Bradley Bracket Buster opponent announced

[braves12]

b12, well put. I couldn't agree more. We need to get better on a consistent bases and sustain it for years not just a stretch. I too do not like the system but if we take care of business and not get beat by teams that have no business beating us,maybe ESPN will put us on the tube. Until we do that we have no one to blame but us. On the bright side, Its a game we can see in person and I think the troops are coming to get us there. Patience is a virtue. Go Braves

Wily,

It concerns me when you say the troops are coming. I remember a couple of your picks for "6th man" and transfer candidates. Have you seen any of these "troops" play? Be careful with the "spin" you hear. It is like a politician telling everyone that the economy, war, crime, and everything else will be better when they are elected. Or to put it in words you understand "this is the fianl pc. of the puzzle"!

[it's boogie time]

"The Ramblers and Braves share five common opponents this season. Bradley picked up non-conference victories over UIC, Milwaukee and SIU-Edwardsville, while dropping affairs to UMKC and Butler."

Huh???

They probably just looked at the Bradley website. It has a W for the UW-Milwaukee game still.

[Guinness]

We're not getting into the NCAA tournament, might as well take a game in Chicago for some alumni...dunno what you're all bummed about. Didnt have any chance at getting a team that would have made a difference.

[squirrel]

We're not getting into the NCAA tournament, might as well take a game in Chicago for some alumni...dunno what you're all bummed about. Didnt have any chance at getting a team that would have made a difference.

Because it's not just this year you're dealing with.

Equally good opponent this year, NCAA potential team next year on your home floor.
Marginal .500 team both years.

Who gives a flip about Chicago.

[Rusty 54]

Who gives a flip about Chicago.

Alumni, it's a chance for recruits to see us play perhaps, its a fairly close road trip for fans from central Illinois.

I'm not happy about it, I dont think we need to bracketbuster to get us games against Loyola. But IMO there are some advantages. Just none that will help us get a better post season opportunity.

[Guinness]

Because it's not just this year you're dealing with.

Equally good opponent this year, NCAA potential team next year on your home floor.
Marginal .500 team both years.

Who gives a flip about Chicago.

Um, I dont think this years opponent has any bearing on who we'll get next year does it? Its mostly about like matchups correct?

[squirrel]

Every BB has a guaranteed return game. So you get Loyola again next year.

And nothing against our Chicago alumni, but its about getting the best schedule for your teams. And right now, Chicago doesn't offer you anything.

[ER3]

We're not getting into the NCAA tournament, might as well take a game in Chicago for some alumni...dunno what you're all bummed about. Didnt have any chance at getting a team that would have made a difference.

This isn't about the NCAA Tournament...The Valley is a 1-bid league this year...These BracketBuster games aren't going to change that....

However, what is disappointing to me is that we don't need the BracketBuster in order to get a home and home series with Loyola...1 phone call and we could have arranged that anytime we wanted, I would guess.

The way that the BracketBuster can be a nice arrangement for BU is when it "forces" a home and home series with another quality mid-major that we couldn't easily schedule with. Getting a home and home with a school like Drexel would have been a great addition to this year's and next year's schedule...

The one time that the BracketBuster really worked for us was when we got two games against VCU...that gave us two nice dates on our schedule that we likely could not have gotten if it wasn't for the BracketBuster...

But Loyola? Ugh. Two dates that we could have gotten any time we wanted them...without ESPN's "match making" help. Just really underwhelming, IMO.

[Da Coach]

We're not getting into the NCAA tournament, might as well take a game in Chicago for some alumni...dunno what you're all bummed about. Didnt have any chance at getting a team that would have made a difference.

This is pretty likely the case. Bradley was not going to get a TV game, and the teams left over did nothing for Bradley now or next year.
So of the available teams, the Loyola matchup had some redeeming qualities, and the travel doesn't hurt them like a trip to the east coast or far west could do.

It seems like a no-brainer to me.

[Guinness]

This is pretty likely the case. Bradley was not going to get a TV game, and the teams left over did nothing for Bradley now or next year.
So of the available teams, the Loyola matchup had some redeeming qualities, and the travel doesn't hurt them like a trip to the east coast or far west could do.

It seems like a no-brainer to me.

Right, plus some recruiting benefit. I didnt know we got a return game though.

[squirrel]

This is pretty likely the case. Bradley was not going to get a TV game, and the teams left over did nothing for Bradley now or next year.
So of the available teams, the Loyola matchup had some redeeming qualities, and the travel doesn't hurt them like a trip to the east coast or far west could do.

It seems like a no-brainer to me.

And it's horribly irresponsible.

[TheAsianSensation]

and the teams left over did nothing for Bradley now or next year.

I respectfully disagree. On the next year part, at least. Both San Diego and Drexel were available and much better options for a home game than Loyola next year. Admittedly, USD would be too far a hike for this year, but Drexel...

[squirrel]

I respectfully disagree. On the next year part, at least. Both San Diego and Drexel were available and much better options for a home game than Loyola next year. Admittedly, USD would be too far a hike for this year, but Drexel...

Exactly. Drexel at least now, looks like an NCAA caliber team for next year. And you get them on your home floor.

[ER3]

This is pretty likely the case. Bradley was not going to get a TV game, and the teams left over did nothing for Bradley now or next year.
So of the available teams, the Loyola matchup had some redeeming qualities, and the travel doesn't hurt them like a trip to the east coast or far west could do.

It seems like a no-brainer to me.

I guess I don't completely agree...I still believe Drexel would have been a much, much better opponent to have on our home schedule for next year. Loyola is lousy this year, and their top 4 scorers are all seniors, so we could very well be looking at a 250+ RPI Loyola team that visits Carver next year...We don't need one of those forced upon us, we can pick up the phone and get SEMO, SIUE, Loyola, etc. to come to Peoria any time we feel the urge to have a 250+ RPI whipping boy in town.

[it's boogie time]

Is it that hard to schedule a game against the CAA?