Chris has done a nice job scheduling tough matchups:
@Grand Canyon-A true sleeper this year, coached by Dan Majerle, very underrated. 22-9 last year and return most of their talent.
Potentially Missouri and West Virginia if we advance in Orlando. Really nice neutral site matchups for the committee, could be huge payoff.
Duke- Preseason # 1
Arizona St. in a virtual road game in LA.
Middle of the pack games:
St.Joe's- Picked as high as 2nd in the A10 this year in Summer polls. Very hurt last year, return a ton of talent for a brilliant HC in Martelli.
Iona, let Baldi go off here.
Nebraska a middle of the pack Big10 team.
Cupcakes-
New Orleans/Central Conn/Sacred Heart
To note:
*No Barclays game this year.
*No low major tri state teams on the rise ala Stony Brook, LIUBK or Niagara on the schedule as well which have been trap games for us.
*Only one true road game (Grand Canyon), however the Orlando neutral site games are just as good as road games against premier talent.
I think we have to go atleast 9-3 in the OOC. Must wins are New Orleans, Oregon St., Central Conn., Sacred Heart, and Iona. Toss ups are Nebraska, Arizona St., Missouri, and St. Joe's. The reach is Duke.
Fare well in the OOC and we have a shot at the tourney this year if we compete and finish within the upper half of the BE.