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Post by blackandgold on Aug 7, 2009 22:18:14 GMT -5
I've tried to compile all the dates we know with other schedules that have been released, and this is the result: Wed, Nov 18: @ Wisconsin Mon, Nov 23: @ Tenn Tech Wed, Nov 25: @ Kansas 7pm Sat, Nov 28: CENTRAL ARKANSAS Mon, Nov 30: @ Memphis Sat, Dec 5: @ IPFW 7pm Sun, Dec 13: GREEN BAY 2pm Sat, Dec 19: @ Oregon Thu, Dec 31: WIU Sat, Jan 2: IUPUI Thu, Jan 7: @ ORU 7:05pm Sat, Jan 9: @ CC 2:30pm Thu, Jan 14: UMKC Sat, Jan 16: SUU Thu, Jan 21: @ NDSU Sat, Jan 23: @ SDSU 7:30pm Thu, Jan 28: @ IUPUI 7pm Sat, Jan 30: @ WIU Thu, Feb 4: CC Sat, Feb 6: ORU (Homecoming?) Thu, Feb 11: @ SUU 7pm Sat, Feb 13: @ UMKC Tue, Feb 16: SDSU Thu, Feb 18: NDSU Sat, Feb 20: OPEN (Bracketbusters?) Sat, Feb 27: IPFW - I went back to that chat that Kampe did a while back, and out of that list the three schools he mentioned for road games who have not released schedules yet are MSU, Syracuse, and Toledo. So those are still possible. Out of the teams he mentioned for home games, Akron's schedule is out and we're not on it, EMU hasn't released, and we're not on Hope College's schedule. - Last year we had 12 OOC games and 1 non-D1, so if we use that number, right now we have 7 that we know for sure, leaving 5 to be determined. If we assume Syracuse, MSU, Toledo, and EMU are locks, then we'll have just 1 game left that would come as a surprise and 1 against a non-D1. Obviously that number could be different and things could have changed, but I just thought it'd be interesting to speculate and spur some conversation.
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Post by Grizzfan1 on Aug 7, 2009 22:41:34 GMT -5
Nice job compiling the schedule so far. I like what I see. I'm sure EMU will be on there soon. Was a little surprised that we are not playing Cleveland St. this season. I checked their schedule and was pretty sure that it was a home and home unless they are putting us off this year but we should have the full schedule out in a couple of weeks. Until then it will be fun to speculate using this thread.
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Post by biglew on Aug 8, 2009 14:28:51 GMT -5
I would like to see another top-mid major played this year. I like playing the big name schools for many reasons, but I want to prove to the country that we are among the top mid-majors out there. It would be nice to see something like a Butler or Siena or someone like that at home.
I know we have this discussion all the time...
The major schools we play are great for getting are name out there, especially if we come out on top (Oregon), it can be great practice for us when it comes time to play the Summit, and we cant forget the money we get. BUT when we get tossed around like we did last year against Syracuse it makes me wonder if we should play half and half...half majors and half top ranking mid-majors. I think we could get just the same amount of practice from playing a top mid-major as we do a major. AND maybe even add some more W's.
So I am hoping for a few surprises when the schedule comes out and that we see maybe one or two other good mid-majors.
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Post by Leobrn12 on Aug 8, 2009 18:05:28 GMT -5
I'm all for playing the high mid majors, like Gonzaga, Butler, Siena, etc.
However, I think these are the games that Kampe has a hard time trying to get a opponent with. College coaches know that Oakland is a good program, however I think they might be timid to play us, because there is a legit chance for them to lose. If they lose, and don't get the automatic bid, it maybe harder for them to get an at large bid. This is just my opinion, and this would give us an idea how we stack up against the best mid-majors in the Country.
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Post by nate on Aug 8, 2009 18:25:30 GMT -5
i agree leobrn but at the same time i dont because i think we don't play those teams because they are on the same mission as us and want to schedule bigger teams since (gonzaga,butler,davidson (prior to stephen curry leaving) they have established themselves as a top mid major. It will just take sometime and I think this year we will receive national recognition
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Post by Grizzfan1 on Aug 9, 2009 17:49:12 GMT -5
I may have to agree with Leobrn here. I would like to see series against top flight mid-majors like Butler, the Zags, or a Missouri Vly Conference school but because of the fact we are still a relatively young DI program that is definitely on the rise many schools are going to be wary of us and know they can lose no matter where the game is played which is why the Big 6 schools have no problem scheduling guarantee games with us. Something tells me we may not see any of these type of teams unless we meet up in a pre or post season tourney like this past March.
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Post by spiritsquad on Aug 10, 2009 11:22:53 GMT -5
I agree with what everybody has been saying... since joining D1, Oakland has improved in both men's and women's BBall every year and that worries teams. With the recent success of OU, school's are bound to not take us on because of that risk of losing. I think a good mix of majors and top level mid-majors will make us a very competitive and strong team for years to come
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Post by Germane on Aug 11, 2009 8:51:12 GMT -5
Scheduling has to be one of the toughest jobs for the coaching staff at a place like OU. So many variables that you can't control. I'm always amazed that the schedule comes together as well as it does every season.
At this stage, I want us to keep playing as many elite teams as possible each year, even if we get beat up more often than not. As already noted, the money is good, but maybe even better is the brand name recognition across the country when our name scrolls next to Syracuse or MSU on espn. I travel quite a bit, and from my experience that really is the #1 way people have come to hear about Oakland University. And this year (and in the foreseeable future) we may not actually get beat up too badly by the big programs.
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Post by Grizzfan1 on Aug 11, 2009 16:00:35 GMT -5
Scheduling has to be one of the toughest jobs for the coaching staff at a place like OU. So many variables that you can't control. I'm always amazed that the schedule comes together as well as it does every season. At this stage, I want us to keep playing as many elite teams as possible each year, even if we get beat up more often than not. As already noted, the money is good, but maybe even better is the brand name recognition across the country when our name scrolls next to Syracuse or MSU on espn. I travel quite a bit, and from my experience that really is the #1 way people have come to hear about Oakland University. And this year (and in the foreseeable future) we may not actually get beat up too badly by the big programs. You got it Germane (good to hear from you again). It will be tough to get top flight mid-majors to play you on a yearly basis but being able to travel to bigger schools and the historic arenas such as "Phog Allen Fieldhouse", "Carrier Dome", "Rupp Arena" (in the near future) are places that players would love to play in especially at a school like ours. And this year we have a legit chance to pull possibly a couple of upsets ;D.
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Post by blackandgold on Aug 11, 2009 16:17:06 GMT -5
I agree with you both about pulling off some upsets. I am particularly intrigued about the Memphis game. New coach, a lot of new players, early in the season...it all adds up for a nice upset.
The Kansas match is also something to watch for. Ben Woodside did a pretty good job against the much more athletic Collins, so it'll be amazing to see what JJ does against him. Also, I think another underlying factor will be Aldrich vs. Benson. After all, they were both at the Amare Big Men camp AND they were roommates! Maybe Kito will know how to match up with him. The X-factor, then, will be their #1 freshman Xavier Henry. It's crazy hard to win in Lawrence, but I think OU will at least give them a good contest.
Overall I am beyond excited for this year and would love the chance to see OU in the tourney during my last year as a student. Also hoping if more road games are announced that they will be within driving distance!
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