2023-24 Non-Conference Schedule

[ScoreboardDotRace]

I’m an outlier here with the Chicago State series. It was a chance to get games in Chicago that weren’t conference games. Plus we are setting up to sweep all 4 games.

I wouldn’t honestly hate it if Pedon re-upped because if he’s trying to build a pipeline within Chicago. We’re running out of non-con Chicago opponents.

Eastern Illinois and Eastern Michigan both had worse RPI than Chicago State, maybe the last couple years. So again, not the worst.

All in all not the best schedule, not the worst. Outside of the STL game none that I’m really circling but that’s okay. I’ll still obviously watch em all. Use this year to take back ownership of home court, and go from there.

 

[ISU86]

Nov 11: @ SLU
Nov 20: Fort Meyers Tip Off: Long Beach State
Nov 21: Fort Meyers Tip Off: High Point/Iona
Nov 22: Fort Meyers Tip Off: Louisiana/Hofstra/Buffalo/Wright State
Dec 6: Northern Kentucky
Dec 9: Norfolk State
Dec 17: North Dakota State

TBD:
@Chicago State*
@WIU**
EIU**

*Assumed: Should be the last of Muller's terrible 4-year H/H with them.

** Assumed we didn't get bought to go to EIU or bought WIU to come to Normal

(Chicago State) not ideal, but with Muller/Yaklich (apparently) not wanting to match-up it was the only feasible way to get a game in the city at the time (sorry, do not want to hear how DePaul/Loyola/Northwestern would play us (even though they have not (minus Ramblers in conference) for a while) and many already gripe about a trek to the likes of Northern Illinois or Valparaiso as it is).

Drake is going there this season, probably much to the chagrin of the "winning fixes everything" voices.

 

[Redbird222]

(Chicago State) not ideal, but with Muller/Yaklich (apparently) not wanting to match-up it was the only feasible way to get a game in the city at the time (sorry, do not want to hear how DePaul/Loyola/Northwestern would play us (even though they have not (minus Ramblers in conference) for a while) and many already gripe about a trek to the likes of Northern Illinois or Valparaiso as it is).

Drake is going there this season, probably much to the chagrin of the "winning fixes everything" voices.

Start winning and I think Loyola could be back on the table

 

[Adunk33]

Start winning and I think Loyola could be back on the table

Who needs to start winning for this to happen, the Birds or the Blers?

I get "having a presence in Chicago" is important but how much exposure are they really getting playing a team that could very well be D3 in the next few years? When the Birds played there Dec '21, reported attendance was 267...Pretty sure 50-100 of that was Reeves' family and friends.

Those who say its the only option to be in Chicago are probably right. Beat both Depaul and NW in recent seasons. Loyola will start playing more MVC teams soon because they are going to be a permanent doormat of the A10. Regardless of what the pundits say, it's not because the A10 is a step up from the MVC, it's because their success was a flash in the pan. See Wichita State, for example. Anyway, between getting Loyola back on the schedule every-so-often and playing conference games vs UIC, I think that's as far as the in-season exposure can go.

 

[ScoreboardDotRace]

Loyola would be better for sure. Until we get them though, I’d sign up for a game at Chicago State 10 times out of 10 over a game in Charleston.

 

[Redbird222]

I was at the Chicago St game in 2021. The Reevs family was about 20% of the crowd

 

[IHateWSU]

Who needs to start winning for this to happen, the Birds or the Blers?

I get "having a presence in Chicago" is important but how much exposure are they really getting playing a team that could very well be D3 in the next few years? When the Birds played there Dec '21, reported attendance was 267...Pretty sure 50-100 of that was Reeves' family and friends.

Those who say its the only option to be in Chicago are probably right. Beat both Depaul and NW in recent seasons. Loyola will start playing more MVC teams soon because they are going to be a permanent doormat of the A10. Regardless of what the pundits say, it's not because the A10 is a step up from the MVC, it's because their success was a flash in the pan. See Wichita State, for example. Anyway, between getting Loyola back on the schedule every-so-often and playing conference games vs UIC, I think that's as far as the in-season exposure can go.

If Ingram doesn't hit a game winner in the opening round (or Custer in the second round for that matter) of the dance in 2018, Loyola would still be in the MVC, and Moser would still be their coach.

 

[Adunk33]

If Ingram doesn't hit a game winner in the opening round (or Custer in the second round for that matter) of the dance in 2018, Loyola would still be in the MVC, and Moser would still be their coach.

But...they did, and they're not, and he's not.

 

[TBS_20]

In short, if you can switch universes, sure

 

[Reggie1857]

Let's stop kidding ourselves, Chicago State offers nothing in terms of a Chicago presence game. Given how badly the program has fallen and how badly the department has been run, it's not surprising that the program is grasping at such straws. I understand why the non-con is as lame as it is, but if it does not improve and the fan malaise and exodus continues, the Redbirds might as well start playing in McCormick. It's a shame because it never had to be like this.

 

[BirdGrad2011]

Let's stop kidding ourselves, Chicago State offers nothing in terms of a Chicago presence game. Given how badly the program has fallen and how badly the department has been run, it's not surprising that the program is grasping at such straws. I understand why the non-con is as lame as it is, but if it does not improve and the fan malaise and exodus continues, the Redbirds might as well start playing in McCormick. It's a shame because it never had to be like this.

Dan scheduled really well early on his tenure. Somewhere along the way that got weaker too. I think Ryan did a fine job year 1 given our prior commitments and being a 1st year coach. This year is trending better too. Love the SLU game, NKU, etc.

 

[Aggie]

In my very humble opinion considering what shape the program was in Norfolk State is not a “bad” game.

 

[ISUBird]

In my very humble opinion considering what shape the program was in Norfolk State is not a “bad” game.

No, because ISU is now the "bad" game for some teams.

 

[Bird Friend]

No, because ISU is now the "bad" game for some teams.

We have been off-n-on for awhile . . .

 

[ISUBird]

We have been off-n-on for awhile . . .

We've been off for at least the past four years and I'm not super positive for the upcoming season.

 

[Aggie]

Possibly another Horton pre season game?

 

[Hamdonger]

It's been down for several weeks. That is the ORIGINAL Redbird Arena floor. With the same dead spots!

 

[crazzymark]

Michael McKinney and Brad Duncan would be very proud. They used those dead spots often.

 

[Phantom]

Good to see the OG floor in there all polished instead of just stacked up in the garage outside the north entrance. Would love to see another Horton game, but, maybe I'm among the few who think this way, it shouldn't be an annual game. I'm not sure it could anyway with insurances & lack of building updates, etc. But an every-other-year kind of deal would be cool and help preserve the charm. Last season's game against SIUE was fantastic, wouldn't want that special energy of playing a game there to diminish.

 

[Dmills]

Good to see the OG floor in there all polished instead of just stacked up in the garage outside the north entrance. Would love to see another Horton game, but, maybe I'm among the few who think this way, it shouldn't be an annual game. I'm not sure it could anyway with insurances & lack of building updates, etc. But an every-other-year kind of deal would be cool and help preserve the charm. Last season's game against SIUE was fantastic, wouldn't want that special energy of playing a game there to diminish.

I don't think the special energy of playing there would diminish if it is done right. I'd be more concerned about the logistics and costs. I have a hard time believing we can afford to make it an every year thing.