Non-conference schedule needs to be beefed up in 2013

**allenj32** · 12-11-2012, 12:45 PM

181	Nov. 9	Southern University	82-59
319	Nov. 12	Alabama A&M	98-40
337	Nov. 18	Campbell	88-68
262	Nov. 20	North Carolina A&T	86-57
263	Dec. 9	Nebraska Omaha	93-65

Here are our wins against Sub-150 teams, which will only hurt us in March when the selection committee is looking at our "body of work". When we play a non-conference schedule like this and don't have any "quality" wins, then it puts that much more pressure on the team to succeed in conference play. If we get one or two marquee wins outside of conference and play a tougher schedule, then it will help us time it comes March to have played better competition along with our overall seeding by the selection committee. Thoughts?

**gocubs2118** · 12-11-2012, 12:48 PM

Next season non-conference schedule is going to be tough as hell. We play Michigan, Iowa, @BYU, UNI, the tournament in Hawaii and the possible Big XII/SEC Challenge game. I'm looking forward to it.

**MartyFine** · 12-11-2012, 12:50 PM

Good teams do not want to play in Hilton, even if they get a return game.

**cyclonepower** · 12-11-2012, 12:51 PM

With the Big 12 being down this year, I think our non-con schedule will end up biting us in the butt

**isufbcurt** · 12-11-2012, 12:51 PM

I am fine with playing cupcakes, I actually like watching us blowout teams

**cyclones500** · 12-11-2012, 12:54 PM

Originally Posted by gocubs2118

Next season non-conference schedule is going to be tough as hell. We play Michigan, Iowa, @BYU, UNI, the tournament in Hawaii and the possible Big XII/SEC Challenge game. I'm looking forward to it.

Who does ISU play in that tournament? Can't seem to find it.

That slate looks challenging, not overly brutal — pretty good. If there could be one other potential high-RPI matchup, and the cupcakes aren't completely off the map, I would take it.

**alarson** · 12-11-2012, 12:56 PM

Originally Posted by isufbcurt

I am fine with playing cupcakes, I actually like watching us blowout teams

Agreed, i come to watch iowa state, i dont care a ton about the opponent, up until you get to BCS opponents, and most of those are opting to only compete against other BCS teams in neutral venues.. in which case ISU season ticketholders lose a home game.

Plenty of good games in the conference season.

**SplitIdentity** · 12-11-2012, 12:57 PM

Originally Posted by MartyFine

Good teams do not want to play in Hilton, even if they get a return game.

That's not why ISU is scheduling weak.

**cyclones500** · 12-11-2012, 12:57 PM

Originally Posted by allenj32

181	Nov. 9	Southern University	82-59
319	Nov. 12	Alabama A&M	98-40
337	Nov. 18	Campbell	88-68
262	Nov. 20	North Carolina A&T	86-57
263	Dec. 9	Nebraska Omaha	93-65

Here are our wins against Sub-150 teams, which will only hurt us in March when the selection committee is looking at our "body of work". When we play a non-conference schedule like this and don't have any "quality" wins, then it puts that much more pressure on the team to succeed in conference play. If we get one or two marquee wins outside of conference and play a tougher schedule, then it will help us time it comes March to have played better competition along with our overall seeding by the selection committee. Thoughts?

I agree we need more bulk, but even if it's relatively similar most years, ISU needs to win more of the existing marquee games.

**Althetuna** · 12-11-2012, 12:57 PM

The cupcakes only hurt when ISU fails to beat quality opponents like Cinci, UNLV and even Iowa when the opprotunities are presented.

**CyFan61** · 12-11-2012, 12:57 PM

Originally Posted by cyclonepower

With the Big 12 being down this year, I think our non-con schedule will end up biting us in the butt

Just win baby. We'll be fine after we go 18-0 in conference play.

**gocubs2118** · 12-11-2012, 12:57 PM

Originally Posted by isufbcurt

I am fine with playing cupcakes, I actually like watching us blowout teams

There are always going to be cupcakes on the schedule but the amount of cupcakes we've played over the past two seasons is what's killing our SOS and RPI. Luckily last year the Big XII was good enough for us to make up for our lack of non-conference wins. This year might be a different story. Hopefully it doesn't bite us in the ***.

**IcSyU** · 12-11-2012, 12:57 PM

Originally Posted by allenj32

181	Nov. 9	Southern University	82-59
319	Nov. 12	Alabama A&M	98-40
337	Nov. 18	Campbell	88-68
262	Nov. 20	North Carolina A&T	86-57
263	Dec. 9	Nebraska Omaha	93-65

Here are our wins against Sub-150 teams, which will only hurt us in March when the selection committee is looking at our "body of work". When we play a non-conference schedule like this and don't have any "quality" wins, then it puts that much more pressure on the team to succeed in conference play. If we get one or two marquee wins outside of conference and play a tougher schedule, then it will help us time it comes March to have played better competition along with our overall seeding by the selection committee. Thoughts?

Whose fault is it exactly that we've lost to Cincinatti, UNLV, and Iowa (all of which would be solid wins come March)?

**Rogue52** · 12-11-2012, 12:57 PM

How about we open up Big 12 play with a win @ KU? That should take care of the problem this year.

**allenj32** · 12-11-2012, 12:58 PM

Fans like you I cannot stand. You love mediocrity and like to attend games because they are "social events". I'm guessing you come 30 minutes late and leave 10 minutes early.

We want to compete on a national level and in order to do so, we need to stop playing High School teams. Look at Michigan State, Butler, Duke, UNC, Long Beach State. All of these teams have beefed up their schedules to player tougher competition to prepare them for the postseason. Playing "cupcakes" does nothing and is basically like a glorified practice.