Four home games – one against a D-III school – is certainly sad. Of course, the number could be six at home should we fail to advance to MSG. But, still not what we wanted or expected. And, yes, Coach Reed did say it was difficult finding quality opponents post the Duke matchup. That said, no one should complain about being selected to play in the prestigious Preseason NIT. There, we’ll have the chance to perhaps go up against Pitt in regional play and, should we advance, the likelihood of playing Michigan, Kansas State or Virginia at New York’s Madison Square Garden. Should we not advance out of the Pittsburgh Pod, we’d undoubtedly host two Consolation Round games at Stabler based on our strong seeding going into the tournament. Our opponents would come from the list of others who also failed to advance to play in New York City. The list of those schools selected to participate in this year’s Preseason NIT are:
Pittsburgh – Robert Morris, Lehigh, and Fordham
Michigan – IUPUI, Cleveland State, Bowling Green
Kansas State – Lamar, North Texas, Alabama-Huntsville
Virginia – Fairfield, Delaware, Penn
For a graphic, click below.
http://www.thedetroitsportssite.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/bkm-preseason-nit-bracket.pdf
The NIT will not be our only test. So, too, will be our first and last games contested before entering conference play – namely Baylor and VCU. In between, you have – for the most part – the usual assortment of contests against AE, NEC, and A-10 teams. Our full OOC Schedule follows.
Date / Opponent / Conference / 2011-12 Record / Final Pomeroy Ranking
Nov. 9th / @ Baylor / Big 12 / 30-8 / 17
Pre-season NIT (Pittsburgh POD)
Nov. 12th / Robert Morris / NEC / 26-11 / 123
and either
Nov. 13th / Fordham / A10 / 10-19 / 237
or
Nov. 13th / Pitt / Big East / 22-17 / 63
Should we win both games, we head to New York to play two – the first on November 21st and the second on November 23rd. Otherwise, our Consolation Round games will be played on November 19th and 20th.
Nov. 25th / @ Sacred Heart / AE / 14-18 / 236
Nov. 27th / @ Quinnipiac / AE / 18-14 / 138
Dec. 1st / Fairleigh Dickinson / NEC / 3-26 / 328
Dec. 4th / Fordham / A10 / 10-19 / 237
Dec. 8th / @ St. Francis University / NEC / 6-23 / 307
Dec. 20th / @ North Texas / Sun Belt / 18-14 / 159
Dec. 29th / Bryant / NEC / 2-28 / 333
Jan. 5th / @VCU / CAA / 29-7 / 40
Jan. 8th / Muhlenberg College / D-III / 18-9 / na
Ken Pomeroy’s Strength of Schedule Ranking for OOC Opponents
With games against Robert Morris and Pitt = 180*
With games against Robert Morris and Fordham = 196
* With wins in each game, LU would then play two games at MSG against what we can assume will be top quality opponents. This will have the effect of bettering the 180 average ranking. With a loss in either or both games, LU would then play two additional games (most likely at Stabler) against what we can assume will be equal or lower ranking opponents.
P.S. Last year’s OOC opponent SOS measured 224.
StablerBum.
but I intend to get to as many games as possible. Based on the home schedule, I would think only Bucknell may be a tough ticket this year. Would love to meet as many posters as possible though.
