Just did some comparison shopping on Kenpom

IMO only one MAC team, Kent State, plays a non-conference schedule that is both challenging and competitive to their level of expectations.

Toledo, Ohio and even Akron should be embarassed as annual MAC contenders with cupcake schedules.

Akron should flip schedules with Northern Illinois.
Ohio Should flip schedules with Central Michigan.
Toledo should at least have a schedule like Kent.

According to Kenpom Kent plays two top 41 teams (Oregon and St. Mary's) two top 100 teams Charleston and Fresno State, and two top 136 teams (South Dakota State and James Madison.

Oregon and St. Mary's are probably lock NCAA Tournament teams. The other four are top tier contenders in their respective leagues with Fresno and S. Dakota State getting early national Cinderella buzz.

Kent, BTW, is Kenpom 119.

Having said all that, even Kent should sit down when compared to NIU's schedule. This is what Toledo, Kent, Akron and Ohio should be aspiring to, and recognize the two Mo-Valley teams at home. (App State and Georgia State aren't slouches, either.

NIU my not have a gaudy record when MAC play begins, but if healthy, they will be a team to watch.

NORTHERN ILLINOIS
Regular Season
DATE OPPONENT TIME TV tickets
Mon, Nov 6
@Marquette 5 Marquette
8:30 PM Tickets as low as $3
Sat, Nov 11
vsAppalachian State Appalachian State
4:00 PM
Tickets as low as $33
Mon, Nov 13
vsIllinois TechIllinois Tech
8:00 PM
Tickets as low as $33
Fri, Nov 17
@Georgia State Georgia State
2:00 PM Tickets as low as $10
Sat, Nov 18
vsLittle RockLittle Rock*
TBD
Sat, Nov 25
@DePaul DePaul
9:00 PM Tickets as low as $9
Mon, Nov 27
@Northwestern Northwestern
8:00 PM Tickets as low as $9
Tue, Dec 5
vsIndiana State Indiana State
8:00 PM
Tickets as low as $33
Sat, Dec 9
@Monmouth Monmouth
TBD Tickets as low as $20
Mon, Dec 18
vsCalumet CollegeCalumet College
8:30 PM
Tickets as low as $33
Thu, Dec 21
vsNorthern Iowa Northern Iowa
8:00 PM
Tickets as low as $33
Fri, Dec 29
@Iowa Iowa
TBD Tickets as low as $16

(10-26-2023 11:22 AM)cleveland Wrote:  Just did some comparison shopping on Kenpom

IMO only one MAC team, Kent State, plays a non-conference schedule that is both challenging and competitive to their level of expectations.

Toledo, Ohio and even Akron should be embarassed as annual MAC contenders with cupcake schedules.

Akron should flip schedules with Northern Illinois.
Ohio Should flip schedules with Central Michigan.
Toledo should at least have a schedule like Kent.

According to Kenpom Kent plays two top 41 teams (Oregon and St. Mary's) two top 100 teams Charleston and Fresno State, and two top 136 teams (South Dakota State and James Madison.

Oregon and St. Mary's are probably lock NCAA Tournament teams. The other four are top tier contenders in their respective leagues with Fresno and S. Dakota State getting early national Cinderella buzz.

Kent, BTW, is Kenpom 119.

Having said all that, even Kent should sit down when compared to NIU's schedule. This is what Toledo, Kent, Akron and Ohio should be aspiring to, and recognize the two Mo-Valley teams at home. (App State and Georgia State aren't slouches, either.

NIU my not have a gaudy record when MAC play begins, but if healthy, they will be a team to watch.

NORTHERN ILLINOIS
Regular Season
DATE OPPONENT TIME TV tickets
Mon, Nov 6
@Marquette 5 Marquette
8:30 PM Tickets as low as $3
Sat, Nov 11
vsAppalachian State Appalachian State
4:00 PM
Tickets as low as $33
Mon, Nov 13
vsIllinois TechIllinois Tech
8:00 PM
Tickets as low as $33
Fri, Nov 17
@Georgia State Georgia State
2:00 PM Tickets as low as $10
Sat, Nov 18
vsLittle RockLittle Rock*
TBD
Sat, Nov 25
@DePaul DePaul
9:00 PM Tickets as low as $9
Mon, Nov 27
@Northwestern Northwestern
8:00 PM Tickets as low as $9
Tue, Dec 5
vsIndiana State Indiana State
8:00 PM
Tickets as low as $33
Sat, Dec 9
@Monmouth Monmouth
TBD Tickets as low as $20
Mon, Dec 18
vsCalumet CollegeCalumet College
8:30 PM
Tickets as low as $33
Thu, Dec 21
vsNorthern Iowa Northern Iowa
8:00 PM
Tickets as low as $33
Fri, Dec 29
@Iowa Iowa
TBD Tickets as low as $16

Toledo's doesn't look that bad:
KenPom:
#46 New Mexico
#64 West Virginia
#94 UC Irvine
#98 Northern Iowa
#111 Indiana St
#132 Wright St
#137 Vermont
#162 Marshall
#164 George Mason
#184 Louisiana
#271 Oakland
#289 Detroit Mercy

2/3 of MAC below #184

(10-26-2023 05:06 PM)Boca Rocket Wrote:  

(10-26-2023 11:22 AM)cleveland Wrote:  Just did some comparison shopping on Kenpom

IMO only one MAC team, Kent State, plays a non-conference schedule that is both challenging and competitive to their level of expectations.

Toledo, Ohio and even Akron should be embarassed as annual MAC contenders with cupcake schedules.

Akron should flip schedules with Northern Illinois.
Ohio Should flip schedules with Central Michigan.
Toledo should at least have a schedule like Kent.

According to Kenpom Kent plays two top 41 teams (Oregon and St. Mary's) two top 100 teams Charleston and Fresno State, and two top 136 teams (South Dakota State and James Madison.

Oregon and St. Mary's are probably lock NCAA Tournament teams. The other four are top tier contenders in their respective leagues with Fresno and S. Dakota State getting early national Cinderella buzz.

Kent, BTW, is Kenpom 119.

Having said all that, even Kent should sit down when compared to NIU's schedule. This is what Toledo, Kent, Akron and Ohio should be aspiring to, and recognize the two Mo-Valley teams at home. (App State and Georgia State aren't slouches, either.

NIU my not have a gaudy record when MAC play begins, but if healthy, they will be a team to watch.

NORTHERN ILLINOIS
Regular Season
DATE OPPONENT TIME TV tickets
Mon, Nov 6
@Marquette 5 Marquette
8:30 PM Tickets as low as $3
Sat, Nov 11
vsAppalachian State Appalachian State
4:00 PM
Tickets as low as $33
Mon, Nov 13
vsIllinois TechIllinois Tech
8:00 PM
Tickets as low as $33
Fri, Nov 17
@Georgia State Georgia State
2:00 PM Tickets as low as $10
Sat, Nov 18
vsLittle RockLittle Rock*
TBD
Sat, Nov 25
@DePaul DePaul
9:00 PM Tickets as low as $9
Mon, Nov 27
@Northwestern Northwestern
8:00 PM Tickets as low as $9
Tue, Dec 5
vsIndiana State Indiana State
8:00 PM
Tickets as low as $33
Sat, Dec 9
@Monmouth Monmouth
TBD Tickets as low as $20
Mon, Dec 18
vsCalumet CollegeCalumet College
8:30 PM
Tickets as low as $33
Thu, Dec 21
vsNorthern Iowa Northern Iowa
8:00 PM
Tickets as low as $33
Fri, Dec 29
@Iowa Iowa
TBD Tickets as low as $16

Toledo's doesn't look that bad:
KenPom:
#46 New Mexico
#64 West Virginia
#94 UC Irvine
#98 Northern Iowa
#111 Indiana St
#132 Wright St
#137 Vermont
#162 Marshall
#164 George Mason
#184 Louisiana
#271 Oakland
#289 Detroit Mercy

2/3 of MAC below #184

Agree, and probably a harsh initial judgement on my part considering this is a transition year for the Rockets.

I guess the thing that hits me is t teams like the Horizon League, and Vermont, will find it hard to get into the Top 85 or so teams due to the leagues they play in. The Mo-Valley teams and Marshall and A10 teams can get there with strong seasons.

Again, using NIU's schedule as an example, let's say the Huskies have a winning non-conference record including a couple road wins, pull a mild upset (DePaul) and finish in the Top 4 in the MAC, that's a team creeping toward the Kenpon Top 100. Now comes the MAC Tournament, where NIU makes a championship run, that team has some NIT chops.

And while the MAC always screams about 1 NCAA bid ... when was the last time the MAC had 2 teams in the NIT?

(10-26-2023 11:22 AM)cleveland Wrote:  Just did some comparison shopping on Kenpom

IMO only one MAC team, Kent State, plays a non-conference schedule that is both challenging and competitive to their level of expectations.

Toledo, Ohio and even Akron should be embarassed as annual MAC contenders with cupcake schedules.

How the hell do you call Toledo's schedule embarrassing??? Like Boca pointed out, UT plays 7 teams in KenPom top 140. 2 in the 160s. Louisiana is part of the MAC/Sun Belt challenge. UT only has 2 games they scheduled below 140. Meanwhile, Kent plays 2 non-D1 teams, 2 below 140, and 6 teams in top 140 of KenPom.

KSU:
St. Mary's: 38
Oregon: 41
Charleston: 97
Fresno: 100
South Dakota St: 117
James Madison: 136
Cleveland St: 182
Hampton: 260
Malone: D2
Shawnee St: NAIA

The non-D1 games do not affect SOS, RPI, NET, or any other group of three letters.

Let's also keep in mind, that NIU's Keshawn Williams, is still dealing with an ACL injury. He may not even play during our non-conference season.

(10-26-2023 08:56 PM)MidnightBlueGold Wrote:  

(10-26-2023 11:22 AM)cleveland Wrote:  Just did some comparison shopping on Kenpom

IMO only one MAC team, Kent State, plays a non-conference schedule that is both challenging and competitive to their level of expectations.

Toledo, Ohio and even Akron should be embarassed as annual MAC contenders with cupcake schedules.

How the hell do you call Toledo's schedule embarrassing??? Like Boca pointed out, UT plays 7 teams in KenPom top 140. 2 in the 160s. Louisiana is part of the MAC/Sun Belt challenge. UT only has 2 games they scheduled below 140. Meanwhile, Kent plays 2 non-D1 teams, 2 below 140, and 6 teams in top 140 of KenPom.

KSU:
St. Mary's: 38
Oregon: 41
Charleston: 97
Fresno: 100
South Dakota St: 117
James Madison: 136
Cleveland St: 182
Hampton: 260
Malone: D2
Shawnee St: NAIA

Not wanting to get into a pissing match ... but I did say ... a non-conference schedule that is both challenging and competitive to their level of expectations.

Toledo, Akron, Ohio, Kent are annual MAC contenders and the teams most likely to elevate the MAC into 2-bid status by playing a schedule most like what NIU and CMU have this season.

I stand by that.

And using your example, I would say Toledo getting a win vs. West Virginia/New Mexico, would not generate the national buzz a Kent win over Oregon/St, Mary's would get. WVU is picked 9th in the Big 12, New Mexico 3rd in the Mountain West. Oregon is picked 4th in the Pac West and St. Mary's is picked first (ahead of Gonzaga) in the West Coast.

Not playing favorites here. I want all MAC teams to do well. Just offering one observation from a life-long college basketball fan.

I can assure you that Ohio makes calls to EVERYONE with a pulse in the Big Ten, Big East, ACC, and the SEC. They, and your Toledos, Kents, and Akrons are the type of mid majors the power conferences aren't exactly lining up to play.

(11-01-2023 11:03 AM)shabamon Wrote:  I can assure you that Ohio makes calls to EVERYONE with a pulse in the Big Ten, Big East, ACC, and the SEC. They, and your Toledos, Kents, and Akrons are the type of mid majors the power conferences aren't exactly lining up to play.

Bingo. Toledo has a hard time even getting good mid-majors to play them!

This is Toledo best schedule in years. Not a bad team on it, all D1. Outside of Local teams Detroit and Oakland that UT plays every year, every team on the schedule is expected to challenge for their league title or is a program that has made ncaa tournament runs. Almost all the home games are w school in session, an important side note. Akron Toledo Niu Kent CMU all have schedules that will give them high computer rankings with a good performance.

(11-01-2023 06:16 PM)pono Wrote:  This is Toledo best schedule in years. Not a bad team on it, all D1. Outside of Local teams Detroit and Oakland that UT plays every year, every team on the schedule is expected to challenge for their league title or is a program that has made ncaa tournament runs. Almost all the home games are w school in session, an important side note. Akron Toledo Niu Kent CMU all have schedules that will give them high computer rankings with a good performance.

Ohio, Akron, Toledo all have schedules that could lift them into Top 70ish, but not much higher. NIU,CMU,Kent could get inside Top 50. Understand, we're talking non-conference and conference. I think any of the six could be Top 60 non-conference (Kenpom/Net) going 10-2 with the right wins. But staying Top 50 when conference play begins requires most of those non-con teams to remain Top 100 as well, then going 16-2 in the MAC (and not losing to a Michigan school). I can't see that happening w/Ohio-Akron-Toledo skeds to keep them in Top 50. The other three got a chance.

And a final note. I don't buy this 'nobody wants to play us crap.' The issue is MAC teams don't want to play multiple top tier teams on the road, and refuse to make a home BB game part of those lucrative road FB buy-game contracts. That should be an AD mandate, not a BB coaches decision. At best the coaches hope to get a Top Tier team in a neutral court tournament. I get it. But it's time MAC BB coaches took their panties off and put their britches on!!!

I'm not talking about an HBCU gauntlet ... but home fans might not complain about playing a low-tier D1 team at home, after pulling a B10-BEast-ACC type upset on the road.

Good MAC programs are avoided by bigger name schools, especially in the same recruiting footprint. Kent's coaching staff pay is tied to playing $ games on the road and they are forced to take long road trips to find teams to play. They get Fresno at home this year due to a football buy game deal, but there's a relationship between the ADs. CMU, NIU, WMU etc don't scare anyone and can get regional P6 games. Guaranteed that Butler, NW, Depaul, Marquette, Cincy, Indiana aren't gonna host Toledo or Akron.

If anything, the NCAA should mandate road games across D1. It's good for the sport and increases interest for mid majors fan bases to host name teams, plus gives those big names exposure and a chance for their fans and alumni in other cities a chance to see them play. The money would nearly even out too. Depaul isn't packing in fans for a game w NIU but NIU would have a record crowd hosting them. Toledo would sell out for Cincy, Indiana, Marquette.