2004-2005 Schedule

[fro]

Obviously, the final schedule won't be released until late July, however there are usually very few mystery games by then, and in most cases our OOC opponents are already locked down by now.

Any guesses Gobo? Others?

What we almost certainly have on tap:

Home vs Iona
Away vs St. Bonny's
Away vs McNeese St

Hartford and ECU we've played home-and-home with, so I hope we're done with them. Duquesne we played a 2 away and 1 home with, so I doubt we'd play again, but if we do it'll be in Fairfax. UNC and Maryland were one time deals, like Pitt, that are over. We'll look to play at least one (and hopefully two again) top 25 teams OOC. Morehead St was a last minute fill for both of us. Doubt they'll make the schedule.

That leaves it pretty wide open for a lot of changes and a lot of new teams. Lets hope we play some quality Mids again next year and some more beatable teams from major conferences. An ESPN Bracket Buster is likely in the cards. Hope for a good draw and national coverage.

[ballfan]

We owe Morehead a game at their place too next year.

[Five Two]

I have ZERO knowledge, but I'll take a guess and add some comments:

We may have to go to Morehead St next year. That may have been part of the deal to get it done so quickly.

We may have Duquesne coming to Fairfax to finish off the deal. I don't see them being in a position to play a 2 for 1 deal with us.

I wonder if Tennessee will invite us to play in Knoxville. That would replace UMD or UNC on the "guarantee game" list.

[masonfan]

More head more head more head!!!! i mean Morehead sorry

[ballfan]

scheduling was great this year hope we're as lucky next year

[Leesburg Chankenstank III]

We should schedule the toughest OOC schedule we can. If we have to travel for all of them, so be it. Let's give the "three ballas" a crash course in Division I basketball. Skinn, Reynold's Lewis, Mickens, Wurtz and the rest will all have learned a great deal this season and come back with much confidence next year, I don't think they'll fear anyone.

[gmutom]

The shame of this is that none of these games we are committed to are going to help us raise our RPI -- unless we beat them and they have very good seasons (unlike any of the OOC teams we beat last year).

I understand that we are locked into them, but we need to play the best teams in the A-10 and Conference USA if we have any chance of being considered among the top 50 teams in the country.

I'd rather go .500 in our OOC schedule against top-tiered teams than being 8-2 like this year against mediocre talent. Maybe my expectations are too high for the program, but that's what this year has created.

[P8triotfan4life]

GMUTOM, The good thing is Fro is just speculating, personally I don't want to play any of the OOC teams we played this year again besides Maryland and UNC...Why? They all sucked! We need to play more teams like Austin Peay, Tennnessee, and Oregon. I do believe the St. Bonnie game must be a home and home game series, but as far as I know none of the other games are set in concrete. I remember the only reason why we played Morehead State was that Louisville backed out, I can almost guarantee you that was not set-up as a home and home, and if it was what a poor choice!

[Paul Ball]

We definitely need to play people. Wouldn't GW be awesome. Another upcoming team. I just don't understand why you wouldn't want to start such a local rivalry, especially with two teams in similar circumstances. Plus these local rivalries are games we can travel to. The Smith Center on GW is small, but it's a great atmosphere where fans are on top of you as well.

Its my understanding that UNC was luck. Roy Williams needed to add a game to the schedule, felt bad that he had backed out of the GMU job years ago to stay with Dean Smith and wait for Kansas to open up, and picked us.

I think a couple C-USA teams would be great as well.

[ballfan]

I remember the only reason why we played Morehead State was that Louisville backed out, I can almost guarantee you that was not set-up as a home and home, and if it was what a poor choice!

It was the first home opener Coach L has had since he's been here. So obviously sheduling a home opener for us has been a difficult task. So I don't think it was a poor choice.

[ballfan]

[quote="Paul Ball"] Its my understanding that UNC was luck. Roy Williams needed to add a game to the schedule, felt bad that he had backed out of the GMU job years ago to stay with Dean Smith and wait for Kansas to open up, and picked us.

I think Coach Cherry got that game for us.

[gmutom]

I don't question anybody we scheduled this year or in previous years. But expectations have changed. No offense to Austin Peah or other teams in our conference, but I don't want to be linked to to other middle-of-the-road mid majors.

I dream of a day where we're considered in the same breath as teams like Xavier, Manhattan, St. Joe's and Gonzaga. Maybe we're five years away from that happening, but I truly believe it will.

[fro]

I'm not speculating about Iona. They were announced as a home-and-home. St. Bonaventure's will rebound well, I think, and will not be so bad as they were this season (winning only 7 of 28 contests). McNeese St sucked this year, and hopefully will be able to put something together next season but its doubtful. Bottom line is that these 3 games should be wins, despite Iona and the Bonnies' predicted improvement, which means we can schedule tougher games for the remaining schedule, though we need to look for some more home dates.

[dr. gunnie]

I also remember the rumor that we were supposed to play Duke, but they had to back out due to a scheduling conflict, so we were going to push it back to this year.

I don't know if there is any truth to it, but maybe someone else might.

[Greenamp;GoldSigX]

I was talking to Butler before the season started and he said ESPN had called and wanted to setup a game w/us and Texas to be televised on ESPN, but we'd already scheduled Morehead for the day they wanted.

[gmutom]

How cool with that be to face Rick Barnes and Texas since he used to coach at Mason? They probably run us off the court, but it would an awesome experience to play at team of that calibur.

[VCU4LIFE]

Y'all need at least one maruqee game like the Carolina and Maryland games you had last year...

Sig, apparently we had a game set with Texas for last season and something similar phucked it all up!

[gobo]

Here is some of what I know.

Iona (home)
McNeese St (away)
Duquesne (home)
ST Bonnie (road)
Morehead...It wasn't discussed actually..I'm guessing away

I believe Hartford, ECU, Maryland and UNC come off the schedule.

We are looking at a very nice surprise once the paper work is done, etc etc and it becomes official. It will be on the road, in a "mini-tourny" type setting and if we win our first round game, we'd get the big dog at their house...:) I'll leave you with that tease...

gobo

[s_curl]

damn the paperwork!!! its always the red-tape that holds things up :lol:

[dr. gunnie]

We are looking at a very nice surprise once the paper work is done, etc etc and it becomes official. It will be on the road, in a "mini-tourny" type setting and if we win our first round game, we'd get the big dog at their house...:) I'll leave you with that tease...

gobo

Now Gobo, when you say, "on the road", is this place somewhere we most fans could drive to see the game, or is the a plane ride type of trip. What region of the U.S. are we talking about?

[Masonman]

Sounds like the Pre-Season NIT to me.... :lol:

[GMU92]

Let's see, we were in the Cable Car Classic not that long ago...
Could this perhaps be the BB&T Classic? This is held at the MCI Center, and perhaps this is our shot at Georgetown? We would be a great selection, given our successful year and the fact that most of the Pat Dome faithful would gladly take the Orange Line to the Red Line to the Gallery Place/Chinatown station.

[patriot lawdog]

Not to speculate, but it sounds like Gobo is referring to one of those holiday tournaments. I don't think the BB&T would fit because its technically a neutral court and Feinstein always gets Maryland to play. So that would not be playing a big guy at their place. Could we have the role of playing the "sacrificial lamb" in something like the Hoosier Classic or the Wildcat Invitational?

[Five Two]

I don't think its the BB&T. But it would be cool to have Maryland and GW invite Georgetown and Mason. But I don't think Georgetown will get invited for a while after that declined to be a part of it years ago.

[fro]

We'll be the baddest mf'ing "sacrificial lamb" Indiana or Kentucky has ever faced. Those lil tourneys sound more along the lines of what we're looking at by Gobo's cryptic message.

So there is another home game vs Duquesne. That's good. They're steadily improving (though they lose 4 of their 9 players who saw significant minutes) and will be a nice home game next year. That should be 4 OOC wins, with Iona, St Bonny's and Duquesne probably having an RPI somewhere between 150-200 and McNeese St somewhere from 200-250. Any of the first 3 could move up to a top 150 team if they have a good conf season, particularly St. Bonny's and Iona.

[GMU92]

Last year was Gonzaga, WVU, GW and Maryland in the BB&T. I thought we might take the GW spot, but you guys are right - they might not want 3 D.C.-Metro teams in the tourney (G-town, GMU and MD - I'm assuming G-town takes the WVU slot given the talk of "home floor"), with only 1 slot for a big team outside of the region. You're right Five Two, that would be great, the best teams in D.C.-Metro in one tourney.

[Five Two]

GW and Maryland will always be in the BB&T. They are the co-host schools. GW is involved because Georgetown did not want to be part of it, so the organizers went to GW.

[GS]

gobo, will the game count towards our total season games?

im thinking puerto rico, alaska, hawaii?

[gmutom]

We deserve to play in the BB&T tournament. I'm tired of these local teams dodging us. Imagine how great it would be to be able to let the local area see our new recruits play in D.C.

[fro]

The thing about Puerto Rico, Alaska, and Hawaii, is that no "big boys" play there. So what Gobo hints at is obviously either a tournament held by a top school on campus, or the PNIT. I wouldn't mind either. In fact, I'd love it.

[dr. gunnie]

I wouldn't consider the PNIT a mini tourney... to me a mini tourney is one of those 4 team tournaments.

Also, I doubt that they would have the brackets set for the PNIT, and I don't think we would know if we had a home or away game yet for the first round.

[GS]

i thought vcu was gonna go to the pnit?

[fro]

At this point its all conjecture. But our last reps for the PNIT have been Hofstra 2003, UNCW 2001, GMU 2000. The NIT probably still feels they owe VCU from the snub they gave em in the 2002 postseason tourney, plus Capel was the media's darling this March and VCU has demonstrated the ability to sell out the Siegel Center, so I'd say the Rams are the favorite to get the bid.

These mini-tourneys at a college campus DO count as games, unlike the other tourneys, at least that is my understanding.

[GS]

gobo should just tell us.

[gobo]

Awwww..I can't come out and just tell you.....what fun is that.

It is not: hawaii, PR or Alaska.
It is not: PNIT.
It IS: a "mini" tournament that could result in us getting to play at Madison Square Garden.

It IS on the campus of the "host" Big Dog.

It is NOT close enough to drive, but it isn't west coast (there is a time zone change involved).

Keep going.....

gobo

[GS]

will it be on tv?

was the mini tourney held last year? who were the teams involved?

[Mason89]

Could it be the "Coaches Against Cancer" tournament?

[GS]

its coaches vs cancer. i know im right!

[P8triotfan4life]

It's GOTTA be Kentucky.. Big Dog, Time ZONE change....hmmmm this seems all too real.

[Five Two]

maybe its the ECAC Holiday Tournament or the Joe Lapchick Tournament hosted by St Johns.

[ballfan]

I'm with GS coaches vs cancer--Kansas

[ballfan]

I'm with GS coaches vs cancer--Kansas

[GS]

mizzo, illinois, or ok st.

[fro]

I can't figure this out. Coaches vs Cancer is held entirely in NYC, so that's not it. Same with the Jimmy V Classic. Also both those tourneys aren't a win and play another winner type, they're just a set number of games.

Nothing really seems to make sense right now, get the deal done and announce it already, I'm dying...... :evil:

[GS]

actually its the GOBO CLASSIC NOV 12-14, 2004.


isnt the jimmy v and c vs c the same thing? maybe this tourney is expanding.

[GMU92]

Is it the Dreyfus Classic?
I dont' think so, because that appears to be entirely at MSG also. No change of venue, and NYC is in the same time zone.
Hmm....
The BCA Classic in Cincinnati OH? That doesn't appear to move from that venue though.
The Guardians Classic in Kansas City MO? That doesn't appear to move either.

[TJ Reaper]

Gotta love this thread :)

By process of elimination, the tournament is obvious.....

ECAC Holiday Festival (New York City)

The only thing about it? I don't see St. John's as a big boy at all. Hofstra CRUSHED them at SJU this year.....

That's basically the only play and advance tournament SJU is involved in. They are the only ones who consider MSG a "home" site (although they have an on-campus facility as well).

Good luck in it, whatever it is! Mason should beat SJU, just like Hofstra will next year.......

[gobo]

Gotta love this thread :)

By process of elimination, the tournament is obvious.....

ECAC Holiday Festival (New York City)

The only thing about it? I don't see St. John's as a big boy at all. Hofstra CRUSHED them at SJU this year.....

That's basically the only play and advance tournament SJU is involved in. They are the only ones who consider MSG a "home" site (although they have an on-campus facility as well).

Good luck in it, whatever it is! Mason should beat SJU, just like Hofstra will next year.......

By process of elimination.....you are an idiot.

I said it was NOT IN THE SAME TIME ZONE.

I NEVER said going to MSG would mean playing someone who considers it a "home game".

Once again..thanks for coming the GMU board, trying to make yourself look smarter than you are and coming up a big, fat zero. I will say this.

Someone on this thread already nailed it. (But I wont be seeing Ashley Judd :( )

gobo

[MassPat]

Kentucky.

Nice p8fan.

[MassPat]

Kentucky.

Nice p8fan.

[gobo]

Kentucky.

Nice p8fan.

I said I wouldn't be seeing Ms Judd. If it were Kentucky, then you are damn straight I'd do anything I could to say hello to her.

Keep trying..:)

[P8triotfan4life]

Thanks Mass Pat, We know one thing it's either Gobo was pulling your chain, or it's Kansas. But Gobo, is Kansas even considered a "Big Dog" anymore?

[MassPat]

Has she dropped the restraining order yet?

[Five Two]

I'm still holding out hope for the Joe Lapchick Tournament and playing St Johns :lol:

If we are going to a different time zone, I wonder if the Washington Post can name a high school player from there to be their POY.

[fro]

I have no idea if youre right p8, but c'mon, Kansas must still be considered a big dog. Sweet 16 right now, and unless Langford and Simien leave early (doubtful) they'll be a force next year. This year they went through the adjustments of a coaching change.

[MassPat]

Ok - if it's not Kansas, I completely give up. I don't think I've even heard of the movie that I'm assuming is being referenced via Ashley Judd.

[patriot lawdog]

By process of elimination.....you are an idiot.


But it was only his opinion, Gobo. :wink:

[kycat]

Ok - if it's not Kansas, I completely give up. I don't think I've even heard of the movie that I'm assuming is being referenced via Ashley Judd.

Ashley is a huge Kentucky fan, but it couldn't be them. They are supposed to play in the PNIT (barring rules changes) and they are in the same time zone.

[MassPat]

Ashley is a huge Kentucky fan, but it couldn't be them. They are supposed to play in the PNIT (barring rules changes) and they are in the same time zone.
That was my original logic (her being a Kentucky fan). Once that got nixed, I found out she's in a movie that just came out which is set in Kansas. Called "Twisted."

[kycat]

[ (But I wont be seeing Ashley Judd :( )

gobo

http://www.kentuckymonthly.com/cover_large_nov98.jpg

[MassPat]

Oh, to be a Kentucky basketball jersey for a day.

[TJ Reaper]

Well,

I really don't care anymore. I was just trying to help out/participate. I guess it's just that much different when I do it vs. someone else.

:oops:

Anyway, good luck in the tournament--whatever it is.

[MasonHoopzfan]

this is what i'd like to see next year:

Home:
Iona
Manhattan
College of Charleston
Univ of Richmond

Away:
Saint B
Mcneese State
UVA
UConn
Wake Forest

[alchemist]

Thank you for that, kycat. Thank you.

[cornell-law-patriot]

VCU Jainez, as my mom used to say to me as a kid, "It's not what you say, but how you say it."

I know you mean well, yadda yadda... but that's all I can give ya.

[dmt101]

OK GOBO I'm waiting. Clue us in.

[gobo]

if i were TO give anymore clues i'd have TO come out and say it!

i did like the way we played at home. there is no place like home.

gobo

[gmutom]

Judging from Gobo's latest clues (capiltalized TO), I'm guessing we're playing in a tournament that includes either TOledo or the University of TOronto. :D

[TDLA]

if i were TO give anymore clues i'd have TO come out and say it!

i did like the way we played at home. there is no place like home.

gobo

There is no place like home????

Could that be a Wizard of Oz reference, hence Kansas?

[kane block]

Toto = Dorothy's dog.

[gmutom]

Damn, I was so close. Toledo, Kansas...same thing, right? Man, if that's the case, I hope they graduate a lot of players off this year's team, because they look very strong. Bring on the Jayhawks!

[The old PF]

How about a game in ESPN's Bracket Busters?

[TweederGMU]

I think we will schedule a definite ACC team this year - maybe Duke, Clemson, or VA Tech would be cool. For our other big game look to either the Conference USA - Rematch against those biatches at Cincy. Coach L realizes we need to get more exposure with other conferences. Exactly what Wainwright did down at UofR by playing Kansas. The more distant we go the better recognization we get all over the U.S. So know those chumps in Oregon and and the west coast know where Mason is. The more exposure to teams and conferences the CAA usually doesn't contend with the better for our RPI.