Not sure we have one Q1 game in our non-con...

Not exactly stellar. I always hope for at least one tough P5 game, and we may not have that this year unless the matchups go right in Hawaii. According to prediction numbers from Bart Torvik, we might be the #2 seeded team in Hawaii.

Opposing Team ||||| Last Year's KenPom || This year's Pre-Season Torvik
Chicago State 294 333
Detroit 351 357
Princeton 69 102
Southern Utah 242 256
Tulsa 184 135
Eastern Michigan 326 251
South Florida 87 103
San Francisco 65 84
Canisius 278 306
---------------------------------------
Nebraska 30 47
Oregon State 155 118
Charleston 101 124
Charlotte 120 128
Oakland 131 164
Murray State 160 141
Hawaii 167 197

Agree that this schedule builds up nicely in competition level approaching the Hawaii tournament and conference play. As Oregon State will be playing in WCC this year, our only P5 game (potentially) is Nebraska. For comparison purposes, we finished at 93 in KenPom last year and we're predicted at 91 in Trank this year.

Depends on how San Francisco, Nebraska, and Princeton do. But you're right, there are no Q1 locks like Creighton and FAU (kinda) were las year.

It really doesn't matter how tough the OOC schedule is for a mid-major at this point. The only chance for an A-10 school to get into the Tournament is to win its conference tournament. The football schools' conferences are completely dominating the sport, even to the detriment of the Big East, which is being marginalized.

That said, this seems likely to be a pretty weak OOC schedule.

Other than Dayton right? Because they literally just got into the tournament without winning the A10 tournament.

I'm hoping deserving mid-majors can secure at large bids. My point is that I do not think Loyola has helped its case in showing it might be a deserving mid-major with this OOC schedule.

Looks like we’ve drawn Oakland for our first round opponent at our MTE. Nice built in story line for the broadcasters. Oregon State/Charleston waits in the second round.

Loyola tweet with bracket graphic

No excuse not to win this tournament. Or, at the very least, make it to the championship for a great game vs a solid Nebraska squad.

Probably get A10 schedule tomorrow!!

Have to say, I'm proud of whomever does the scheduling for getting it out on time (before conference slate). We've rarely been able to accomplish that before. So even though it isn't a great schedule, at least it's on time.

Most other conferences have schedules out already. Looking forward to possible road trips......