Let's hope to see 2 or 3 of these "lesser" names on the home slate

[SelectionSunday]

It's that time of year when nonconference schedules across the country gradually start getting released. Bradley, Texas and UCLA already have released their out-of-league slates, while the rest of the D-I programs (in the neighborhood of 347) mostly will follow suit in June and July.

The Gophers typically release their full nonconference slate in late July or early August. We already know that, away from Williams Arena, the Gophers will play in the Battle 4 Atlantis, @ USC, and @ Florida State as part of the ACC/B1G Challenge. That should account for all their road/neutral-site games.

In addition, we know they'll host North Dakota State (Summit), Richmond (Atlantic 10) as the first leg of a home-and-home series, and defending Summit League champion South Dakota State and its All-American candidate, Nate Wolters. Given Tubby's scheduling history at Minnesota, I'm going to assume Richmond will be the Gophers' most "notable" home opponent. That leaves Tubby and scheduling coordinator Joe Esposito with the task of scheduling 5 or 6 more home games for the 2012-13 season, likely all of them "buy" games (not requiring a return road game).

So with those 5 or 6 remaining home slots, let's assume the Gophers schedule 2 or 3 cupcakes, opponents that figure to pose little or no threat but likely (they hope) will finish no worse than approximately #250 in the RPI. That leaves 2 or 3 games where Tubby/Esposito should attempt to schedule "under the radar" and lesser-known opponents who are expected to have good seasons (with presumably solid RPIs to help the Gophers' nonconference SOS) and who appear more than capable of giving the Gophers a test.

I'm not a schedule-maker (however, I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night), but here's a short list of opponents I wouldn't mind see filling the 2 or 3 remaining nonconference home games not reserved for munching on cupcakes. Teams' final 2012 RPI is listed in parentheses.

Would Be Worth A Look at The Barn
1. Murray State (#22) -- OVC favorite with returning guard Isaiah Cannon.

2. Harvard (#35) -- The defending Ivy League champ and clear conference favorite in 2012-13.

3. Ohio (#46) -- Sweet 16 club returns stud guard D.J. Cooper and a lot more.

4. Middle Tennessee State (#56) -- Blue Raiders return most of the rotation the Gophers saw in NIT quarterfinals.

5. Belmont (#58) -- In their first year in OVC, Bruins could give Murray State a run for their money.

6. Davidson (#64) -- Bob McKillop always has a solid club, even without a Steph Curry on his roster.

7. Drexel (#66) -- Along with Washington, probably was 1 of first 2 "bubbled out" last year. The roster returns mostly in tact, and Dragons will be prohibitive CAA favorites with VCU now in the A-10.

8. Northern Iowa (#73) -- This could be an "extra" home game the Gophers get as part of the Battle 4 Atlantis?

9. Lehigh (#91) -- The Mountain Hawks return guard C.J. McCollum from last year's squad that beat Duke in the 2nd round of the NCAA tourney.

10. Denver (#93) -- Though a notoriously bad road team, the improving DU program could make noise in their first year in the WAC.

11. Valpo (#95) -- Crusaders the likely preseason pick to win the Horzion League.

12. Loyola Marymount (#117) -- The Lions are making strides in the WCC under head coach Max Good.

13. Detroit (#125) -- The defending Horizon Tournament champs return star guard Ray McCallum.

14. Mercer (#133) -- The College Insiders Tournament (CIT) champions return most of their roster and will be the Atlantic Sun favorite.

15. North Texas (#199) -- Look out for the Mean Green and 6-8 sophomore man-child and future NBA 1st-rounder Tony Mitchell.

 

[Ski U Mah Gopher]

I think of the Mid to Low majors, most people will recognized Murray St, MTSU, Ohio, and Harvard from their success in 2011-12. The sales job would be to tell fans that they are still good in 2012-13.

 

[SelectionSunday]

If my arm was twisted and I was allowed to see the Gophers play only 3 of the above mentioned, I'd pick Ohio, Drexel and Murray State, in that order. OU's guards/shooters would be a good measuring stick for our guards.

 

[howieramone]

I like Middle Tennessee State. If we are going to recruit there, might as well play them.

 

[jamiche]

I wrote my "donation" check last night in addition to the regular check for the season ticket package. Richmond better not be the most notable opponent on the home schedule.

 

[SelectionSunday]

Richmond better not be the most notable opponent on the home schedule.

Jamiche, deep down I think we both know that's likely to be the case, unfortunately.

 

[dlw4gophers]

Our selection time has come and gone. We decided not to renew our tickets this year. There are a couple of reasons we went this way. The biggest reason is the OOC schedule. It's tough to pay the kind of money the U charges for BB when you just don't get to see many if any good teams in the OOC part of the schedule. The next reason is the money. We also have 4 football tickets in the $250 range and now we have 2 hockey tickets in the $300 range. That puts us up to $1600 a year in donations plus the cost of the tickets and parking. My budget couldn't handle another hit. I will be looking for some of the ticket offers they have had in the past and try to pick up a couple of tickets for about 6 games. Hope the team does well and I find myself kicking myself in the arse for not renewing. Go Gophers.

If anyone has a game or two they want to sell P M me.