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Post by aztech on Jul 30, 2014 11:51:32 GMT -8
Actually this schedule works to our advantage. For the most part we travel to the goat arenas early in conference play when our guys have fresh legs. So we host them at the right time.
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Post by lovethelibrary on Jul 30, 2014 12:05:34 GMT -8
Nice to see that the confetti will fall on the Broncos' heads this year. Aztecs take this conference with a week to spare. COUNT IT.
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Post by sdcoug on Jul 30, 2014 13:18:03 GMT -8
I suppose the number of Pac-12 schools that are located near each other: USC - UCLA, Stanford - Cal, AZ - ASU make it easier to schedule them back to back without excessive travel between games. I am at work and really don't have time to look up relative distance between Washington - WSU & Oregon - OSU; but I definitely know the distance between Utah and CU are more akin to the distances between most MWC schools (CSU - AFA being the one exception) I still believe it would not be too difficult for the MWC to account for the first week of classes in scheduling or to schedule back-to-back away games in before the semester begins. I also agree with the poster who said bye games in an unbalanced conference of 11 teams could be better used to avoid consecutive away games in a short period for the benefit of student-athletes not to miss class time. UW to WSU is a 5-6 hour bus ride, and if they have a Thursday-Saturday schedule that's what teams do. However, if they play Wednesday night most teams fly back home & back out to the other location on Friday, JUST like the MWC teams. No different. Also, when they do have a Thursday-Saturday schedule the kids miss 2 days of school - Thursday/Friday, which is no worse than any MWC will face. UO/OSU is a relatively short bus ride (e.g. AF/CSU), but many teams fly into Portland, which is significantly longer. Arizona/ASU is 100 miles. Again, it's all the same from a timing perspective. The only anomaly, from SDSU's perspective, is Wyoming which really is a bitch to get to. Probably even worse than Pullman. However, our game with them this year worked out OK - no back to back travel. If you have a Wednesday/Saturday schedule teams take the same travel schedule whether in the P12 or MWC. As for affordability, SDSU's basketball revenue & spending is significantly higher than the WSU's & OSU's of the world. SDSU takes more charters than either of those school. SDSU's situation, from a travel & missing class perspective, is no different than what you face in any other major (non bus around) conference. It's far from perfect, but far from the norm. And again, the AD's do have input into the original schedules. As for "bye weeks", both conferences (P12 & MWC) start conference play around the same week/day & finish conference play on the same day. They play the same # of games - 18. There is no difference. The schedule isn't as bad as people make it out to be from a travel/student out of class perspective. It's the norm.
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Post by haleiwaaztec on Jul 30, 2014 13:23:10 GMT -8
Having UNLV and UNM during semester break gives the Aztecs a chance to make some extra money. Last year they sold extra student tickets in a package for $75 for 5 games. This year with UNLV and UNM being during that time frame the Aztecs can sell those games at a premium. If they offer the same $75 package...buy, buy, buy...(stock tip from me). If you don't professional scalpers will. Bruce is drooling right now. True, but probably not enough to make it worth playing our two most vital games of the home season with few students in attendance. Dave L is right that it can't be a coincidence the league scheduled those games for when The Show would be out of town. And you don't have to be paranoid to believe Sterk is still in Thompson's doghouse. Seriously? There is no way the schedule makers say down and said, "OK, this season we need to make sure our marquee team host our other two marquee teams in early January so the students won't be able to be at the game." As I mentioned before the UNLV is that Saturday before school starts so I can promise you there will be a full student section at the game. Also, I feel pretty confident 'The Show' will make sure they are at both games and we won't notice a difference.
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Post by HighNTight on Jul 30, 2014 13:29:15 GMT -8
I suppose the number of Pac-12 schools that are located near each other: USC - UCLA, Stanford - Cal, AZ - ASU make it easier to schedule them back to back without excessive travel between games. I am at work and really don't have time to look up relative distance between Washington - WSU & Oregon - OSU; but I definitely know the distance between Utah and CU are more akin to the distances between most MWC schools (CSU - AFA being the one exception) I still believe it would not be too difficult for the MWC to account for the first week of classes in scheduling or to schedule back-to-back away games in before the semester begins. I also agree with the poster who said bye games in an unbalanced conference of 11 teams could be better used to avoid consecutive away games in a short period for the benefit of student-athletes not to miss class time. UW to WSU is a 5-6 hour bus ride, and if they have a Thursday-Saturday schedule that's what teams do. However, if they play Wednesday night most teams fly back home & back out to the other location on Friday, JUST like the MWC teams. No different. Also, when they do have a Thursday-Saturday schedule the kids miss 2 days of school - Thursday/Friday, which is no worse than any MWC will face. UO/OSU is a relatively short bus ride (e.g. AF/CSU), but many teams fly into Portland, which is significantly longer. Arizona/ASU is 100 miles. Again, it's all the same from a timing perspective. The only anomaly, from SDSU's perspective, is Wyoming which really is a bitch to get to. Probably even worse than Pullman. However, our game with them this year worked out OK - no back to back travel. If you have a Wednesday/Saturday schedule teams take the same travel schedule whether in the P12 or MWC. As for affordability, SDSU's basketball revenue & spending is significantly higher than the WSU's & OSU's of the world. SDSU takes more charters than either of those school. SDSU's situation, from a travel & missing class perspective, is no different than what you face in any other major (non bus around) conference. It's far from perfect, but far from the norm. And again, the AD's do have input into the original schedules. As for "bye weeks", both conferences (P12 & MWC) start conference play around the same week/day & finish conference play on the same day. They play the same # of games - 18. There is no difference. The schedule isn't as bad as people make it out to be from a travel/student out of class perspective. It's the norm. as long as you are the resident PAC-12 schedule expert (I mean that in a good way) is there an advantage in the way they schedule? looking at OSU's schedule they seem to do it 2x2 (2 away games then 2 home games) and they try to schedule Thursday games with Sat / Sun games as well. I assume there are less classes on a Friday so less classes missed for teams that choose to stay in a city like LA to play both USC & UCLA or AZ & ASU? EDIT: I looked at OSU's schedule for last year www.osubeavers.com/SportSelect.dbml?SPSID=750187&SPID=127160
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Post by FULL_MONTY on Jul 30, 2014 13:31:00 GMT -8
This conference is a sh!!thole, but at-least I get a laugh at all of the Stockholm syndrome board members who wax poetic on how th mw is better than any other option.
Priceless.
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Post by AztecBill on Jul 30, 2014 13:46:23 GMT -8
The schedule is fine. I am glad we miss two bottom teams. I am glad the conference tries to do the right thing and schedule the top teams against each other. Having UNLV and UNM at home early is good for us. The Aztecs always come into conference play on a high but sometimes slump in the middle.
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Post by sdcoug on Jul 30, 2014 14:11:01 GMT -8
UW to WSU is a 5-6 hour bus ride, and if they have a Thursday-Saturday schedule that's what teams do. However, if they play Wednesday night most teams fly back home & back out to the other location on Friday, JUST like the MWC teams. No different. Also, when they do have a Thursday-Saturday schedule the kids miss 2 days of school - Thursday/Friday, which is no worse than any MWC will face. UO/OSU is a relatively short bus ride (e.g. AF/CSU), but many teams fly into Portland, which is significantly longer. Arizona/ASU is 100 miles. Again, it's all the same from a timing perspective. The only anomaly, from SDSU's perspective, is Wyoming which really is a bitch to get to. Probably even worse than Pullman. However, our game with them this year worked out OK - no back to back travel. If you have a Wednesday/Saturday schedule teams take the same travel schedule whether in the P12 or MWC. As for affordability, SDSU's basketball revenue & spending is significantly higher than the WSU's & OSU's of the world. SDSU takes more charters than either of those school. SDSU's situation, from a travel & missing class perspective, is no different than what you face in any other major (non bus around) conference. It's far from perfect, but far from the norm. And again, the AD's do have input into the original schedules. As for "bye weeks", both conferences (P12 & MWC) start conference play around the same week/day & finish conference play on the same day. They play the same # of games - 18. There is no difference. The schedule isn't as bad as people make it out to be from a travel/student out of class perspective. It's the norm. as long as you are the resident PAC-12 schedule expert (I mean that in a good way) is there an advantage in the way they schedule? looking at OSU's schedule they seem to do it 2x2 (2 away games then 2 home games) and they try to schedule Thursday games with Sat / Sun games as well. I assume there are less classes on a Friday so less classes missed for teams that choose to stay in a city like LA to play both USC & UCLA or AZ & ASU? No offense taken. There USED to be an advantage with the "pairs" scheduling before the P12 sold their soul for money (which I don't blame them). When it was Thursday/Saturday the students would miss 2 days (Thursday/Friday) but their travel between sites (e.g. Berk to Palo) would be easy. WSU to UW still sucks - 6 hours on a bus is never fun, but the others weren't bad. However, they now are as likely for a Weds/Saturday trip, which means most (not all) travel back home Wednesday night. If they don't then they're out of classes Weds-Friday, which most AD's avoid at all costs (I know Jim does). In the P12 that's half of your pair road trips (2 of 4), typically. Plus you add in Thursday/Sunday nowadays, so you're on the road from Wednesday night to Sunday night, returning (in some instances) after midnight on Sunday. It's not unicorns & rainbows. SDSU has 2 trips, period, next year which could even be considered tough. That by no means is any harder than what most P12 teams face. Try getting to Pullman, then flying back after a Wednesday game. Or, if you're lucky, get a Thursday/Sat & arrive into Pullman after midnight Wednesday night and play Thursday night (& now they have 8 PM starts like the MWC). Either way, kids miss classes. It's the norm in this sport. It's why they have tutors; why they have so much academic support, which is not necessarily available to the typical student. Whether that's just Wednesday (e.g. if you have a Weds/Saturday set-up like we tend to have), or Thursday/Friday (if Thursday/Saturday like some P12 teams) they're missing as much class time IMO. And like the MWC, the P12 conference & TV controls scheduling NOT the school. Schools, like Pullman where 30% of their attendance is students, can't say we don't want to play when school is not in session. They get screwed 10x more than SDSU ever will. OSU is no different. Try filling an arena when the total population of the town is less than 5000 when school is not in session for a Wednesday night 6 PM start, knowing many of your fans must drive 2 hours to get to the game. Have you been to a Stanford game when finals are happening? Imagine 15-20 students in attendance (no exaggeration). Beyond their control. Scheduling SUCKS, and there's no easy way around it. EVERY team in any decent conference is going to complain about their schedule. If we want "easy" and avoid kids missing classes then maybe we should go back to the 26 game schedules & simplify, starting conference play in mid December with more 1-game weeks. Not going to happen though. As it is, both conferences play 18 conference games & start/end about the same day. There's no difference in the time on the road when all is said & done IMO, and neither are more fan friendly than the other either.
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Post by Ambivalent_Fan on Jul 30, 2014 14:19:41 GMT -8
I actually like facing the better teams at home early into the season...beating them early puts them into a BIG hole...with them looking up at us in the standings all season...
I like the idea of possibly being 2-3 games up in the standings before having to venture onto our rivals' home court...
That's just be though...
Overall Bill's correct...best thing is to avoid cellar dwellers if possible...good riddance to SJSU and USU
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Post by bearfoot on Jul 30, 2014 14:23:25 GMT -8
I like Fisher's thoughts on conference coaches having a say of date selection. Of course, the deaf ear persists. Thanks for sharing. The best/worst part was they didn't send blind schedules to admittance offices. Whatever
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Post by AztecBill on Jul 30, 2014 14:57:49 GMT -8
The Aztecs get byes before At Wyoming and before hosting Boise State. The conference is obviously trying to help the Aztecs by placing byes right before two of our most difficult games. New Mexico gets a bye right before hosting San Jose State in The Pit. The conference must not like them.
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Post by mySTRAS on Jul 30, 2014 17:47:54 GMT -8
For those in NorCal: Nice to see @ SJSU and @ Fresno St. on Saturdays... would have really liked to see @ Nevada on a Saturday, that could have been a nice weekend in Reno.
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Post by Proud Aztec on Jul 30, 2014 19:59:25 GMT -8
Is the game on 12/31/14 against Air Force being played on a neutral site? It does not say it will be played in Viejas but rather San Diego, California. Any thoughts?
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Post by FULL_MONTY on Jul 30, 2014 21:35:05 GMT -8
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Post by standiego on Jul 31, 2014 7:59:41 GMT -8
When I printed out the schedule it has AFA @ Viejas 12/31 . Yes the Mountain Schools want to play a 20 game conference schedule they can not get OOC games at their place . The only teams that can schedule quality OOC games are SDSU and UNLV , the two teams that can recruit quality HS players. the mountain schools also will complain they did not get an invite from the NCAA or NIT T 's . If you remember BSU also turned down a chance to play in the third level MBB T that Fresno and even USD played in . Was it also BSU that asked one of their reserve players to transfer out after saying he would have a place on the team this year . You wonder why there was a problem with the transfer rules . PAC is back to being a very good MBB league with a lot of good teams . But do not say their travel schedule is a difficult as it is for SDSU . There maybe some tougher places to get to WSU , OSU or maybe Utah or Colorado ?- . But they also have some very easy spots USC,/UCLA, Stanford,/CAL, ASU / U of A. Seattle. What is SDSU's closest game Fresno - bus . Or UNLV ,Reno , San Jose by air. Terrible trips to Wyoming, CSU, AFA, USU .Even BSU is no picnic The PAC schools also get at least 20 million per school from the National TV deal some money could go their way. If U of A , Oregon , USC, Stanford needs a private plane ,they will find a way. Some of the schools Alums may also assist in the travel situations
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Post by AztecBill on Jul 31, 2014 8:11:30 GMT -8
The Big West proposed a schedule where teams that don't play each other twice in conference could schedule each other and count the games as OOC games. We should go to a 16 game schedule and let teams schedule each other in games that don't count toward conference standings. Best of both worlds.
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Post by standiego on Jul 31, 2014 9:39:37 GMT -8
Aztecs do not play USU twice would you schedule a game @ USU or any mountain school if you didn't have to ?
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Post by haleiwaaztec on Aug 1, 2014 13:18:42 GMT -8
Schedule already changed
Mark Zeigler @sdutzeigler · 8m Just days after releasing its men's basketball conference schedule, the MW has already changed dates of 3 SDSU games. #mickeymouseleague
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Post by AztecBill on Aug 1, 2014 13:24:49 GMT -8
Aztecs do not play USU twice would you schedule a game @ USU or any mountain school if you didn't have to ? The Aztecs wouldn't want to but many MWC teams would love to. Especially if they could count on not having them scheduled the next year so the game could be returned soon.
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Post by AztecBill on Aug 1, 2014 13:30:24 GMT -8
NM at SDSU moved from 1/7 to 1/6 SDSU at AF from 1/21 to 1/20 SDSU at NM from 2/18 to 2/17
Wednesday games changed to Tuesday so the Aztecs can be alone in the schedule for better TV coverage.
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