All Things 2013-2014 Gophers Schedule Thread

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> Date TBD: NEW ORLEANS (346)

Why are we playing these guys? Holy RPI killer.

I didn't know there were even 346 teams in D1. They must be one of the very worst rated teams in the nation.
 

WanderingGopher said:
> Date TBD: NEW ORLEANS (346)

Why are we playing these guys? Holy RPI killer.

I didn't know there were even 346 teams in D1. They must be one of the very worst rated teams in the nation.
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Hopefully we don't play #347 Grambling, dead last in last year's RPI rankings, and like New Orleans due to APR failings is ineligible for its conference tournament and the NCAA tourney.

Generally speaking, most coaches (at least those interested in an at-large bid) try to avoid scheduling 300+ RPI teams, and especially teams from the SWAC (conference sucks). Nothing wrong with scheduling a few easy Ws, but smart coaches make an attempt to keep their cupcakes in (no worse than) the #225-240 range.
 

Hopefully Montana can have a year like last year. Richmond and NDSU could be top 100 teams again. FSU and SDSU won't be far behind.
 

I'd expect Richmond to be among the top 4 of the A-10 along with La Salle, Massachusetts, and VCU. Could see a top-50-type RPI for the Spiders when all is said and done.

However, SDSU probably takes a big dip without Wolters. Not seeing a top-100-type RPI for the Jacks next season, but hopefully they can finish in the 125-200 range.
 

I just hope we start to make some noise in the big ten so our non-conference opponent's RPI numbers don't matter nearly as much.
 



Schedule upodate: Gophers will not play NDSU in 2013-14

Scratch the NDSU Bison off the Gophers' nonconference schedule. The Gophers/NDSU contract ended last season and will not be renewed. Just a hunch, but I suspect now that the NCAA has won its stare-down vs. North Dakota I suspect we might see the Fighting Sioux, er UND, replace NDSU on the Gopher schedule. ... replace one regional foe with another.

RPI of nonconference opponents is noted in parentheses.

MINNESOTA
Nov. ??: TBD -- Maui on Mainland
Nov. 25: vs. Arkansas (95)/Baylor (70)/Cal (53)/Chaminade/Dayton (114)/Gonzaga (6)/Syracuse (14) -- Maui Invitational
Nov. 26: vs. TBD -- Maui Invitational
Nov. 27: vs. TBD -- Maui Invitational
Dec. 3: **FLORIDA STATE (84) -- ACC/Big 10 Challenge
Date TBD: LAMAR (335)
Date TBD: MONTANA (74)
Date TBD: NEW ORLEANS (346)
Date TBD: **@ Richmond (91)
Date TBD: **SOUTH DAKOTA STATE (62)

** confirmed opponent

Average RPI of Opponents (to date): 165.333

Unofficially, that leaves 3 nonconference games TBD, all likely to be played at Williams Arena.

Big Ten Schedule
ILLINOIS*
INDIANA*
IOWA*
@ Iowa*
MICHIGAN*
@ Michigan*
@ Michigan State*
@ Nebraska*
NORTHWESTERN*
@ Northwestern*
OHIO STATE*
@ Ohio State*
PENN STATE*
@ Penn State*
PURDUE*
@ Purdue*
WISCONSIN*
@ Wisconsin*
 

No Bison that stinks, in negotiations did they want a home game, maybe a 3 for 1?
 

Bummer on NDSU. They could have a really really good year.

On the RPI stuff.. technically (except when looking at your win-loss vs. top 25, top 50, top 100), another team's RPI isn't what the real concern is. It's all related to a degree... but, you want to play teams with better unadjusted win-loss records.

For example.. last year playing Northeastern (~159 RPI; 20-12 vs D-I opponents) instead of Tenn St (~105 RPI; 16-14) would have helped Minnesota's RPI.
 



It looks like another completely garbage home non conference schedule. The diamond match up in terms of RPI is SDSU. Another "screw you" to the people who are loyal to the program.
 

I'm thinking it's a good idea to keep the non-conference schedule low key for Pitino's first season. It's going to be quite the transition year between losing some key seniors and playing a completely different style.
 

Gophers likely to host Coastal Carolina as Maui preliminary

It appears the Gophers will host Coastal Carolina as their preliminary game for the Maui Invitational.

Coastal Carolina was 11-15 last season (vs. DI) with a RPI of 259.

The RPI of nonconference opponents are noted in parentheses. Unofficially, that leaves 3 nonconference games unaccounted for, all likely to be played at Williams Arena.

MINNESOTA
Nov. 18-21: COASTAL CAROLINA (259) -- Maui on Mainland
Nov. 25: vs. Arkansas (95)/Baylor (70)/Cal (53)/Chaminade/Dayton (114)/Gonzaga (6)/Syracuse (14) -- Maui Invitational
Nov. 26: vs. TBD -- Maui Invitational
Nov. 27: vs. TBD -- Maui Invitational
Dec. 3: **FLORIDA STATE (84) -- ACC/Big 10 Challenge
Date TBD: LAMAR (335)
Date TBD: MONTANA (74)
Date TBD: NEW ORLEANS (346)
Date TBD: **@ Richmond (91)
Date TBD: **SOUTH DAKOTA STATE (62)

** confirmed opponent

Average RPI of Nonconference Opponents (to date): 178.714

Big Ten Schedule
ILLINOIS*
INDIANA*
IOWA*
@ Iowa*
MICHIGAN*
@ Michigan*
@ Michigan State*
@ Nebraska*
NORTHWESTERN*
@ Northwestern*
OHIO STATE*
@ Ohio State*
PENN STATE*
@ Penn State*
PURDUE*
@ Purdue*
WISCONSIN*
@ Wisconsin*
 

SelectionSunday said:
It appears the Gophers will host either Louisiana or Coastal Carolina as their preliminary game for the Maui Invitational.

Louisiana (formerly known as Louisiana-Lafayette) finished last season with a 12-20 record vs. DI opponents and a RPI of 221. Coastal Carolina was 11-15 with a RPI of 259.

RPI of nonconference opponents is noted in parentheses.

MINNESOTA
Nov. ??: TBD -- COASTAL CAROLINA (259) or LOUISIANA (221) -- Maui on Mainland
Nov. 25: vs. Arkansas (95)/Baylor (70)/Cal (53)/Chaminade/Dayton (114)/Gonzaga (6)/Syracuse (14) -- Maui Invitational
Nov. 26: vs. TBD -- Maui Invitational
Nov. 27: vs. TBD -- Maui Invitational
Dec. 3: **FLORIDA STATE (84) -- ACC/Big 10 Challenge
Date TBD: LAMAR (335)
Date TBD: MONTANA (74)
Date TBD: NEW ORLEANS (346)
Date TBD: **@ Richmond (91)
Date TBD: **SOUTH DAKOTA STATE (62)

** confirmed opponent

Average RPI of Opponents (to date): 165.333 (excludes Coastal Carolina/Louisiana)

Unofficially, that leaves 3 nonconference games TBD, all likely to be played at Williams Arena.

Big Ten Schedule
ILLINOIS*
INDIANA*
IOWA*
@ Iowa*
MICHIGAN*
@ Michigan*
@ Michigan State*
@ Nebraska*
NORTHWESTERN*
@ Northwestern*
OHIO STATE*
@ Ohio State*
PENN STATE*
@ Penn State*
PURDUE*
@ Purdue*
WISCONSIN*
@ Wisconsin*
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Thanks for the update SS. I was shocked at how many times we played the same conference opponent in back to back games until I realized that you gave us the schedule alphabetically. I can see us getting to .500 in conference play if we can really get things together in the out of conference season. We only have to play Indiana and MSU once, and two games against Penn State is nice.
 



ESPN announced some of the non-conference tournament brackets today and it looks like we will find out the Maui bracket tomorrow morning.
My prediction for the bracket is:
Baylor vs. Dayton
Gonzaga vs. Arkansas
Syracuse vs. Chaminade
Gophers vs. California

Andy Katz‏@ESPNAndyKatz6m
On Wednesday we will reveal the brackets for 2K Sports, CBE, Charleston, Wooden Legacy, Diamond Head and Maui Invitational 10-11 a.m ET.
 

Gophers Schedule: updated with Syracuse as Maui opponent

The RPI of nonconference opponents are noted in parentheses. Unofficially, there are 3 nonconference games unaccounted for, all likely to be played at Williams Arena.

MINNESOTA
Nov. 19: **COASTAL CAROLINA (259) -- Maui on Mainland
Nov. 25: **vs. Syracuse (14) -- Maui Invitational
Nov. 26: vs. Cal (53)/Arkansas (95) -- Maui Invitational
Nov. 27: vs. Gonzaga (6)/Baylor (70)/Dayton (114)/Chaminade -- Maui Invitational
Dec. 3: **FLORIDA STATE (84) -- ACC/Big 10 Challenge
Date TBD: **SOUTH DAKOTA STATE (62)
Date TBD: MONTANA (74)
Date TBD: **@ Richmond (91)
Date TBD: LAMAR (335)
Date TBD: NEW ORLEANS (346)

** confirmed opponent

Average RPI of Nonconference Opponents (to date): 158.125
 


Looking forward to seeing Pitino's first nonconference slate, see how he does things compared to Tubby/Esposito, minus the mandatory ACC Challenge game.
 

BleedGopher said:
per Doogie:

The Gophers men's basketball team is expected to release its schedule for the upcoming season this week, according to a team official, and there should be no surprises.
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So Doogie is saying it would be a surprise if there was a surprise on the schedule?
 

SelectionSunday said:
Looking forward to seeing Pitino's first nonconference slate, see how he does things compared to Tubby/Esposito, minus the mandatory ACC Challenge game.
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How much input did Pitino have in next year's schedule? Does basketball operate quite a bit differently than football which schedules games years in advance? I'm assuming that they had some commitments already (i.e Richmond?) I'm admittedly not very well versed on this topic. Just trying to gauge how much credit/blame Pitino would actually deserve for next year's schedule.
 

For the most part I think basketball does things a year at a time, exception being the home-and-home and/or 3- or 4-game contracts schools line up. You make a good point, there could be a leftover or two from Tubby/Esposito in addition to the Richmond game, but I suspect most of this schedule will be Pitino's.

What I do know is that after he was hired Teague said (paraphrasing) it was important that basketball schedule a decent home game or two prior to the Big Ten season. I'm still waiting to find out if Teague's statement was anything more than lip service.
 

SelectionSunday said:
For the most part I think basketball does things a year at a time, exception being the home-and-home and/or 3- or 4-game contracts schools line up. You make a good point, there could be a leftover or two from Tubby/Esposito in addition to the Richmond game, but I suspect most of this schedule will be Pitino's.

What I do know is that after he was hired Teague said it was important that basketball schedule a decent home game or two prior to the Big Ten season. I'm still waiting to find out if Teague's statement was anything more than lip service.
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I'd definitely like to see a recognizable game from a big conference every year. However, I'll give Pitino a break if he doesn't want to give his team too much of a test while learning the new system in the out of conference. I'll certainly expect to see something better next year and every year after that.
 

SelectionSunday said:
What I do know is that after he was hired Teague said (paraphrasing) it was important that basketball schedule a decent home game or two prior to the Big Ten season. I'm still waiting to find out if Teague's statement was anything more than lip service.
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You know the answer to this! :)

Curious to see if there's at least any interesting angles for any of the remaining teams coming into town this season.
 

Gopher Warrior said:
Curious to see if there's at least any interesting angles for any of the remaining teams coming into town this season.
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Agree.

If they're not going to schedule any notable opponents, I like it when they'll at least schedule an opponent or two with notable Minnesota kids on their rosters, i.e. Wolters (SDSU), Muscala (Bucknell), Dahlman (Wofford), etc. Wouldn't mind seeing Harvard (Siyani Chambers) or Green Bay (Alec Brown) on the slate this season, but I think Harvard's schedule is pretty much done & I doubt Green Bay will play a second Big Ten opponent.
 

SelectionSunday said:
Agree.

If they're not going to schedule any notable opponents, I like it when they'll at least schedule an opponent or two with notable Minnesota kids on their rosters, i.e. Wolters (SDSU), Muscala (Bucknell), Dahlman (Wofford), etc. Wouldn't mind seeing Harvard (Siyani Chambers) or Green Bay (Alec Brown) on the slate this season, but I think Harvard's schedule is pretty much done & I doubt Green Bay will play a second Big Ten opponent.
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That is a very good point, I would love to see this too!

When do we think Louisville will be on the schedule for the first time? 2014-2015? 2015-2016?
 

GopherDude said:
When do we think Louisville will be on the schedule for the first time? 2014-2015? 2015-2016?
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I'd bet on never. If our (U) scheduling history is any indication, it'll be discussed publicly by the Pitinos, Teague, etc., but it'll fizzle out and never happen. Hope I'm wrong.
 

I'm more worried about the 300-something RPI teams on our schedule. Already at least three of them, plus we could play Chaminade in Maui. We can't have any more of these RPI killers on our schedule.

FSU is your quality home non-conf opponent this year, which is fine in my opinion. We already play 18 games and a conf tourney in the toughest conference in the nation, plus we have games at Richmond (frequent NCAA tourney team), we play Syracuse, and we play Arkansas/Cal. Plug in a couple more games against teams around 100 RPI and that's a very good non-conf sched before Big Ten play begins.

I'd rather wait until next year or the year after to play Louisville or Florida non-conf. Let Pitino get his system in place and give us a chance to win.
 

Schedule Update: New Orleans confirmed for Dec. 7 @ The Barn

UNO is ineligible for the Southland & NCAA Tournaments, so no chance of the Gophers getting a win over a NCAA qualifier in this one. Only Grambling had a worse RPI than the Privateers last season. UNO also will play @ Michigan State on Dec. 28. According to UNO's schedule release, both the Gopher and MSU games will be televised by the BTN.

The RPI of nonconference opponents are noted in parentheses. Unofficially, there are 3 nonconference games unaccounted for, all likely to be played at Williams Arena.

GOPHERS
Nov. 19: **COASTAL CAROLINA (259) -- Maui on Mainland
Nov. 25: **vs. Syracuse (14) -- Maui Invitational
Nov. 26: **vs. Cal (53)/Arkansas (95) -- Maui Invitational
Nov. 27: **vs. Gonzaga (6)/Baylor (70)/Dayton (114)/Chaminade -- Maui Invitational
Dec. 3: **FLORIDA STATE (84) -- ACC/Big 10 Challenge
Dec. 7: **NEW ORLEANS (346)
Date TBD: **SOUTH DAKOTA STATE (62)
Date TBD: MONTANA (74)
Date TBD: **@ Richmond (91)
Date TBD: LAMAR (335)

** confirmed opponent

Average RPI of Nonconference Opponents (to date): 158.125
 

WanderingGopher said:
I'm more worried about the 300-something RPI teams on our schedule. Already at least three of them, plus we could play Chaminade in Maui. We can't have any more of these RPI killers on our schedule.
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Fair point on the bad teams, but relative to Minnesota's RPI, it's the projected win-loss record of their opponents you want to look at (as opposed to their RPI). Chaminade, as a non D-I school, doesn't go into the RPI calculation... however, getting beat or played tough by them wouldn't help anyone's chances at a bid.
 



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