This really is an exciting time of year, as the incomprehensible puzzle that becomes the broadcast schedule for the 09-10 season comes together. The Big East announced its half of the Big Monday slate for the upcoming season today to go along with the previously released Big 12 schedule. Let’s take a look:
- Jan. 11: Villanova @ Louisville; Oklahoma St. @ Oklahoma
- Jan. 18: Syracuse @ Notre Dame; Texas @ Kansas St.
- Jan. 25: Georgetown @ Syracuse; Missouri @ Kansas
- Feb. 1: Connecticut @ Louisville; Texas @ Oklahoma St.
- Feb. 8: Villanova @ West Virginia; Kansas @ Texas
- Feb. 15: Connecticut @ Villanova; Kansas @ Texas A&M
- Feb. 22: West Virginia @ Connecticut; Oklahoma @ Kansas
- March 1: Georgetown @ West Virginia; Oklahoma @ Texas
Just looking at it briefly, there’s no question that the best night BY FAR is on Feb. 8 when the top two teams in the Big East meet up in Morgantown, followed next by two top five squads clashing in Austin. Must-see tv that night. Our second favorite night includes the rivalry games on Jan. 25, even though Syracuse and Missouri are facing a bit of a dropoff this year. The only dog of the schedule could be Jan. 18, where Syracuse visits Notre Dame and Texas goes to Kansas St. Nothing there really excites us.
What do you guys see with this schedule?
View Comments (6)
My first reaction w/r/t Feb 8 was the same: wow. That could be the best night of the season. It usually never plays out like this, but those are 4 top-10 teams.
Here is a link to the UConn schedule for '09-'10, released today.
http://blogs.courant.com/uconn_mens_basketball/2009/09/200910-uconn-schedule.html
Of course I noticed them on the list above. 3 times actually. It got me to wonder how many times the Huskies would be in front of a national audience this coming season. We've had some discussions about how often the Huskies are on TV & the value that would have on their visibility to recruits. Also about the value it adds, as a coaching destination, for the post Calhoun era.
To my count, the Huskies will be in front of a national audience, during the regular season, @ least 12 times, w/ the potential to get to 14, if they make the FInals of the Preseason NIT. That's 12 out of between 30 & 33 games (again, depending upon their Preseason NIT showing). & obviously all the postseason games will be televised.
That's a shade under 50% of their games will have national coverage. I attempted to find the number of times the Tarheels would be on national TV, but it wasn't easy & I grew tired of looking (The Steelers/Titans game has fantasy implications). I'd be surprised is it were any more, or even as many, as UConn.
For the sake of the coaching discussion we'd had before, you'd have to admit any coach that would look at UConn, post Calhoun, would place a high value on the number of national appearances. That kind of exposure, for your program, has to be extremely attractive. That they are in the Big East is attractive. The pipeline to New York talent has to be attractive. I really think the list of candidates for the UConn job, post Calhoun, is longer & sexier than we agreed on before.
Thanks for the link on UConn's sked, JT.
I think you'd be surprised when you start talking about how often UNC or Duke are on true "national" tv. A couple of years ago Duke had something around 28 games with national coverage. I'm not sure about this year as of yet, but I'd expect we'll see Kansas, Kentucky and UNC a minimum of 15-20 times nationally.
As for the next UConn coach, nobody will argue that UConn has the resources currently to attract a good heir apparent. The problem is that even the best intentions end badly for schools. I'm sure that Carolina thought it was doing the right thing in hiring Doherty; Indiana in hiring Sampson; Kentucky in hiring Gillispie. But they all ended badly, and those are three of the most elite programs of all-time. So a program like UConn, who has only been nationally relevant under one coach and one coach only MUST nail the after-hire or they could legitimately look at a long dormant period. Much in the same way that St. John's is still foundering post-Carnesecca, and Georgetown only recently came back to prominence under JT3.
This is no particular knock on UConn. Rather, it's a testament to just how great Calhoun has been. But there are no guarantees when you hire someone to replace a legend, and we have to take that into account.
Thanks for the well-argued comment, and we hope to see you around...
Well, I am surprised, actually. Looking at Duke's schedule (now I'm @ work & have nothing but time to waste), they will be in front of a national audience 20 times, w/ the potential ot make it 22, depending upon their performance in the Preseason NIT. I imagine UNC & Kansas won't be any less visable. Kentucky is sexy this year, so I'd expect to see a lot of them.
I also agree w/ your position that the next UConn hire is very important. It's why I'd target an established guy. The Georgetown & St John's references are unfortunately apt. Georgetown did founder for a while waiting for JT3 to arrive. The Johnnies were on hteir way back under Jarvis, but I'm not sure what all happened there. They were getting the Atrests, the Erik Barkleys, the Bootsie Thorntons. But they also took a nose dive under Jarvis & have basically been toilet paper since then. Excuse me, bathroom tissue. I don't mean to offend.
It's interesting, in my mind Goergetown has always been a program, even while they stunk. St Johns.., it's been so long, & they really only BARELY made it to the pinnacle of the sport, I guess I don't consider them a program any longer. They need a new legacy. & I think it's inherantly difficult for St Johns to recruit w/in the city. You'd think otherwise, but most often the city talent wants to get out & go someplace else, someplace new... Like the rolling Connecticut hills, for example..
JTruman, never underestimate the power of Duke and UNC to play on national television, haha. I think the year I was referencing above was JJ Redick's last season.
I've always been intrigued by St. John's and it's continued inability to get it done despite a world of talent on its doorstep. I'm absolutely certain that coaching has a lot to do with it, but I admittedly have never been to their campus, so I ask you - is it a nice place? I have to believe that it's nothing special (no "urban oasis") or players would be fighting over themselves to get there.
Well, I've never been to the campus either, so I can't say first hand. I think the Queens campus is the main campus & the pics are careful not to show what surrounds the campus. So take that for what you will. I know the on campus basketball facility is a total joke. Think decent/bad high school gym. But still, it's a Catholic university, in New England. I'm sure the campus is immaculate.
I think the larger issue is that it's not a public school. It's not "the city's" team. It is & it isn't. It is b/c there is no other "city school". It is by default. But it also isn't NYC's school, b/c no one really cares. Go to the Big East Tournament. UConn OWNS the Garden. The larger issue is that the school isn't tied to the city & the kids, want to play elsewhere. There has to be a lot of hassle that goes along w/ being a high profile NYC basketball star. Most kids don't invite the continuance of that by staying & playing, in the city. Most kids are ready for a change of pace/scenery.
So St Johns will require a score as a coach. A relative name, if not a flat out name. The best recruiting tool St Johns has is NYC & home games being played in the Garden. The Big East Tournament is a home game (although the home game is UConn's). So there are some tools. I could see being able to lure a kid to the city. More so than keeping a kid in the city. @ least until the Johnnies build a core. I would think targeting the out of towners, selling them on the city.., is a good way to proceed. Once they have a core, they could maybe convince the NYC stud to stay home & be the big ticket. Far from happening, I'll admit. The St John's program is lost in the woods.