Missouri State, UNI, and Drake all weekend home games while the students are on campus (I think). Which means they should all have pretty good crowds, and potentially big tv coverage (assuming the season predictions play out). Also means I should be able to make it to those games.

I may also drive down to Carbondale for the SIU game since it’s on a Sunday. I haven’t been able to make the semi-annual battle for my affection (law school vs undergrad) in a few years.

I hope the weekend games you mentioned are in the afternoon.
Us old folks go to bed early!

A couple of quick observations:

1. I like getting Indiana State early while they might be still figuring themselves out with a new coach.

2. Three sets of back-to-back road games is a tough draw.  It's really hard to win the 2nd game.  Looking the 2015-16 through 2019-20 seasons, the Ramblers are 5-8 in the 2nd game of MVC road back-to-backs.  Some of those were the worst games in recent history like the 70-35 loss at Missouri State and losing to last place Evansville in 2019.  (Note:  I ignored last year because of the different schedule format). We know going to Bradley is always a battle, but don't rule out Illinois State and Evansville as possible trap games.

3. Looking at the end of the season when guys are beat up and getting tired, it is nice that there's a stretch of 3 home games and a quick trip to Valpo.  Hopefully that helps everybody stay rested going into the Valley tournament.

cant argue with those back to backers...but as we know and which I dont agree....it is the Conference Tournament that counts

For anyone interested, KenPom rankings of our opponents. I think we are much better off scheduling non-D1 opponents rather than teams like Coppin St. and Chicago St. We are very lucky to be in the Battle 4 Atlantis; otherwise, our non-conf is pretty meh. We are the 5th ranked team in the Battle 4 Atlantis.

#351 Coppin St.
#208 Florida Gulf Coast
#357 Chicago St.
#265 UIC

Atlantis
#22 Michigan State
#21 UConn OR #28 Auburn
#41 Syracuse OR #98 VCU OR #4 Baylor OR #58 Arizona State

#140 DePaul
#79 Vanderbilt
#306 Norfolk State
#91 Davidson

#66 Missouri State
#74 Drake
#110 Northern Iowa
#134 Southern Illinois
#171 Evansville
#174 Bradley
#187 Indiana State
#202 Illinois State
#236 Valpo

Our best home non-con opponent is ranked 208? Ouch.

We are supposedly having a “secret” scrimmage with Wisconsin today. It will be interesting see what info is shared.

Practice is in Whitewater Wiisconsin against Wisconsin. It is closed to the public.
Whitewater has a nice campus and it is a nice town about 15 miles from Delevan Wisconsin.
Wisconsin coach said he would be publishing a box score (per Coach Valendtine).

Loyola wins the "secret" scrimmage 71-56. Lucas with 16. Per Jon Rothstein.

Love hearing about the depth. Hoping for a box score