Non Conference Schedule

[SteveGarvey1]

They just have to kick ass in conference and make up for any RPI loss.

That's what we did last year, relative to expectations, and it wasn't good enough to make the dance. Playing this non-con schedule is like wearing a -25 RPI anchor around our necks. It's hard to overcome and there's a lot less margin for error.

 

[IndianaHawk]

Scheduling patsies like that actually puts more pressure on you. Better not slip on one game. Losing to the 65th team is disappointing, but not devastating. Omaha game probably kicked us out of the tourney last year.

 

[trj]

That's what we did last year, relative to expectations, and it wasn't good enough to make the dance. Playing this non-con schedule is like wearing a -25 RPI anchor around our necks. It's hard to overcome and there's a lot less margin for error.

I don't know about that. The conference was down last year. Iowa was 11-7 in conference play last year. There is at least a 2 game difference(in conference)where you can have a margin of error. 10-8 and maybe even 9-9 will get you in the tournament.

 

[PCHawk]

I don't know about that. The conference was down last year. Iowa was 11-7 in conference play last year. There is at least a 2 game difference(in conference)where you can have a margin of error. 10-8 and maybe even 9-9 will get you in the tournament.

You must be counting the Minnesota game as a win.

 

[trj]

You must be counting the Minnesota game as a win.

The game is at home. Where do you have Iowa finishing this year in conference play?

 

[PCHawk]

The game is at home. Where do you have Iowa finishing this year in conference play?

I meant last year because we were really 10-8 but we should have beat Minnesota. I think we will be around 11-7 or 12-6 this year.

 

[Joshbrown]

I don't know about that. The conference was down last year. Iowa was 11-7 in conference play last year. There is at least a 2 game difference(in conference)where you can have a margin of error. 10-8 and maybe even 9-9 will get you in the tournament.

We weren't 10-8 last year?

 

[trj]

I meant last year because we were really 10-8 but we should have beat Minnesota. I think we will be around 11-7 or 12-6 this year.

I see what you are saying now, it took a minute for the light bulb to come on. I am just going by the bottom line results. You get into the hypothetical stuff, then you have to factor in being swept by a garbage Illinois team. I think the Big Ten will be much better this year, therefore you can maybe get away with having a weaker non-conference schedule.

 

[trj]

We weren't 10-8 last year?

That's my point.....Iowa could get into the tournament this year with 9 or 10 conference wins. Unless the non-con is a total trainwreck then 20,21 wins will be enough.

 

[BrueCrew3]

Let's not get hung up on symantics. If I'm reading this right, I have to agree with the point trj is trying to make.

Last year Iowa was what .. 8-5 in non-con action. Not great and the UNO game killed the team. (Not to mention the Seton Hall and Memphis games.) That's not going to happen this year. Last year, the team was still trying to sort things out and figure out who was playing where. 4 starters were lost and no one had any clue what was going on.

When TC broke his thumb, certain players were forced into the spot light. Jbo and Pemsl, to be exact. The fact that they had played together for most of the previous 3 years had a lot to do with their success and ultimately the Hawks turning things around.

This year, things are different. 9-4 is the floor for this team during the non-con part of the schedule. I believe 10-3 is really the floor and 13-0 isn't out of the question. Let's say 10-3 in non-con and 10-8 in conference, the same as last year. Given that 10-8 SHOULD be enough to finish in the top half of the B1G, 20-11 SHOULD get us into the dance.

Just my 2¢ .. .. GO HAWKS!!!

 

[IndianaHawk]

Let's not get hung up on symantics. If I'm reading this right, I have to agree with the point trj is trying to make.

Last year Iowa was what .. 8-5 in non-con action. Not great and the UNO game killed the team. (Not to mention the Seton Hall and Memphis games.) That's not going to happen this year. Last year, the team was still trying to sort things out and figure out who was playing where. 4 starters were lost and no one had any clue what was going on.

When TC broke his thumb, certain players were forced into the spot light. Jbo and Pemsl, to be exact. The fact that they had played together for most of the previous 3 years had a lot to do with their success and ultimately the Hawks turning things around.

This year, things are different. 9-4 is the floor for this team during the non-con part of the schedule. I believe 10-3 is really the floor and 13-0 isn't out of the question. Let's say 10-3 in non-con and 10-8 in conference, the same as last year. Given that 10-8 SHOULD be enough to finish in the top half of the B1G, 20-11 SHOULD get us into the dance.

Just my 2¢ .. .. GO HAWKS!!!

I think 20-11 with 10-8 would put us right on the bubble. Could go either way.

 

[SomersHawk]

I'd like to see them get Missouri back on the schedule along with Creighton and why not Kansas? Border rivalries are fun for all the fans. Take some lumps once in awhile who cares? Never bothers Michigan State.

 

[PCHawk]

Let's not get hung up on symantics. If I'm reading this right, I have to agree with the point trj is trying to make.

Last year Iowa was what .. 8-5 in non-con action. Not great and the UNO game killed the team. (Not to mention the Seton Hall and Memphis games.) That's not going to happen this year. Last year, the team was still trying to sort things out and figure out who was playing where. 4 starters were lost and no one had any clue what was going on.

When TC broke his thumb, certain players were forced into the spot light. Jbo and Pemsl, to be exact. The fact that they had played together for most of the previous 3 years had a lot to do with their success and ultimately the Hawks turning things around.

This year, things are different. 9-4 is the floor for this team during the non-con part of the schedule. I believe 10-3 is really the floor and 13-0 isn't out of the question. Let's say 10-3 in non-con and 10-8 in conference, the same as last year. Given that 10-8 SHOULD be enough to finish in the top half of the B1G, 20-11 SHOULD get us into the dance.

Just my 2¢ .. .. GO HAWKS!!!

I agree. Every year people forget how weak the bubble is now. Last year we got killed in the non conference, had a shitty schedule, won 10 conference games, lost first round of the Big 10 tournament, and was still first four out. If we improve one game we are almost certainly in this year.

 

[trj]

My bad, I had Iowa at 11-7 in conference play, they were actually 10-8. My point is still valid, there is still probably a 2 game swing just because the conference will be much better this year compared to last year.

 

[MelroseHawkins]

That's what we did last year, relative to expectations, and it wasn't good enough to make the dance. Playing this non-con schedule is like wearing a -25 RPI anchor around our necks. It's hard to overcome and there's a lot less margin for error.

That's my point, they are going to have to kick ass in conference because they are behind the 8 ball at this point.

 

[teachercoach]

There's absolutely no way to spin it - the schedule is crap - but it won't matter if the Hawks mow it down and win some of the marquee games in it.

Possibly - A couple factors for this schedule:
1) 2 December Big 10 games - coaches looking at that time differently now .... tougher to find opponents who fit - calendar wise. Look at some other Big10 schools schedule - see much the same (Ind / MSU / OSU)

2) Does the NCAA selection committee use RPI as much of a factor - the last 2 tournaments say not as much as fans think. Depending on which one you use, Iowa was 68-81 last year on selection day, yet supposedly last at-large team out.

3) What is the total cost to bring in 3-4 #75-150 PRI teams w/ no return game? Maybe when the Athletic Department has to write a $6.5 check - this is where some of these things show up.

 

[deanvogs]

Everyone is overreacting to this schedule. We played five 201-Plus RPI teams last year. We were 18-14 and still almost made the NCAA.

If we win 21 or 22 games we are easily in. People are really, really over rating what the bubble is year in and year out in the NCAA tournament.

 

[NikeHawk21]

Everyone is overreacting to this schedule. We played five 201-Plus RPI teams last year. We were 18-14 and still almost made the NCAA.

If we win 21 or 22 games we are easily in. People are really, really over rating what the bubble is year in and year out in the NCAA tournament.

While that is true from last year it doesn't tell the whole story. The strength of our resume last year came from our quality wins, especially our two big road wins.

This year I see roughly 6 quality true road games (VT, Ind, ISU, Mary, Mich, and Minny). If we go something like 1-5 in those games and lose to Purdue and MSU at home, then a 20+ win Resume might not look so good. A neutral site win vs Cincy would certainly help.

I'm with you though, I'm not overly panicked about the schedule. I think this team has enough talent that they will have a fighters chance in every game we play, and by the end of the year that will mean we have enough quality wins, regardless of our RPI, to dance.

 

[hawkation]

Anyone here have season tickets? Is it worth it to see so many weak games and just have a few decent ones to watch once BIG starts? Just curious your opinion. Was disappointed the league can't find a way to balance out the weekend games better, if I remember right we only have one Saturday home?

Season ticket holder for the past 3 years. I love November non-conference games no matter who we play. Gives us the opportunity to see the freshman for the 1st time in person. Like the majority of you, I would prefer to see stronger opponents but will continue to see every game in person regardless of the opponent every year.

Regarding your few decent game comment above. Every conference game is a good game. I don't need to tell anyone on here, no matter the opponent, a single conference game can determine the season.

 

[lightning1]

One part of this might be that Fran likes to schedule cupcakes so he can get all of his guys opportunities to play early in the year.

I think we need to step back from the ledge a little bit here. It's 6 games. What I like about our non-conference schedule this is we have two true road games, which are great opportunities. As someone else mentioned it is imperative that we see Cincinnati in the Caymans tournament.

A non-conference schedule with @VT, @ ISU and Neutral site games vs Cinci, Colorado, and Wyoming is not horrible.

I also think to a certain extent RPI is being valued less and less by the committee.

Brighten up HN, it's Friday!

I agree. The RPI isn't as important as wins/losses vs those opponents. Lose the VT, ISU and Cinn games and it's a poor showing in the OOC.