Honestly, I like these conversations. Not gonna say the hoops crowd is a bit more objective and realistic but the fact we have made it through a page of posts and we are still debating really good questions.
I agree that while I used Gonzaga as an example, they aren't the best model. I thought about that last night quite a bit, I am not sure there is a mid-major program that is a state school that provides a really good model as how to proceed. If you consider that VCU, Butler, Gonzaga, St. Mary's, George Mason's footprints are all different in that regard.
I agree. Gonzaga as a private school has thrown a lot of resources at their basketball program and have been able to pay their coaches the salary needed to keep them as well as giving them a very large budget to work with. If you look at GU's players, they are recruiting globally (Canada, France). Anyways, I think Montana can learn from Gonzaga in how they use to recruit and develop players when they were considered a mid major, but to expect to get to their level as a perinnial national powerhouse is a large stretch.
Montana does have geography as an issue and it used to be a 'difficult' place to play. The answer is to I think build schedules that includes an occasional pac 12 opponent, but our schedule might look better with Nevada's, Gonzaga's, St. Mary's on it. Those schools have a willingness to schedule, but don't have as much to lose either. Though it is nearly impossible getting on Gonzaga's schedule anymore.
I'd like to see us try and schedule more MTW and WCC teams. Gonzaga likes to schedule high profile programs and play in tournaments. St. Mary's is kind of following that model. However, we've built a good enough reputation, where those schools would listen in setting up future games. UNLV, Nevada, Wyoming, BYU, Utah, and Utah State are all regional programs that could enhance our SOS and test us.
LA is right, UCLA's loss to Montana was embarassing from a media standpoint. They look at those games as body bags, and they won't schedule those games very often. They sure as heck won't come to missoula. Our connections to Stanford got them to come here. The reality is, that we can develop a reputation in the region by not being obsessed with the Pac 12 and do what Tinkle has done: Schedule solid MWC, WCC, and WAC opponents. I have no issue with San Francisco or Portland on the schedule. If we continue to get Nevada's, Colorado States or those types of opponents we are doing well.
Tinkle has done a great job at getting one or two good road games a year (Duke, UCLA, etc), I just don't think it makes a lot of sense to fill your schedule with a ton of those games because frankly those games while seasoning can create their world of negative vibes. As a coach, even if you are playing Duke @ Duke it never feels good to get drilled by 50. Just as it doesn't feel good to lose to Wisconsin in the same way. There is value in a few of those games, but I am not sure there is value (unless you can compete) in having 5 or 6 or those games.
I think we need to be more agressive in getting 1 or 2 of the games a year. As a team, you are going to learn alot more about yourselves, when you are playing a team that can exploit your weaknesses. As a player, it makes you better when you are competing agains better players and higher calibre athletes. I think this does make a difference in preparing for the tournament and progressing as a team.
Again, this is great conversation. Nice to have it.
...
