Braves to play at Northern Illinois this season

[wizard1]

Notre Dame

Chico---In the 1970s, the BU Freshman team played the ND freshman in the Fieldhouse and beat them. We had a great Freshman team that included Doug Shank, Doug Pomatto, Mike Harrel, Seymor Reed, Henry Thomas, Gil Pacey, Tim Robinson, and others. These guys were a case study in how a team that played together and liked each other could win over more talented competition which they did. I believe they were 15 & 0. We had played ND ALMOST every year up to that point but after the loss to our Freshmen, to my recollect,ND never again played BU.
I agree that an H & H series with ND would be super if it could ever be scheduled.

[Da Coach]

I saw that game, and Notre Dame had a great freshman star who was nearly unstoppable and who would later become an All-American, John Shumate.

[TNel]

Chicago

As long as we're waxing nostalgically ...


I can remember, as a BU student, attending the BU -ND game at Chicago Stadium in 1958. Four of us from BU shared a dinky hotel room with four ND students from Peoria. It was a battle of All Americans ... Barney Cable (one of my all-time favorites) and Tom Hawkins. As I recall, Hawkins outplayed Barney, but the Braves were victorious. A Braves victory and a night on the town in Chicago ... can't beat it.

[squirrelgotdead]

The way the sked is shaping up, this may the only questionable game on it. . .I'm not going to get too worked up over it. . .I think it's clear this should not be par for the course.

But if this is the worst game on our schedule, I'll gladly take it.

And apparently the NIU schedule has had some "last-minute work" done on it: http://www.daily-chronicle.com/blogs...5439/index.xml

[Chico]

Chico---In the 1970s, the BU Freshman team played the ND freshman in the Fieldhouse and beat them. We had a great Freshman team that included Doug Shank, Doug Pomatto, Mike Harrel, Seymor Reed, Henry Thomas, Gil Pacey, Tim Robinson, and others. These guys were a case study in how a team that played together and liked each other could win over more talented competition which they did. I believe they were 15 & 0. We had played ND ALMOST every year up to that point but after the loss to our Freshmen, to my recollect,ND never again played BU.
I agree that an H & H series with ND would be super if it could ever be scheduled.

Not nit-picking, but I don't think Tim Robinson was on that freshman team. Wasn't he from the early 60's. Sometimes the freshmen games were better than the varsity games.

[tornado]

Wisconsin fans are going to go as crazy as some BU fans when they learned
BU is playing at NIU! Wisconsin released their non-conference schedule and...
they play only ONE single TRUE road game and it's AT Green Bay!!

[SFP]

What's Green Bay's RPI? If it is under 150 then there should not much of a problem.

[MacabreMob]

Wisconsin fans are going to go as crazy as some BU fans when they learned
BU is playing at NIU! Wisconsin released their non-conference schedule and...
they play only ONE single TRUE road game and it's AT Green Bay!!

What's Green Bay's RPI? If it is under 150 then there should not much of a problem.

Seems like the Big U of Wisconsin is playing some instates on a regular basis. And throwing a bone here and there by going on the road. They have played both WI-GB and WI-Mil the past 5 years. All have been at home except at WI-Mil (on the road) in 2007-08 season.

Now they play AT WI-GB in the 2009-2010 season? Wow - steppin' out there. Honestly! Really!

For SFP, WI-GB's RPI the last 5 years:
2009 - 71
2008 - 148
2007 - 170
2006 - 186
2005 - 146

So maybe a good road game for the Badgers.

[tornado]

not sure if it's been mentioned, but ISU's Tim Jankovich speaks to scheduling ...

"Scheduling. The mere mention of the word will shiver the soul of even the
most devout Missouri Valley Conference coach. It is so bad that the Redbirds
head-man Tim Jankovich has claimed it is the toughest part of his job.

While some schools take the play anyone/anywhere approach, the Redbirds
seem content to fill their non-conference schedule with the likes of
Winston-Salem State and Southeastern Missouri State. With no disrespect
to either of these institutions, they surely will never be mistaken as college
basketball heavyweights. This is the life of a program that will refuse any
road games against BCS schools without the promise of a return date at
Redbird Arena.

Does it have to be this way?...."

http://www.examiner.com/x-15208-Illinois-State-Redbirds-Examiner~y2009m7d9-The-S-word

[Nacho]

In fairness to Jankovich- he was not quoted in that article... the writer just paraphrased things he he said in the past. It is the author saying how they are content with playing the likes or Winston-Salem State and Southeast Missouri St... not Jankovich himself.

[tornado]

But clearly Jank, like many other coaches and AD's...especially at the mid-major level
have all said the very same thing....that scheduling is the hardest thing they do.
Thus firing off criticisms as if it is an easy thing, as easy as checking the hotline
or the web site and ordering games like you order movie tickets, is downright naive and silly.

[Nacho]

But clearly Jank, like many other coaches and AD's...especially at the mid-major level
have all said the very same thing....that scheduling is the hardest thing they do.
Thus firing off criticisms as if it is an easy thing, as easy as checking the hotline
or the web site and ordering games like you order movie tickets, is downright naive and silly.

Agree 100%... this is why they need help from all of their assistants and AD's... to get the best possible schedule. I assume when BU gets a new AD, he will come with some connections from previous jobs that could help BU get a non-conference game they might not normally be able to secure. At least you would like to think it could work that way... time will tell I suppose

[squirrelgotdead]

No one has ever said scheduling is easy. But it's not as hard as coaches make it for themselves.

The problem is their egos and their personal desperation to preserve their W-L record.

Jank is openly complaining about his schedule, but he is demanding things ISU is not really in a position to be able to demand. So it's his own **** fault.

But I guess if you wiggle your ears and tap your nose. . .

[Storm]

I understand some of you as BU fans concerned about playing NIU as a quality opponent based on last season. But, if you will allow, let me pass on some info about NIU you may not know.

- The Huskies were 10-20, but improved as the season went on and had some great wins or near wins later in the season. Youth and still a new system was a big reason for struggles. Youth was another reason why we were pretty tough at home, very vulnerable on the road.

- There was only 1 senior, and he was a JUCO transfer. While he had a good season for himself (4th leading scorer last year) and helped the Huskies every way he could, it was limited by his experience and being the only senior. It is hard for team success without some experienced leaders.

- Everyone else is back (including Junior-to-be Jake Anderson who considered beginning a professional career), plus the addition of 2 (see below)

- A whole slew of freshmen and sophomores logged a majority of minutes. Again, all of them are back bigger and better. Many of those losses could be contributed in large part to inexperience and physical immaturity. We were among the youngest teams in all of NCAA basketball. Both of those areas are improving as all these young guys gain experience and continue to see their bodies mature. There will be only 2 seniors on this year's team - both who were JUCO players and don't really have much D-I experience. However, overall experience and leadership will be better.

- Xavier Silas. "X" sat out last year after transferring from Colorado. As a freshmen in the Big 12 he averaged over 10-12 ppg. Silas' father played in the NBA and was the first San Antonio Spur to have his jersey retired. Silas is a legit potential professional player in a year or two. He is also a fantastic kid and a great leader. He will be easy to like and cheer for. Also being added is Tony Nixon, a big shooting guard from Seton Academy in Chicago. He will add some nice depth but won't be forced into having to play a major role like last year's freshmen had to.

- The MAC isn't as bad as someone on this site indicated. Is it at the level of the MoValley? Nope, not saying that. But Kent State and Western Michigan are not unfamiliar with the NCAA tourney, and last year Buffalo was strong. Ball State and Ohio U showed signs of improvement as the year progressed as well. Akron has had some good success. Most of the MAC teams have had a good year or two on the recruiting trail and it is back on the way up the rankings (which by the way have MANY conferences listed lower than the MAC). There are some teams in the MAC who would be very competitive in some higher ranked conferences.

Someone also mentioned that NIU should win the MAC West this year. I don't know where they got that. The Huskies will be much improved but to say they will jump up and win the MAC west is going out on a limb. It isn't out of the realm of possibility like it was last year, but NIU is maybe a year away from being tabbed a possible favorite.

Good luck to BU (except obviously vs. NIU). We look forward to having many BU fans come to Dekalb. During my son's (Tyler Storm) recruiting process we saw the support and passion from BU basketball fans. You are a nice addition to our schedule which also includes games @ Illinois, @ Minnesota, @ UIC and a home game vs. 2-time defending A-10 and NCAA tourney team Temple. Plus games vs. Tennessee State, @ Chicago State, Southeast Missouri Sate and Maryland Eastern Shore.

[squirrelgotdead]

I was the one who said that NIU should win the MAC West. . .

I'm pretty sure I originally used the word "could" as it definitely would've been a better or more appropriate word. It's also entirely possible my original comment was altered, as is standard practice on this internet forum. My reasoning is simple, they finished just two games out of first last year (3 teams shared first at 7-9). CMU (who shared 1st) and NIU are the only teams I expect to be significantly better. And NIU has the better and deeper talent.

I think most are simply bemoaning the fact we are playing NIU on the road.