2024–25 schedule
- Thread starter SFspidur
- Start date
yeah, I'm expecting a weak schedule at this point. that's priced in. any new good games (including Auburn) will be a pleasant surprise.
all I want right now is a full slate. which means we have to get in an MTE no matter how weak the field. and no non-DI games.
if it ends up a weak schedule, so be it. we just have to win. 12-1.
They’re going 22-10, confirmed.Sorry, Legger...no Buffalo repeat this year.
Men’s Basketball Announces 2024-25 Non-Conference Schedule - University at Buffalo
BUFFALO, N.Y. – The University at Buffalo men's basketball program announced the completion of the 2024-25 campaign on Tuesday afternoon. The schedule will featureubbulls.com
Well, the way the NET works it seems like it would be in our best interest to play @ a team like Hofstra....a likely Q2 game we should win.
Still 60 hours until WTF mode kicks in for me.
It's like the reverse of that cop show "The First 48"...all the best scheduling gets done the last 2 days before a message board member's arbitrary deadline.
It's like the reverse of that cop show "The First 48"...all the best scheduling gets done the last 2 days before a message board member's arbitrary deadline.
Just because they haven't posted the schedule doesn't mean we don't have quality games schedule.
What's the benefit in keeping it "secret" while asking people to invest, tickets or advertising?
I'd call it a toss up game, maybe we are a tiny favorite at Hofstra. Type of game we should avoid imo. They beat us a few years ago at the RC. But what I don't like is they'll be more "up" for the game than us. Not enough upside even if we win. We r much better off taking road buy games at P5 where we'll be more "up" for the game and dialed in. U have to chance to catch teams like that, the crowds can be less hostile early on too. we've done a few over the years but we should be going after those hard and getting multiple ones, but I don't think we want to. Its the much better route. Go after it. Be one of the top programs in nation don't just say it.
But the fact that we played them back to back years at home in 20' and 21' and had a 2 for 1 deal with Bucknell (with 1 year off vs. what would be 2 years off with Hofstra) and also since u have now mentioned them a couple times, idk I think it's possible we'll see them on schedule.
I understand holding off if we have games that are near certain to be scheduled, but still need some final things done to become official.....but, if they are actually scheduled, like you said above, why would both teams wait? What are they waiting for?
Also, we have 6 okay to bad games so far. Nothing else has been mentioned. So, if we finally have a real good team or two on there, seems like it would be a good idea to put it out there.
Agreed and have said as much. Tho I understand some freaking out on the MTE. You said we were playing at Auburn. Is that still a go?
Some teams just don't do the drip drip schedule releases as games come about. They wait until schedule is completely final. We fall into that category. Yeah we have a release on MTE normally and maybe a special neutral game like the Orange Bowl. but otherwise we don't.
Also we have 1 media person who is ever asking. there's no attention around us. as a private school the public records request doesn't work. It's also possible another school for their own reasons asked us not to divulge a game yet and we r doing so as a professional courtesy.
if someone runs into the Giper at 7 Eleven and asks he'd probably tell u a game nobody knows about.
certainly we are way way behind on what is publicy known compared to many past years, and I don't know what's up. There r indications we are struggling (at minimum with the MTE) but just stating possible reasons why on lack of info.
How much these days do you think scheduling rest on the coaching staff and connections they have in the industry? And I am not speaking specifically about Mooney, this is about the whole staff - Mooney, Boyden, Thomas, and Gipe - etc to use their connections and get games.
I just remember way back in the JW days - the tough schedule he put out that year, the Kansas game came about because he had a relationship with Self. They had a spot open and they made it happen. Do you think our coaches and staff lack those connections? I just feel like every year we struggle with scheduling and the only difference between our good schedules and bad schedules most years is that in a good schedule year - we get invited to a decent or above average tourney in the OOC that gives us 2-3 good games.
I just remember way back in the JW days - the tough schedule he put out that year, the Kansas game came about because he had a relationship with Self. They had a spot open and they made it happen. Do you think our coaches and staff lack those connections? I just feel like every year we struggle with scheduling and the only difference between our good schedules and bad schedules most years is that in a good schedule year - we get invited to a decent or above average tourney in the OOC that gives us 2-3 good games.
8legs1dream
Graduate Assistant
I would hope that our 20 year monarch has plenty of connections in the industry at this point.
Trap, agree. Other schools I follow it seems there is often a back story with the coaches being friendly or having worked together in the past that leads to the game getting scheduled. Mooney seems fairly well liked but not necessarily has those kind of relationships to get a game. What about St. Mary's? Mooney supposed to be close to that coach and we played in the past.
8legs1dream
Graduate Assistant
Home and Home with St Mary's would be fantastic. Imagine game night in the RC hosting the Gaels? Would be electric.
Snarky reply, but I think the point is: Why do our coaches, and specifically I think the HC is the driver/closer on such deals, fail at this? Again, we know it is HARD. But other programs - see Dayton - can get it done. We keep defaulting to: It's hard, look at all the other's that fail too. What can poor ol Richmond do? Mooney is trying, but other teams just won't play.
How have we failed? I would say we have scheduled pretty close to what we have wanted from an OOC schedule most years. We can disagree, but I think nearly all of our OOC schedules have been good for a team wanting an at large bid, which should be the goal.
Every year we struggle with scheduling? Every year? This year was the 1st year I haven't seen us have a pretty good schedule done or very close to done by August.
agreed. we always have a few bigger name teams and a solid enough schedule that gives us a chance if we win enough.
I'm concerned like most of us about this year but maybe we do land a few big games to round out the schedule. last I saw there were about 275 teams left to announce. so there are still opportunities.
I'm concerned like most of us about this year but maybe we do land a few big games to round out the schedule. last I saw there were about 275 teams left to announce. so there are still opportunities.
Pepperdine is now off the board, showing up on the visitor side of the Arizona Tip-Off.We're now one of just seven teams from the top 10 conferences to not be linked to or officially announced as in an MTE.
AAC: Rice, Tulsa, UTSA
A-10: UR
MVC: Indiana State, Southern Illinois
WCC: Pepperdine
And we're one of 57 teams in all of D-I to not have word on an MTE yet.
2024-25 Men’s College Basketball Exempt Multi-Team Events (MTEs) Tracker
A regularly-updated list of the 2024-25 men’s college basketball season’s exempt multiple-team events (MTEs) along with the teams that have yet to commit to one. A more detailed version of this page with schedules and TV info will arrive closer to the season.www.bloggingthebracket.com
Down to 6 teams from the top 10 conferences and 49 D-I programs overall that are not yet linked to an MTE.
I'm headed out on vacation for a week. Y'all better have this straightened out by the time I get back.
where we lack connections is MTEs. Those are done through third parties. Our connection has almost exclusively been the Gazelle Group and Mooney's agent. I think we've done a few outside that but most of our eggs r in that basket. weird strategy. & presumably catching up to us this year.
Otherwise I think Mooney & co. do have enough connections for other games. I don't see evidence they don't. Connections help, but imo it's more of a philosophy thing. If u r not getting enough of the neutral p5 games and if the low to mid tier p5 H&H is dead - tho it's not bc we see examples, but I agree it's harder - well you have to adapt and take more buy games on road. I do think those r still out there. The Ole Jer Kanas thing, sure Jerry knowing Self helps, but it was more about Ole Jer being willing to take the game. Philosophy. We've taken a few 1 offs - Florida, Bama (maybe Auburn is 1 this season) but not common. Look I want them at home and neutral first too, but I want to play them somewhere at minimum. Granted U of R would not be the first high mid to decline this philosophy. I said this b4, what has our current scheduling model gotten us? Very little. We're not in ncaa contention enough. Once every 5 or 6 years. Load up on hard national schedules with more p5 road games and we beat that rate. Doesn't even include the added benefits that come with it. And idk how Moon could be worried about losing too much some year, when he has the best job security in all of basketball.
regardless I'm willing to wait to evaluate the schedule when it's out.
Otherwise I think Mooney & co. do have enough connections for other games. I don't see evidence they don't. Connections help, but imo it's more of a philosophy thing. If u r not getting enough of the neutral p5 games and if the low to mid tier p5 H&H is dead - tho it's not bc we see examples, but I agree it's harder - well you have to adapt and take more buy games on road. I do think those r still out there. The Ole Jer Kanas thing, sure Jerry knowing Self helps, but it was more about Ole Jer being willing to take the game. Philosophy. We've taken a few 1 offs - Florida, Bama (maybe Auburn is 1 this season) but not common. Look I want them at home and neutral first too, but I want to play them somewhere at minimum. Granted U of R would not be the first high mid to decline this philosophy. I said this b4, what has our current scheduling model gotten us? Very little. We're not in ncaa contention enough. Once every 5 or 6 years. Load up on hard national schedules with more p5 road games and we beat that rate. Doesn't even include the added benefits that come with it. And idk how Moon could be worried about losing too much some year, when he has the best job security in all of basketball.
regardless I'm willing to wait to evaluate the schedule when it's out.
So there are some MTE's out there with teams TBA still. Plus I'd be willing to bet that a few of the one's listed don't have their facts exactly right. So, while none of these look like great options but I'd think we'd fill a slot in one of these"
Baha Mar Hoops Nassau Championship (Nov. 29, 30, and Dec. 1: Nassau, Bahamas, 3 games)
Arkansas State (Sun Belt), Iona (MAAC), 6 TBA
Arizona Tip-Off (Campus sites: Nov. TBA and Nov. 28 and 29: Tempe, Ariz., 3 games)
Cactus Division (hosts): Butler (Big East), Mississippi State (SEC), Northwestern (Big Ten), UNLV (MW)
Desert Division (visitors): New Mexico State (CUSA), Pepperdine (WCC), 2 TBA (Rocco Miller, update)
Jacksonville Classic (Nov. 27 and 28: St. Augustine, Fla., 2 games)
Rhode Island (A 10), 3 TBA (Rhode Island)
So, Arizona looks interesting. The "Desert Division" would be the lesser teams side of the bracket, but they aren't filling that (at least yet anyway) with total cream puffs and they just took Pepperdine. I'd take this in a heartbeat. One road game against one of the cactus division and two with other dessert division would be great.
Jacksonville is probably tough sine URI is already in there, but its only a 2 game MTE, so they could schedule to avoid us and URI playing. But no idea who others might be!
Baha Mar looks like the most likely to me, if for no other reason that there are still 6 TBA! Surely we could get one of those!!
Baha Mar Hoops Nassau Championship (Nov. 29, 30, and Dec. 1: Nassau, Bahamas, 3 games)
Arkansas State (Sun Belt), Iona (MAAC), 6 TBA
Arizona Tip-Off (Campus sites: Nov. TBA and Nov. 28 and 29: Tempe, Ariz., 3 games)
Cactus Division (hosts): Butler (Big East), Mississippi State (SEC), Northwestern (Big Ten), UNLV (MW)
Desert Division (visitors): New Mexico State (CUSA), Pepperdine (WCC), 2 TBA (Rocco Miller, update)
Jacksonville Classic (Nov. 27 and 28: St. Augustine, Fla., 2 games)
Rhode Island (A 10), 3 TBA (Rhode Island)
So, Arizona looks interesting. The "Desert Division" would be the lesser teams side of the bracket, but they aren't filling that (at least yet anyway) with total cream puffs and they just took Pepperdine. I'd take this in a heartbeat. One road game against one of the cactus division and two with other dessert division would be great.
Jacksonville is probably tough sine URI is already in there, but its only a 2 game MTE, so they could schedule to avoid us and URI playing. But no idea who others might be!
Baha Mar looks like the most likely to me, if for no other reason that there are still 6 TBA! Surely we could get one of those!!
Arizona Tip Off would be decent. Just go 3-0 and it would be great!!
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My question was - do they have connections? I guess we could get a game with Campbell. But why not Princeton - no saying every year, but recently they have been good.
Not saying the timing of the schedule - just overall quality of schedule. You are correct - this is the first year it has dragged on this long, but I feel like every year we have complaints about the schedule and wonder - will this be good enough. Occassionally we have a good one - but that usually rests on the early season tourney getting us good games.
"fantastic" is a little strong. we'd be in the bracket with New Mexico St (#289), Pepperdine (#226) and a TBA.
but at least it would be an MTE.
We'd also get one of Butler, Miss St. Northwestern and UNLV. Not the greatest I agree, but probably the best possible result right now!
I think SF’s posts all along are not that there are not open spots in MTEs, it is that basically all of the P5 teams are booked in one already. So if we joined the Nassau event, based on what we know it would be unlikely any P5 teams are going to fill out the field bc of previous commitments. URI event has the same issue.
As for Arizona with an open slot in a MTE that has good teams, filling out the field as the only team from east of Indianapolis, in the anchor half of the draw would presumably get us a road game at one of the “host” teams and then 2 games in Arizona against NMSU/Pepperdine and a TBA team. Not what we want from a MTE. If we have to eat that as A10 champs, it’s pretty desperate.
Agree that Gazelle Group has been how we roll with MTEs. Some have yielded results, while many have had more than one anchor along with the quality games.
EDIT to note that I do hope some of the reporting to date has been incorrect and we are already in somewhere. Where teams have released their schedules and listed MTE teams tho, is pretty lockdown.
As for Arizona with an open slot in a MTE that has good teams, filling out the field as the only team from east of Indianapolis, in the anchor half of the draw would presumably get us a road game at one of the “host” teams and then 2 games in Arizona against NMSU/Pepperdine and a TBA team. Not what we want from a MTE. If we have to eat that as A10 champs, it’s pretty desperate.
Agree that Gazelle Group has been how we roll with MTEs. Some have yielded results, while many have had more than one anchor along with the quality games.
EDIT to note that I do hope some of the reporting to date has been incorrect and we are already in somewhere. Where teams have released their schedules and listed MTE teams tho, is pretty lockdown.
Our current "quest" for an MTE - any MTE - - raises questions. The attractions of an MTE are several for teams like us and will vary from event to event and year to year. But as I see it the big three advantages as: (1) You generally are looking at games against P5 opponents you couldn't ordinarily get on your own; (2) You are often getting Home games that aren't "buy" games (albeit against dreck usually); and (3) You get multiple games that only count as 1 game against the games limit (the main reason MTE's have flourished).
So now if you find yourself in our position and (1) and (2) are perhaps off table - - is it a good idea to take say the Jacksonville Classis or Bahamas with no home games and probably nobody decent either just to get advantage (3) (more games) or are we better off just trying to take one "somewhat better" game and no MTE. Id argue that any P5 game is better than some random 3 game MTE with a bunch of dreck.
Of course we'd have to find such a game!
So now if you find yourself in our position and (1) and (2) are perhaps off table - - is it a good idea to take say the Jacksonville Classis or Bahamas with no home games and probably nobody decent either just to get advantage (3) (more games) or are we better off just trying to take one "somewhat better" game and no MTE. Id argue that any P5 game is better than some random 3 game MTE with a bunch of dreck.
Of course we'd have to find such a game!
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I'll be less snarky. I agree that philosophy matters. I agree that it's frickin hard, and getting harder because P5 is, for the most part, crowding people out. I agree that generally our coaches do a good job, but not always. I agree that playing VMI is a disaster.
I just find it amusing when people post, "have we thought of Hofstra?" "Have we thought of St. Mary's (CA)?" "Should they try their connections?" As if these things didn't occur to the people whose jobs entail doing exactly this.
But again, we are likely in violent agreement on 99%.
I just find it amusing when people post, "have we thought of Hofstra?" "Have we thought of St. Mary's (CA)?" "Should they try their connections?" As if these things didn't occur to the people whose jobs entail doing exactly this.
But again, we are likely in violent agreement on 99%.
What sites are you all using to track these MTEs? I did a quick search and the first one I looked at, Blogging the Bracket, seems to have errors.
2024-25 Men’s College Basketball Exempt Multi-Team Events (MTEs) Tracker
A regularly-updated list of the 2024-25 men’s college basketball season’s exempt multiple-team events (MTEs) along with the teams that have yet to commit to one. A more detailed version of this page with schedules and TV info will arrive closer to the season.
www.bloggingthebracket.com
Correct what u really want out of MTE is neutral games vs. p5. This Arizona one we get a couple bad neutral games and then have to play a true road game vs. 1 of those other 3. Even Mooney has said the whole goal of MTE is neutral vs. p5. Now I'm not against road p5 games. I've already said we should be the buy team for them, but don't do it as part of MTE. Don't give up the whole advantage of the MTE. Unless we want to be the 2nd tier MTE division team that also has to take a campus site game. usually those r the low majors only.
Now can it work playing on road in MTE....yes, look at Kentucky. But Kentucky is a top tier blue blood. Rupp arena. They r not Miss St Butler or NW.
That said we are probably desperate and we need a MTE for the max games. I also believe reporting errors with the MTEs r possible and have said as much too. I hold out hope but very hard to be confident in that.
I agree with 1 and 3. But what do you mean by #2?
They r essentially buy games at home. Those teams r not coming for free just because it's a MTE. Now does it cost less than a "buy" game?...I believe yes from what I understand (I'm no expert but have a few higher ed athletic contacts) bc other schools want the MTE for extra games too so there is more incentive. But there are still game guarantees. The host team absorbs other costs too but the guarantee is big one. The third parties aren't covering that. They r trying to make $. I guess a few of the highest end MTEs have sponsors and more funding, but they r the neutral ones. These host MTEs don't have anything like that.
Good point...i didn't realize we would be playing 2 of the lower bracket teams regardless. I changed it to decent.
isn't this what we hired big swinging d JOE LUNARDI for!?
It is not a secret. It just hasn't been released yet. I personally don't think the timing on announcing the schedule has an impact on ticket sales. Also, I believe we have been committed to a MTE for a while.
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