Iona trying to get on our schedule
- Thread starter 19854ever
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I think being the best team in New York City still means something even if it's not 1960 anymore. I have to believe it will draw a crowd if we play Iona or Fordham or Manhattan as part of our early out of conference schedule. We need those early wins against scrappy competition. I know, in the past it was all downside for us. Come on guys! We're in the Mullin era now!
I think we should play them too. I think it could draw well as Iona has been better in recent years and we haven't played them in a while. Perhaps we make them the first MSG game as part of a doubleheader.
It could help us if we beat them as they have a shot at the NCAAs. It's always good to have wins over NCAA teams. I dont think losing would hurt us as much as in years past. I also don't want to duck anyone! If we are going to get this city excited about college hoops again why not play the better locals?
I always liked playing the locals. You can't play all of them every year. But 4 games against a list including St Francis (NY), LIU, Hofstra, Fordham, Manhattan, Marist, Iona, Niagara, now NJ Tech, etc is fine with me. We did that for many years, pretty much until Norm started losing to those teams on a regular basis (the Louie night loss to St Francis could be the worst SJU on-court debacle ever).
You can't schedule heavyweights for all of your OOC schedule (though I agree there should be anywhere from 3-5 OOC games against top teams, maybe with a lean towards the higher number given the current state of the BE). Personally I'd rather play the locals than San Francisco or Coppin State or whomever for that part of the OOC schedule.
You can't schedule heavyweights for all of your OOC schedule (though I agree there should be anywhere from 3-5 OOC games against top teams, maybe with a lean towards the higher number given the current state of the BE). Personally I'd rather play the locals than San Francisco or Coppin State or whomever for that part of the OOC schedule.
beast of the east
Active member
In terms of the quality of our schedule, I'd be good with playing Iona at CA, but not for a home and home arrangement. At CA, it would make for a spirited, competitive game, but makes no sense to go up there.
Iona and Manhattan don't draw at MSG and they are real rivals separated by a few miles who routinely battle for their conference league and tourney championship so why would Iona draw for this. This game would mean no more to St. John's fans than St. John's vs. Fordham which also doesn't draw. It is nothing but a trap game with no benefit for St. John's who already plays enough locals.
PASS
All indications are that SJU are committing a substantial amount of money into the men's BB program. The schedule should be put together to please the NCAA selection committee and to put fans in the seats and get good TV ratings.
Playing local teams does very little to satisfy these concerns for SJU. There is little interest in local college BB in NYC and no interest west of the Hudson River.
SJU has a tradition with St. Francis , Fordham and Manhattan but beating these teams means very little to SJU power ratings. I can understand their wanting to play SJU but not the other way around.
Playing local teams does very little to satisfy these concerns for SJU. There is little interest in local college BB in NYC and no interest west of the Hudson River.
SJU has a tradition with St. Francis , Fordham and Manhattan but beating these teams means very little to SJU power ratings. I can understand their wanting to play SJU but not the other way around.
For each of the two seasons following 2015 there is massive roster turnover and staff has a huge task in putting together a competitive roster each season.
For 2017-2018 it should be easier as we will have returning players with experience in AA, Willams, Owens, Ellison , Sima and whoever the staff can pickup from now until then. In my opinion we needs wins the next two seasons and while we may be good each of the next two seasons I suggest we take a more conservative approach in our schedule and ensure we have a winning record prior to the commencement of the Big East Season. A dose of local cupcakes is what the scheduling doctor ordered for SJU in the near future.
So beating a lousy Fordham team by 52 points is better than playing a competitive game against a local that could actually help our RPI and strength of schedule?
When we lost to Fordham at their place in 2010 that didn't hurt more than a loss to a good local team would have?
I'm sorry but I would bet Iona would draw significantly better than Fordham and not just with the Iona fans but also with our own fans.
Iona does not help our RPI or SOS as they don't play anybody. Their conference will get one NCAA bid and that will go to whomever wins their tourney (which is no guarantee that they will) and then they must likely play Tuesday or Wednesday Night in the opening round. At least with Fordham there is a history of playing them and they play in a stronger conference. If you are worried about RPI and SOS you don't replace Fordham with Iona. And sometimes you need a patsy or two on the schedule.
No I don't think Iona will draw more than Fordham who despite down years still has a larger base, nor do I believe a MAAC team would draw more of our fans. At least the students at the Fordham game get into it back and forth with some good ribbing and chants, I don't see that happening against Iona.
We have nothing to gain here as we try to rebuild our program and brand.
Again, I would Pass.
Iona does not help our RPI or SOS as they don't play anybody. Their conference will get one NCAA bid and that will go to whomever wins their tourney (which is no guarantee that they will) and then they must likely play Tuesday or Wednesday Night in the opening round. At least with Fordham there is a history of playing them and they play in a stronger conference. If you are worried about RPI and SOS you don't replace Fordham with Iona. And sometimes you need a patsy or two on the schedule.
No I don't think Iona will draw more than Fordham who despite down years still has a larger base, nor do I believe a MAAC team would draw more of our fans. At least the students at the Fordham game get into it back and forth with some good ribbing and chants, I don't see that happening against Iona.
We have nothing to gain here as we try to rebuild our program and brand.
Again, I would Pass.
(Amended. Iona's RPI is better than I thought last year, but for the other reasons I stated, I would still Pass)
Not sure how long the term was for the original home and home. These types of series can go for multiple years, not just two. The original Duke Series with us was the same way. Its called home and home but was for a term of like four years so each team got two home games.
L J S A
Well-known member
How far in advance are schedules made? I'm actually all for examining who is likely to be the better team out of Iona/Manhattan and playing that team every season. Choosing correctly likely means an additional tournament team on the schedule. And that could mean getting bumped up a line if all other things are equal with another tournament team or two.