Suggestions for 2014-15 schedule

[jellybean]

I see on www.basketballtravelers.com that La Salle is seeking 4 H/H series for next year.

Minnesota is looking for a H/H with mid-major (i think) starting in Minneapolis on 12/19/15. PERFECT for D J Peterson to play in front of family and friends.

St. Mary's CA is looking to fill the Shamrock Classic tournament. They need 2 teams. I and others wish that a series with Gaels would take place. Good place to start.

Santa Clara is looking for teams to fill the Cable Car Classic. 3 games.

Games at Gola during the Break are not the greatest draw. I would like to see G take the team on the road during that time. Even if we don't get a return visit. Rather see that than some of what we saw in the past. Notice that only Wagner is the only non-conference game at home during the Break.

Also, some friends have floated an idea of playing two non-conference games in a city/area on one trip like Salt Lake City ( BYU #28, Utah #60, Utah State #67 and even a usually strong Weber State. All within one hour drive of each other) or Northern and Southern California.

[ck]

San Francisco area is an especially good idea. I think it was in the 1972-1973 season
there was a La Salle group flight out there. On the way back Bobby Jones' father took
the mike and said what a good trip it was. (After that season I think his son, who did like
La Salle, transferred to West Point). While there there was a nice side trip taken by a
few to Sausalito. About the same era that the movie Bullitt was filmed (one of the
best chase scenes ever---more than the French Connection).

[talkinbball]

Just don't make the schedule too tough! Facing the best teams is not the best strategy. Need to "strategically schedule for RPI purposes".

[coachd]

ck... you mean this...

[mookie]

I understand the importance of strategic scheduling and winning games, but honestly, I do like what Chaney used to do with Temple and scheduling really difficult games early in the year to help with development. Scheduling some really difficult teams next year would be interesting. Given that we'll have a "young" team (referring to new players vs their actual year in college), it may be important to find difficult but winnable road contests.

I will say though, if we were to bring St Mary's, Minnesota or a similar opponent, I would be right there at Gola to watch the game unless it's Xmas eve or NYE.

[talkinbball]

I know this is not a popular view, but, until ground is actually broken and construction started on a legitimate "arena" I would schedule to collect all the big checks I possibly could. With last years' success, G has earned his extension and now with the "lightening" apparently gone the focus should be to do the next thing necessary to bring the program to where it needs to go and that is to get the new arena moving. This requires money and we should schedule accordingly.

[mookie]

talkinbball - I'm actually in favor with that method to a degree. One or two big check games a season but nothing more. I would hate to have the kids be carved up or embarassed. The NCAA may be out of reach this year, it may not. But I'm still of the belief that the team we'll have next year will return to the NCAAs. Another win or two and that's what? 4M more in the bank?

Yes...I fully expect the team to be in the NCAAs next season.

[calsufan]

Dec 23, 2013 15:06:14 GMT -5 mookie said:

talkinbball - I'm actually in favor with that method to a degree. One or two big check games a season but nothing more. I would hate to have the kids be carved up or embarassed. The NCAA may be out of reach this year, it may not. But I'm still of the belief that the team we'll have next year will return to the NCAAs. Another win or two and that's what? 4M more in the bank?

Yes...I fully expect the team to be in the NCAAs next season.

It's early to be talking about next year, but since you brought it up, I'll chime in on this one. I don't think they'll be an NCAA team next year. They'll be relying on two freshmen as their point guards and thay'll have a lot of new players to integrate. I think next year they'll be a winning team, but that's probably it.

[mookie]

Sorry calsufan, the point of my post was to point out that despite the struggles this team has had this year, I don't believe this will impact the team the following year. Many of us saw this year's team as a team that was going to take a step back for a variety of reasons (Sweet 16 is not something that should be expected regardless of who you are) and the graduations of Ramon.

After that, the team would have players in the program for a year to get acclimated to eachother (Stukes, Roberts, Price). When you consider the fact that this team will have 2 highly experienced bigs (Wright & Zack) combined with a big PG and a big SG and a "sniper" in Roberts, you can't help but believe the pieces are there for this team to return to the NCAAs even in their first year.

This is college and freshmen make significant impacts...if Stukes does not have a significant impact next year, then he's not going to be the player that G envisioned.

That's the point of my post, not to overlook this year and start looking forward to next year, but rather stick to the course and not panic or jump ship.

[calsufan]

Dec 24, 2013 11:28:31 GMT -5 mookie said:

Sorry calsufan, the point of my post was to point out that despite the struggles this team has had this year, I don't believe this will impact the team the following year. Many of us saw this year's team as a team that was going to take a step back for a variety of reasons (Sweet 16 is not something that should be expected regardless of who you are) and the graduations of Ramon.

After that, the team would have players in the program for a year to get acclimated to eachother (Stukes, Roberts, Price). When you consider the fact that this team will have 2 highly experienced bigs (Wright & Zack) combined with a big PG and a big SG and a "sniper" in Roberts, you can't help but believe the pieces are there for this team to return to the NCAAs even in their first year.

This is college and freshmen make significant impacts...if Stukes does not have a significant impact next year, then he's not going to be the player that G envisioned.

That's the point of my post, not to overlook this year and start looking forward to next year, but rather stick to the course and not panic or jump ship.

I did understand the point of your post when I initially read it. I was in the same camp as you as far as the loss of Ramon. And I know the players will be good, but i still don't think with two freshmen PG's next year and a bunch of new players that we will be NCAA bound. Hopefully I'm wrong and you're right though.