Horizon League 2015-2016

[blackpantheruwm]

You had Marquette at the ARC? When was that?

[vu72]

You had Marquette at the ARC? When was that?

2005-2006. Lost 65-62. We played at their place the year before, losing 64-59.  Our history with them goes back to 1952.  Our record is 5-21 with our last win coming in 1988.

[valpotx]

On a bull crap Dominic James long 3, no less...

[StlVUFan]

You had Marquette at the ARC? When was that?

2005-2006. Lost 65-62. We played at their place the year before, losing 64-59.  Our history with them goes back to 1952.  Our record is 5-21 with our last win coming in 1988.

2006-2007, actually.  We played Butler later that week and Jon LeCrone was there to welcome Valpo into the Horizon League.

[valpopal]

Detroit releases its non-conference schedule: http://www.detroittitans.com/schedule.aspx?path=mbball&schedule=145

[a3uge]

Detroit releases its non-conference schedule: http://www.detroittitans.com/schedule.aspx?path=mbball&schedule=145

Glad I did a double take on that home game vs team with Michigan logo.

[vu72]

That's a very nice non-conference schedule.  Hopefully they can win the majority.  If we put together something like this I'll be pleased.

[justducky]

That's a very nice non-conference schedule.  Hopefully they can win the majority.  If we put together something like this I'll be pleased.

This is a very good schedule for Detroit or any of the other middle of the pack HL teams, but not for us. With the talent and experience we are returning the greatest danger is under challenging their limits rather than over challenging them. Last season it was alright to schedule towards building confidence. This year the stage needs to be set for the team to show what it can do. If we lose enough that it removes us from at-large consideration then so be it.

OK. I will concede that we may not be able to do better because nobody wants to play us but we need to shoot higher.

[vu72]

That's a very nice non-conference schedule.  Hopefully they can win the majority.  If we put together something like this I'll be pleased.

This is a very good schedule for Detroit or any of the other middle of the pack HL teams, but not for us. With the talent and experience we are returning the greatest danger is under challenging their limits rather than over challenging them. Last season it was alright to schedule towards building confidence. This year the stage needs to be set for the team to show what it can do. If we lose enough that it removes us from at-large consideration then so be it.

OK. I will concede that we may not be able to do better because nobody wants to play us but we need to shoot higher.

I understand your point but also agree that it will be very tough to get a better schedule then what Detroit has found.  Let me take a closer look at their schedule:

1. Three major conference teams.

2. Only one team (UCF) with less then 19 wins last year.(out of 9 games)

3. six teams with 20 or more wins.

4. One mid-major conference champion (Northeastern)

Pretty solid.  Not sure what their combined average RPI was but doubt we will be able to find a better schedule.

[valpopal]

The attendance numbers and rankings of the 2014-2015 season for all teams and conferences have been released. At 2,854, the Horizon League was 14th in average attendance, down slightly from the year before. Valparaiso's average was 3,066. The overall conference tournament attendance was low at 14,019 for the 5 sessions, for an average of 2,804. It will be interesting to see what the attendance numbers will be for the conference in 2015-2016 with the addition of Northern Kentucky, whose average last year for all home games as an independent was 2,016 but should rise as a member of the conference. I will also be curious to see if the high expectations for Valpo will help attendance. I doubt the move to Detroit will increase those tournament numbers significantly (unless Detroit and Oakland are in the final game or discount tickets are given to local groups in the city of Detroit), which could lead to a mostly empty arena on national television.


Stats for all teams can be found at the following: http://i.turner.ncaa.com/sites/default/files/images/2015/07/07/2014-15_mbb_attendance.pdf

[bbtds]

whose average last year for all home games as an independent was 2,016

Northern Kentucky was in the Atlantic Sun last season and not an independent.

http://www.midmajormadness.com/2015/5/11/8585081/atlantic-sun-left-scrambling-after-northern-kentuckys-departure

[valpopal]

whose average last year for all home games as an independent was 2,016

Northern Kentucky was in the Atlantic Sun last season and not an independent.

http://www.midmajormadness.com/2015/5/11/8585081/atlantic-sun-left-scrambling-after-northern-kentuckys-departure

Good catch: Thanks! I still think the home attendance will rise this season for Northern Kentucky. It will be interesting to see how much.

[motowntitan]

A rough estimate shows that the total MAC schools double the HL in enrollment  (288k to 144k).  However, they only average 31 more fans than we do. That is pretty bad for them.  I would also be willing to bet that they have a greater percentage of dorm students than we do as well.

It will be interesting to see how our conference attendance numbers change with the move to JLA, and then the new Red Wing building.  At least with the numbers established for 2015 (14,019 over 5 sessions, 2804 ave), we will know pretty quickly how fast this thing swims or sinks.





 

[wh]

I have said unequivocally that I think the move to Detroit will prove to be the biggest blunder the HL has ever made (yes, even bigger than inviting YSU to join the league).

IMO comparing 5-game attendance averages is essentially meaningless in assessing the success or failure of moving to a neutral site. For example let's assume that the 4 teams in the semi finals are Detroit vs CSU and Oakland vs. YSU. Attendance could be pretty good that night with 2 local teams involved, which helps inflate the 5-game avg. But what happens if CSU and YSU win and play for the championship?  How is it going to look to have the HL championship game played on national TV in front of 700 fans?  At that point is anyone going to care what the 5-game avg. is?

As I see it this is the biggest of several problems with this move. Unless Detroit and Oakland are involved in the championship game the draw will be nowhere near what it has been where the local team is always guaranteed to host the championship game.

Bottom line - championship game attendance and atmosphere on national TV is what it's all about.

[wh]

After 3 years of fans all over the H.L. telling Oakland fans how counter productive and damaging their OOC schedules are to themselves and the rest of the league, and 3 years of Oakland fans defending the indefinisible, their A.D. finally says something sensible:

Konya wants more home basketball games, and less of Kampe taking his team on the road to get beaten for big pay days against the "Power 5" conferences.

http://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/20150805/pat-caputo-ad-jeff-konya-has-clear-vision-of-oakland-university-athletic-future

[VULB#62]

From the tone of his comments, he seems like a no-nonsense guy. That personality, along with any increased state funding, could mean a marked improvement in all of their programs, but mainly MBB.  And that's coming off of a McCafferty Trophy after only 2 years in the HL.