USC Upstate

[kingcy]

Where do they find these schools to play? How does BB scheduling work? Does Mac sit in his office and think USC Upstate would be a good team to play? I know it is hard to get teams to come to Hilton but this is all the better they can do? I like the better teams they played (MVC, Big 10, Pac 10, SEC) but the lower end of the schedule has some really bad teams on it. It is hard to get to know where this team is because of this. Its almost like a practice with fans and the band. Heck the team screwed around for about half the game and still walk away with an easy win. I am sure the staff is working on getting better teams to come to Ames in the future, like a lower tier mid major, but in the meantime we are stuck with start up programs.

[Drive4cy]

They are in their first year of D1 so it's an obvious win. I hate these games as a fan but they are important. I wouldn't be surprised if Mac and his staff pretty much just use these games as glorified practice sessions. In the end we get a win so I'm happy. Larry played these type of games WAY too often.

[brianhos]

Teams like USC upstate go out looking for games like this for one reason $$$$$. They make more traveling to big schools and getting clobbered than they do on a home game probably. It gets their name out, and get them some $$, which is important if you are a new school.

[chadm]

Our strength of schedule is pretty tough compared to others.

I dislike to do this but I will.

ISU 79 hardest out of conference rating
Iowa 252
Nebraska 307

[wartknight]

I sat right behind the USC bench tonight with my uncle and grandparents who were decked out in their Spartan garb from my cousin who is their color guy. I was talking to my cousin before hand and they have a top-20 SOS this year in their first year of D1 Bball. They have a 1500 seat arena so the payout for road games even when the costs are figured in make more sense for them then playing a home game. While they are getting started they are actively trying to schedule Major Conference opponents.
With UNI and Drake this year, along with Oregon, Alabama, and Minnesota, and yes, even Iowa, we have played more than our fair share of major conf teams. Gotta get some sure wins in there especially when we are building a program ourselves.

[tim_redd]

I'd rather play a team like this during break when there are no students there.

[cybsball20]

I'm just wondering why we don't play more 'regional' teams. How many teams are there in bordering states (Illinois, Missouri, Wisc, Minn) that we can bring in from schools people have actually heard of, maybe that would help get more people to games... It would probably be cheaper to bring in a UMKC or UIC then a team like USC-Upstate, wouldn't it?

[wartknight]

I imagine for all these "little" games there is a set amount ISU pays.
I have been wrong before.

[83Clone]

Where do they find these schools to play? How does BB scheduling work? Does Mac sit in his office and think USC Upstate would be a good team to play? I know it is hard to get teams to come to Hilton but this is all the better they can do? I like the better teams they played (MVC, Big 10, Pac 10, SEC) but the lower end of the schedule has some really bad teams on it. It is hard to get to know where this team is because of this. Its almost like a practice with fans and the band. Heck the team screwed around for about half the game and still walk away with an easy win. I am sure the staff is working on getting better teams to come to Ames in the future, like a lower tier mid major, but in the meantime we are stuck with start up programs.

We already played:
Oregon State
Minnesota
Alabama
Purdue
Minnesota
Iowa

from "Power Conferences"

not to mention 3 losses to pretty solid MVC teams.

I would have actually preferred this year's team have a couple more cupcakes, not less

[ISUFan22]

83clone makes a good point. I don't agree that we should have an easier schedule, but it's not like we've been on easy street. This is the time when many teams play some cupcakes.

Students out and then finally getting back to campus. Bowl season going on - so that hurts attendance too. And, right before conference play, get a couple tune-up games in and boost confidence.

[cyclonenum1]

I'm just wondering why we don't play more 'regional' teams. How many teams are there in bordering states (Illinois, Missouri, Wisc, Minn) that we can bring in from schools people have actually heard of, maybe that would help get more people to games... It would probably be cheaper to bring in a UMKC or UIC then a team like USC-Upstate, wouldn't it?

Great point! Many of the "cream puffs" on the LSU schedule (both CBB and CFB) are actually in-state teams (Tulane, McNeese St., Nicholls St., Southeastern LA, Louisiana Lafayette, Louisiana Monroe, etc.). The athletic administration has made a conscious decision to "keep the money in-state" whenever possible rather than sending it out of the state.

[psycln11]

Great point! Many of the "cream puffs" on the LSU schedule (both CBB and CFB) are actually in-state teams (Tulane, McNeese St., Nicholls St., Southeastern LA, Louisiana Lafayette, Louisiana Monroe, etc.). The athletic administration has made a conscious decision to "keep the money in-state" whenever possible rather than sending it out of the state.

We already play all the in-state D-I schools.

[cybsball20]

I can understand Albany, a bunch of smaller schools promise to schedule a game in a guys home state while they are recruiting a player (I heard the same things when I was being recruited) so I'm guessing they sought us out. But some of these other schools, who knows. I know we already play all the in state schools, I was just thinking it would be cheaper and more interesting to play schools that people have heard of and a bus ride away, even if they are small schools.

[Wesley]

We are going to play a local team next - North Dakota.

[mj4cy]

Most years we play the rinky dink teams first, then the teams get harder. This year we played a bunch of decent teams earlier and now we're going through the crappier ones.