2013-2014 Schedule

[Section 200]

Early look at 2013-2014 schedule - I think this is what has been announced so far:

Assuming 30 games:

18 Big East, each team home & away: Georgetown, Villanova, Marquette, St John's, Providence, Seton Hall, DePaul, Butler, Creighton

12 Non-Conference:

4 Neutral: UC at US Bank Arena, 3 in Atlantis tournament (Kansas, Villanova, Wake Forest, Tennessee in tourney)
3 home: Tennessee (return from this year), Wake Forest (return from this year), Miami (buy game)
1 road: at Northwestern
4 TBA (Morehead State, Gardner Webb?)

We completed the agreements with Memphis, Purdue and Vanderbilt and the only A-10 team from 2012-2013 we will be playing is Butler (no Dayton game in 2013-2014).

[BMoreX]

Is Miami official or are you guessing there?

One of those TBAs I would bet is a road game against a major team. No way does Xavier not schedule a difficult road game. Since we have a tough conference schedule, I wouldn't be surprised to see the other TBAs be buy games against lower-level competition.

I would be shocked if you see Dayton as an OOC game this year.

[Section 200]

Is Miami official or are you guessing there?
.

My Miami friend told me when Coles retired, the new coach wanted to get rid of the XU and UC home/home series in an attempt to lighten the schedule and maybe actually have buy games in Oxford. I guess for years Miami played XU, UC, UD and Wright State home/home and that left them with few wins and little change from year to year.

He also told me that Miami agreed to a buy game in 2013-2014 with us and that any future Miami-Xavier games will all be at Cintas but I haven't seen it officially confirmed.

[rove02]

I don't think X or UD will agree to play the other away for the one year they are separated. If they don't end up in the same conference then I could see the series continuing on, rotating home/away.

[xu95]

You can assume 12 OOC games. 28 is the rule with the 3 game exempt counting as one. Besides what we have already. I expect one road game and the rest buy games.

[Retire33]

I would like to see a west coast road game this year. Maybe Chris can parlay his Randolph commitment and grab some more attention from some Cali boys. I'd be down for a trip to Berkley (Bay Area is great place and by far my favorite continental US vacation spot)

[XUFan09]

I would like to see a west coast road game this year. Maybe Chris can parlay his Randolph commitment and grab some more attention from some Cali boys. I'd be down for a trip to Berkley (Bay Area is great place and by far my favorite continental US vacation spot)

Mine too, which is why my fiancee and I are planning our honeymoon there. Cheaper than international airfare yet still awesome. I wouldn't mind making a second trip in the same year if I could pair it with Xavier basketball.

Stanford is there in the Bay Area. Are there any noteworthy schools that I'm just not thinking of? I mean, I don't think we're going to play the University of San Francisco out of respect for their 1950s championships.

[waggy]

St. Mary's.

[GrimeTime]

Given the history, I cannot imagine that we will not play Dayton next season. My folks have been going to the Dayton/Xavier games since Schmidt Fieldhouse was new. =)

We'll probably want a creampuff or two in there somewhere to get settled and be able to experiment some with the new guys.

[xu95]

Given the history, I cannot imagine that we will not play Dayton next season. My folks have been going to the Dayton/Xavier games since Schmidt Fieldhouse was new. =)

We'll probably want a creampuff or two in there somewhere to get settled and be able to experiment some with the new guys.

Unless Dayton agrees to be a buy game, there is no way we play Dayton next year. Maybe the year after that, but it won't happen this year.

[GoMuskies]

The last time Xavier and Dayton were not in the same league together was 1994-95. Xavier hosted Dayton that year. So if it is clear that there is going to be a one year gap, it seems like we should visit UD next year, though I doubt that happens.

[TUclutch]

My Miami friend told me when Coles retired, the new coach wanted to get rid of the XU and UC home/home series in an attempt to lighten the schedule and maybe actually have buy games in Oxford. I guess for years Miami played XU, UC, UD and Wright State home/home and that left them with few wins and little change from year to year.

He also told me that Miami agreed to a buy game in 2013-2014 with us and that any future Miami-Xavier games will all be at Cintas but I haven't seen it officially confirmed.

THe reason they didnt play was because of the weird Butler situation having scheduled them for the ESPN broadcast as well as joining the conference. Thats my understanding from both Miami and Xavier people I know

[Bmuskie]

When the anouncement was made that XU and Miami would not play this year it was also anounced that the series would return in 2013-14 with Miami playing at Cintas.

[Muskie]

When the anouncement was made that XU and Miami would not play this year it was also anounced that the series would return in 2013-14 with Miami playing at Cintas.

Thank goodness. I've been looking forward to another 44-42 thriller.

[XU Rocks!]

Unless Dayton agrees to be a buy game, there is no way we play Dayton next year. Maybe the year after that, but it won't happen this year.

Oh, wouldn't that just be salt in the wound? Dayton having to pay to play us. [giggle]

[nuts4xu]

Oh, wouldn't that just be salt in the wound? Dayton having to pay to play us. [giggle]

If Dayton agrees to be a buy game, it will mean we pay them to come to Cintas and get their ass kicked AGAIN....not the other way around.

[Steve A]

I would put money that X will have a road game in the 4:00 slot of the 24 hour ESPN marathon at the beginning of the season. That was pretty well advertised that ESPN was searching for that after the Butler game this year, but it obviously wouldn't be against Butler.

[Masterofreality]

I would put money that X will have a road game in the 4:00 slot of the 24 hour ESPN marathon at the beginning of the season. That was pretty well advertised that ESPN was searching for that after the Butler game this year, but it obviously wouldn't be against Butler.

I wouldn't. ESPN is not going to give a whole lot of play to the revised Big East. Plus XU had an off year.

[coasterville95]

"But we have a contract!!!! (waves contract) :)

ESPN says Fine - we'll put you up against Hawaii at 4AM. You recall how well that worked for you last time. :)

[xu95]

"But we have a contract!!!! (waves contract) :)

ESPN says Fine - we'll put you up against Hawaii at 4AM. You recall how well that worked for you last time. :)

I would watch that game though.

[UCGRAD4X]

I would watch that game though.

If it's on an ESPN version that we can actually get!

[bobbiemcgee]

Is Miami official or are you guessing there?


Playing against Shane Larkin @ the 'Tas would be sweet. Oh....

[MarvAlbert]

"But we have a contract!!!! (waves contract) :)

ESPN says Fine - we'll put you up against Hawaii at 4AM. You recall how well that worked for you last time. :)


The fan in me would be upset at having to stay up that late/get up that early to watch a Xavier game, but the gambler in me would be happy that there's action that late/early.

[Masterofreality]

Just heard that Xavier will play AT Northwestern next season. It is still up for question whether Xavier will play Dayton at all. Doesn't sound like it.

Gotta give credit to XMan95 for a great radio interview up here in NE Ohio with Mario Mercurio. Nice job with that scoop, buddy!

Counting the Atlantis Tournament, right now, Xavier has 26 games scheduled against High Major teams counting the 18 Big East games.

[GoMuskies]

Xavier has 26 games scheduled against High Major teams

Did you include Northwestern in that? Highly suspect.

[Olsingledigit]

The last time Xavier and Dayton were not in the same league together was 1994-95. Xavier hosted Dayton that year. So if it is clear that there is going to be a one year gap, it seems like we should visit UD next year, though I doubt that happens.

And why would we take a game there where it is their Superbowl and they are always very difficult to beat. I would rather play a higher profile team away from home where we have a better chance to win and where if we lose it does not damage our RPI so much. Already this year one of the pre-tourney commentators had our Dayton loss as a "bad loss".

[paulxu]

Buy game...Cintas...Jimmy Carter.

[DC Muskie]

And why would we take a game there where it is their Superbowl and they are always very difficult to beat. I would rather play a higher profile team away from home where we have a better chance to win and where if we lose it does not damage our RPI so much. Already this year one of the pre-tourney commentators had our Dayton loss as a "bad loss".

Bob Huggins said the same thing circa 1995.

[JTG]

Just heard that Xavier will play AT Northwestern next season. It is still up for question whether Xavier will play Dayton at all. Doesn't sound like it.

Gotta give credit to XMan95 for a great radio interview up here in NE Ohio with Mario Mercurio. Nice job with that scoop, buddy!

Counting the Atlantis Tournament, right now, Xavier has 26 games scheduled against High Major teams counting the 18 Big East games.

With 26 high majors we need to be looking for some stiffs. The old BE always guaranteed about 8 20 win teams by scheduling stiffs pre conference..that way you all start out 12-3, with 4 teams top 25. Then you only need to go 10-6, or 9-7 to have a good record.

[Mrs. Garrett]

Just heard that Xavier will play AT Northwestern next season. It is still up for question whether Xavier will play Dayton at all. Doesn't sound like it.

Gotta give credit to XMan95 for a great radio interview up here in NE Ohio with Mario Mercurio. Nice job with that scoop, buddy!

Counting the Atlantis Tournament, right now, Xavier has 26 games scheduled against High Major teams counting the 18 Big East games.

If true this would be pretty sweet for me. Would love for X to make two Chicago trips next year.

[mistabeecee41]

Playing against Shane Larkin @ the 'Tas would be sweet. Oh....

that's if shane-o is a hurricane next year. told chad ford he's 50/50 for the draft and will decide after he gets a feel for his stock after the tourney.

[danaandvictory]

Counting the Atlantis Tournament, right now, Xavier has 26 games scheduled against High Major teams counting the 18 Big East games.

I would expect the last four to be buy games and for the buy games to be a bit less arduous than in past years. No need to put an Oral Roberts or Robert Morris type bear trap on the schedule.

MOR, any word on the Atlantis tournament? Is X going to get a waiver so they can remain in the field with Villanova?

[GIMMFD]

that's if shane-o is a hurricane next year. told chad ford he's 50/50 for the draft and will decide after he gets a feel for his stock after the tourney.

I saw an article earlier that said he was coming back to school no matter what happened on ESPN? Jeeze, what the hell.. lol.

[LA Muskie]

I would expect the last four to be buy games and for the buy games to be a bit less arduous than in past years. No need to put an Oral Roberts or Robert Morris type bear trap on the schedule.

MOR, any word on the Atlantis tournament? Is X going to get a waiver so they can remain in the field with Villanova?

Word is that we are going and that the NCAA has set precedent allowing multiple schools to play in the same exempt event where it is the result of conference movement and contracts have already been signed. The sense is that next year is almost certainly safe. The Nike event down the road may be more problematic.

[Masterofreality]

I would expect the last four to be buy games and for the buy games to be a bit less arduous than in past years. No need to put an Oral Roberts or Robert Morris type bear trap on the schedule.

MOR, any word on the Atlantis tournament? Is X going to get a waiver so they can remain in the field with Villanova?


Word is that we are going and that the NCAA has set precedent allowing multiple schools to play in the same exempt event where it is the result of conference movement and contracts have already been signed. The sense is that next year is almost certainly safe. The Nike event down the road may be more problematic.

Correct.

[BBC 08]

It's unfortunate if we lose out on playing in that Nike event. That looked like one hell of a tourney.

[BMoreX]

It's unfortunate if we lose out on playing in that Nike event. That looked like one hell of a tourney.

Absolutely. I was looking forward to that one.

[Mel Cooley XU'81]

So that's two games in Chicago (NU and DePaul) and one in Milwaukee with Marquette next year.

Christmas shopping for the Cooley Teens is complete!

[ThrowDownDBrown]

Don't know why we would schedule Northwestern. At least with them getting a new coach we hopefully won't be subjected to watching some of the worst brand of basketball there is, but I see no reason why we would schedule them. They're going to be bad again next year and we're playing up there? That would be a bad loss for us, no idea why we're playing a home and home with them.

[Masterofreality]

Don't know why we would schedule Northwestern. At least with them getting a new coach we hopefully won't be subjected to watching some of the worst brand of basketball there is, but I see no reason why we would schedule them. They're going to be bad again next year and we're playing up there? That would be a bad loss for us, no idea why we're playing a home and home with them.

Three words :

Winnable.....Road....Game.

[Musketeer_15]

I remember seeing after the first Butler game an article about how ESPN wanted to put Xavier in the 24-hour marathon again next year. It said that Xavier was most likely going to get a road game. It will be interesting to see if Xavier gets in it again and who they will play

[Muskie]

My guess is also to get some added exposure in the Chicago Recruiting Market (can't let Marquette and DePaul have it all to themselves). Plus one of our bigger alumni bases is in Chicago no?

[Mel Cooley XU'81]

My guess is also to get some added exposure in the Chicago Recruiting Market (can't let Marquette and DePaul have it all to themselves). Plus one of our bigger alumni bases is in Chicago no?

That would be me.

And lots of prospective students, too.

That would be Spike Cooley XU'19.

Spike and I went to the NU / Butler game in December, and yeah, NU is bad.

Their building is awful, too. And nobody shows up.

So there's plenty of room for XU fans and the Evanston restaurant scene is in an up-cycle these days.

Should be a great night. Can't wait.

[LA Muskie]

Three words :

Winnable.....Road....Game.

Exactly. Against a high major. That won't hurt us on SOS even if we lose because of their B1G schedule.

[danaandvictory]

Would love it if the NW game was in the tipoff marathon. If I can swing it I'll drive up for both the NW and DePaul games.

[GoMuskies]

Exactly. Against a high major. That won't hurt us on SOS even if we lose because of their B1G schedule.

It still might. If they win 10 games (a real possibility), it will hurt the SOS.

And Northwestern is a high major about as much as Gonzaga is a mid-major.

[danaandvictory]

I heard Tenn on the road.

Hmm...I thought they owed us a return game at home.

[Xman95]

Given the history, I cannot imagine that we will not play Dayton next season. My folks have been going to the Dayton/Xavier games since Schmidt Fieldhouse was new. =)

We'll probably want a creampuff or two in there somewhere to get settled and be able to experiment some with the new guys.

Mario basically said Dayton is TBD. Not sure they want to get into a home-and-home series, only to find out that the Flyers are in the Big East the following year.

Now, I personally think X might be ok with it if the first game was at Cintas and, should UD be in the BE, the series is then stopped (obviously replaced by games in conference play).

[Xman95]

Hmm...I thought they owed us a return game at home.

Mario said on the show yesterday that Tenn was a road game.

[bleedXblue]

Ugh, we need some cupcakes...........

[coasterville95]

Sorry, all the cupcakes are already booked into 5th/3rd Arena.

[GoMuskies]

Ugh, we need some cupcakes...........

That's why Northwestern was added.

[GoMuskies]

nm

[xfan'17]

My guess is also to get some added exposure in the Chicago Recruiting Market (can't let Marquette and DePaul have it all to themselves). Plus one of our bigger alumni bases is in Chicago no?

I'm going to be a freshman next year and Illinois is the biggest feeder for prospective students next to Ohio

[xupuck10]

I'm going to be a freshman next year and Illinois is the biggest feeder for prospective students next to Ohio

Chicago was number 2 behind Cincinnati with the class of 2016, ahead of Columbus, Cleveland, Indy etc.

[MuskiePimp23]

Mario said on the show yesterday that Tenn was a road game.

I just listened to the interview again...Maria said Tenn is a home game.

[paulxu]

Who is Maria?

btw, I wouldn't mind Tenn on the road. I can make that game.

[Porkopolis]

Who is Maria?

btw, I wouldn't mind Tenn on the road. I can make that game.

More importantly, how do you solve a problem like Maria?

[Masterofreality]

Tennessee and Wake are home games.

[paulxu]

I knew that. X wouldn't go to their places 2 years in a row.
Just dreaming.
I hope they can find a game down here some place.
Maybe Duke or UNC. Or GT. Hell, anybody.

[Mel Cooley XU'81]

I'm going to be a freshman next year and Illinois is the biggest feeder for prospective students next to Ohio

Have a ball at XU, '17!

You'll see some great basketball!

[xfan'17]

Have a ball at XU, '17!

You'll see some great basketball!

Thanks! And I hope so:biggrin:

[MuskiePimp23]

More importantly, how do you solve a problem like Maria?

Who knows, but somehow she made it into my post.

[UCGRAD4X]

Who knows, but somehow she made it into my post.

I was going to change a different i back to an o - but I thought that would be inappropriate (you figure it out).

[XURunner85]

Hoping NU and DePaul games up in Chicago will be weekend games, would love to go home for family visit and 2 X games.....hmmm bro works for NU might even get a free ticket for that one...

[WCWIII]

Hoping NU and DePaul games up in Chicago will be weekend games, would love to go home for family visit and 2 X games.....hmmm bro works for NU might even get a free ticket for that one...

I guarantee that fun will be enjoyed by all who make the trip to Chicago next year. I can't wait ... Marquette too. And also the women's team!

[xubrew]

Where's DC Muskie?? I'm saddened we did not get his take on the series with Miami OH.

A couple things...

-If you look at the tournament over the past few years and look at who is left out, it's the mid level major conference teams that played weak schedules. Thsi year Iowa is out. Maryland is out. Virginia is out. I think playing in a tougher conference means that you need to play a tougher out of conference schedule. The thinking seems to be that you need cupcakes to offset a difficult conference schedule. That's really flawed thinking because ultimately what it does is put MORE pressure on teams to perform in conference, not less. I like that we're continuing to schedule up.

Playing at Dayton is more of a good win than it is a bad loss. You don't get a whole bunch of credit for beating good teams at home that can't win on the road, even if you're beating good teams. Take Tennessee and Kentucky for instance. Even if Dayton isn't a tournament caliber team, the committee knows it's a snake pit. They beat us by 25 (or whatever it was) a few years ago and it didn't appear to hurt our seed any. I don't think keeping them on the schedule will compromise anything.....unless we lose at home.

Buy games. The logic behind a buy game is that you pay a crap team $60k (or whatever). It's more than what said crap team could ever make playing at home, so it's a paycheck for them. You then sell out your building and make three to four times what you paid the crap team, so it's a paycheck for you as well. Now, with a TV contract ten times the size as our last one, wouldn't that mean that we need to play fewer buy games instead of more??

Cupcakes do nothing. They bloat your record out, but that's about it, and bloated records don't work. Again, look at the tournament, and look who gets in and who gets left out. It's fools gold, and even that probably isn't the proper context because it's not really fooling anyone. I'm all about playing a few buy games and letting the little guys pick up a nice check, but I like it better when they're playing teams other than Xavier. If we are going to do it, at least schedule a team with a pulse, or a team that we are somewhat tied to. I'd actually be okay with playing Winthrop and giving Pat Kelsey a nice ovation and a nice check. Same with NKU, who we don't have connections with, but that are down the street. Scheduling mid and low level NEC teams is just not good for anyone.

[DC Muskie]

Where's DC Muskie?? I'm saddened we did not get his take on the series with Miami OH.

It's an overrated rivalry.

[Masterofreality]

Cupcakes do nothing. They bloat your Fat Ass out, but that's about it, and bloated Fat Asses don't work. .

Fixed that for you.

Oh, we talikn' schedules?

[Juice]

Where's DC Muskie?? I'm saddened we did not get his take on the series with Miami OH.

A couple things...

-If you look at the tournament over the past few years and look at who is left out, it's the mid level major conference teams that played weak schedules. Thsi year Iowa is out. Maryland is out. Virginia is out. I think playing in a tougher conference means that you need to play a tougher out of conference schedule. The thinking seems to be that you need cupcakes to offset a difficult conference schedule. That's really flawed thinking because ultimately what it does is put MORE pressure on teams to perform in conference, not less. I like that we're continuing to schedule up.

Playing at Dayton is more of a good win than it is a bad loss. You don't get a whole bunch of credit for beating good teams at home that can't win on the road, even if you're beating good teams. Take Tennessee and Kentucky for instance. Even if Dayton isn't a tournament caliber team, the committee knows it's a snake pit. They beat us by 25 (or whatever it was) a few years ago and it didn't appear to hurt our seed any. I don't think keeping them on the schedule will compromise anything.....unless we lose at home.

Buy games. The logic behind a buy game is that you pay a crap team $60k (or whatever). It's more than what said crap team could ever make playing at home, so it's a paycheck for them. You then sell out your building and make three to four times what you paid the crap team, so it's a paycheck for you as well. Now, with a TV contract ten times the size as our last one, wouldn't that mean that we need to play fewer buy games instead of more??

Cupcakes do nothing. They bloat your record out, but that's about it, and bloated records don't work. Again, look at the tournament, and look who gets in and who gets left out. It's fools gold, and even that probably isn't the proper context because it's not really fooling anyone. I'm all about playing a few buy games and letting the little guys pick up a nice check, but I like it better when they're playing teams other than Xavier. If we are going to do it, at least schedule a team with a pulse, or a team that we are somewhat tied to. I'd actually be okay with playing Winthrop and giving Pat Kelsey a nice ovation and a nice check. Same with NKU, who we don't have connections with, but that are down the street. Scheduling mid and low level NEC teams is just not good for anyone.

I read somewhere that some of the Mountain West teams scheduled D2 teams instead of low level D1 teams because the D2 teams didn't count against your RPI whereas a low level D1 team would hurt it.

[dc_x]

I read somewhere that some of the Mountain West teams scheduled D2 teams instead of low level D1 teams because the D2 teams didn't count against your RPI whereas a low level D1 team would hurt it.

Yes, the MWC figured out that you are better off playing D2 teams than 200+ RPI opponents.

http://www.thebiglead.com/index.php/2013/03/18/jay-bilas-was-wrong-about-the-committee-going-by-who-you-lost-to-it-was-the-bad-teams-you-beat-that-were-the-difference/

[paulxu]

OK, prompted by a post on the BE board, I'm re-visiting our schedule.
18 conference games: 9H/9A leaves 12 open games:

3 Battle for Atlantis (N)
Pussycats (N)
Gardner Webb (H-Buy)
Morehead State (H=Buy)
Miami, OH (H)
Wake (H)
Tennessee (H)

Northwestern (A)
Need 2 more (A)

Mario is advertising for 2 H/H's with high majors to start on the road this year.

http://www.basketballtravelers.com/game-schedule-board/?e_type=1

I'm trying to find schools down here that are possible so I can go see a game. NC State looking to start a series with a home game.
They might even pay for us to go down!
Georgia is also looking. That would be ideal for a road trip.

With our new conference affiliation I wonder if we'll be scheduling away games much further away.

[GoMuskies]

Wichita State seems like a logical home and home.

[BMoreX]

On the basketball travelers site, isn't the Xavier posting from December?

I have a feeling they may have altered their mindset after definitely knowing that they would be in the Big East next year.

[paulxu]

That's an interesting point.
Do you mean that they no longer would seek "high major" road games to balance out the schedule...that they could take mid-majors?

That would make Go happy.
Wait! That also might mean we'd start a H/H with the Criers!

Or are you saying that they would take another home game (or two) and not worry about scheduling away games?

[blueblob06]

If we schedule like some of the Big East schools would do, we'd have to change "Northwestern" to "Northwestern St" and drop all away games. I feel like lately Syr and UC were the worst but lots of BE schools scheduled non-conf cake walks. Hopefully the new BE will play a more challenging non-conf slate.

[BMoreX]

That's an interesting point.
Do you mean that they no longer would seek "high major" road games to balance out the schedule...that they could take mid-majors?

That would make Go happy.
Wait! That also might mean we'd start a H/H with the Criers!

Or are you saying that they would take another home game (or two) and not worry about scheduling away games?

I really have no idea. I'm just saying that, in December, Mario was likely planning a schedule around what he believed was the A10 conference. That would be having an OOC schedule on steroids.

Does the Big East schedule change things? I don't know, but I would guess so. Perhaps they start a high major on the road (though I bet that would include the Northwestern game) and then have an easier opponent at home.

We'll see.

[GoMuskies]

We need to add at least one more strong opponent. Looking at what we've got now, it's pretty weak (as was this year's schedule...thankfully).

[powerofX]

Renew Memphis for two more years. Start next year at Memphis. Then get with nc state or ga as Paul suggests and start on the road. Done. The other option is to start a series in tx. Just to keep close to mr. swift

[Masterofreality]

Renew Memphis for two more years. Start next year at Memphis. Then get with nc state or ga as Paul suggests and start on the road. Done. The other option is to start a series in tx. Just to keep close to mr. swift

We're done with Memphis. They're in a league with SucKS now. They won't play us. Like an unwritten rule.

[PMI]

If we schedule like some of the Big East schools would do, we'd have to change "Northwestern" to "Northwestern St" and drop all away games. I feel like lately Syr and UC were the worst but lots of BE schools scheduled non-conf cake walks. Hopefully the new BE will play a more challenging non-conf slate.

I think the new BE is going to have to. They can't quite manipulate the RPI the way they did when they had 50 teams in it.

[Steve A]

On the basketball travelers site, isn't the Xavier posting from December?

I have a feeling they may have altered their mindset after definitely knowing that they would be in the Big East next year.

It is good to see some things never change, though...

The University of Dayton is looking for multiple guarantee games. Possible dates include 11/9, 11/13, 12/4, 12/14, 12/17-12/19, and 1/1. Competitive guarantee offered. Please email with interest.

Of course they are.

[crolfes12]

Maybe its just me, but our non conference schedule at home seems pretty weak

[Muskie]

OK, prompted by a post on the BE board, I'm re-visiting our schedule.
18 conference games: 9H/9A leaves 12 open games:

3 Battle for Atlantis (N)
Pussycats (N)
Gardner Webb (H-Buy)
Morehead State (H=Buy)
Miami, OH (H)
Wake (H)
Tennessee (H)

Northwestern (A)
Need 2 more (A)

Mario is advertising for 2 H/H's with high majors to start on the road this year.

http://www.basketballtravelers.com/game-schedule-board/?e_type=1

I'm trying to find schools down here that are possible so I can go see a game. NC State looking to start a series with a home game.
They might even pay for us to go down!
Georgia is also looking. That would be ideal for a road trip.

With our new conference affiliation I wonder if we'll be scheduling away games much further away.
How bout a road game against Indiana State with a return at Cintas the following season. Good road game for fans, decent team with a style of play we don't see.

[nuts4xu]

How bout a road game against Indiana State with a return at Cintas the following season. Good road game for fans, decent team with a style of play we don't see.

...says the guy that lives within a 45 minute drive of Indiana State.

[powerofX]

How bout a road game against Indiana State with a return at Cintas the following season. Good road game for fans, decent team with a style of play we don't see.

If you are playing the place where I can drive game...we should play at Davidson, winthrop to help Kelsey draw fans, or play Charlotte like we used to in a10...just so I can go!

[Muskie]

...says the guy that lives within a 45 minute drive of Indiana State.

Oh its more like 90 minutes

Sent from my DROID X2 using Tapatalk 2

[XU '11]

I think the new BE is going to have to. They can't quite manipulate the RPI the way they did when they had 50 teams in it.

The 9-team Mountain West conference would disagree...

[El Shaqtus]

The 9-team Mountain West conference would disagree...

14 games against D-2 teams can't be wrong.

[xubrew]

I rely on all you people to keep me informed on our OOC games, and I'm very dissapointed that no one is tracking this.

I start this thread not to begin tracking it myself, but to encourage others who actually know about this stuff to begin tracking it.

That is my definition of team work. If you want something done, complain and hope someone else will do it for you.

So, who are we playing in 13-14??

[xubrew]

A couple of non-sarcastic notes/comments....

I HATE playing buy games. I realize that we need to play a few, and actually feel that a few is good, but I still hate them. Out of my one selfishness, I'd rather not play any, or at least be very selective of the ones we do play. I call it the "Redistribution of Wealth" portion of the season. I know the deal. We give someone in the neighborhood of $60k, that typically would never make that much playing at home. There is little to no expectation that they will be able to compete, much less win. Being the home team, we make back the $60k, plus a whole lot more with our ticket sales and regional TV money. I get it. I get that it makes money. I still don't like it. Since money is the most common reason given for playing these games (and I think the importance of it is overemphasized because there are other ways to generate revenue), I hope that being in a new conference with a richer TV deal means that we won't be playing as many of them.....but I'm not holding my breath.

Are we going to keep Dayton on the schedule?? Serious and simple question. I know everyone will want to go off the rails on how much UD sucks, but a simple yes or no will suffice.

VCU is another A10 team I'd like to see us play, but I'm betting there are no plans to do so.

We have two fewer OOC games now that it is an 18 game conference schedule. I hope we cut two buy games instead of two home and homes.


So, who's on the schedule??

[Muskie]

i thought we had a 2013-2014 schedule thread?

[xubrew]

It looks as though we do. I just didn't scroll down far enough. My mistake.

[Muskie]

I'll merge them if you want?

[xu95]

A couple of non-sarcastic notes/comments....

I HATE playing buy games. I realize that we need to play a few, and actually feel that a few is good, but I still hate them. Out of my one selfishness, I'd rather not play any, or at least be very selective of the ones we do play. I call it the "Redistribution of Wealth" portion of the season. I know the deal. We give someone in the neighborhood of $60k, that typically would never make that much playing at home. There is little to no expectation that they will be able to compete, much less win. Being the home team, we make back the $60k, plus a whole lot more with our ticket sales and regional TV money. I get it. I get that it makes money. I still don't like it. Since money is the most common reason given for playing these games (and I think the importance of it is overemphasized because there are other ways to generate revenue), I hope that being in a new conference with a richer TV deal means that we won't be playing as many of them.....but I'm not holding my breath.

Are we going to keep Dayton on the schedule?? Serious and simple question. I know everyone will want to go off the rails on how much UD sucks, but a simple yes or no will suffice.

VCU is another A10 team I'd like to see us play, but I'm betting there are no plans to do so.

We have two fewer OOC games now that it is an 18 game conference schedule. I hope we cut two buy games instead of two home and homes.


So, who's on the schedule??

If Dayton doesn't get into the Big East soon, I do see us having an out of conference series with them. It definitely won't be this year though.

[ballyhoohoo]

Oh its more like 90 minutes

Sent from my DROID X2 using Tapatalk 2

How slow do you drive? I could make it from T Haute to Indy in under and hour when I was an under grad.

[Muskie]

How slow do you drive? I could make it from T Haute to Indy in under and hour when I was an under grad.

I live on the north east side of Indy. I have to account for all the BS traffic.

[paulxu]

It looks as though we do. I just didn't scroll down far enough. My mistake.

Hey, try to keep up here.

I'm still waiting on these 2 open dates that Mario wants to start with high majors on the road.
I'm assuming Dayton does not fall in that definition.

[xubrew]

How bout a road game against Indiana State with a return at Cintas the following season. Good road game for fans, decent team with a style of play we don't see.

I can't think of anything that is all that distinct about Indiana State's style of play.

I wouldn't mind playing another Ohio team. Like, Ohio, for instance. I don't know why we always have to play Miami and never play anyone else. Quite frankly, I'm tired of them. Ohio, or Kent State, or Akron, or Wright State, would be better games than Miami.

I know what a big fan DC is, but still. Why is it always them and never anyone else??

[Masterofreality]

There will be no game with udump next season.

[xubrew]

Playing Miami and not Dayton is a little insane.

I really don't get the Miami series, and judging by the attendance and ratings, or lack thereof, I'm obviously not the only one that doesn't get it. I guess there are arguments that can be made for not playing Dayton, but there is no logical reason in the world to play Miami INSTEAD of Dayton.

[ballyhoohoo]

I'm all for a trip to Indiana State, hell I'll drive the bus and lead the tour of The Terminal, Copper Bar, T's Lounge, and The Ballyhoo University Country Club.

[MADXSTER]

I'm in for Indiana State as well.

[XUFan09]

If you are playing the place where I can drive game...we should play at Davidson, winthrop to help Kelsey draw fans, or play Charlotte like we used to in a10...just so I can go!

Let's schedule Richmond (14 minute drive for me) and VCU (12 minute drive)!

[paulxu]

I would have guessed Charleston, WV to be a little further than that...but maybe not.

[Muskie1000]

Playing Miami and not Dayton is a little insane.

I really don't get the Miami series, and judging by the attendance and ratings, or lack thereof, I'm obviously not the only one that doesn't get it. I guess there are arguments that can be made for not playing Dayton, but there is no logical reason in the world to play Miami INSTEAD of Dayton.

my guess is (and its only a guess) that Miami is a buy game. Can you imagine the outrage if we paid Dayton to come play us?

[XUFan09]

I would have guessed Charleston, WV to be a little further than that...but maybe not.

Lol I'm moving to Richmond in three weeks.

[xubrew]

my guess is (and its only a guess) that Miami is a buy game. Can you imagine the outrage if we paid Dayton to come play us?

If Miami is a buy game, then I guess that changes things a little bit, but it has never been a buy game before. We've always played them home and home.

I don't have a vendetta with Miami. I'm all for playing the regional teams, and even playing them on a home and home basis. My issue is that we ALWAYS play Miami and NEVER play anyone else. UC is obviously a fixture game. We should play them every year. But, instead of playing Miami EVERY YEAR, why not mix it up and play Ohio, or Kent State, or Akron, or Wright State, or Cleveland State (all of whom are typically better than Miami), or Toledo, or Bowling Green, or even NKU now that they're div1???

Why is it always Miami, and never anyone else?? We all hate Dayton, but it was one of the red letter dates on the schedule. Not many games poked the hornets nest quite like that one did with the presidents, and just the overall energy of the game. You should embrace the hate. It's a good kind of hate. Yet, we drop that and keep Miami?? That's ludicrous to me.

If we decided that there was room for only one home and home regional game, and played Ohio or Akron instead of Dayton, I wouldn't think it to be the best choice, but I wouldn't find it nearly as absurd as playing Miami (again) instead of Dayton.

[Masterofreality]

Get ready:

“@MarioMercurio: Always shoot to have our non-conference schedule done by May 1. Many details to still iron out with TV, but opponents almost all locked in.”

[xu95]

I don't have the data to back it up, but I do believe Mario said one time that we are not going back to Oxford again.

[nuts4xu]

My issue is that we ALWAYS play Miami and NEVER play anyone else. UC is obviously a fixture game. We should play them every year. But, instead of playing Miami EVERY YEAR, why not mix it up and play Ohio, or Kent State, or Akron, or Wright State, or Cleveland State (all of whom are typically better than Miami), or Toledo, or Bowling Green, or even NKU now that they're div1???

I think the big issue with Miami is the history and tradition. We have played Miami more times than all but one team...dayton, in the history of our program dating back to 1920. We have played Dayton over 150 times, and Miami is a distant second at roughly 100 games.

I can't say I agree with it, and in this era of college basketball, those other Ohio schools would likely be tougher opponents. But the only reason I can see to continue to play Miami (and it is a weak one at best) is to keep the tradition.

[blobfan]

Is it possible the reason we aren't playing Dayton is because they'd rather not risk it? I mean it may have been a decision made by UD athletics, not us.

[XUFan09]

Miami was already on the docket for this coming season as part of the non conference schedule and as of January that wasn't going to be necessary for Dayton in order to play them. With the goals for the non conference schedule that Mario and the staff have, fitting in Dayton last minute becomes nearly impossible. We'll probably play then again starting in 2014, even if they don't join the Big East.

Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk 2

[paulxu]

More Mario:

Mario Mercurio‏@MarioMercurio3h
@xu15anthony we will wait on some TV details to iron themselves out. Probably another month or so

(hate to wait a month)

Mario Mercurio‏@MarioMercurio2h
@masterjmm no major philosophy change, just had to adjust from 16 to 18 conf games. No A10 teams on the schedule (unless you count Butler).

(Bye-bye Criers)

Mario Mercurio‏@MarioMercurio1h
@doranmjd it will be tough, but going from 16 to 18 resulted in us having to clip 2 series. Replaced 2 HM's with 2 BEAST games basically

(is that the new name for our conference? BEAST? Sounds good)

[coasterville95]

Like the confirmation that there will be no UD on the slate next year. Jun or JUly sounds about right, announce right before you put season tickets on sale. (I know they put them on presale right after the Big East announcement, but still, the big push comes in July)

Hate losing the two high majors's but when I look at what we are adding with conference, I think we come out way ahead..

(I wonder how the flyer faithful will take not having the game...)

[Musketeer_15]

Get ready:

“@MarioMercurio: Always shoot to have our non-conference schedule done by May 1. Many details to still iron out with TV, but opponents almost all locked in.”
Does this mean that there is a good chance that the non-conference schedule will possibly be released tomorrow?

[blueblob06]

Does this mean that there is a good chance that the non-conference schedule will possibly be released tomorrow?
I don't think so. I think it's just a goal for X internally to have opponents set. We usually don't find out the specific dates of non-conference games this early; although maybe Mario or someone will tweet the remaining opponents in the next few weeks.

Regarding Miami, I seem to recall that this year's game against Miami is the final game of a 3 game, 2-and-1 series (2 at XU, 1 at Miami) that was scheduled several years ago with the issue being that the final game could not be played during the 2012-2013 season due to a Miami conflict. And I think it was shared somewhere that Miami's coach didn't have an interest in annual games with X, UC, and UD going forward.

[paulxu]

Hate losing the two high majors's but when I look at what we are adding with conference, I think we come out way ahead.


What am I missing? What 2 high majors are we losing? The BE/A10 schedule swap doesn't include that scenario.
Mario still has 2 games to announce, that both should be on the road...with (hopefully) high majors.

Our high majors last year were Purdue, Vandy, Wake, Tenn, UC (and maybe Memphis).
This year already Wake, Tenn, UC, Northwestern, potential for 2 or 3 at B4A, and maybe 2 more on the road.

[Masterofreality]

What am I missing? What 2 high majors are we losing? The BE/A10 schedule swap doesn't include that scenario.
Mario still has 2 games to announce, that both should be on the road...with (hopefully) high majors.

Our high majors last year were Purdue, Vandy, Wake, Tenn, UC (and maybe Memphis).
This year already Wake, Tenn, UC, Northwestern, potential for 2 or 3 at B4A, and maybe 2 more on the road.

Nope. No more "high majors" will be on the schedule. The two games "to be announced" are to be home "buy" games in November/December. What has been quoted is it for Big Six. The 18 Big East games are percieved to be plenty for RPI purposes.

This team will still be young and needs to be handled correctly.

[LA Muskie]

What am I missing? What 2 high majors are we losing? The BE/A10 schedule swap doesn't include that scenario.
Mario still has 2 games to announce, that both should be on the road...with (hopefully) high majors.

Our high majors last year were Purdue, Vandy, Wake, Tenn, UC (and maybe Memphis).
This year already Wake, Tenn, UC, Northwestern, potential for 2 or 3 at B4A, and maybe 2 more on the road.
What he is saying is that we will not be reducing buy games from 4 to 2 to accommodate the 18-game Big East schedule. Which means "losing" (or not adding, as the case may be) two High Major OOC opponents.

Mario's tweets should also put everyone's minds at ease that the conference will be staying at 10 for next season. Theoretically they could find a way to schedule an 18 game schedule for 12 teams, but they're not doing that.

[xubrew]

Personally, I think two higher major games is better than two buy games, especially if one of the high major games is at home.

I know the conference provides enough opportunities, but if the conference is difficult, then why not give yourself chances out of conference to prove yourself in case you struggle in the league?? I'm not going to compare our OOC schedule to Iowa's, because it's far better, but the weaker your OOC is, the more pressure you have on yourself once you get into conference

[LA Muskie]

Personally, I think two higher major games is better than two buy games, especially if one of the high major games is at home.

I know the conference provides enough opportunities, but if the conference is difficult, then why not give yourself chances out of conference to prove yourself in case you struggle in the league?? I'm not going to compare our OOC schedule to Iowa's, because it's far better, but the weaker your OOC is, the more pressure you have on yourself once you get into conference

I don't disagree with you. But I'm wiling to give this staff the benefit of the doubt. Bear in mind it's a exceptionally awkward year in that our OOC schedule was devised based on a 16-game A10 schedule and now we have an 18-game BEAST schedule.

[Retire33]

Any news on playing in 24 hour marathon this year? Could that possibility be the road game vs Northwestern?

[Muskie]

Any news on playing in 24 hour marathon this year? Could that possibility be the road game vs Northwestern?
I hope not. Nothing screams PARTY like Evanston in the early hours of the morning.

[xsteve1]

X will play tennessee at 3 in 24 hour marathon

[Masterofreality]

I don't disagree with you. But I'm wiling to give this staff the benefit of the doubt. Bear in mind it's a exceptionally awkward year in that our OOC schedule was devised based on a 16-game A10 schedule and now we have an 18-game BEAST schedule.

Add in the youth of this team. They need time to develop. It's not like we have 4 senior starters.


X will play tennessee at 3 in 24 hour marathon

This is correct.

[xu95]

X will play tennessee at 3 in 24 hour marathon

@ Xavier. I love how both of our appearances in this thing is at home.

[Muskie]

X will play tennessee at 3 in 24 hour marathon

Is that confirmed?

[danaandvictory]

Is that confirmed?

Yes, Mario confirmed it on the podcast a few weeks ago.

[coasterville95]

So - about when will the season start this year. If past years hold up, it would mean the exhibition game around 11/2, then opening night 11/8-9.

Reason I am curious is I am trying to figure out how many games I will miss due to being in Italy from 11-5-15. I was hoping those would all be buy games, but missing Tenessee is a bummer. Maybe Rome gets ESPN. 3pm here would be around 9-10pm there...

[Olsingledigit]

So - about when will the season start this year. If past years hold up, it would mean the exhibition game around 11/2, then opening night 11/8-9.

Reason I am curious is I am trying to figure out how many games I will miss due to being in Italy from 11-5-15. I was hoping those would all be buy games, but missing Tenessee is a bummer. Maybe Rome gets ESPN. 3pm here would be around 9-10pm there...

I will miss it too for a conference in Vegas that I cannot miss.

[Emp]

I will miss it too for a conference in Vegas that I cannot miss.

Cant you guys get your priorities straight?

[XUFan09]

Personally, I think two higher major games is better than two buy games, especially if one of the high major games is at home.

I know the conference provides enough opportunities, but if the conference is difficult, then why not give yourself chances out of conference to prove yourself in case you struggle in the league?? I'm not going to compare our OOC schedule to Iowa's, because it's far better, but the weaker your OOC is, the more pressure you have on yourself once you get into conference

Keep in mind that this team specifically will have so many new pieces expected to contribute (Stainbrook, Reynolds, M. Davis, Randolph, Richards, and maybe Cantino) that the team will need time to gel.

[GoMuskies]

Keep in mind that this team specifically will have so many new pieces expected to contribute (Stainbrook, Reynolds, M. Davis, Randolph, Richards, and maybe Cantino) that the team will need time to gel.

It's a lot easier to gel/get better playing good competition than it is against lousy competition.

I'm okay with the scheduling philosophy here, though.

[XUFan09]

It's a lot easier to gel/get better playing good competition than it is against lousy competition.

I'm okay with the scheduling philosophy here, though.

Yeah, I just think the issue here is that if they play good opponents, they have a high chance of losing games against the kind of teams they will probably be beating a month later.

Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk 2

[xavierfan97]

OK, prompted by a post on the BE board, I'm re-visiting our schedule.
18 conference games: 9H/9A leaves 12 open games:

3 Battle for Atlantis (N)
Pussycats (N)
Gardner Webb (H-Buy)
Morehead State (H=Buy)
Miami, OH (H)
Wake (H)
Tennessee (H)

Northwestern (A)
Need 2 more (A)


In an email from Xavier, the email said:

"We are happy to announce that this year's home schedule will feature a total of 18 games, which is two more than last season. Those games will include home games with each of the other nine new BIG EAST Conference members, as well as non-conference games with Tennessee, Miami (OH) and Wake Forest. With more games on the schedule, your season ticket cost per game will be lower than last year. Every season ticket holder will be getting a minimum 24% discount off the single game ticket price by purchasing the season ticket. We're excited to provide this value as we enter the new BIG EAST Conference!"


So, there will be 18 home games.

So, if I'm not mistaken, the 2013-2014 schedule looks like this:


18 conference games: 9H/9A leaves 12 open games:

3 Battle for Atlantis (N)
Pussycats (N)
Gardner Webb (H-Buy)
Morehead State (H=Buy)
Miami, OH (H)
Wake (H)
Tennessee (H)

Maybe the UC game is considered a home game.

9 BE games, Miami, Tennessee, Wake, UC, Gardner Webb, Morehead State, and 3 others for a total of 18 home games.

I don't see where there is room for a road game at Northwestern on the schedule?

18 BE games, 3 at Atlantis, Miami, Tennessee, Wake, UC, Gardner Webb, Morehead State, and 3 more home games totals up to 30 games. If the UC game is a neutral game, then there will need for there to be 4 more home games(to get to 18 home games)which would then bring the total number of games up to 31.

[GoMuskies]

You get the exhibition game as part of your season tickets, right? Perhaps they are counting that to get to the 18.

[xavierfan97]

Yes, maybe they are counting the exhibition game as a home game.

9 BE home games, Miami, Tennessee, Wake, Gardner Webb, Morehead State, exhibition game and 3 others for a total of 18 home games. Only 17 would count.

#18 is neutral UC game.

#19, #20, and #21 is Atlantis.

9 BE road games to get to 30.

And NW road game to get to 31.


So, they've still got 3 home games to schedule I think.

[xu95]

Yes, maybe they are counting the exhibition game as a home game.

9 BE home games, Miami, Tennessee, Wake, Gardner Webb, Morehead State, exhibition game and 3 others for a total of 18 home games. Only 17 would count.

#18 is neutral UC game.

#19, #20, and #21 is Atlantis.

9 BE road games to get to 30.

And NW road game to get to 31.


So, they've still got 3 home games to schedule I think.

It should be two exhibition games unless they are doing a closed scrimmage again.

[xavierfan97]

And FWIW, the email was sent out on Wednesday May 8, at 4:05pm.

[xavierfan97]

It should be two exhibition games unless they are doing a closed scrimmage again.

Ok, so if it's 2 exhibition games, then they have to schedule 2 more home games I think, which would be 30 total games.

9 BE home games, Miami, Tennessee, Wake, Gardner Webb, Morehead State, 2 exhibition games and 2 others for a total of 18 home games. Only 16 would count.

#17 is neutral UC game.

#18, #19, and #20 is Atlantis.

9 BE road games to get to 29.

And NW road game to get to 30.

[GoMuskies]

I would expect a closed scrimmage and one exhibition game.

[xavierfan97]

I would expect a closed scrimmage and one exhibition game.

If there is only 1 exhibition game, then that would bring the total to 31 games. How many games are you allowed to play? Are you allowed to play 31 games?

[GoMuskies]

Good point. I guess they are going back to two exhibitions. Maybe Huggins didn't want to do the closed scrimmage with us this year.

[XUFan09]

Good point. I guess they are going back to two exhibitions. Maybe Huggins didn't want to do the closed scrimmage with us this year.

That was probably just a home and home anyway. I'm guessing both sides would like to switch things up.

Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk 2

[XUFan09]

If there is only 1 exhibition game, then that would bring the total to 31 games. How many games are you allowed to play? Are you allowed to play 31 games?

28 games max, with exempt tournaments only counting as one game, so you can really play 30 games if you get an invite to one.

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[paulxu]

I admit you guys have me a little confused.

Are you saying we may play only one true road game next season at Northwestern?

That would be really strange.

[xubrew]

In an email from Xavier, the email said:

"We are happy to announce that this year's home schedule will feature a total of 18 games, which is two more than last season. Those games will include home games with each of the other nine new BIG EAST Conference members, as well as non-conference games with Tennessee, Miami (OH) and Wake Forest. With more games on the schedule, your season ticket cost per game will be lower than last year. Every season ticket holder will be getting a minimum 24% discount off the single game ticket price by purchasing the season ticket. We're excited to provide this value as we enter the new BIG EAST Conference!"


So, there will be 18 home games.

So, if I'm not mistaken, the 2013-2014 schedule looks like this:


18 conference games: 9H/9A leaves 12 open games:

3 Battle for Atlantis (N)
Pussycats (N)
Gardner Webb (H-Buy)
Morehead State (H=Buy)
Miami, OH (H)
Wake (H)
Tennessee (H)

Maybe the UC game is considered a home game.

9 BE games, Miami, Tennessee, Wake, UC, Gardner Webb, Morehead State, and 3 others for a total of 18 home games.

I don't see where there is room for a road game at Northwestern on the schedule?

18 BE games, 3 at Atlantis, Miami, Tennessee, Wake, UC, Gardner Webb, Morehead State, and 3 more home games totals up to 30 games. If the UC game is a neutral game, then there will need for there to be 4 more home games(to get to 18 home games)which would then bring the total number of games up to 31.

Tennessee is in the Battle For Atlantis. Chances are they're going to count the home game against Tennessee as a fourth Battle For Atlantis game. That would free up a 31st game, and leave room for Northwestern.

Basically, if you're in an exempt tournament, you're allowed 28 games, with the exempt tournament counting as one of the 28. You can play up to four exempt games, which would give you a total of 31.

[XUFan09]

Tennessee is in the Battle For Atlantis. Chances are they're going to count the home game against Tennessee as a fourth Battle For Atlantis game. That would free up a 31st game, and leave room for Northwestern.

Basically, if you're in an exempt tournament, you're allowed 28 games, with the exempt tournament counting as one of the 28. You can play up to four exempt games, which would give you a total of 31.

Ah ok

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[muskiefan82]

Tennessee is in the Battle For Atlantis. Chances are they're going to count the home game against Tennessee as a fourth Battle For Atlantis game. That would free up a 31st game, and leave room for Northwestern.

Basically, if you're in an exempt tournament, you're allowed 28 games, with the exempt tournament counting as one of the 28. You can play up to four exempt games, which would give you a total of 31.

Or Wake Forest. They are also in and on X's schedule. So is Villanova, but I imagine you can't exempt a conference game. Definitely the potential to make either the UT or Wake game an extended exempt tourney game. Be nice to know what the bracket looks like.

[xubrew]

Or Wake Forest. They are also in and on X's schedule. So is Villanova, but I imagine you can't exempt a conference game. Definitely the potential to make either the UT or Wake game an extended exempt tourney game. Be nice to know what the bracket looks like.

I forgot Wake was in it. As you've already pointed out, they could be counted as well.

[chrisburch]

I don't think so. I think it's just a goal for X internally to have opponents set. We usually don't find out the specific dates of non-conference games this early; although maybe Mario or someone will tweet the remaining opponents in the next few weeks.

Regarding Miami, I seem to recall that this year's game against Miami is the final game of a 3 game, 2-and-1 series (2 at XU, 1 at Miami) that was scheduled several years ago with the issue being that the final game could not be played during the 2012-2013 season due to a Miami conflict. And I think it was shared somewhere that Miami's coach didn't have an interest in annual games with X, UC, and UD going forward.

It was actually a 4 year contract beginning 2010-2011 running thru 2013-2014, 2 home games each, beginning with Miami having the first home game on Dec. 1, 2010. Then the 2012-2013 game, which would have been at Miami, was cancelled without intent of being rescheduled due to all the A-10 changes, and for that, Xavier paid Miami $75,000 for the cancellation per the terms of the original contract. Thus, 2013-2014 is the final year of the four year deal, and the game is set for Nov. 19 2013, time TBD, at Cintas Center, but it is not a "buy game" as stated earlier on this thread.

[BMoreX]

Andy Katz ‏@ESPNAndyKatz 16s

Battle 4 Atlantis releases bracket Nov. 28-30 in Bahamas (avoid UTEP-USC game): KU-Wake and Vill-USC top; Tenn-UTEP and Xavier-Iowa bottom.

So Xavier plays Iowa and then the winner of UTEP-Tennessee.

So if the Vols and X win, they'd play each other twice in a month.

[blueblob06]

Not knowing a ton about most of these teams' rosters this coming year, I'm just happy that Kansas is in the other half of the bracket.

[Milhouse]

Glad that Nova is on the opposite side too...since we could potentially play them 4 times this year...

Would love to draw Kansas and Wiggins at some point...hopefully in the championship round.

[Muskie]

Andy Katz ‏@ESPNAndyKatz 16s

Battle 4 Atlantis releases bracket Nov. 28-30 in Bahamas (avoid UTEP-USC game): KU-Wake and Vill-USC top; Tenn-UTEP and Xavier-Iowa bottom.

So Xavier plays Iowa and then the winner of UTEP-Tennessee.

So if the Vols and X win, they'd play each other twice in a month.

Iowa is supposed to be very good (I think they are the "in" pick to "win" the Big Ten). This could be a very good experience for X, it also wouldn't stun me if we were sent home early either. The field is that good (imho).

[Kahns Krazy]

Iowa is supposed to be very good (I think they are the "in" pick to "win" the Big Ten). This could be a very good experience for X, it also wouldn't stun me if we were sent home early either. The field is that good (imho).

We wouldn't actually get sent home, right? There's a loser's bracket?

[GoMuskies]

Iowa is supposed to be very good (I think they are the "in" pick to "win" the Big Ten). This could be a very good experience for X, it also wouldn't stun me if we were sent home early either. The field is that good (imho).

Fran McCaffery is the coach out at Iowa. He was a trendy pick to be Xavier's next coach right after Miller took the Arizona job.

[MHettel]

Fran McCaffery is the coach out at Iowa. He was a trendy pick to be Xavier's next coach right after Miller took the Arizona job.

McCaffery was a candidate when we hired Matta. Dont recall hearing many candidates when Miller left, I thought they made teh move to Mack really soon after...

[Muskie]

We wouldn't actually get sent home, right? There's a loser's bracket?

I believe so. But that doesn't mean the team couldn't go home early?

[GoMuskies]

McCaffery was a candidate when we hired Matta. Dont recall hearing many candidates when Miller left, I thought they made teh move to Mack really soon after...

McCaffery was mentioned prominently in the media for the job back in '09. Whether Xavier ever seriously considered him is another matter.

http://blog.timesunion.com/collegesports/report-xavier-hires-coach-and-it-isnt-sienas-mccaffery/3832/

http://www.troyrecord.com/articles/2009/04/07/sports/doc49dc22586b054259844344.txt?viewmode=default

http://nkysportsworld.blogspot.com/2009/04/potential-xavier-coaching-options.html

http://www.thestate.com/2009/04/10/744261_horn-denies-talking-to-xavier.html (see "Other Potential Candidates)

[xubrew]

There are three games each day, so no one will go home early.

Iowa is going to be good, but I think picking them to win the Big Ten is a little nuts. Tennessee will also be good.

[GoMuskies]

Xavier will also be good.

[SkyWalker]

Still waiting for the Big East schedule to be released. Saw this article out there. Looks like "next week" is this week. Hope to hear something soon.

http://www.casualhoya.com/2013/8/28/4667278/big-east-basketball-schedule-to-be-released-next-week

[Masterofreality]

Mario is hopeful of having it wrapped up totally this week.

What I'm really wanting to see is how the TV aspect of this all comes together. Don't count on any.....that's ANY... 4 letter network involvement with any XU games, with the possible exception of the Alabama game since that is at an SEC school's home gym.

Fox Sports Ohio, FS1 and FS2 will really have to pick up slack here.

[Milhouse]

Mario is hopeful of having it wrapped up totally this week.

What I'm really wanting to see is how the TV aspect of this all comes together. Don't count on any.....that's ANY... 4 letter network involvement with any XU games, with the possible exception of the Alabama game since that is at an SEC school's home gym.

Fox Sports Ohio, FS1 and FS2 will really have to pick up slack here.

Thought ESPN had the rights to the crosstown?

[blueblob06]

Thought ESPN had the rights to the crosstown?

Will they put it on WatchESPN (i.e. no TV) to penalize Xavier for being in the Big East?

[Retire33]

Any thought to when times will be announced for non-conference games?

[Chalmers0]

Thought ESPN had the rights to the crosstown?

I don't know exactly how it is set up but I think last year was "technically" a UC host at a neutral site while we are the host this year. If we are the host that would technically mean Fox would have the rights to it. I'm just thinking out loud, no clue how it actually works.

[THRILLHOUSE]

Thought ESPN had the rights to the crosstown?

Nope. This seasons Crosstown will be on Fox Sports 1:

"@FOX19Joe 21 Aug
UC vs. XU Crosstown Shoot...I mean, Classic, will be televised by FOX Sports 1. It's a Saturday game. Time still TBA."

[coasterville95]

I think Fox Sports 1 has first rights to all home games. That came to bear when we were supposed to be in the ESPN tip off, but Fox Sports 1 owned the rights to the game

With that in mind - you can forget ESPN for any home games or conference games.

[Muskie]

I think Fox Sports 1 has first rights to all home games. That came to bear when we were supposed to be in the ESPN tip off, but Fox Sports 1 owned the rights to the game

With that in mind - you can forget ESPN for any home games or conference games.

I've already "forgotten" ESPN in so many other areas of Sports. I won't miss them for home or conference games.

[crolfes12]

We are also waiting to hear on the Battle 4 Atlantis home game before flying down to the Bahamas

[hoyahooligan]

Schedule coming out today.

[bourbonman]

Schedule coming out today.

Please NO 9 PM week night games!

Give me Saturdays!

[Milhouse]

Please NO 9 PM week night games!

Give me Saturdays!

Agreed those 9 p.m. week night games are hell. Would love to see a 9 p.m. Friday night game.

[GoMuskies]

As I live in the Central time zone, I appreciate the 9 pm Eastern starts. The more the merrier!

[PMI]

I think Fox Sports 1 has first rights to all home games. That came to bear when we were supposed to be in the ESPN tip off, but Fox Sports 1 owned the rights to the game

With that in mind - you can forget ESPN for any home games or conference games.

I cannot wait to finally have some dates and times in front of me so I can start planning some road trips and buy some top notch Georgetown tickets.

[bourbonman]

As I live in the Central time zone, I appreciate the 9 pm Eastern starts. The more the merrier!

Well if Louisville (where I reside) would return to the Central time zone as it was when I grew up, I would love it as well.

[BMoreX]

I cannot wait to finally have some dates and times in front of me so I can start planning some road trips and buy some top notch Georgetown tickets.

Really hoping the @Georgetown game is during Xavier's christmas break. I'll be home in Baltimore and will definitely make the drive down.

[GoMuskies]

Really hoping the @Georgetown game is during Xavier's christmas break. I'll be home in Baltimore and will definitely make the drive down.

How long does Christmas break last? Because Xavier's Big East opener will not be until 12/31 against St. John's. Seems the chances for you are pretty slim.

[Masterofreality]

Well if Louisville (where I reside) would return to the Central time zone as it was when I grew up, I would love it as well.

Same here. Never really got why Louisville went on EST when Nashville stayed on CST.

[BBC 08]

Forget that. I hope Louisville stays on EST. I hated it being pitch black out at 4pm in the winter while living in Nashville.

[BMoreX]

How long does Christmas break last? Because Xavier's Big East opener will not be until 12/31 against St. John's. Seems the chances for you are pretty slim.

It's a shame that the student body won't be there for the first Big East game, but that's what happens when there is an 18 game conference schedule. I'm sure Cintas will be loud no matter what. (Plus I like that it's a noon game so people can go to the game without interfering with their NYE parties and what not.)

Classes begin on Jan 7. A game will definitely be played on Sat, Jan 4. Hopefully that is an away game so that the students don't miss the first two Big East games.

So yes, very slim for the @Georgetown game on 1/4, but a man can hope.

[Milhouse]

It's a shame that the student body won't be there for the first Big East game, but that's what happens when there is an 18 game conference schedule. I'm sure Cintas will be loud no matter what. (Plus I like that it's a noon game so people can go to the game without interfering with their NYE parties and what not.)

Classes begin on Jan 7. A game will definitely be played on Sat, Jan 4. Hopefully that is an away game so that the students don't miss the first two Big East games.

So yes, very slim for the @Georgetown game on 1/4, but a man can hope.

Yeah but a noon start time isn't very conducive to probably the 95% of ticketholders that have full time jobs.

I'm not too sure I'll be able to make it to that...

[BMoreX]

Yeah but a noon start time isn't very conducive to probably the 95% of ticketholders that have full time jobs.

I'm not too sure I'll be able to make it to that...

Oh damn NYE is a Tuesday? Yeah that sucks. Don't know why I didn't realize that.

[GoMuskies]

I'm not too sure I'll be able to make it to that...

Well, those of us from out of town spending the holidays in Cincinnati are very happy to help with those extra tickets you might have laying around.

[blueblob06]

If you have a vacation day left to in 2013, use it on NYE! Hard part is convincing your wife to take your last vacation day to go to a Xavier game vs during Christmas week!

[Masterofreality]

Aaaaaaaaaaand, we have a website:

http://www.bigeast.org/index.html

[paulxu]

Nice timing!

[Milhouse]

If you have a vacation day left to in 2013, use it on NYE! Hard part is convincing your wife to take your last vacation day to go to a Xavier game vs during Christmas week!

Very much how I feel. I was heading home for the holidays but might need to take a day back...can't see myself missing the first game of the Big East.

[blueblob06]

http://www.cbspressexpress.com/cbs-sports/releases/view?id=36502&shared
CBS & CBSSN will be airing some games...some Xavier games in there with dates and times.

@ Creighton - Jan 12 (Sun) 3:00PM
Gtown - Jan 15 (Wed) 7:00PM
Seton Hall - Feb 1 (Sat) 12:00PM
DePaul - Feb 19 (Wed) 7:00PM

Does that mean Fox1 sold their rights to CBS for these games? There's a ton more but these are the only Xavier ones on the CBS list.

[LA Muskie]

And...via that press release we now know at least 4 conference game days/times -- including the home tilt against Georgetown (Wed. Jan. 15th @ 7pm EST).

[BMoreX]

Disappointing that they sold a boatload of games to CBSSN

[blueblob06]

Disappointing that they sold a boatload of games to CBSSN
Agreed.

To sum up, here's what we know so far:
St. John's - Dec 31st (Tues) 12:00PM
@ Creighton - Jan 12 (Sun) 3:00PM
Gtown - Jan 15 (Wed) 7:00PM
Seton Hall - Feb 1 (Sat) 12:00PM
DePaul - Feb 19 (Wed) 7:00PM

13 more Big East games to go...should be announced any time now.

[GoMuskies]

Who's meeting me in Omaha Jan 12? I hear it's beautiful that time of year!

[dfcapp]

I guess Zags Blog has the entire BE schedule out there:


LINK to the Article (http://zagsblog.com/articles/big-east-releases-2013-14-schedule/)

[Milhouse]

Compared to how much we were on CBSSN last year or TWC that's a huge upgrade.

[powerofX]

The last weekend "rivalry" games don't make any sense.

[Milhouse]

Disappointed by the 9 p.m. weeknight start times and also not playing Butler on a Saturday...makes for an easy roadtrip.

Might need to head up for the Marquette game. Was thinking of flying in for the GTown game. Glad its on a saturday makes it all that much more doable.

[powerofX]

And X @ DePaul on MlK day in the afternoon = 250 in attendance.

[XULucho27]

And X @ DePaul on MlK day in the afternoon = 250 in attendance.

153 of them Xavier fans. Myself included.

[PMI]

Party at my place the weekend of the 2/22. I'll probably be getting tickets this evening.

[waggy]

Villanova is Xaviers last game, and Villanova is Georgetowns last game. Does that mean Nova is "the" rival to both?

[paulxu]

There's some strange stuff going on there.
Why only 4 games on the final Sat...not 5?
Butler plays Thursday, then Sat. Weird.

http://www.bigeast.org/genrel/090513aab.html

[BMoreX]

I was mistaken about the students' break. This is a pretty bad schedule for students who don't live in the area.

Students miss:
12/31 vs. St John's (Christmas break)
1/4 vs. Butler (Christmas break)
1/9 vs. Marquette (Christmas break)
3/1 vs. Creighton (spring break)
3/6 vs. Villanova (spring break)

EDIT: forgot one.

[JTG]

I was mistaken about the students' break. This is a pretty bad schedule for students who don't live in the area.

Students miss:
12/31 vs. St John's (Christmas break)
1/4 vs. Butler (Christmas break)
1/9 vs. Marquette (Christmas break)
3/1 vs. Creighton (Christmas break)

Damn, Christms Break runs thru 3/1.

[BMoreX]

Damn, Christms Break runs thru 3/1.

LOL, I'll fix that. Spring break.

We play a ton of noon games. 4 PM on a Monday at DePaul!?

[paulxu]

Xavier's Conference Schedule:

Tuesday, December 31
St. John's at Xavier Noon FOX Sports 1 1

Saturday, Jan. 4
Butler at Xavier 2:00 FSN National

Thursday, Jan. 9
Marquette at Xavier 9:00 FOX Sports 1

Sunday, Jan. 12
Xavier at Creighton 3:00 CBSSN

Wednesday, Jan. 15
Georgetown at Xavier 7:00 CBSSN

Monday, Jan. 20
Xavier at DePaul 4:00 FSN National

Saturday, Jan. 25
Xavier at Providence Noon FOX Sports 1

Saturday, Feb. 1
Seton Hall at Xavier Noon CBSSN

Monday, Feb. 3
Xavier at Villanova 7:00 FOX Sports 1

Saturday, Feb. 8
Providence at Xavier 5:00 FOX Sports 1

Tuesday, Feb. 11
Xavier at Butler 9:00 FOX Sports 1

Saturday, Feb. 15
Xavier at Marquette 6:00 FOX Sports 1

Wednesday, Feb. 19
DePaul at Xavier 7:00 CBSSN

Saturday, Feb. 22
Xavier at Georgetown 11:30 a.m. FOX Sports 1

Tuesday, Feb. 25
Xavier at St. John's (MSG) 7:00 FOX Sports 1

Saturday, March 1
Creighton at Xavier 5:00 FOX Sports 1

Monday, March 3
Xavier at Seton Hall 7:00 FOX Sports 1

Thursday, March 6
Villanova at Xavier 9:00 FOX Sports 1


We've got 2 Saturday to Monday turn arounds.

[BMoreX]

What is FSN National?

[waggy]

Fox Sports Ohio, etc, etc, etc.

[powerofX]

Xavier's Conference Schedule:

We've got 2 Saturday to Monday turn arounds.

And both Mondays on the road.

[Masterofreality]

So, we don't get our Saturday "off" until the last Saturday of the season.

Edit We actually have Saturday January 18 off.

Every game on some sort of "national" platform. I like it. Damn site better than TWC public access channel in a barn powered by mice.

[Masterofreality]

And here's the link for the full schedule:

http://www.goxavier.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/090513aaa.html

[hoyahooligan]

Xavier's Conference Schedule:

Tuesday, December 31
St. John's at Xavier Noon FOX Sports 1 1

Saturday, Jan. 4
Butler at Xavier 2:00 FSN National

Thursday, Jan. 9
Marquette at Xavier 9:00 FOX Sports 1

Sunday, Jan. 12
Xavier at Creighton 3:00 CBSSN

Wednesday, Jan. 15
Georgetown at Xavier 7:00 CBSSN

Monday, Jan. 20
Xavier at DePaul 4:00 FSN National

Saturday, Jan. 25
Xavier at Providence Noon FOX Sports 1

Saturday, Feb. 1
Seton Hall at Xavier Noon CBSSN

Monday, Feb. 3
Xavier at Villanova 7:00 FOX Sports 1

Saturday, Feb. 8
Providence at Xavier 5:00 FOX Sports 1

Tuesday, Feb. 11
Xavier at Butler 9:00 FOX Sports 1

Saturday, Feb. 15
Xavier at Marquette 6:00 FOX Sports 1

Wednesday, Feb. 19
DePaul at Xavier 7:00 CBSSN

Saturday, Feb. 22
Xavier at Georgetown 11:30 a.m. FOX Sports 1

Tuesday, Feb. 25
Xavier at St. John's (MSG) 7:00 FOX Sports 1

Saturday, March 1
Creighton at Xavier 5:00 FOX Sports 1

Monday, March 3
Xavier at Seton Hall 7:00 FOX Sports 1

Thursday, March 6
Villanova at Xavier 9:00 FOX Sports 1


We've got 2 Saturday to Monday turn arounds.

Those look like your two toughest stretches. Having to play the three teams likely picked 1,2, and 3 back to back to back is going to be rough, but at least 2 of them are at home.

[X-band '01]

The closest thing Xavier will have to playing in a bandbox this year is the Pavilion at Villanova. The game at St. John's is scheduled for MSG this year.

It's going to be strange (and awesome) not to have to go to places like Fordham or St. Bonnie or Duquesne's HS gyms this year.

[LA Muskie]

Wow. We don't play a true road game until our 12th game of the season at Alabama (our first 11 are 8 home games and 3 neutral site games). Then we play 4 straight at home (3 to open the Big East season). We better come out of the gates strong, because we finish up with only 6 home games out of our final 15 (8 road, 1 neutral site @ US Bank vs Cincy).

[XUFan09]

Wow. We don't play a true road game until our 12th game of the season at Alabama (our first 11 are 8 home games and 3 neutral site games). Then we play 4 straight at home (3 to open the Big East season). We better come out of the gates strong, because we finish up with only 6 home games out of our final 15 (8 road, 1 neutral site @ US Bank vs Cincy).

And coming out of the gate strong (relative to their overall potential) is exactly what I don't expect a team to do with a bunch of new faces.

[anXUfan]

Does anyone have stats on Xavier's record when they're at home with students versus when the students are out on break?

[paulxu]

This may have been posted already, but why would Fox sell some of its inventory to CBS?

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/9638855/cbs-acquires-rights-big-east-basketball-games

[waggy]

CBS needed/wanted something to air and was willing to pay for it?

[JAPER]

Anybody, anytime, anywhere...

Slightly disappointed no NYC weekend games.

[toledodan]

So, we don't get our Saturday "off" until the last Saturday of the season.

Edit We actually have Saturday January 18 off.

Every game on some sort of "national" platform. I like it. Damn site better than TWC public access channel in a barn powered by mice.

us out of town fans should be in great shape. seems like every game is on fox sports 1.

[blueblob06]

My wife is due Christmas Day. I was really, really, really hoping we'd have a bunch of road games in late Dec/early Jan so that we can survive the shock of having a baby and adjusting for a couple weeks. Nope. 4 straight home games after Christmas....Dec 28, 31st, Jan 4th, Jan 9th. What are the odds?

That sucks. Have missed 1 game at Cintas since I graduated in 2006 (and that was to be in my friend's wedding). I'm guessing that number will increase this year. The kid better end up playing hoops for Xavier to make this up to me!

[casualfan]

I just saw that Big East media day is scheduled to be the same day as the ACC's.

Would love to know what the thought process behind that is.

[Muskie]

I just saw that Big East media day is scheduled to be the same day as the ACC's.

Would love to know what the thought process behind that is.

That ESPN was going to cover the Big East Day poorly to begin with, so why not do it on a day when they are otherwise occupied?

[blobfan]

If you have a vacation day left to in 2013, use it on NYE! Hard part is convincing your wife to take your last vacation day to go to a Xavier game vs during Christmas week!
Why? Sounds legit to me. Still, never argue with the wife about the holidays, unless you are taking equal/greater share of responsibility for shopping, event coordination, decorating, cooking, etc.

No. Nevermind. Just don't argue with the wife about the holidays. That's the safer bet.

And X @ DePaul on MlK day in the afternoon = 250 in attendance.
4 pm. Bummer. Would be a good excuse for a road trip to Chi-town. To bad it's not earlier so I could get back before midnight.

[casualfan]

That ESPN was going to cover the Big East Day poorly to begin with, so why not do it on a day when they are otherwise occupied?

It's not about ESPN's coverage.

The Big East has historically had a huge media following in the northeast. The coverage provided by the NY/NJ papers and stations like SNY of the league is second to none.

The problem with hosting media day the same day is the ACC is that most of those same writers also cover the ACC.

You're making people pick which event to cover (i'm sure outlets will cover both, but not nearly as well as if the events were separate days).

If the idea is to maximize exposure hosting media day the same day as what people now consider to be the clear cut best league is just not that great an idea.

[Masterofreality]

I just saw that Big East media day is scheduled to be the same day as the ACC's.

Would love to know what the thought process behind that is.

I think you meant the AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAC.

Screw the AAAAAAAAAC. They're moving their offices to Memphis and no one in New York will care. The Big East is the Big Boy in the Big Apple now.

Once Rutgers leaves for the Big 10, NO ONE in the Northeast, except for Hartford will care about that garbage league.

[GoMuskies]

Once Rutgers leaves for the Big 10, NO ONE in the Northeast, except for Hartford will care about that garbage league.

Well, then they'll add UMass and.....yeah, still no one will care.

[paulxu]

No. Nevermind. Just don't argue with the wife about (anything). That's the safer bet.

Even Nigel won't make book on those games.

[hoyahooligan]

It's not about ESPN's coverage.

The Big East has historically had a huge media following in the northeast. The coverage provided by the NY/NJ papers and stations like SNY of the league is second to none.

The problem with hosting media day the same day is the ACC is that most of those same writers also cover the ACC.

You're making people pick which event to cover (i'm sure outlets will cover both, but not nearly as well as if the events were separate days).

If the idea is to maximize exposure hosting media day the same day as what people now consider to be the clear cut best league is just not that great an idea.

Hey Casualfan,

You do realize that we had our BE media day the same day as the ACC's media day last year too right? It's probably like that every year. We had great newspaper coverage and you could watch it live on the Big East website but ESPN focused primarily on the ACC media day. I don't think any of that will change.

[SM#24]

Still, never argue with the wife about the holidays, unless you are taking equal/greater share of responsibility for shopping, event coordination, decorating, cooking, etc.

If you eliminated the shopping, event coordination, decorating and cooking there would be no arguments.

[GoMuskies]

There's going to be a massive Xavier showing in D.C. on February 22nd, right? We had some big crowds for GW over the years, and I would think there will be significantly more excitement for our first game at Georgetown.

I need to get a 1990 Sweet Sixteen shirt to wear to the game.

[PMI]

There's going to be a massive Xavier showing in D.C. on February 22nd, right? We had some big crowds for GW over the years, and I would think there will be significantly more excitement for our first game at Georgetown.

I need to get a 1990 Sweet Sixteen shirt to wear to the game.

Yes, there certainly will be. I will take it upon myself to be the ring leader. I'll see you all at the Greene Turtle that Saturday morning at 9:00am. I'm looking into floor side seats right now.

[Masterofreality]

Yeah, Damn. I'm really going to miss Foggy Bottom and the state of the art Smith Center...with it's cartoon George, it's car horn and the worst fight song in the NCAA referring to buff and blue.

I will miss winning close games there, like Hammer's 3 pointer and Tu's heroics 2 years ago.

[XUFan09]

There's going to be a massive Xavier showing in D.C. on February 22nd, right? We had some big crowds for GW over the years, and I would think there will be significantly more excitement for our first game at Georgetown.

I need to get a 1990 Sweet Sixteen shirt to wear to the game.

I'll be there from Richmond! I'm considering attending the Villanova game too, as it's not too bad of a trip.

[PMI]

I'll be there from Richmond! I'm considering attending the Villanova game too, as it's not too bad of a trip.

I'm definitely going to Nova. I can get to Philly in 2 hours with the new ICC Highway.

[Masterofreality]

Dana O'Neill breaks down the non conference schedule of each Big East team.

GTown & Marquette 10 out of 10 on toughness. X and 'Nova 8 out of 10. Seton Hall 2 out of 10.

http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/88029/nonconference-schedule-analysis-big-east-3

[BMoreX]

Pleasantly surprised she gave us an 8.

[GoMuskies]

Seton Hall, DePaul and Providence should all play 2 out of 10 non-conference schedules until they make another NCAA Tournament. Then they're allowed to start scheduling up again.

[QueensbridgeMF]

I will be @ providence and @ MSG. Is this our first game at the Garden since Mississippi State? That was an ugly game.