Whats with the D2 schools on the schedule?

[BearsCountry]

I know they help when it comes to RPI but it seems odd that we are getting alot of them on our schedules.

Illinois State, Wichita State, us and SIU has a D3, but granted its more a D2 type school, all have games. Just wondering.

[barkeep1967]

It is better than playing a 300 + RPI school and you don't have to pay tham as much.

[WSUbballer]

This is what happens when the inability to schedule in the "big" schools occurs and everyone becomes afraid to play you in an even deal.

[Dawgbit]

Gary Williams misplaced Lowery's phone number.

[Zardoz50]

And every one else in the MVC.

[outpost]

Gary has also had a propensity to misplace some e-mail messages. Maybe the Washington Post will help him find the last one I sent to him.

[BradleyBrave]

Bradley has a D-II on the schedule this year too, and one of the best D-II teams in the country in SIU-Edwardsville. I was very upset with this initially, but we signed the deal with Michigan St the following week, so that alleviated some of my concern.

[okstarsfan]

Spfd News-Leader (http://www.news-leader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060823/SPORTS0401/608230358/1096) is saying that 2 teams dropped from the South Padre tourney that the Bears are in.

Has the MVC reached the point where they are scaring away other teams? You bet'cha!

Also note that we did get an "offer" from Mr. Williams at Maryland....a "neutral" site game in DC. Can't blame them too much for turning that one down, but I would have counter offered with a 1-1-1 (the neutral game, followed with a home and home).

:bears: :valley:

[outpost]

Spfd News-Leader (http://www.news-leader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060823/SPORTS0401/608230358/1096) is saying that 2 teams dropped from the South Padre tourney that the Bears are in.

Has the MVC reached the point where they are scaring away other teams? You bet'cha!

***Also note that we did get an "offer" from Mr. Williams at Maryland....a "neutral" site game in DC. Can't blame them too much for turning that one down, but I would have counter offered with a 1-1-1 (the neutral game, followed with a home and home).

:bears: :valley:

***Maybe there was a counter-offer made......(?!?)......Yes, if I was on the other side of the table, I certainly wouldn't let them (in this case Gary's side) dictate the terms, make the only offers, etc......I would definitely come ready to make a counter-offer, ask for more than expected, etc.

[MSNSaluki]

It has been suggested that BCS schools are going to be forced to play us since we've become such a good conference.
I'd like to argue just the opposite ... our success has given them more reasons to avoid us.
If three of the MVC schools who went to the NCAA tournament last year have a Division 2 or 3 team on their schedule this year, that could be evidence that we've been blacklisted even more.
Or, that the Valley's scheduling philosophy, while noble, needs to be adjusted.
Just a thought.

[The Mad Hatter]

It has been suggested that BCS schools are going to be forced to play us since we've become such a good conference.
I'd like to argue just the opposite ... our success has given them more reasons to avoid us.
If three of the MVC schools who went to the NCAA tournament last year have a Division 2 or 3 team on their schedule this year, that could be evidence that we've been blacklisted even more.
Or, that the Valley's scheduling philosophy, while noble, needs to be adjusted.
Just a thought.

I tend to agree in part, although I think that if the Valley can sustain its momentum in spite of this "blacklisting" we may eventually get the BCS to schedule us. It will take a lot of time and a lot of times beating BCS teams in the NCAAs before we get to that point though.

[SubGod22]

But our D2 schools are simply preseason games aren't they? Or have I missed something?

[rjl]

I tend to agree in part, although I think that if the Valley can sustain its momentum in spite of this "blacklisting" we may eventually get the BCS to schedule us. It will take a lot of time and a lot of times beating BCS teams in the NCAAs before we get to that point though.

BCS teams don't need to schedule any more non-conference competition than each other and some warmup cupcakes.

We sweeten the deal for them, they bite. If not, oh well. They'll keep on doing what they've been doing.

Last year the selection comittee calls out their SoS, this year they schedule one more BCS team and one less cupcake.

[MSNSaluki]

I tend to agree in part, although I think that if the Valley can sustain its momentum in spite of this "blacklisting" we may eventually get the BCS to schedule us. It will take a lot of time and a lot of times beating BCS teams in the NCAAs before we get to that point though.

You are absolutely correct ... you have to beat them to open the eyes of other BCS schools.
That's why I'm such a proponent of scheduling more BCS teams during the regular season, even if the terms are a bit untasteful. If we are that good, we'll win our share of games and open more doors and get more publicity for our league.

[MikeKennedyRulz]

But our D2 schools are simply preseason games aren't they? Or have I missed something?

The Shox game with Rockhurst is a regular season game.

[okstarsfan]

But our D2 schools are simply preseason games aren't they? Or have I missed something?

I believe the Bears game against Lincoln U. (Jefferson City) is also a regular season game.

For that, you can blame those that decided that games against DII opponents do not affect your RPI. That has to be modified, with all DII schools getting a 400 rating (since there are about 350 D-I schools).

[smsandmsuson]

I tend to agree in part, although I think that if the Valley can sustain its momentum in spite of this "blacklisting" we may eventually get the BCS to schedule us. It will take a lot of time and a lot of times beating BCS teams in the NCAAs before we get to that point though.

im afraid even if we do continue to beat them that it will just it make worse and worse...kinda like them saying "see, they can beat us, even more of a reason not to play them cause if we lose it wont help if we come up against them in the selection room come March, they will have the upper hand."...

[The Mad Hatter]

im afraid even if we do continue to beat them that it will just it make worse and worse...kinda like them saying "see, they can beat us, even more of a reason not to play them cause if we lose it wont help if we come up against them in the selection room come March, they will have the upper hand."...

That is possible, but if the Valley gets enough media recognition that the average fan knows that Valley schools are good, then BCS teams will fear playing Valley schools less because there would be less perception from their fanbase that it is a bad lose (just like people no longer see losing to Gonzaga as a bad lose).

[Aargh]

Coaching salaries are going up. Making the Tourney is the criteria for keeping a BCS job. It can become vey expensive (personally) for a BCS coach to schedule the Valley.

Look at the BEast. 9-7 in league goes to the Tourney. 16 conference games leaves 13 OOC games. Four of those will be an exempt tourney. Figure 3-1 in those (a 9-7 BCS team generally has the "name" but not the "team" in their exempt tourneys). That's 12 - 8 with 9 slots left on the schedule. 2 BCS inter-conference games (1-1) and 13-9 with 7 games left on the schedule.

Besides making the Tourney, winning 20 games is generally a way to at least delay getting fired. So the coaches take 7 home cupcakes to fill out the schedule. Over half the Valley isn't a guaranteed home win for a 9-7 BEast team. We know that. BCS coaches know that. National media and national fans don't know that.

A BEast coach who didn't make the Tourney and didn't win at least 18 games and had a road loss to a Valley school? That's grounds for a "how the cow ate the cabbage" conversation with the AD. With a not-so-gentle reminder of why the coach is paid the big bucks.

Losing to a Valley team on the road can get a BCS coach fired. I'm sure InSt's win over IU wasn't the only thing going on at Indiana, but that was another nail in the coffin.

[dogdays]

SIU's D3 game is a direct result of the 2-1 against Wyoming...this is the year that Wyoming should have come to SIU if it had been an even up deal...thats the problem with 2 for 1's..it leave a hole inyour scheduling...SIU tried every possible avenue to schedule a different game and several home and homes with mids and above and no one else would bite...a D2 is better than a low D1 because it doesnt effect the rpi...SIU's strength of schedule will be very good so it doesnt kill us , but, its certainly not something you would want to do every year...

[smsandmsuson]

a D2 is better than a low D1 because it doesnt effect the rpi...SIU's strength of schedule will be very good so it doesnt kill us , but, its certainly not something you would want to do every year...

only if you beat them...:clap: :clap: :clap: