I know last years sked was brutal. No doubt.
But man, I think this one's worse.
Seriously.
Duke = Duke, UCLA = UCLA. Both teams lost a little but nowhere near what STJ did.
KY > St Marys
2 of AZ, Tx A&M and Miss State >> Davidson and Northwestern
Detroit =/> Az State (last year's version ended up being pretty bad)
Fordham > Fordham (they can't be any worse)
St Bonnies is the only other decent non con team STJ played.
Balance of non-con was Ball St, Drake, Columbia, Wagner - all 167 or below in the RPI so even if they're replaced by bad bad teams there's not much difference.
So much for giving the new guys a chance to settle in, acclimate and learn the system. I wish them luck.
Oh and STJ SOS was #10 at the end of the year last year. Can't imagine where it'll be this year.
CRGreen - Did Lav do this at UCLA as well? Maybe it explains why the reg season record was always considered mediocre but the tournament accomplishments unexpectedly good? ; )