In Reply to: Not bad overall, but weak at Pauley posted by bruindth on August 08, 2024 at 07:20:22
it's a conundrum - given the weakness of much of the B1G and the importance of strength of schedule in the computer rankings leading the seeding for the tournament at the end of the year, they schedule tough games but good teams don't want to go to Pauley Pavilion and give up a home court advantage to the likes of UCLA so those games against tough opponents are played where TV money places them - neutral sites. And you can't play all tough opponents and maintain a top W/L record. Plus, home games early give you a chance to bring in local or regional opponents which helps boost those programs and is a good thing overall.
But it certainly blends out a schedule (to twist out a phrase but it says what i mean to say.
Anyway, agree those who pay for season tickets deserve some rewards in the non conference season but i get that's not an easy balance to achieve in scheduling