the hypotheticals on the same intellectual plane as MU playing UWM.

[MUfan12]

We need to get Detroit or Oakland on the schedule rotation now that we have recruited Jamal Cain and Ike Eke. A 3 for 1 would be good.

I'd be on board with this, actually. Didn't they play a game at Oakland for Grimm when TC was here?

[GWSwarrior]

Catholic, not Christian.

And guess, what, few Big East teams will accept road games in west coast gyms that seat 5K or less.

By calling it a Christian conference he is including Catholics

[AZMarqfan]

By calling it a Christian conference he is including Catholics

While USF, SCU, LMU and Gonzaga are Jesuit, St. Mary's is simply Catholic, BYU Mormon, USD Catholic, Pepperdine Christian (I think) and I don't know if Portland or Pacific have affiliations. 

[GWSwarrior]

While USF, SCU, LMU and Gonzaga are Jesuit, St. Mary's is simply Catholic, BYU Mormon, USD Catholic, Pepperdine Christian (I think) and I don't know if Portland or Pacific have affiliations.

The Society of Jesus is a religious order of Catholicism. Catholicism is a branch of Christianity. Therefore, stating it is a predometly Christian Conference incorporates Catholicism.

[GoldenDieners32]

Seton Hall's Angel Delgado and Khadeen Carrington will both enter 2017 NBA draft, but wont hire an agent, per multiple sources
From Jon Rothstein Twitter

I find it interesting, both probably wont get drafted probably will return to school with the new policy where you can return back to school after the combine 

[GoldenDieners32]

Seton Hall's Angel Delgado and Khadeen Carrington will both enter 2017 NBA draft, but wont hire an agent, per multiple sources
From Jon Rothstein Twitter

I find it interesting, both probably wont get drafted probably will return to school with the new policy where you can return back to school after the combine

Also Georgetown's LJ Peak is forgoing his senior season to enter the draft and intends to sign a agent

[GGGG]

While USF, SCU, LMU and Gonzaga are Jesuit, St. Mary's is simply Catholic, BYU Mormon, USD Catholic, Pepperdine Christian (I think) and I don't know if Portland or Pacific have affiliations. 

Portland is Catholic. Pacific has Methodist roots.

[djorling]

U of Portland is Catholic.  Holy Cross Fathers.  (ND light)

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Also Georgetown's LJ Peak is forgoing his senior season to enter the draft and intends to sign a agent

Well there goes any chance of Georgetown rebounding next season

[AZMarqfan]

The Society of Jesus is a religious order of Catholicism. Catholicism is a branch of Christianity. Therefore, stating it is a predometly Christian Conference incorporates Catholicism.

yes, you clarified.  I tried to state that as well.  I vaguely used Christian because all WCC teams are Christian, with most being Catholic.  I differentiated between St. Mary's and the Jesuit schools, as we all know they are a specific order of Catholicism. 

My point is that instead of playing Coppin St, Prairie View A&M, etc, it would be nice to see the Big East fill games with WCC programs, as they would both likely benefit from RPI boosts AND would encourage basketball competition among leagues with similar values. 

[GoldenDieners32]

Well there goes any chance of Georgetown rebounding next season

I think Delgado and Carrington will return

[brewcity77]

Well there goes any chance of Georgetown rebounding next season

Govan and Agau may get a few, but since they really didn't rebound this year, I doubt they'll do it next year 

[T-Bone]

I think Delgado and Carrington will return

I think Delgado will be gone, Carrington will be back. 

[GoldenDieners32]

I think Delgado will be gone, Carrington will be back.

Delgado should only leave if he knows hes a first rounder, if he comes back next season i think he'll be a first rounder

[Nukem2]

Delgado should only leave if he knows hes a first rounder, if he comes back next season i think he'll be a first rounder

Yup.  Delgado is a hard one to rank as he has such a limited offensive game.  But, the guy sure has a big motor.

[GoldenDieners32]

Yup.  Delgado is a hard one to rank as he has such a limited offensive game.  But, the guy sure has a big motor.

I think he should stay, But i want him to leave so he doesn't tear us up again next season

[GGGG]

Yup.  Delgado is a hard one to rank as he has such a limited offensive game.  But, the guy sure has a big motor.

If he can defend the rim and rebound in the post, there will be room for him in the NBA.  Can his offensive game develop?  If so, a first round selection is very likely. 

[Golden Avalanche]

If he can defend the rim and rebound in the post, there will be room for him in the NBA.  Can his offensive game develop?  If so, a first round selection is very likely.

He should go now. He's had three years to develop an offensive game and it hasn't happened. It is cringeworthy watching him shoot a free throw much less a 12 footer.

With Carrington and Rodriguez back in the fold and Powell expanding his game, the ball isn't moving any more to Delgado in the post than it did this past season. He got his cleaning up the mess others created and it will be 30 more games of the same in 2017-2018 for him.

[CTWarrior]

He should go now. He's had three years to develop an offensive game and it hasn't happened. It is cringeworthy watching him shoot a free throw much less a 12 footer.

With Carrington and Rodriguez back in the fold and Powell expanding his game, the ball isn't moving any more to Delgado in the post than it did this past season. He got his cleaning up the mess others created and it will be 30 more games of the same in 2017-2018 for him.

I agree he's not likely to get much better, at least not enough to improve his draft stock.  But I would stay in school and get the degree if I don't think I'm going to be drafted.  Plus he's a darned good college player and it is fun to be very good at something.