hoyainla
Diamond Hoya (over 2500 posts)
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Post by hoyainla on Sept 10, 2018 15:33:51 GMT -5
Last year the narrative around the brutal schedule was that Pat realized the team was going to stink and didn't want them to lose confidence. While this schedule is definitely better, it was impossible to be worse, if this is any indication on what Pat thinks about the team that's not very encouraging.
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TC
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
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Post by TC on Sept 10, 2018 15:53:40 GMT -5
Team, KenPom Rank
UMD-ES : 349
Central Conn : 310
Illinois : 102
Loyola Marymount : 234
USF : 279
Campbell : 218
Richmond : 181
Liberty : 183
Syracuse : 41
SMU : 84
Appalachian St : 208
Arkansas Little-Rock : 296
Howard : 335
That's a lot better than last year - there's a mix of conferences, unless some of these teams completely fall apart, we're looking at 4 really bad games vs 6 last year. Not sure it's an NCAA schedule, but at least we didn't schedule ourselves out of the NIT.
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Post by FrazierFanatic on Sept 10, 2018 15:56:53 GMT -5
2 freshman guards expected to get plenty of minutes, one expected by most to be our starting PG at some point during the OOC schedule. Schedule could have been a little stronger, but I can live with it. Next year needs to have 2 or 3 more top 100 teams, one of them at least top 50.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 10, 2018 15:57:18 GMT -5
Better, but not good enough...
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LCPolo18
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Post by LCPolo18 on Sept 10, 2018 17:51:07 GMT -5
At least the Hoyas drew Campbell instead of Florida A&M.
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Post by BeantownHoya on Sept 10, 2018 18:06:19 GMT -5
I'm disappointed with the last 3. I was encouraged up to that point and was hoping for more teams like "Liberty" in terms of RPI.
The only positive is at least the timing where they will get 2 cupcakes leading up to Illinois and a chance to blend in a real game settings...
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 10, 2018 18:22:24 GMT -5
USF and UALR can't really get worse. They were at the bottom of half decent conferences, where the worst teams almost never hit the 300 mark. A little improvement from each would be nice.
The Howard and UMES games are just horrible though. Difference between what could have been an OK schedule and a pretty bad one.
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Hoyas4Ever
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
A Wise Man Once Told Me Don't Argue With Fools....
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Post by Hoyas4Ever on Sept 10, 2018 18:22:44 GMT -5
Barring injuries or a flat out bust of a season, Howard should win the MEAC and be an NCAA tournament team.
Last year's schedule was deservedly criticized when it was announced. USF is expected to be better then last season. SMU should be a top half of AAC squad. Illinois will be better then last year and somewhere in the middle of BIG 10. Some see Syracuse as a top 20 team. To me it's not bad for the 2nd season under Ewing's administration. Can't ultimately criticize this schedule until March...
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Post by HoyaSinceBirth on Sept 10, 2018 19:40:20 GMT -5
Barring injuries or a flat out bust of a season, Howard should win the MEAC and be an NCAA tournament team. Last year's schedule was deservedly criticized when it was announced. USF is expected to be better then last season. SMU should be a top half of AAC squad. Illinois will be better then last year and somewhere in the middle of BIG 10. Some see Syracuse as a top 20 team. To me it's not bad for the 2nd season under Ewing's administration. Can't ultimately criticize this schedule until March... 1) What makes you say Howard will win the MEAC? They were 7-9 last year good for 8th and they lost in the first round of their conference tournament. They have a good offense 4th in conference, but they were dead last in defense. They should definitely be better as they didn't rely on seniors, but I don't know it's clear that they'll jump all the way to the top of the league from 8th. 2) why will USF be better? 4 of their 8 rotation players were seniors at a quick glance. So unless there are a bunch of transfers or elite recruits in the wings they might actually be worse. 3) I agree SMU and Illinois will be better. 4) Based on the fact that Central Connecticut, Little rock, Marymount, Campbell, App state, liberty and Richmond all also return almost all their important players so likely will be improved. |
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bamahoya11
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Post by bamahoya11 on Sept 10, 2018 19:52:51 GMT -5
After last year's schedule, I think this year is a welcome improvement. It's not necessarily where I would like to be, but it gives the team a meaningful chance to get better while figuring out where it stands. With a really young backcourt, I think the schedule allows us to build chemistry while featuring a couple opportunities to get decent wins. The team has to go on the road, which is decent practice for league play.
I do wish there was a more marquee home game on the schedule just to get excited about as a fan in terms of matchup, but I'll be ready to see this team in a couple weeks. I think it could be a more exciting year.
I will say -- if this team drops 1-2 games in non conference, I think 11 wins in league play probably gets us in the dance. Just my best guess.
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Hoyas4Ever
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
A Wise Man Once Told Me Don't Argue With Fools....
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Post by Hoyas4Ever on Sept 10, 2018 19:56:46 GMT -5
Barring injuries or a flat out bust of a season, Howard should win the MEAC and be an NCAA tournament team. Last year's schedule was deservedly criticized when it was announced. USF is expected to be better then last season. SMU should be a top half of AAC squad. Illinois will be better then last year and somewhere in the middle of BIG 10. Some see Syracuse as a top 20 team. To me it's not bad for the 2nd season under Ewing's administration. Can't ultimately criticize this schedule until March... 1) What makes you say Howard will win the MEAC? They were 7-9 last year good for 8th and they lost in the first round of their conference tournament. They have a good offense 4th in conference, but they were dead last in defense. They should definitely be better as they didn't rely on seniors, but I don't know it's clear that they'll jump all the way to the top of the league from 8th. 2) why will USF be better? 4 of their 8 rotation players were seniors at a quick glance. So unless there are a bunch of transfers or elite recruits in the wings they might actually be worse. 3) I agree SMU and Illinois will be better. 4) Based on the fact that Central Connecticut, Little rock, Marymount, Campbell, App state, liberty and Richmond all also return almost all their important players so likely will be improved. Howard was riddled with injuries all last season. They have a HM backcourt and did a very good job on the recruiting trail in the 2018 class. That's why I said barring injuries... USF should be better because it's the 2nd year of their new staff and they were able to get more players that fit their needs and style of play. |
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Post by x-centercourt400s on Sept 11, 2018 8:11:21 GMT -5
Gradual strengthening of the schedule as Ewing gets more of his pieces in place and more of his system implemented. Makes perfect sense to me...
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Post by ColumbiaHeightsHoya on Sept 11, 2018 8:46:25 GMT -5
SMU, Cuse, Richmond, Illinois along with App st., USF all make sense. the only one that doesn't work is Central Connecticut. Why not AU or something nearby? Good improvement.
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Post by ewingitrust on Sept 11, 2018 9:09:10 GMT -5
Schedule's an improvement...we have alot of underclassmen playing big minutes and roles. Top 4...maybe 5 finish in the Big East and at least 1BET win gets you in the ncaa's?
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NCHoya
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Post by NCHoya on Sept 11, 2018 9:29:01 GMT -5
SMU, Cuse, Richmond, Illinois along with App st., USF all make sense. the only one that doesn't work is Central Connecticut. Why not AU or something nearby? Good improvement. Agree, I would have liked to see a local team in there instead of a terrible C.CT team. However, maybe scheduling conflicts did not allow it to happen? |
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Hoyas4Ever
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
A Wise Man Once Told Me Don't Argue With Fools....
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Post by Hoyas4Ever on Sept 11, 2018 9:32:43 GMT -5
SMU, Cuse, Richmond, Illinois along with App st., USF all make sense. the only one that doesn't work is Central Connecticut. Why not AU or something nearby? Good improvement. Agree, I would have liked to see a local team in there instead of a terrible C.CT team. However, maybe scheduling conflicts did not allow it to happen? Had to play C. CT as part of Jamaica showcase. Better that it's C.CT than Florida A&M... |
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LCPolo18
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Post by LCPolo18 on Sept 11, 2018 9:34:15 GMT -5
SMU, Cuse, Richmond, Illinois along with App st., USF all make sense. the only one that doesn't work is Central Connecticut. Why not AU or something nearby? Good improvement. It's part of the Jamaica classic. Hoyas were going to host two of Central Connecticut, Campbell, Florida A&M, and Austin Peay. Central Connecticut isn't great, but at least we dodged Florida A&M. Edit: Hoyas4Ever beat me to it! |
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skunk
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Post by skunk on Sept 11, 2018 10:43:17 GMT -5
Don’t love the schedule, but it is an improvement. Better come out of non conference with no more than 1 loss though. If they can run it, I think it will set them up well.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 11, 2018 11:12:44 GMT -5
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LCPolo18
Diamond Hoya (over 2500 posts)
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Post by LCPolo18 on Sept 11, 2018 16:30:37 GMT -5
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