re.Valpo

[DIAMONDDH]

First off the KY state legislature did not force UK to play UL.  There was 
talk amongst the legislature to force it, but it happened on its own, after 
the first Dream Game in the NCAA Tourney.
Just like some in the current legislature are pressuring Louisville to honor 
their committment to play Western Kentucky, who Pitino is dodging right now..
To be quite frank UC's non-conference schedule is soft.
They have only 2 road games in a stretch of 11 games and one neutral court 
game.  The Oregon game is the best of the bunch, but this would have been a 
better game last year.  Oregon lost their best player in Freddie Jones and 
their 7 foot center.  They still return Ridnour, but they will not be as good 
as they have been in the past.
Xavier, is the toughest game, but it is a cross-town rival and should be a 
great game.
Legitimately, UC will likely only have 2 potential top 25 teams on their 
non-conference schedule, Oregon and Xavier.
UC will likely emerge from this stretch 10-1.  Clemson is an ACC bottom 
feeder since Rick barnes left, Dayton a prennial NIT team, but is tough at 
times in their home arena.  Oklahoma State will be decent but will be middle 
of the road in the Big 12 this year.
Why does it seem that UC does not put quality non-conference schedules 
together?
For one, for some reason, many networks and tourney do not invite UC in made 
for TV affairs with matchups with Duke and Kansas and the ilk.  Maybe it is 
the marketability?  Maybe, they do not like Huggins?  Maybe it is their 
recent lack of post season success?
IMO, UC should try each year to schedule a home and home with an upper 
echelon Big Ten, ACC, and SEC teams.
UK will not play UC, because Pitino cancelled the series and to them and 
their fans, they would rather have home and homes with UNC, Michigan State, 
and the sort.  NKY fans would like to play, but to the majority of UK fans UC 
would not be a top 5 game to them.
Getting Tennessee would be a good game.  Tennessee has had some good teams, 
up til last year but Buzz Peterson will have them back before long.
Wake Forest was a nice series.
With the exempted games taking a hit, those made for TV games will be harder 
to come by.
For once, Xavier has a better non-conference schedule than UC.
Lastly, in regards to conference affiliations.  There is a quiet move by the 
Big 10(11) to add Pittsburgh to the Big 10.  Since Notre Dame rebuffed them, 
all focus has gradually turned to Pittsburgh.
Then you have an opening in the Big East.  Then it becomes a dog fight 
between UC and Louisville IMO for that spot.  Louisville has made it known 
for years that it would love a jump to the ACC or Big East.  Frankly, 
Louisville's marketability to the Big East is better than UC, right now.  It 
has Pitino and easterner, and a better overall sports program.
The CUSA is not a great basketball league because they have sold their soul 
to the idea of becoming a football power.  It is geographically dysfuctional 
as well.  It is way to spread out to create rivalries amongst teams.  Sure 
you have UC banging with a few teams, but there is not much movement for 
rivalries outside of UC, Marquette, Ville, Memphis, and Charlotte. 
However, it is not going to get a piece of the BCS pie.  It may get a 
championship game, but the champ is delegated to the Liberty Bowl.
Just one man's opinion.

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