2023-24 Around The Valley

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Belmont really needs a forum to get more chatter about that program. I almost forget about them being the valley because there is just no fan presence for the Bruins.

That's unfortunate because that place was buzzing last night, so they clearly have some pretty passionate local fans.
 

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That's unfortunate because that place was buzzing last night, so they clearly have some pretty passionate local fans.
It's a big rivalry game and a lot of those in the stadium were Lipscomb fans. Their arena is real nice but only seats 5,000 (it looks bigger than what it is.) So I'd imagine there was probably about 3,000-3,500 Belmont fans there.

I guess what I'm trying to say is Belmont doesn't have that many fans and it takes a rivalry game (who brought a lot of fans) to have the same attendance numbers as an average MVC school. For as much success as that program has had in the past 20 years they should be selling out every night. Yesterday looked great, but it was the exception not the norm
 
It was close to a packed house last year when we played them. Their student support is great. When Rick Byrd was the coach, Vince Gill attended the home games. Don't know if he still does. Belmont is now bigger than State. Their enrollment is 8,900 with students from every state and 28 countries.
 
If CUSA expands SFA would be my guess unless UMASS wants to join CUSA for all sports.

Missouri State moving to that league would be pure desperation. It's a downgrade across the board. Unless it's a Sun Belt offer I doubt they bite.

Can't see Samford, Furman, or Chattanooga. Downgrade in hoops and they'd have to pay a $2M SOCON exit fee on top of a $5M FBS entrance fee.

EKU would love it, but I'm sure WKU will do everything they can to block them.

FAMU. Can't see them leaving the SWAC and can't see an FBS league being interested in a SWAC school enough to invite them.

Tarleton State. Maybe right behind SFA in the realistic pecking order, but they are still very new to D1.
Did you know Billy Gillespie is the coach at Tarleton?
 
I've honestly never even heard of him before.
He was The Texas A&M Coach who was hired at Kentucky. Was fired from Kentucky because of not only his record, but drinking problems. Texas Tech hired him, and the same alcohol related issues cost him his job. Disappeared for years until he cleared up his addiction, was hired by a Jr. College in Texas, and now at Tarelton.
 

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He was The Texas A&M Coach who was hired at Kentucky. Was fired from Kentucky because of not only his record, but drinking problems. Texas Tech hired him, and the same alcohol related issues cost him his job. Disappeared for years until he cleared up his addiction, was hired by a Jr. College in Texas, and now at Tarelton.
Yeah I don't remember him at all, but I don't really follow anything too closely outside of the MVC and the OVC conferences (in any sport). I do like to follow realignment around D1 because I find it interesting, but I don't follow players and coaches in any of those leagues.
 
Drake plays a “neutral site” game against Nevada on Saturday. That’ll be an interesting one to follow. Nevada will be, by far, the best team Drake has played all year.

While Drake may be really good, they’ve played a cupcake schedule so far.
 
Just thought I would check who has been on Drake's 'cupcake' schedule:

5 games vs teams 112-139; 3 games vs teams 227 or higher.

ISU Schedule: 4 games vs teams in top 100; three games vs teams 247 or higher.
The last two conference games vs top 100 teams strengthened the ISU schedule; Prior to that the schedules are a distinction w/o a difference.
So would one characterize the ISU schedule as a 'cupcake schedule'?

Lipscomb ( a 1 point loser to Belmont) NET 139
SW Minnesota Probably D2
Oakland University: NET 132
Stephen F. Austin: NET 123
Akron: NET 126
Texas Southern: NET 286 (0-7)
Valpo: NET 303
MIssouri State: NET 112
SLU: NET 227

ISU Schedule: 4 games vs teams in top 100; three games vs teams 247 or higher.

SMWC - NAIA
Alabama NET 14
IUPUI: NET 347
Rice: NET 272
Pepperdine: NET 247
Toledo: NET 94
SIU: NET 79
Bradley NET 99

What about the Assembly Hall Team? Two Games vs Top 100; Three games versus teams 277 or higher; Two games vs 101-199 range
That looks more like a cream puff than either Drake's or ISU's schedule to me.

FGCU NET 308
Army NET 348
Wright State NET 117
UConn NET: 7 (Creighton is now #5)
Louisville NET: 277
Harvard NET 101
Maryland: NET: 186
Michigan: NET: 90
 
Just thought I would check who has been on Drake's 'cupcake' schedule:

5 games vs teams 112-139; 3 games vs teams 227 or higher.

ISU Schedule: 4 games vs teams in top 100; three games vs teams 247 or higher.
The last two conference games vs top 100 teams strengthened the ISU schedule; Prior to that the schedules are a distinction w/o a difference.
So would one characterize the ISU schedule as a 'cupcake schedule'?

Lipscomb ( a 1 point loser to Belmont) NET 139
SW Minnesota Probably D2
Oakland University: NET 132
Stephen F. Austin: NET 123
Akron: NET 126
Texas Southern: NET 286 (0-7)
Valpo: NET 303
MIssouri State: NET 112
SLU: NET 227

ISU Schedule: 4 games vs teams in top 100; three games vs teams 247 or higher.

SMWC - NAIA
Alabama NET 14
IUPUI: NET 347
Rice: NET 272
Pepperdine: NET 247
Toledo: NET 94
SIU: NET 79
Bradley NET 99

What about the Assembly Hall Team? Two Games vs Top 100; Three games versus teams 277 or higher; Two games vs 101-199 range
That looks more like a cream puff than either Drake's or ISU's schedule to me.

FGCU NET 308
Army NET 348
Wright State NET 117
UConn NET: 7 (Creighton is now #5)
Louisville NET: 277
Harvard NET 101
Maryland: NET: 186
Michigan: NET: 90
I missed Drake’s game vs. Akron when I was looking at their schedule. That does make it look a bit better, and it’s their best win.

I was also looking at KenPom rankings at the time the game was played, not NET.
 

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Despite their best attempts to give it away UIC is going to hold off for the win. I swear 80% of the game was a loose ball with guys flying around trying to get it. Sloppy game
 

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