22-23 Schedule

[Yogi]

I know nothing about sheduling and I doubt many of us do I remember playing siue many years ago dont forget sue and eiu are in the ovc

 

[Metamoron]

If we think we are too good to play H/H with OVC schools, we can’t bitch about Illini not being willing to do a H/H with us. I am all for H/H with Illinois directionals. Can’t do all every year, but some sort of rotational basis is fine with me.

 

[redbirds2000]

Totally get what you're saying. However, it's surely bias on my part but I'd say the Birds are above playing a H/H with EIU and WIU, despite recent struggles. That said...the previous staff thought it'd be a good idea to get H/Hs with a team that is consistently 300+ in every D1 ranking system. NIU could work since it's an hour away from Chicago, and even closer to some of the burbs that prospective recruits could come out and watch.

I also know little about the scheduling process, but one would hope if ISU is paying SIUE to come play here, the Birds would want to "balance the checkbook" and go get bought to play somewhere else. The idea of buying teams is interesting. Paying SIUE $70k....does admin think the value of that game is 70k? That playing SIUE is going to bring in anywhere close to that kind of revenue? I don't think that's the mindset but it's interesting to think about.

I don't think they break even on ticket sales for SIUE? I would remove season ticket holders from that calculation. Maybe they sell a lot of nachos?? I would really like to see something get set up with NIU. Not a bad seat in the place. Easy to get to. I think ISU fans would fill the Convocation Center up.

 

[redbirds2000]

If we think we are too good to play H/H with OVC schools, we can’t bitch about Illini not being willing to do a H/H with us. I am all for H/H with Illinois directionals. Can’t do all every year, but some sort of rotational basis is fine with me.

We are living in a false reality if we think we are too good for H/H with directional or OVC schools. I think it prepares us for road games in the Valley. Playing at Valpo or Indy St. can't be that different from a road game at NIU or EIU? I think the atmosphere would be better at NIU or EIU! We can start acting like we are better than these schools when we play like it!

 

[Redbird28]

We are living in a false reality if we think we are too good for H/H with directional or OVC schools. I think it prepares us for road games in the Valley. Playing at Valpo or Indy St. can't be that different from a road game at NIU or EIU? I think the atmosphere would be better at NIU or EIU! We can start acting like we are better than these schools when we play like it!

Have you ever been to EIU's gym? Yes, I said gym, because it's nowhere near an Arena or even a place like the Hulman Center. Is it close to Valpo? Probably so, but I have never personally stepped into their gym.

As for playing OVC schools - yes, we should, and hopefully pound them repeatedly so that there is no question the MVC is a better conference top to bottom.

I still think there should be some type of in season Illinois Tournament between as many of the schools as would be willing to participate.

 

[redbirds2000]

Have you ever been to EIU's gym? Yes, I said gym, because it's nowhere near an Arena or even a place like the Hulman Center. Is it close to Valpo? Probably so, but I have never personally stepped into their gym.

As for playing OVC schools - yes, we should, and hopefully pound them repeatedly so that there is no question the MVC is a better conference top to bottom.

I still think there should be some type of in season Illinois Tournament between as many of the schools as would be willing to participate.

There is no doubt the Hulman Center is a nicer/better arena, but I said better atmosphere. EIU holds 5,400. The atmosphere of ISU @ EIU would be fun to attend. That place would be sold out and rocking. ISU @ Indy State on a Sunday afternoon with 2,800 people?? Wake me up for the last minute. Some of the smaller gyms/arenas create the best atmospheres. Redbird Arena is a great venue. The atmosphere is awful. It hasn't been rocking since Wichita or the UCF game.

 

[Yogi]

siue has a nice arena a little smaller than redbird but still nice they are a larger school than siu c

 

[DoubleDeuce]

siue has a nice arena a little smaller than redbird but still nice they are a larger school than siu c

Suitcase college. Lots of kids commute daily and most that live on campus leave on weekends. It is a nice campus and arena... but has a community College feel. Completely separate from the community.

 

[Redbird222]

I'll be the first to admit that I have zero knowledge of the processes of how these schedules come about. That being said, I find it hard to believe EIU, WIU, or NIU wouldn't come here for free. Make it a H/H. We are NOT above playing a road game at any of these schools. For $70,000 you could add another assistant coach. I just don't get why we don't schedule the directional schools?? Would love to see Benson ask Pedon or Brennan about it.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a directional school. I am not excited about it but in the context of EIU and WIU, I don't see it as any worse. Same conference as EIU. SIUE is closer to a market we are recruiting and at least a school that is growing. I would take NIU from the MAC over the other 3.

I would also add UIC is a commuter school albeit in Chicago. A great majority of the kids at NIU leave the campus on the weekends.

 

[Redbird222]

Have you ever been to EIU's gym? Yes, I said gym, because it's nowhere near an Arena or even a place like the Hulman Center. Is it close to Valpo? Probably so, but I have never personally stepped into their gym.

As for playing OVC schools - yes, we should, and hopefully pound them repeatedly so that there is no question the MVC is a better conference top to bottom.

I still think there should be some type of in season Illinois Tournament between as many of the schools as would be willing to participate.

I like the inseason Illinois tournament or event

 

[Hamdonger]

Some of the smaller gyms/arenas create the best atmospheres. Redbird Arena is a great venue. The atmosphere is awful. It hasn't been rocking since Wichita or the UCF game.

You are absolutely correct in the fact that Redbird hasn't been rocking for a long time. A long time. Somehow someway the admin has to make it an event that can't be missed. But can't happen without wins. I think we're going to struggle to be .500 this year. Brace yourselves, folks.

 

[Adunk33]

I like the inseason Illinois tournament or event

It’ll never happen unless Northwestern, Depaul, and some other loser school signs up. And they won’t because they’ll lose leverage with in state recruits. Same reason that Drake/Iowa/Iowa State/UNI neutral site game ended. The “big” schools have nothing to gain.

 

[MadBird]

There is no doubt the Hulman Center is a nicer/better arena, but I said better atmosphere. EIU holds 5,400. The atmosphere of ISU @ EIU would be fun to attend. That place would be sold out and rocking. ISU @ Indy State on a Sunday afternoon with 2,800 people?? Wake me up for the last minute. Some of the smaller gyms/arenas create the best atmospheres. Redbird Arena is a great venue. The atmosphere is awful. It hasn't been rocking since Wichita or the UCF game.

Attended an ISU/EIU game there many moons ago. It was okay but small.

 

[Phantom]

We played EIU at home on Xmas break during Stallings' last year and it was pretty packed...but interest was still sky high then.

 

[RedbirdSoxFan]

It’ll never happen unless Northwestern, Depaul, and some other loser school signs up. And they won’t because they’ll lose leverage with in state recruits. Same reason that Drake/Iowa/Iowa State/UNI neutral site game ended. The “big” schools have nothing to gain.

No need for ISU/SIU/UIC/Bradley to all be in an All Illinois Tournament because they play each other at least twice a year anyway.
Same for NU/Illanoy & EIU/SIUE
That would leave:
DePaul/LUC/WIU/CSU

So maybe:
All Chicago Area Tournament: (4 Teams)
DePaul/LUC/NU/UIC @ Allstate Arena

All Illinois Tournament (8 Teams)
(4) DePaul/LUC/WIU/CSU
(1) NU or Illanoy (Rotating each year)
(1) EIU or SIUE (Rotating each year)
(1) ISU/SIU/UIC/Bradley (Rotating each year)
Suggestion’s on how to select the 8th team?
Maybe Illanoy & Northwestern in every year?

Hosting Venue when team is not participating that year:
(1 of these)
State Farm Arena
Redbird Arena
Carver Arena

All 8 schools get 10% of tickets and keep revenue from the ticket sales. Host school keeps remaining 20% of tickets (and returned unsold tickets could be used for walk up/game day purchase) and revenue from sales to pay for hosting expenses.

 

[TIMMY]

I think I've been to NIU twice for Redbird hoops. Met up once with some ISU folks at Fatty's. I don't think either game drew flies.

 

[redbirds2000]

I think I've been to NIU twice for Redbird hoops. Met up once with some ISU folks at Fatty's. I don't think either game drew flies.

When you bring 2 ten win teams together that will happen. Still better than going to Northwestern State.

 

[Dmills]

Out of boredom, I have compiled a list (As of July 25) of schools in equivalent or better conferences that still have openings for 11/7 (hoping we get a quality opponent). Roughly half of schools have an opening night opponent on 2022-23 Conference Dockets. I have a feeling we will know our opponent and/or schedule soon but will update periodically if not.

Generally more likely to have a home and home (AAC, A-10, MWC, WCC)
Cincinnati, East Carolina, Memphis, SMU, Tulsa, Davidson, Dayton, Duquesne, George Washington, Loyola-Chicago, UMass, Saint Joseph's, VCU, Air Force, Boise State, Fresno State, Nevada, UNLV, Utah State, Wyoming, Loyola Marymount, Pepperdine, Saint Mary's, San Diego

Generally more likely to be bought (ACC, Big East, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac 12, SEC)
Boston College, Clemson, Georgia Tech, Louisville, Notre Dame, Providence, Seton Hall, Michigan State, Wisconsin, Baylor, Oklahoma, Texas Tech, Oregon, Oregon State, UCLA, Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi State, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vanderbilt

 

[redbirds2000]

Out of boredom, I have compiled a list (As of July 7) of schools in equivalent or better conferences that still have openings for 11/7 (hoping we get a quality opponent). Roughly half of schools have an opening night opponent on 2022-23 Conference Dockets. I have a feeling we will know our opponent and/or schedule soon but will update periodically if not.

Generally more likely to have a home and home (AAC, A-10, MWC, WCC)
Cincinnati, East Carolina, Memphis, SMU, South Florida, Temple, Tulane, Tulsa, Davidson, Dayton, Duquesne, George Washington, La Salle, Loyola-Chicago, UMass, Saint Joseph's, VCU, Air Force, Boise State, Fresno State, Nevada, UNLV, Utah State, Wyoming, Loyola Marymount, Pacific, Pepperdine, Saint Mary's, San Diego

Generally more likely to be bought (ACC, Big East, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac 12, SEC)
Boston College, Clemson, Georgia Tech, Louisville, Miami (FL), NC State, Notre Dame, Pittsburgh, UCONN, DePaul, Georgetown, Providence, Seton Hall, Villanova, Michigan State, Northwestern, Penn State, Wisconsin, Baylor, Oklahoma, TCU, Texas Tech, Oregon, Oregon State, Stanford, UCLA, Washington, Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vanderbilt

Just show us your cool shoes and you could be the AD! Thanks for the info.

 

[Dmills]

Just show us your cool shoes and you could be the AD! Thanks for the info.

Haha. Just trying to wish a quality opening night opponent into existence. Give me some opening night revenge against Loyola!