OCC schedule needs a significant upgrade

[TruBluCatFan]

I din't want to barg about it but, Ima fedral judge. I know jab512 personly. he legit.

Well that settles it for me. We good jab. If Tommy vouches for you then I know it's true.

 

[JPScott]

Guess I grew up during a different era.

During Adolph Rupp's last season (71-72) the OOC schedule consisted of Northwestern, Kansas, Kansas State, Indiana, Michigan State, Missouri, Princeton and Notre Dame. Toward the end of the Joe Hall Era we started to see a smattering of lesser teams come on the schedule.

This trend continued, not only at UK but throughout major college BB, until today's OOC schedules are dominated by directional teams, Popcorn States, and others that take a Google search to locate. I simply don't see how this trend results in better, more exciting college basketball.

You may be correct that UK plays the toughest OOC schedule. However, IMHO, to add "it's not even close" is a bit of a stretch. (See RC_Texas post immediately above.)

But surely you realize that we play in the weakest of the Big 5 conferences and as you say "it's not even close".

IMHO, we need to upgrade our OOC schedule at least by 3-4 games to offset the awful quality of the vast majority of our SEC opponents.

If you go back and actually read and comprehend what I wrote, I said 'historically'. Meaning I am referring to UK's all-time historic record as being the toughest of any other program.

Nowhere did I claim that UK's was the toughest THIS single season. This season UK's OOC schedule was fine, although it didn't turn out to be the toughest.

But to my original point, if you actually go back and look at historic OOC schedules, either cumulatively or on average by program, UK comes out on top; and by a wide margin. You claim that you've studied basketball for a long time. If you had actually done that you would already know this to be true.

As far as what you wrote about UK's schedule being tougher in say the early 1970's as compared to today, that is certainly true. But it's true not just for UK but for all schools.

There's a number of reasons for this, some of which UK can't control. For example when UK is a part of any of these made-for-TV tournaments, it usually involves playing against a couple lower tier schools. Another big difference between now and then is that there are many more schools in Division I than there were in the 60's and early 70's. Scheduling an opponent is a two-way street. Wanting to play someone is not enough, you have to get them agree to play you as well.

 

[anon1763419335]

ku, #1 overall seed, regular season winner of thebest conference...just lost int he elite 8....maybe they should schedule tougher to have better results.....

such a dumb argument

 

[LightningCats]

A full season now consists of 31 regular season games. A team in one of the mega conferences can play 5 more in their conference tournament, and potentially play 7 more in the NCAA's if they are one of the last four in. That is 42 games possible IN A SINGLE SEASON!

I challenge any person complaining about current schedules to find any team at any point in history to have played what you consider top competition on such a large scale. Heck, to make it easier. I'll give you consecutive seasons to find 42 "top tier" opponents for any team.

And before the "42 is not happening" crowd chimes in, I remind each of you that the Big East has had champions play five games in five days and that VCU went from First Four to Final Four. It is entirely possible!

 

[WeepNoMore]

Good gravy you're a pompous ***. Either provide your credentials or shut the hell up about your experience.

Ah, how refreshing!!

Yet another enlightening post by one of the "my buddy posted it on Rafters so it must me true" crowd. Or are you one of those posters who has read all of the BB mags, listened to the "talking heads" for endless hours, and are 1000-0 on X-box NCAA BB??? :sunglasses:

Any pompous, egotistical, sarcastic aspects to my posts are in response to posts from the "know it all" crowd who lack the sense and/or vocabulary to participate in a legitimate online discussion, are prone to name-calling because they can't think of anything else to say, and almost always include in their mindless posts their favorite put-down--"You must be a troll"!. :sunglasses::sunglasses::sunglasses:

Unfortunately for those of us who would like to discuss relevant topics in a civilized manner, Rafters is overflowing with the "know it all", name-calling, "you must be a troll" crowd, who offer little, if any, relevant thought to their worthless, mindless posts!!!

 

[TruBluCatFan]

Ah, how refreshing!!

Yet another enlightening post by one of the "my buddy posted it on Rafters so it must me true" crowd. Or are you one of those posters who has read all of the BB mags, listened to the "talking heads" for endless hours, and are 1000-0 on X-box NCAA BB??? :sunglasses:

Any pompous, egotistical, sarcastic aspects to my posts are in response to posts from the "know it all" crowd who lack the sense and/or vocabulary to participate in a legitimate online discussion, are prone to name-calling because they can't think of anything else to say, and almost always include in their mindless posts their favorite put-down--"You must be a troll"!. :sunglasses::sunglasses::sunglasses:

I missed your credentials in your reply. If you are going to claim superiority because of how long you played and studied the game then have the cajones to prove it. Otherwise I will continue to believe you are just puffing yourself up in order to try to be more convincing.

 

[truebluewildcat_rivals34254]

I know everybody does it, but I've never been a big fan of the Grand Canyon type of games...let's do a bit better than that...

We don't need to play more top shelf P5 programs...the top of our OOC is usually strong with UNC, Kansas, UL at a pretty regular clip...Duke, MSU, UCLA rotating in and out...and then we'll have games like Baylor, Texas, Providence, Uconn, Notre Dame, Maryland, ASU, OSU...

I'm not concerned with the upper crust of our OOC...but I think we could see some better variety in the next group...instead of Morehead St, Eastern Michigan, Marshall, Boston, NKU, Cleveland St, Illinois St, Wright St, EKU...maybe some Dayton, Harvard, Creighton,Temple, St. Joe's, Marquett, Davidson...

Also, if we're going to schedule somebody from the Pacific Northwest, let's make it interesting...Washington, Oregon, Oregon State, Gonzaga...not Portland for crying out lout...

I think Butler, Villinova, G-Town, and Xavier would be good games to look into here and there...

Lastly...I'm not sure about the rules with early season tournaments/invitationals...but I think Maui, Las Vegas, Battle 4 Atlantis, going over seas to play in china, africa, or for the troops on a battle ship, as well as gigs like the Bahamas, are all great things for the team to experience...as many of those we are allowed to participate in we should get into...

 

[wall2rondo]

In 96 we played

Iona
Wisconsin Green Bay
Rider
Texas Christian
Marshal
Morehead
Georgia tech
Umass
Maryland

Indiana
UL



In 16/17

UNC
Kansas
Ucla
Michigan state
Arizona state
UL
For sure. I think we schedule better 20 years later

 

[mjj_2K]

In 96 we played

Iona
Wisconsin Green Bay
Rider
Texas Christian
Marshal
Morehead
Georgia tech
Umass
Maryland

Indiana
UL



In 16/17

UNC
Kansas
Ucla
Michigan state
Arizona state
UL
For sure. I think we schedule better 20 years later

You mean top 5 UMass and top 20 Maryland from 96, along with top 20 Georgia Tech, ? In a year, BTW, when the SEC put 3 other teams in the Sweet 16 besides UK.

And how about the next season? That included Clemson (top 20), Syracuse (top 20), Purdue, Indiana (top 10), Notre Dame, Georgia Tech, Ohio State, UL (top 20), and Villanova (top 20).

 

[wall2rondo]

You mean top 5 UMass and top 20 Maryland from 96, along with top 20 Georgia Tech, ? In a year, BTW, when the SEC put 3 other teams in the Sweet 16 besides UK.

And how about the next season? That included Clemson (top 20), Syracuse (top 20), Purdue, Indiana (top 10), Notre Dame, Georgia Tech, Ohio State, UL (top 20), and Villanova (top 20).

I'm talking about the filler teams that everyone seems to complain about

Next year Michigan state Kansas UNC will all be too 10 teams.

The op argument is all the cupcakes. We have played cupcakes as long as I can remember. Billy Clyde just lost to them. (At home )

We have always played good teams. Calipari has done great with getting us playing blue bloods and top teams. Our OOC schedule is always near the top. I don't see why someone complains about the cupcakes. We have always done it

 

[mjj_2K]

I'm talking about the filler teams that everyone seems to complain about

Next year Michigan state Kansas UNC will all be too 10 teams.

The op argument is all the cupcakes. We have played cupcakes as long as I can remember. Billy Clyde just lost to them. (At home )

We have always played good teams. Calipari has done great with getting us playing blue bloods and top teams. Our OOC schedule is always near the top. I don't see why someone complains about the cupcakes. We have always done it

UK has always played good teams. It's been a point of pride for UK to seek out great competition going back to the 40's. UK has not always played cupcakes at the rate UK plays them now. A big part of that is that Cal has decided to turn the 4 game exemption into 4 exhibition type games, but even beyond that, there are 3 more OOC games than the 6 you mentioned for next year. One is apparently Hofstra, and the other 2 will almost certainly be woofers.

My question, for some time now, has been why is that necessary? You get 2 exhibition games that don't count, You get 4 home games in the "name your own classic". Do you really need 3-4 more games that range from moderately difficult to "we could play 3 guys after halftime and probably still win"?

I've never bought it, and I buy it less now than ever. UK is one of the least offensive in terms of OOC scheduling (and UL is one of the worst, BTW), but November and December has become an absolute joke in terms of how power 5 schools just throw money at dogs so they can play massive amounts of home games that are near guaranteed wins. UK is better than most, but UK still does NOT schedule like it used to.

 

[wall2rondo]

UK has always played good teams. It's been a point of pride for UK to seek out great competition going back to the 40's. UK has not always played cupcakes at the rate UK plays them now. A big part of that is that Cal has decided to turn the 4 game exemption into 4 exhibition type games, but even beyond that, there are 3 more OOC games than the 6 you mentioned for next year. One is apparently Hofstra, and the other 2 will almost certainly be woofers.

My question, for some time now, has been why is that necessary? You get 2 exhibition games that don't count, You get 4 home games in the "name your own classic". Do you really need 3-4 more games that range from moderately difficult to "we could play 3 guys after halftime and probably still win"?

I've never bought it, and I buy it less now than ever. UK is one of the least offensive in terms of OOC scheduling (and UL is one of the worst, BTW), but November and December has become an absolute joke in terms of how power 5 schools just throw money at dogs so they can play massive amounts of home games that are near guaranteed wins. UK is better than most, but UK still does NOT schedule like it used to.

I have to respectfully disagree. I think we schedule the same if not marginally better. The only thing is most of these marquee games are at a neutral site But look at the other side. Most teams play preseason tournaments on a neutral site. Calipari would rather have a marquee matchup in a big named arena.

As much talent as we have coming in our schedule is brutal for our young guys. Come out swinging right out of the gate I'm just glad they moved the Kansas game till second half of the season Be great for cbb. Big game in Rupp

 

[hotelblue]

thread = [thumb2]

 

[jab5612]

I din't want to barg about it but, Ima fedral judge. I know jab512 personly. he legit.

Boom, thanks ymmot31, you have always had my back.

 

[WeepNoMore]

thread = [thumb2]

Thanks for the thumbsup!!!

Actually some pretty informative discussion of the pros and cons of alternative approaches to OOC scheduling.

Unfortunately, the thread is somewhat cluttered with cutesie remarks, name-calling, putdowns, and other mindless posts from the usual posters that clearly have more time than brains.