Non Conference Schedule

[jeaglet1]

Does anyone have an insight into the non-conference schedule for next basketball season? I was looking at some other fan boards and saw Miami's potential OOC schedule (Link) Ohio also released their OOC schedule. (Link). Both look to be quality schedules.Obviously the Zips have the Top of the World Classic, and a Bracket Buster for this season plus a return game @ Austin Peay. What other games are part of gurantees?

[GoZips]

Good question. Who will we play? And when? And Where?The OOC schedule always draws my personal interest. What I kind of know is that nothing is cast in stone. Some are highly probable opponents. As you mentioned, theroad game at Austin Peay for them coming here for the ESPN Bracket Buster. We playthe Bracket Buster at home again this coming season.Some of the away opponents from last season come to Akron this year. NotablyBinghamton, Youngstown State and UIC. Home games with new division one entry,North Carolina Central, and North Carolina A&T. Almost done deal with Wyomingthat starts with a home game is in the works.I have heard that the two North Carolina based opponents are only on a come herecontract. That means, like this year's Winston-Salem we will not go to their placenext season.The one other for sure away game is at Lamar. I would expect that Lamar will come to Akron the following season. Some tantalizing away games loom with several potentialopponents on the Zips radar. Possible away games include Dayton, Ohio State, VCUand yes, still the long shot possibility of Gonzaga.

[GoZips88]

Binghamton, NC Central, NC A&T, ... Miami and Ohio's schedules look SOOOOO much better.

[mcperp]

Thanks for the info GoZips. The game vs. Wyoming is intriguing though not sure it makes a lot of sense hoops wise. I guess if its home and home then it gives the players a chance to see a unique part of the country. Lamar is another quirky selection, though their coach has a similar pedigree to KD, born and raised in Port Arthur TX (where Lamar is located), and went to school at Lamar as well. They also have 2 players over 300 pounds including one who is 7-1.It sure would be nice to have some home and homes with Mizzou Valley teams like S. Illinois, Creighton, No. Iowa, etc. It's a good midwest matchup and would help our strength of scheduling.

[jeaglet1]

Thanks for the info GoZips.I see last year there were 14 non conference games. I'm not sure if the tournament in Lubbock counted as 1 or 2 games. Does the NCAA still count those tournaments as only one game?So what it seems the schedule may look like, in no particular order, with last years records: 1. Top of the World Tourny (Away) South Carolina Upstate 17-11 (DII) Portland State 19-13 / IUPUI 15-15 Colo. St. 17-13 / Oregon St. 11-21 / Alaska-Fairbanks 17-13 (DII) / Tenn. St. 12-20 2. Austin Peay 21-12 (Away) 3. Bracketbuster 4. YSU 14-17 (Home) 5. Binghamton 13-16 (Home) 6. UIC 14-18 (Home) 7. NC-Central 13-15 (DII - Home) 8. NC-A&T 15-17 (Home) 9. Lamar 15-17 (Away)That would leave 3 to 5 games, depending on how the tournament is counted. Thats one team who made the post season last year. No big draw home games either. I hope all of those games gozips mentions (Dayton, VCU, OSU, Gonzaga) come through to help this schedule out.

[skip-zip]

I sure hope the other games pan out. If not, we're in the same boat as last year.

[blueandgold]

Thanks for the info GoZips.I see last year there were 14 non conference games. I'm not sure if the tournament in Lubbock counted as 1 or 2 games. Does the NCAA still count those tournaments as only one game?So what it seems the schedule may look like, in no particular order, with last years records: 1. Top of the World Tourny (Away) South Carolina Upstate 17-11 (DII) Portland State 19-13 / IUPUI 15-15 Colo. St. 17-13 / Oregon St. 11-21 / Alaska-Fairbanks 17-13 (DII) / Tenn. St. 12-20 2. Austin Peay 21-12 (Away) 3. Bracketbuster 4. YSU 14-17 (Home) 5. Binghamton 13-16 (Home) 6. UIC 14-18 (Home) 7. NC-Central 13-15 (DII - Home) 8. NC-A&T 15-17 (Home) 9. Lamar 15-17 (Away)That would leave 3 to 5 games, depending on how the tournament is counted. Thats one team who made the post season last year. No big draw home games either. I hope all of those games gozips mentions (Dayton, VCU, OSU, Gonzaga) come through to help this schedule out.

Wow, this looks worse than last year. The RPI's of these schools can't be good. We have to get Dayton, VCU, OSU and Gonzaga on our schedule somehow. If not, we're in for a bad ending to the 08 season as well.

[w00t]

[Zipmeister]

If UA agrees to go to Dayton, they may play but they will not be returning the visit. They prefer to fill their OOC schedule with home games against weak teams.

[GoZips]

ZIPMEISTER, I hope you are not correct about going to Dayton without a return visit. Asof today Dayton is tentatively scheduled as an away game. Since Dayton is a mid-majorthe same as the Zips I find it highly improbable that Dambrot would agree to thatscenario.The plan has been all along to go home-n-home with any opponent save those we bringin as cupcake OOC games. Purportedly the Zips will not be traveling next season toeither North Carolina Central or North Carolina A&T.The best news of the day as far as I am concerned is that Lamar has been moved topotential/tenative and replaced by an away game at Winthrop. Winthrop better be ahome-n-home or we are one effete program.I was told today that the OOC schedule is still in a state of flux and definitely not finalized. Was hinted to me that we will play at Gonzaga next season (2008-09) inthe Battle of Seattle with the Zags coming to the "Q" the following season.There is more. But, I'll save it, Enjoy the holiday. Thank God for veterans. Semper Fi.

[ziptrumpet87]

the Zags and the new stadium in '09? what could make for a better year (besides a few championships, bowl games, NCAA tourney, etc) ?