19/20 Schedule(What we know so far)
- Thread starter Colerr
- Start date
On the surface it does seem weak thus far (knowing only a few games--aren't we also playing UVA again in ACC/B10 challenge), but not knowing what teams gain/lose to graduation, here's how these teams finished last year:
Nov. 5th @ South Alabama--2nd round WNIT, RPI #98
Nov. 17th Harvard--2nd round WNIT, RPI #90 (This is a return game I assume)
Nov. 24th @ LSU--#85 RPI
12/8 Towson--#107 RPI,1st round NCAA Tournament
12/15 Marshall--#222 RPI
Bunkaroo teams on RU side were all pretty bad, minus GT, which had to fire its coach
So in summary, a couple very bad teams, but a number of teams from smaller conferences who have winning programs and can serve as good/not great measuring sticks.
Nov. 5th @ South Alabama--2nd round WNIT, RPI #98
Nov. 17th Harvard--2nd round WNIT, RPI #90 (This is a return game I assume)
Nov. 24th @ LSU--#85 RPI
12/8 Towson--#107 RPI,1st round NCAA Tournament
12/15 Marshall--#222 RPI
Bunkaroo teams on RU side were all pretty bad, minus GT, which had to fire its coach
So in summary, a couple very bad teams, but a number of teams from smaller conferences who have winning programs and can serve as good/not great measuring sticks.
My initial impression was weak sauce as well, but sammybb´s post provided useful information. There are three or four open dates, I think, depending on how many OOC games will be scheduled this year. There may be one game tucked into early 2020. One hopes that the remaining slots will be filled with teams that all finished in top 30 RPI last year.
The challenge game is supposed to be closely matched. RU finished top 30 RPI last season and third in conference. Virginia does not match.
Schedule release:
https://scarletknights.com/news/2019/8/23/womens-basketball-releases-2019-20-schedule.aspx
Just noticed that Harvard is listed as twice at the RAC. ?
https://scarletknights.com/news/2019/8/23/womens-basketball-releases-2019-20-schedule.aspx
Just noticed that Harvard is listed as twice at the RAC. ?
Also, a game is listed for November 13. Men have a game at the RAC that day also. Lists a game for Sunday, December 31. December 31 is a Tuesday.
Official schedule now shows a double header on 11/13. The women play 1st, then the men. Not sure of times. The other game is definitely on the 31st (Tuesday).
Clearly LSU and Virginia are the most challenging to what may be considered a young team.
That said, it is a schedule with very little upside come the end of the season. Rumor does say that the SEC may (or may not, of course) be stronger this season, which would benefit us for playing 2 SEC teams. Of course, if Vanderbilt is as awful as they have been, . . .
Yet, as you say, there are advantages as well to not being overly challenged when the team has new parts and players taking on new roles.
OTH - playing devil's advocate - will the B1G be strong enough to support our hope for a post-season berth and decent seed? And, I'll be honest, I have no idea. Too much stuff going on all over, with transfers and such, to even try to keep up with it.