I dont think there is any question that we have had a good non-conference schedule. I think 3 of our first 6 games were against teams that made the NCAA tournament so strength of schedule is NO ISSUE.. But I wonder if we would be good to schedule some teams that are proximal that are part of the MISSOURI VALLEY CONFERENCE, for example.....I would like to see a couple games leading up to the Big Ten that are from that dangerous conference. Maybe a Northern Iowa, an Illinois State or Missouri State, a Creighton(even though they aren't an MVC team anymore), or maybe even a Wichita State RIGHT BEFORE CONFERENCE SEASON. Would that be a good idea or horrible idea??
I think that an MVC team to play around Christmas is a great preparation for conference. Obviously, a few of those could be real dangerous but that would depend on which team, year to year.If they are having a DOWN year, it is no worse than some of the cupcakes we played close to Christmas. Gopher practices would have a good tempo. It may help to get our team ready by getting the guys to focus as opposed to going through the motions.. Build up to conference schedule instead of developing bad habits with inferior teams before the conference schedule starts.
I know our games were close but I am kinda tired of feeling good about our team at Christmas and then being average or struggling in conference.. We will be rebuilding so each practice before games may be an adventure this coming year. But I feel, for the most part, that it would be good to have a game right before conference to get the cobwebs shaken out in preparation for the conference season.. Someone that Pitino could tell his team something like "Look, I know you(players) think Northern Iowa/Illinois State/Missouri State is a 'red headed stepchild' compared to Minnesota.. But if we don't practice well and prepare for them, we are going to get our asses beat, regardless where the game is played!!! They are or could be an NCAA tournament team" That raises the tempo of practice and creates urgency and sense of purpose. There is geographic interest. If you schedule an Iowa State, you have recruiting things possibly on the line.. Creates a mentally tough player going into a place like Ames and coming out with a victory.
Maybe those teams dont want a game on the road or want a possible loss before conference in playing us.. I dont know but I was just wondering if you guys think that a tough out-of-conference foe would be interested in playing us and if you share my opinion in that it would get our guys more prepared for conference??? Just want to see a mentally strong Gopher squad.
This post was edited on 3/27 9:30 AM by Vifan
I think that an MVC team to play around Christmas is a great preparation for conference. Obviously, a few of those could be real dangerous but that would depend on which team, year to year.If they are having a DOWN year, it is no worse than some of the cupcakes we played close to Christmas. Gopher practices would have a good tempo. It may help to get our team ready by getting the guys to focus as opposed to going through the motions.. Build up to conference schedule instead of developing bad habits with inferior teams before the conference schedule starts.
I know our games were close but I am kinda tired of feeling good about our team at Christmas and then being average or struggling in conference.. We will be rebuilding so each practice before games may be an adventure this coming year. But I feel, for the most part, that it would be good to have a game right before conference to get the cobwebs shaken out in preparation for the conference season.. Someone that Pitino could tell his team something like "Look, I know you(players) think Northern Iowa/Illinois State/Missouri State is a 'red headed stepchild' compared to Minnesota.. But if we don't practice well and prepare for them, we are going to get our asses beat, regardless where the game is played!!! They are or could be an NCAA tournament team" That raises the tempo of practice and creates urgency and sense of purpose. There is geographic interest. If you schedule an Iowa State, you have recruiting things possibly on the line.. Creates a mentally tough player going into a place like Ames and coming out with a victory.
Maybe those teams dont want a game on the road or want a possible loss before conference in playing us.. I dont know but I was just wondering if you guys think that a tough out-of-conference foe would be interested in playing us and if you share my opinion in that it would get our guys more prepared for conference??? Just want to see a mentally strong Gopher squad.
This post was edited on 3/27 9:30 AM by Vifan
