Dave Reynolds' blog - Bracketbuster and next year's schedule

[MDCowboy]

I haven't seen this posted yet.... Dave gives some ideas on the Bracketbuster and next year's schedule.

Interestingly, sounds like the exempt tourney next year is still open and not finalized. I wonder what happened to the South Padre Island tourney.....

http://www.pjstar.com/php/index.php?/reynolds/index

[BU fan]

Good to see Dave has his own blog.
But Dave says that if we play at Hofstra, it "would be the first New York City appearance for the Braves since the Manhattan College game 16 years ago."
Slight correction-- Hofstra is located in Hempstead, New York. It is not in New York City. It is about 25 miles away.

[Roll with the Funches]

Well, wherever Hofstra is, I'm pretty sure it's in New York, and I know I'll be in Albany, NY for work that week before the game, so if we do play Hofstra, I'll have to make a weekend out of it.

[BradleyBrave]

Good to see Dave has his own blog.
But Dave says that if we play at Hofstra, it "would be the first New York City appearance for the Braves since the Manhattan College game 16 years ago."
Slight correction-- Hofstra is located in Hempstead, New York. It is not in New York City. It is about 25 miles away.

It's like BU playing in the Chicago Invitational Challenge this year....which was held in Hoffman Estates, IL, about 30 miles or so from Chicago. Think we're splitting hairs a bit?

[COACHCORN]

My vote is for Nevada.
1 1/2 hour drive to see Zach play.
Im keeping my fingers crossed!

[tornado]

I would love to see BU get to play Nevada, but since there are so many MVC teams with high RPI's, the Nevada game would probably go to the MVC team with the single highest RPI, and BU has a way to go to get there.

[MacabreMob]

With Nevada and Butler being ranked... and if they still are in a couple weeks... I expect ESPN to try and get those two the best opponents possible for tv.

I hope MVC schools get paired in those games and pull the upsets.

[squirrel]

I would love to see BU get to play Nevada, but since there are so many MVC teams with high RPI's, the Nevada game would probably go to the MVC team with the single highest RPI, and BU has a way to go to get there.

For road teams, the top 3 for sure out of the Valley are SIU, BU, and UNI.

SIU is the obvious #1 team. The question is who, between UNI and BU is #2. With UNI winning the head-to-head, BU needs to at least beat Wichita to get the #2 spot (as UNI has to go MSU and could go into selections losers in 3 of 4).

Then you look at the top 3 non-con home teams, for sure are Butler, Nevada, and VCU.

Part of the Bracket Buster's concept is to give potential bubble teams a chance to enhance their resume, and ESPN has not historically done direct pecking order matchups. That's why I think BU goes to Butler and SIU goes to Nevada.

[MacabreMob]

If anyone thinks it's gonna be Butler...

With Butler on our schedule for the next 4 years.... 1 of 2 things is gonna happen.

1) Our contract with Butler for 4 years moves up one year and starts with the BracketBuster this year.

-or-

2) We will NOT play Butler in the BracketBuster. (we will NOT play Butler twice next year just because of this year's BracketBuster - and THAT is a book-it)

[squirrel]

Butler would be double-win for us, as it opens up another game. With BU considering hosting its own tournament, you could open it up to 8 teams. Or at least it gives you the chance to lure three BCS teams to Carver, with MSU and Iowa State already on their way.

I'm thinking LSU might be a good pick. It looks better to lose on the road to the MVC instead of at home.

[MDCowboy]

Agreed with MM - we won't get Butler....

I think they'll just steer clear of matching us up with them. Nevada would be great... if they determine SIU should play at Butler, maybe that opens up Nevada for BU. Getting Nevada to come to Carver next year along with Mich. St. and Iowa St., well that is a nice home schedule.

I'm also not in favor of hosting a tourney at Carver. I think you normally don't get BCS teams to come in and play you there. Much better to play in a tourney like was up in Chicago - 2 home games, then 2 games vs. BCS schools in a neutral setting. It sounds like the Padre tourney isn't going to work out, which is a shame. Maybe BU looks at the Rainbow Classic, Great Alaska Shootout, or the Disney tournament that SIU was in.

[mike radigan]

My vote is for Nevada.
1 1/2 hour drive to see Zach play.
Im keeping my fingers crossed!

And Lake Tahoe is only 1/2 hour from Reno.

[squirrel]

ESPN won't put the best two teams in the field in the same game, especially one that likely won't be primetime--I am thinking Butler will be one of the early games.

[it's boogie time]

And Lake Tahoe is only 1/2 hour from Reno.

I wouldn't want to be doing that drive at this time of the year. I go to Lake Tahoe (Incline Village) once a year and that drive from Reno is tough enough in perfect weather.