All College Classic

[sooner333]

I don't think OU or OSU has anything to do with scheduling.

Tim Brassfield of the OKC All-Sport Assocation gave credit to the schools today for stepping up and understanding the importance of the event when discussing the more marquee opponents today. I think that shows that have at least something to do with the scheduling. I also doubt that either school would commit to the tournament without at least some say--especially when we are scheduling return games with these schools.

 

[sooner333]

I guess it depends on your definition of "bottom feeder."

La Salle is an Atlantic 10 team. The A-10 generally is a conference that gets multiple bids to the NCAA Tournament. This year they had three: Xavier, Temple and Richmond.

As a conference, the A-10 was rated ahead of both the MWC and C-USA.

So is La Salle a mid-major? Yes. A "bottom feeder"? No.

"Bottom feeders" in my book are Prarie View A&M, Southern, Arkansas Pine Bluff, Nichols State, Centenary, etc.

They aren't teams that play in major or mid-major conferences.

Regardless of how well major or mid-major teams compete in their respective conference, they all get enough players and are capable enough to not be described as "bottom feeders."

Remember there are 300+ teams in D-1 basketball.

They went 4-12 in the conference. I mean, if OU played a team like Evansville or East Carolina I'm not going to get excited because they are a mid-major. I'm going to be disappointed because they are a losing team that plays in a middle conference. Maybe bottom feeder is a little harsh, but it's a pretty weak comeback to say that the scheduling wasn't that bad.

 

[oSuJeff97]

They went 4-12 in the conference. I mean, if OU played a team like Evansville or East Carolina I'm not going to get excited because they are a mid-major. I'm going to be disappointed because they are a losing team that plays in a middle conference. Maybe bottom feeder is a little harsh, but it's a pretty weak comeback to say that the scheduling wasn't that bad.

I didn't say the schedule wasn't bad.

I said that the last few years has been weak compared with teams that have particpated in the past, like Tennessee, Gonzaga and West Virginia.

It may be splitting hairs, but I just think of "bottom feeders" among 300+ D-1 teams as being like those I mentioned... not teams from major or multi-bid mid-major conferences like the A-10... no matter where they finish in their respective conference.

YMMV.

 

[topcat]

UTEP was a pretty good squad last year. That type of team loves a chance to take down a major basketball power like us. I'd rather play a team from the Big10/ ACC/ SEC or Big East. It helps with your RPI and a loss isn't as bad.

 

[Tony]

Secondly, is OSU even who is responsible for scheduling this thing? I thought that the All College and ESPN put the matchups together.

I don't think OU or OSU has anything to do with scheduling.

The schools are indeed responsible for the scheduling. I assume ESPN has to sign off on it, but OSU has had a listing for an All-College opponent up here as recently as last month. It's since been deleted, it looks like, but the original posting from last summer is still there.

 

[MsProudSooner]

Interesting. I remember at the time that ESPN began televising it, the article said that ESPN would find opponents and that it would not be easier because it would be televised.

 

[Crimson King]

If my memory serves, when the All-College went to the new format, the sales pitch was that OU or osu would play a big-time opponent on ESPN in "their" year, with the other team playing a decent, but not as good, opponent on ESPN2. That seemed to be the case for a while, then it regressed to the last few years where even the "premier" opponent wasn't that good, and the secondary game wasn't on ESPN2.

This year is certainly better--it had gotten to the point where they should have just let TU and ORU be the other teams.

 

[lukin254]

"Bottom feeders" in my book are Prarie View A&M, Southern, Arkansas Pine Bluff, Nichols State, Centenary, etc.