Is the Buff OOC schedule good for team performance?

[aghcsm]

The overall out of conference schedule has been moderately weak. Aside from the impact on RPI, what are thoughts about whether a tougher schedule would have been more beneficial to team performance, in the long run?

My opinion is that the schedule was just about ideal, other than opening with ISU, which might have been better 6-8 games in. Building confidence, able to work on issues with a comfortable lead, settling some new players into the rotation, plus a 10-1 record to grow fan excitement - all positives. Throw in ISU and (hoping) SMU, and road games at CSU and Auburn - the team has had exposure to challenges without being overwhelmed by them.

Before the PAC12 season begins with some inevitable losses followed by claims that the soft OOC schedule is to blame - I'm wondering if AB posters agree with me on the excellent pre-conference schedule, or if you feel a tougher lineup would have been better.

 

[DBT]

Really hope we get to take on SMU. That'd be a perfect way to end the OOC schedule before conference play begins. I think our OOC was just about right. Especially for a team breaking in some new faces. The winning seems to be feeding the team chemistry.

 

[TDforTD]

I think it was perfect for us. Got a couple neutral site challenges, a couple of good road tests in nasty arenas, a couple of good home opponents, and then a bunch of games we should win.

The big thing for me was getting Tory(looked flat to start the season), Dom, and Yaz valuable minutes. I'm not as nervous when we have to give Scott a rest now. I think some of these easier games helped to specify everyone's role on the team.

 

[FLounder]

Tory has been playing lights out and is only getting better.

 

[rolandftw]

I wish we had been able to schedule ISU in a true home and home, or at least a game that was more of a true neutral court game.

That aside, it's been a fairly good schedule. Have had a couple true road games against teams that CU should and did beat. Rest of the games were more about getting the team ready to play SMU (hopefully)

 

[CVilleBuff]

I think we're generally treating it as weaker than it really is if we end up facing SMU. Two top 20 teams on neutral courts + an NCAA tournament squad in BYU + road games at Auburn, CSU (not our fault CSU is falling apart) and a neutral game against Big 10 Penn State really isn't that weak. Outside of replacing one cupcake (ideally Nicholls State) with a more decent team, there isn't much I'd change.

 

[BuffsNYC]

I would've liked to play ISU or at Auburn later in the season. Not necessarily because we would have a better chance to win, just to get the guys ready for Pac 12 road games.

 

[Shldr2Shldr]

I think we're generally treating it as weaker than it really is if we end up facing SMU. Two top 20 teams on neutral courts + an NCAA tournament squad in BYU + road games at Auburn, CSU (not our fault CSU is falling apart) and a neutral game against Big 10 Penn State really isn't that weak. Outside of replacing one cupcake (ideally Nicholls State) with a more decent team, there isn't much I'd change.

Hampton was also an NCAA tournament team. While the score won't indicate it, that wasn't truly a cupcake.

 

[Goose]

I think we're generally treating it as weaker than it really is if we end up facing SMU. Two top 20 teams on neutral courts + an NCAA tournament squad in BYU + road games at Auburn, CSU (not our fault CSU is falling apart) and a neutral game against Big 10 Penn State really isn't that weak. Outside of replacing one cupcake (ideally Nicholls State) with a more decent team, there isn't much I'd change.

As long as we get SMU, I can go along with this. If we end up missing out on them in Vegas, we made some serious mistakes scheduling.

 

[Buffenuf]

I think we're generally treating it as weaker than it really is if we end up facing SMU. Two top 20 teams on neutral courts + an NCAA tournament squad in BYU + road games at Auburn, CSU (not our fault CSU is falling apart) and a neutral game against Big 10 Penn State really isn't that weak. Outside of replacing one cupcake (ideally Nicholls State) with a more decent team, there isn't much I'd change.

THIS! Sound analysis of the sked thus far; especially compared to similar schools in the Pac and elsewhere. SMU's schedule looks very similar.

CU has endured those streaks where the opponents can't miss, even their three balls, as well as times when there appeared to be a lid on CU's rims. In neither instances did they "fold up shop", but rather worked their way through those streaks and prevailed. To me their most impressive stat is the average number of assists. That means good ball movement and far less standing around, waiting for someone else to do something on offense.

 

[DBT]

As long as we get SMU, I can go along with this. If we end up missing out on them in Vegas, we made some serious mistakes scheduling.

Really must take care of business. We need the SMU game, IMO. Losing to PSU would be a huge set back.

 

[aghcsm]

THIS! Sound analysis of the sked thus far; especially compared to similar schools in the Pac and elsewhere. SMU's schedule looks very similar..

The original question was not whether the Buff OOC schedule was easier than other major college teams - all play mostly cream puffs with a few challenges thrown in - but whether or not a few more challenges would benefit this team in the long run. My opinion that more challenges were unnecessary for this particular team, at the early stages of this season, seems in general agreement with responses thus far.

 

[DBT]

The original question was not whether the Buff OOC schedule was easier than other major college teams - all play mostly cream puffs with a few challenges thrown in - but whether or not a few more challenges would benefit this team in the long run. My opinion that more challenges were unnecessary for this particular team, at the early stages of this season, seems in general agreement with responses thus far.

That's why beating PSU and getting an OOC wrap up game with SMU is needed and would elevate our OOC schedule to a good place relevant to the OP.

 

[Buffnik]

Even if we don't get SMU, Kent State is now #49 in the RPI. They'd be in the 30s if they beat SMU, so either way it's a very good opponent for CU's resume. SMU would carry a lot more cache, though.