I would be interested in blindly asking students in Kogan Plaza if they would rather play the following schools vs. who have on the schedule:

Youngstown State
Purdue Fort Wayne
St. Thomas
Austin Peay

Because all those schools are at least 100+ KenPom spots better than North Carolina A&T.  We'd be "better prepared" playing against KenPom teams ranked 130-200. Yet I don't think they would attract any more students to show up than would show up to see NC A&T, Lafayette, NJIT etc.  The casual student fan is first and foremost looking to be entertained with dunks and 3 pointers on a random November/December weeknight. It's why big schools play Mississippi Valley State over and over to start the season.

The biggest problem with last year's schedule is the fact that our freshmen played like freshman against teams we should regularly beat by 15-20.  DMVPiranha posted about his concerns with CC's decision to go young last offseason vs. bringing in more vets.  I think some of that has to do with CC not anticipating the unlimited transfer rule, but it's a valid criticism (compare how Tony Skinn has gone about the transfer portal in his first two years at Mason vs. us).  

I also think people are not appreciating how a huge chunk of that losing streak is a result of losing 2 of our best 3 players to prolonged injury, something that is entirely divorced from our OOC schedule.  Hypothetically, say we played a tougher OOC schedule last year and go 9-4 instead of 11-2.  We then have the same exact injuries occur during conference play, so our final record is 13-19 as opposed to 15-17.  Is the trajectory of the program any different?  Is finishing like 190 in Kenpom all that much better than 203?  Is CC getting better transfers this offseason because we played UNC Asheville and Brown instead of Navy and UMES?

The schedule is what it is because CC wants it this way. I don’t know how many times I can say it - this is by his design. I have heard him say - and this is a quote - “I will take as many cupcake buy games as the university will pay for.”  He believes ( borne of his own  experience at Miami) that playing a cupcake OOC schedule and putting up as many “W’s” as possible heading into Conference is the best way to burnish post-season credentials. So make no mistake - this isn’t about inability to attract better schools, it’s this way because he wants it this way.

We saw the risks attendant with that philosophy in full view last year. Not only did we underperform against horrible teams, the A-10 isn’t the ACC and the updraft is really limited. That said, this is the way he’s chosen to go. I disagree with it, but he’s got the right to prove it out amd (hopefully);prove me wrong.

Having spoken to CC about this very topic extensively over the past two seasons, the truth is much more complicated. My understanding of all of the relevant factors that impact scheduling are as follows:

First of all the A-10 has set forth some scheduling parameters that  members must adhere to. This has to do with "buy" games. There are limitations on the types of teams A-10 members can schedule for "buy" games both in terms of who you can bring in and who you can go on the road to play.

Second, there is the difference that the A-10 has nearly become a one-bid league. Meaning the other games aren't nearly as important as the Conference Schedule and therefore, less value is placed on them.

Third, there is the idea that our roster has been in flux the past few years and CC has had teams that are relatively inexperienced playing together the past 2 seasons. I believe that CC feels it is important to jell early without too much scheduling pressure.

Fourth, what happened  last year had as much to do with being a young team with a number of key injuries as it did with the OOC schedule.

Fifth, there is the fact that CC does want to schedule wins so that we can establish some program momentum by having a winning season which (checking my notes) hasn't happened in awhile.

Sixth, there is the issue of if GW determined to play a game or two that was more difficult, who would be willing to play GW - given our recent record, many teams see no value to playing  us on a risk/reward basis and therefore, the options are not plentiful and that's before you get to finding agreeable dates. To fly out to the West Coast to play single game right before exam period may not be a good thing for our student-athletes. It all depends on what your options are. 

Seventh, I think GW (and maybe not CC as much) places a priority on getting as many home games as possible. Easier to schedule LM teams in that endeavor.

So yes part of all of this is a choice but that choice is made within an environment that poses a number of constraints.

I also know that should we improve and maintain some roster continuity that CC is also willing to play tougher OOC games. So hopefully, we will have opportunities in the future to improve the strength of OOC schedule. 

Last edited by GWRising (9/13/2024 2:27 pm)

For those of you who were at the open practice today, CC and ML (new AD) reiterated most of the points I laid out above regarding scheduling when asked about it.  

The A10 has had multiple NCAA bids in 18 of the last 19 years, so I really wish people would stop calling it a “one bid league.”

DC Native wrote:

The A10 has had multiple NCAA bids in 18 of the last 19 years, so I really wish people would stop calling it a “one bid league.”

19 years is not a good reference point. The college basketball world has changed greatly in that time. Recent history is more telling and we are trending toward a 1-2 bid league. The last four years we have had 2-2-1-2. That's unfortunate but that's how a lot of people see it. With 15 teams that is essentially a one bid league. There is no other league with more teams and fewer bids.

Note: This will be especially true if Dayton and SLU join the Big East as has been rumored. 

Gwmayhem wrote:

GWRising, I am not saying that you're not making any cogent points.  However, the one you keep making that I wish you would stop making is your sixth point.  When I see LaSalle playing at Duke last year and playing at UNC this year, along with the numerous examples I previously provided of A10 teams scheduling exactly the type of game you are claiming GW can't schedule (as opposed to choosing not to schedule), I perceive this point to be absolute bullshit.  You've since added this "fly to the west coast right before exams" example which is about as straw man as it gets.  Forget the west coast.  Go play at Xavier, Cincinnati, Ohio State, Indiana, Butler, Purdue, West Virginia, Rutgers, Maryland, Penn State, Boston College, Syracuse, or against any Big East school.  Or, schedule a home and home with James Madison, Indiana State, Yale, Colgate, Oakland, Akron, Charleston, or some other quality midmajor.  There is at least one solid program out there who would agree to play GW.  Am pretty confident of this.

 

Gwmayhem - you can claim this to be bullshit all you want. Were you at the open practice reception Saturday? Our own new AD made this very point. He said when he was at NC State they weren't looking for games with App State. This was made in the context of something CC said immediately prior about the risk/reward of playing GW right now. The larger point was that we have to win first to schedule better games. Because a few other teams were able to schedule a game that fits your criteria does not mean the opportunities for GW are plentiful or line up with other committed games, exams, travel etc. Also, don't discount the Fran Dunphy effect with La Salle. Sometimes coach relationships cut through the fog. Yes, there could be a team out there but if you know one, call CC. I am sure he will listen.