It's official: Gophers won't play Cole Aldrich & Company

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My Alma Mater will be going into the Phog! I've been looking for an excuse to drag my wife to Lawrence to watch a game.


I wonder why the negotiations fell apart between KU and Minnesota? Was it a money issue or a venue dispute? Did tv play a part in it? I assume they've entered into a home and home with Michigan and I wonder if Minnesota wasn't willing to play at Kansas first or if either party wanted a neutral site for the game/s.
 


God I hate coach speak.....Bill Self:

"Playing 13 teams that made the NCAA Tournament last year will be a stiff challenge for what many consider a young ball club."

A young ball club that returns five starters and its top nine scorers.
 



I am a Belmont grad

The Truth said:
Belmont University! Bruins G-R-R!


That was lame and I'm sorry.
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Not very funny The Truth. I have degrees from Belmont, MTSU, and Purdue. To be honest with you, I saw some of the most exciting basketball games at Belmont particularly against DLU during 80s and early 90s. As you know Belmont played a heck of a game againts Duke last year.
 

The-Real-Truth said:
Not very funny The Truth. I have degrees from Belmont, MTSU, and Purdue. To be honest with you, I saw some of the most exciting basketball games at Belmont particularly against DLU during 80s and early 90s. As you know Belmont played a heck of a game againts Duke last year.
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I was just getting a little excited and doing my Bruins cheer.

What years were you at Belmont? Have you been to many games at the Curb? Maybe we've run into each other at a game?

I'm guessing your older than me so you probably saw all the games at Striplin. I was at Belmont for the old ladies last days but I love the Curb. I'm actually going to be back on campus next week for Rick Byrd's camp.

And the Duke-Belmont game from two years ago was awesome. I had the chance to talk to Coach Byrd about that and he said it was probably one of the greatest games he's ever been involved with minus the outcome. I'm planning on picking his brain this year for some coaching tips for my son's winter B-ball team.

Even though you and I aren't the best of friends I think we can go find common ground in saying that DLU is the devil!
 

This is disappointing. So basically we have Miami, St. Joe's and probably 2 decent games in Anaheim? Better then last year, but still not great. And no one the equivalent of Louisville.
 

So far that's what we've got Howeda. I'll keep digging. Hoping at some point I'll find that the Gophers are hosting a BCS opponent. You're right, already the non-league schedule is better, but I suppose it's very possible Saint Joe's will be our best (non-league) home game. Crossing my fingers that's not the case.
 



1988-1993

The Truth said:
I was just getting a little excited and doing my Bruins cheer.

What years were you at Belmont? Have you been to many games at the Curb? Maybe we've run into each other at a game?

I'm guessing your older than me so you probably saw all the games at Striplin. I was at Belmont for the old ladies last days but I love the Curb. I'm actually going to be back on campus next week for Rick Byrd's camp.

And the Duke-Belmont game from two years ago was awesome. I had the chance to talk to Coach Byrd about that and he said it was probably one of the greatest games he's ever been involved with minus the outcome. I'm planning on picking his brain this year for some coaching tips for my son's winter B-ball team.

Even though you and I aren't the best of friends I think we can go find common ground in saying that DLU is the devil!
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I was there from 1988 to 1993. I went to Belmont games when Coach Byrd's friend Vince Gill was behind the home team's bench screaming at the refs during all the home games. I think he went home with Amy Grant after the games some of those nights. I was at the game when Joe B. scored 54 points or so against DLU. I was a huge UK fan back then also.

I wish that Coach Byrd gets more recognition for what he has done for college basketball. I agree about DLU.
 

SS,
Am I dreaming because I though Saul Phillips was quoted in a Fargo paper saying the reason that we bailed on playing them this year was because we had set-up a nationally televised game with an un-named opponent instead? Was/Is this true? Do we know who that opponent is yet? (If true, please tell me it's not St. Joes)
 

Gopherholefan said:
SS,
Am I dreaming because I though Saul Phillips was quoted in a Fargo paper saying the reason that we bailed on playing them this year was because we had set-up a nationally televised game with an un-named opponent instead? Was/Is this true? Do we know who that opponent is yet? (If true, please tell me it's not St. Joes)
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not sure if it is st. joe's, but i will take a game against st. joe's vs. another boring ass game against the ndsu fighting sue any year!
 

"Do we know who that opponent is yet? (If true, please tell me it's not St. Joes)"

Haven't heard anything. It's possible it could be Saint Joe's, as the Hawks are somewhat of a "name" opponent, but I'm still holding out hope the national TV game (if indeed there is one) has a little bigger name. At least now we know it's not Kansas.
 



St. Joes can't be the nationally televised game that was leaked. At least that's what I'm trying to convince myself of.

This sucks. I really wanted KU at the Barn.:cry:
 

Gopherholefan said:
SS,
Am I dreaming because I though Saul Phillips was quoted in a Fargo paper saying the reason that we bailed on playing them this year was because we had set-up a nationally televised game with an un-named opponent instead? Was/Is this true? Do we know who that opponent is yet? (If true, please tell me it's not St. Joes)
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I dont think thats true Gopherholefan.
 

Gophers May Play Kansas In March (NCAA)

If both have the kind of season expected of them.
 

I'll go ahead and assume that Maturi is going to reduce ticket prices due to his inability to schedule anybody worth the price of admission prior to conference play:D
 

"Gophers May Play Kansas In March (NCAA)"

That very well may be true. But there are at least a few season-ticket holders who in November or December would at least like to see a BCS opponent at Williams Arena on occasion (other than the ACC/Big 10 Challenge). Doesn't even have to be a Kansas or a UCLA or a Syracuse or a Kentucky. A Kansas State, Cal, Notre Dame or Mississippi State would suffice.
 

Like usual, I align myself with SS on this one.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: Gophers men's basketball season ticket holders deserve better than what they have gotten in terms of a HOME non-conference schedule in recent years.

The last time the Gophers hosted a BCS school other than in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge was in 06-07 when they hosted Iowa State and Arizona State (along with Clemson in the ACC/Big Ten).

The last time the Gophers hosted a school of note (BCS plus CUSA/A10/Mountain West/Valley) that ended up being a tournament team was UAB in 2005-06.

The last time the Gophers hosted a BCS school that ended up being a tournament team was Oregon in 2001-02.

That is a joke.
 

anonymous said:
Like usual, I align myself with SS on this one. I've said it before and I'll say it again: Gophers men's basketball season ticket holders deserve better than what they have gotten in terms of a HOME non-conference schedule in recent years.The last time the Gophers hosted a BCS school other than in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge was in 06-07 when they hosted Iowa State and Arizona State (along with Clemson in the ACC/Big Ten). The last time the Gophers hosted a school of note (BCS plus CUSA/A10/Mountain West/Valley) that ended up being a tournament team was UAB in 2005-06. The last time the Gophers hosted a BCS school that ended up being a tournament team was Oregon in 2001-02. That is a joke.
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While most conferences play 16 conference games, the Big10 moved to 18 conference games in 2007. (Pac10 and Big East also play 18, but ACC, Big12, SEC, MWC and CUSA play 16)

As a result, that 1 extra Big10 home game must be counted when talking about number of quality home opponents.
 

"As a result, that 1 extra Big 10 home game must be counted when talking about number of quality home opponents."

Respectfully, the issue I believe we're talking about is home games in November and December, non-Big Ten style. On this issue (nonconference home games), Monson has a better track record than Tubby to this point. As Anonymous stated, outside of Virginia in the ACC Challenge, the Gophers have played zero BCS opponents at The Barn since Tubby arrived. I'm hoping that worm starts to turn the other direction this coming season. (no, Maryland in the Postseason NIT does not count)

The Gophers certainly have certainly upgraded their talent level under Tubby, and the Gophers already have upgraded the overall nonconference schedule this season simply by appearing in the top-notch Anaheim Classic. The next step -- and to me the most important one -- is to start rewarding season-ticket holders for their patience with a decent game or two in November-December to help us get revved up for the Big Ten grind. Saint Joe's is a quality program with a quality coach in Phil Martelli and is a nice start, but that's not enough.
 

SelectionSunday said:
On this issue (nonconference home games), Monson has a better track record than Tubby to this point.
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I agree that Tubby should keep improving the home non-con schedule, but you can't directly compare Monson's non-con scedule to Tubby's non-con schedule without taking into account the extra 2 Big10 games that were added in 2007 (which Monson never had to play).

For example, what if the Big10 moved to 24 conference games with only a couple non-con games. Naturally, those couple non-con games would be very weak opponents, and comparing non-con schedules from previous years would be impossible.
 

Dinkytowner,

I respectfully disagree. Yes, there are two more conference games being played, but that doesn't mean that the home non-conference schedule is required to be awful.

Tubby has been here two seasons and he has coached 17 home non-conference games. One was against a major conference opponent and the Gophers were obligated to play that ACC/Big Ten Challenge game. There was also one home non-conference game against a non-Division I opponent.

In 2007-08, the average end-of-season RPI for Gophers home n-c opponents was 237.14. All seven games were against teams that finished the season No. 184 or worse in the RPI.

In 2008-09, the average end-of-season RPI for Gophers home n-c opponents was 199.11 (does not include D2 Concordia-St. Paul). Only one of those teams finished the season in the top 100 of the RPI.

Two seasons. 17 non-conference home games. One BCS conference opponent. One top 100 RPI opponent. Zero at-large NCAA tournament qualifiers.

That can't all be blamed on having to play two more Big Ten games. No way.
 

anonymous said:
Dinkytowner,

I respectfully disagree. Yes, there are two more conference games being played, but that doesn't mean that the home non-conference schedule is required to be awful. Two seasons. 17 non-conference home games. One BCS conference opponent. One top 100 RPI opponent. Zero at-large NCAA tournament qualifiers. That can't all be blamed on having to play two more Big Ten games. No way.
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I agree that it should be better, but again, you can't compare pre and post 2007 non-con schedules.

Pretend Tubby was coach from 2004-2006, and those extra 2 Big10 games (4 total) were converted to 2 equivalent non-con Big12 opponents (say Iowa State and Missouri), then your stat line would look like this:

2-year Home non-non schedule: "Two seasons. 3 BCS conference opponents (Missouri, Iowa State, ACC/Big10 game). 2 or 3 top 100 RPI opponents. 1 or 2 at-large NCAA tournament qualifiers."

2-year Road non-con schedule: Missouri, Iowa State, ACC/Big10 game, plus Louisville neutral.

That's 7 non-con BCS games over 2 years, and an average of 3.5 non-conference BCS opponents per year (1.5 home, 2 road). Still could be better, but not completely terrible.
 

Dinkytowner,

You can't have it both ways. If you say that Monson's n-c schedule and Tubby's can't be compared, you can't make up mythical opponents for Tubby.

I agree with SS that Monson did a better job scheduling home games for the loyal fans. If you say that they can't be compared because of the schedule change, that's your opinion.

Regardless, Tubby and his staff have not delivered in terms of home non-conference games for the fans. I don't think anyone is expecting Duke, Texas and UCLA in the same year. But I don't think it's unreasonable for fans to get a minimum of one BCS opponent at home and one more game from the A10-CUSA-MVC-MtnWest tier of conferences.

Instead, they get UC Riverside and High Point and Georgia State.
 

I would like to see us try and even schedule a perennial top mid major team like a Creighton. They are close geographically and yet a quality opponent year in and year out. You could also schedule a lower level team from a major conference even such as a Nebraska, I remember when Clem was here we played them several years in a row.
 

anonymous said:
Dinkytowner,

You can't have it both ways. If you say that Monson's n-c schedule and Tubby's can't be compared, you can't make up mythical opponents for Tubby. I agree with SS that Monson did a better job scheduling home games for the loyal fans. If you say that they can't be compared because of the schedule change, that's your opinion.
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I already said I 100% agree with you that it needs to get better...

but you seem to be casually dismissing the fact that adding 2 extra Big10 games per year is significant and has an impact on the non-con schedule.

No need to make up mythical opponents, let's look at real ones.

2006: 16 Big10 games (missing matchups: vs. Michigan State, vs. Indiana, @PSU, @OSU)
2007: 18 Big10 games (missing matchups: vs. Purdue, @Iowa)
2008: 18 Big10 games (missing matchups: vs. Iowa, @Purdue)

Like I said, what if the Big10 moved to 20 conference games, or 22? or 24? How would that impact your view of the non-con schedule?
 

This is an interesting problem. The Big Ten and Pac Ten are the only two conferences that have to play 18 conference games. I think it may hurt them if they essentially swap out two BCS non-conference games in thier place. While the RPI will see them as equal, the selection committee may dock us for playing a weaker non-conference schedule. Even though while say Florida was off playing NC State and FSU, we were playing our 'extra' games against Ohio State and Michigan and in reality we have had it tougher. Florida will get credit for its tougher NC schedule.

When we had approximately 14 NC games, I felt that a mix of 5 BCS games, 4 mid-major/high low major and 5 cream puffs was acceptable, or 35%/30%/35%. Given the addition of 2 conference games, it would seem fair to remove one BCS game and one mid-major, leaving the mix 4/3/5 or33%/25%/42%. We have not come close to this the last 2 years, though you could argue that games like Cornell and NDSU were as good as mid-majors. We are almost assured two BCS games in Anaheim and another at Miami. We are also likely to have a mid-major quality game in Anaheim and have another with St. Joe's. So it would be nice to see them add one more BCS game and one more mid-major, preferably at home.

For reference here is the split of BCS/Mid-major/cream puffs for the last 5 years:

04-05: 31/8/61 13 games (BCS: Alabama, Oklahoma, FSU, Nebraska, Mid-major: Central Michigan)

05-06: 27/9/64 11 games (BCS: Maryland, Arizona State, UNLV (counting them as BCS), Mid-major UAB.)

06-07: 29/21/50 14 games (BCS: Iowa State, Clemson, Arizona State, UNLV, Mid Major: Southern Illiniois, UAB, Central Florida) Note: We played our way out of at least one more BCS game by losing every game of the Old Spice Classic, which would have made this by far the strongest schedule in recent years.

07-08: 25/17/58: (BCS: Iowa State, FSU, UNLV, Mid Major Cent. Michigan, Colorado State)

08/09: 17/17/66 (BCS: UVA, Louisville, Mid Major: Bowling Green, Colorado State)

One thing I can take away from this is that in addition to adding at least one BCS game per year, we could do a better job of replacing some of the cream puffs with decent mid-majors. Drake, Creighton, UW-Milwaukee, UW-Green Bay, Northern Iowa, all of these are within reasonable distance. I know they already play other BCS teams in thier home state but you'd think at least a couple of them would be available each year. It would help if NDSU and SDSU reached true mid-major status, but SDSU is far from that and NDSU may have touched it last year, but will now likely fall back.
 

howeda7 said:
This is an interesting problem. The Big Ten and Pac Ten are the only two conferences that have to play 18 conference games. I think it may hurt them if they essentially swap out two BCS non-conference games in thier place. While the RPI will see them as equal, the selection committee may dock us for playing a weaker non-conference schedule. Even though while say Florida was off playing NC State and FSU, we were playing our 'extra' games against Ohio State and Michigan and in reality we have had it tougher. Florida will get credit for its tougher NC schedule.
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Exactly right, and I brought this up in March as well when we were getting slammed for a weak non-con schedule for "only" playing Louisville, when in reality we had 2 "extra" Big10 games. I think 16 games and a tougher non-con schedule looks better, even though it shouldn't.
 

TheDinkytowner said:
Exactly right, and I brought this up in March as well when we were getting slammed for a weak non-con schedule for "only" playing Louisville, when in reality we had 2 "extra" Big10 games. I think 16 games and a tougher non-con schedule looks better, even though it shouldn't.
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I had this argument with some friends who are SEC/ACC fans. Essentially on Dec. 31st and January 2nd we were playing Michigan St. and Ohio State because our conference schedule had to start a week earlier while they were still off playing non-conference games. Do we get to count those two as non-conference when comparing non-conference SOS, etc.? No, but in a sense we should.

All that being said, the Gophers still need to improve thier non-conference schedule, especially at home. The fact that they have not played a voluntary major-conference home game in 2 years is not acceptable, and if the best they do this year is St. Joe's I will be very disappointed and I'm not even a season-ticket holder.
 

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