Which scenario do you believe is better for BU?

[SFP]

Also please respond to which one you prefer and why!

[SFP]

I believe that we should go after the top teams when we have a chance, Period! Getting the high rpi teams on our schedule should be a last resort type of scheduling because those should be easy for us to schedule. I believe we should always be trying to test our program whenever possible to see where we are at.

We also should make it a point to not schedule those teams that we feel are cheating in their recruiting effort and play only those that remain above board. I would not play KY, CT,USC or Kansas for anything. If the BCS cannot and will not enforce their own poicies then the little guys should start creating a system in which they can effect the scheduling of these cheaters.

[BUFAN]

The worst possible thing Bradley can do is play 200+ rpi team on the road and then at home the next year.

[BU RICK]

Since you are probably referring to the NIU game this year, I vote for number 1. It's only one game per year and that still doesn't mean we can't play a top 15 team. If we can beat a top 15 team it won't matter. I've been to NIU, it's a nice campus and I like the school - so what's the big deal about one game What matters is winning the MVC.

[real fan]

Scheduling is not as easy as some people think as you have to be able to have matching dates with opposing teams plus you also need to have at least 14-15 home games , I believe our non conf. schedule is very good and going to play NIU in Dekalb is more for our Chicago area alums then it is about who we will be playing.

[tornado]

I have championed for a long time that we "mid-majors" should just bite the bullet at least once year and go on the road to play a decent "guarantee" game against a top school...someone that'll build our RPI even if we don't get them in a home-and-home.
I understand schools are very reluctant to do it, but when you can do it and get a top-20 team, I think it is desirable. I want the big boys, kinda like we got 'em in Oakland, MI, and it creates the chance to win one that's memorable.

[BU RICK]

Didn't we do that last year at Florida and Michigan State, how did that work out? I also want us to play a couple top teams in the non-conference each year and we are going to do it again this year. But I see nothing wrong with playing NIU. I suspect that most of you expect us to lose at NIU, I don't. The story line I see going on here and the other thread is that you'd rather lose to a top 25 team than a 300+ RPI team but it's only one game, so what. The only important thing is winning the MVC, when is the last time we've done that.

[Braves4Life]

I suspect that most of you expect us to lose at NIU, I don't.

What?!

Where'd that come from Rick? I'd suspect over 90% on here expect BU to beat NIU.... I know I do.

I'm NOT a fan of seeing BU play NIU..... But I'd rather see this scheduled than Lewis, Ill. Wes., Quincy, or some other DII or lower school.

[BU RICK]

I'm just saying that I think some sense that playing a 300+ RPI team will hurt us, I don't think so with the other games we've got scheduled. And I like NIU, I think it's a good game. Illinois also plays NIU to this year and I like Illinois . I don't know why some are complaining about the NIU game, I just hope we win. What we should be focusing in on is winning the MVC.

[Braves4Life]

What we should be focusing in on is winning the MVC.

I can agree with that!

[SFP]

BU Rick the Mich St and Florida game did show us where we were at. We were not good enough to be an NCAA team. I had no problem going there and losing. Those games were good for the team but heading to NIU has zero benefit. As B4L said, I believe 99% of us would be horrified if we lose to NIU. What value do they bring to the table. I'd play them at home as one of our let's get better early in the season game. There is a reason the big time schools rarely go on the road to a mid-tier mid-majors. Some even wondered why Mich St came to Peoria and we were an under 100 rpi team. Sorry, I see zero value going there except for the Chicago alumni and I would suspect that NIU really is not that close to Chicago especially during rush hour. I just would like to hear our AD tell us why we scheduled them. I'd have called Gary Williams at Maryland to see if they would want to play us for a one and done before I settled for this game. Maybe if we got a 2 for 1 I'd consider it. This has more to do with their RPI or lack of then anything else.

[VeveJones007]

From a fan standpoint, absolutely I would want them to play the top 15 team. However, it would cost A LOT more to pay to play the top 15 team.

I'm sorry, but if the University is in a wage freeze, then they shouldn't just shell out that kind of money for a one-and-done in this economy.

[it's boogie time]

From a fan standpoint, absolutely I would want them to play the top 15 team. However, it would cost A LOT more to pay to play the top 15 team.

A team makes money by going on the road and not getting a return game. The check the program receives usually comes with a loss.

As far as the original question, you have to see what team you think you have. If you think it is a team that can potentially win on the road at a big name opponent, you have to take that chance. A win or close game may be the thing that gets you into the NCAA tournament.

If you don't have the horses or it's a rebuilding year, it really doesn't do much good to go in to a big ten or big twelve arena and lose by 30.

[BradleyStuff]

Top 15. We need these games to get a check for where the program is. Until we can consistently have a good showing with these type of games, we continue to tread water among the middle of the pack. I think losing a game against a 100+ rated team is worse than taking a chance on getting thumped (but let's go in looking for a competitive game!) at a top 15.

[tornado]

Didn't we do that last year at Florida and Michigan State, how did that work out? ....

well....the answers are...no, and pretty good...

first...the games with Michigan State were scheduled but they they came and played at BU and it was one of the biggest sellouts ever, so I'd say that turned out pretty good...even though we led the game for 35 minutes then lost down the stretch. But seriously, I don't know a single BU fan who wishes we hadn't played those games vs. MSU.

second, the game vs. Florida was part of the O'Reilly CBE Classic Tournament, and it was NOT a game we scheduled, but ...
even though we would have done a bit better had Andrew Warren been healthy, we were within 9 pts in the final 10 minutes with a bucket that would have closed the gap to 6 waived off due to a foul.
It was game we benefitted from and the fans enjoyed it.