2023-24 Non-Conference Schedule

[Phantom]

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.

Yeah thats more or less what I was getting at with the "etc." in my post above. It took a lot of resources to put that one game on. Probably couldn't do it annually from that standpoint alone. But I was also thinking if it were a yearly thing, it might lose some of its charm UNLESS it was done strategically for a specific game and promoted accordingly. The "downside" of that would be if we're winning and there's some buzz already, then attendance goes back up at RA. They wouldn't trade, lets say, 7500 (boy would that feel packed compared to the last few years) at RA on a Saturday for 3500 at Horton.

 

[Adunk33]

Yeah thats more or less what I was getting at with the "etc." in my post above. It took a lot of resources to put that one game on. Probably couldn't do it annually from that standpoint alone. But I was also thinking if it were a yearly thing, it might lose some of its charm UNLESS it was done strategically for a specific game and promoted accordingly. The "downside" of that would be if we're winning and there's some buzz already, then attendance goes back up at RA. They wouldn't trade, lets say, 7500 (boy would that feel packed compared to the last few years) at RA on a Saturday for 3500 at Horton.

For what it’s worth, I’d say a good percentage of the folks that went to the Horton game were season ticket holders. The game was not included in the season ticket package. So they got quite a bit of extra revenue for double dipping with season ticket holders.

I loved the game. It was a great atmosphere. I’m with those that it shouldn’t be an every year thing. Maybe like every 4, so that way if a kid is here 4 years, you know he’ll get to play in one. And yeah, I know “kids don’t stay anywhere 4 years any more.” Pedons working on it.

I am hearing a Horton game is being considered for this season. Nothing confirmed but convos are being had.

 

[Phantom]

It'd be cool if we got Tulsa on the schedule and that was the Horton game. Wouldn't mind another H-H with them anyway, but it'd be a good throwback Valley game at the old barn.

 

[MadBird]

It'd be cool if we got Tulsa on the schedule and that was the Horton game. Wouldn't mind another H-H with them anyway, but it'd be a good throwback Valley game at the old barn.

Dollar off admission to anyone wearing a polka dot tie

 

[Hamdonger]

I say DePaul...and every paying customer is supplied with an official's striped jersey and a pair of REALLY large spectacles.

 

[Bird Friend]

Dollar off admission to anyone wearing a polka dot tie

Free if you wear a silk polka dot shirt.

 

[CaliRdBrd]

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.

I don’t fully understand the need to play at Chicago St. simply to showcase our university.
How about we try and schedule better and bring those Chicagoland prospects to Redbird Arena instead?
Better year, do what Muller never did and get cozy with the Chicago HS coaches.

 

[Manchester Matt]

I don’t fully understand the need to play at Chicago St. simply to showcase our university.
How about we try and schedule better and bring those Chicagoland prospects to Redbird Arena instead?
Better year, do what Muller never did and get cozy with the Chicago HS coaches.

I mean, if you’re paying any attention to the players Pedon is offering, you’d probably realize that’s the case already.

 

[ScoreboardDotRace]

I don’t fully understand the need to play at Chicago St. simply to showcase our university.
How about we try and schedule better and bring those Chicagoland prospects to Redbird Arena instead?
Better year, do what Muller never did and get cozy with the Chicago HS coaches.

Never said there was a need. But I don’t hate it as much as others.

I do agree, they need to schedule better. The schedule has gotten worse year over year the last 3 years. I do think this one will grade our better, but there wasn’t much more room to go down.

 

[Matt Hein Fan]

Got word that Illinois Wesleyan players are saying a preseason game between ISU/Wesleyan is pretty much a done deal. It’s possible it’s at Horton, if not probable. Don’t know why we would even give them the time of day.

 

[TBS_20]

Got word that Illinois Wesleyan players are saying a preseason game between ISU/Wesleyan is pretty much a done deal. It’s possible it’s at Horton, if not probable. Don’t know why we would even give them the time of day.

Because it's fun. The two teams from BloNo. Really, they should make Wesleyan the annual exhibition game

 

[ISU86]

Got word that Illinois Wesleyan players are saying a preseason game between ISU/Wesleyan is pretty much a done deal. It’s possible it’s at Horton, if not probable. Don’t know why we would even give them the time of day.

It's an exhibition.

Kansas, Kansas State, and Wichita State all play in-state schools for those games, generally public institutions (as a way to keep any money "local" to benefit like schools). In Illinois, the only two public non-DI that offer men's basketball are Governors State and Illinois-Springfield. Those would be my preference, but no real issue with Illinois Wesleyan.

 

[Buffett1]

IWU and ISU began playing each other in basketball during the 1909-10 season, which was back when ISU was known as Illinois State Normal University. Over the years IWU developed a 68-42 edge in their all-time record against each other.

 

[MadBird]

It's an exhibition.

Kansas, Kansas State, and Wichita State all play in-state schools for those games, generally public institutions (as a way to keep any money "local" to benefit like schools). In Illinois, the only two public non-DI that offer men's basketball are Governors State and Illinois-Springfield. Those would be my preference, but no real issue with Illinois Wesleyan.

Wisconsin usually plays one of the state schools, which are DIII - UW-Whitewater, UW-Platteville, etc. Also regularly play UW-Green Bay and UW-Milwaukee, in-state DI schools, altho not always every year.

 

[Phantom]

Because it's fun. The two teams from BloNo. Really, they should make Wesleyan the annual exhibition game

Been saying this for years. IWU has a good program, both schools are 5 mins apart, it could be a fun annual game that both schools & the town get behind. Totally fine if its at Horton, and it could (maybe, with the right promotion after a few years) be a good neutral site game at the arena in Bloomington. That's step 10, we're on step 1, but who knows. Didn't Evansville have a traditional exhibition game against a DII team (Indianapolis maybe?) that was big every year?

 

[SgtHulka]

Yeah thats more or less what I was getting at with the "etc." in my post above. It took a lot of resources to put that one game on. Probably couldn't do it annually from that standpoint alone. But I was also thinking if it were a yearly thing, it might lose some of its charm UNLESS it was done strategically for a specific game and promoted accordingly. The "downside" of that would be if we're winning and there's some buzz already, then attendance goes back up at RA. They wouldn't trade, lets say, 7500 (boy would that feel packed compared to the last few years) at RA on a Saturday for 3500 at Horton.

The butt count edge tipped more in Horton's favor recently, as I understand that @evenflow found the north bleachers in a dumpster by the new bubble and is working on getting them back in safe to pack condition in his garage

 

[Adunk33]

I'm not surprised at all that Pedon is engaging with Rose to have a game. Makes perfect sense. Low costs for all involved and a quality D3 opponent. As long it is an exhibition, I'm on board. Just can't ever lose. Ever.

In terms of the neutral site idea, the Coliseum or whatever its called...seats around 7k for basketball. I think it could be more fun at Horton or...at IWU. It'd definitely sell out IWU and most likely Horton as well. That said, if this is just a one year thing, having it at Redbird makes the most sense to me.

 

[Buffett1]

I'm not surprised at all that Pedon is engaging with Rose to have a game. Makes perfect sense. Low costs for all involved and a quality D3 opponent. As long it is an exhibition, I'm on board. Just can't ever lose. Ever.

In terms of the neutral site idea, the Coliseum or whatever its called...seats around 7k for basketball. I think it could be more fun at Horton or...at IWU. It'd definitely sell out IWU and most likely Horton as well. That said, if this is just a one year thing, having it at Redbird makes the most sense to me.

IWU had a down year 12 - 14 last year

 

[ScoreboardDotRace]

Would be a fun game, and a fun exhibition series to get going. The games have to stay on ISU’s campus though.

 

[TBS_20]

Would be a fun game, and a fun exhibition series to get going. The games have to stay on ISU’s campus though.

i disagree. should be at isu only if its a one year thing. neutral if annual