Weak SOS in OOC this year: Good Idea?

[RC66]

This is, I think, the lowest RU SOS (165th) at this point in the season in years.

Was that a good idea?

I think so. With so much of our scoring from last year graduated, and with KK running the point after a year off, it was a good idea to let this team jell well before B1G play.

However, it might be a bit of shock on December 31. Still, I think (hope) the coaches will have the team ready for it.

Interestingly, it might be a good idea again for next year. How to best integrate all that 2020 freshmen talent is going to be a challenge for the coaching staff.

 

[ScarletDave]

Having freshmen and transfers learn by winning and building confidence instead of by losing is most important in my book. Teams with outstanding records and lower SOS is the most overrated thing, if we were 5-5 with losses to uconn Tennessee and SC i would be saying what’s the point. A win’s a win

 

[BeKnighted]

I'm a little concerned about it (because I do think you need to have a mix of good and not-so-good OOC opponents to prepare for the rigors of conference play), but I'd be more concerned if the B1G wasn't going to come into conference play with a really great OOC record. There will be plenty of opportunity to improve the SOS in conference play (actually, it will happen no matter what), and in fact I think that RealTime RPI projects a final SOS in the mid-30s.

Also, the OOC record includes three wins over major conference teams, so that's something to consider.

 

[Knight Time Fan]

I'm a little concerned about it (because I do think you need to have a mix of good and not-so-good OOC opponents to prepare for the rigors of conference play), but I'd be more concerned if the B1G wasn't going to come into conference play with a really great OOC record. There will be plenty of opportunity to improve the SOS in conference play (actually, it will happen no matter what), and in fact I think that RealTime RPI projects a final SOS in the mid-30s.

Also, the OOC record includes three wins over major conference teams, so that's something to consider.

I agree, largely. I do think it would have been better to have played a slightly better schedule; not brutal like some times in the past, but Coppin State, Southern and Niagara are, um, dreadful teams. Niagara has the only 2 DI wins of the 3 teams - and one of those wins was Coppin State, which is winless. Southern has 2 non-D1 wins. While I get that you can't predict it exactly, this may come back to bite come seeding time.

 

[ecojew]

I think this was a good idea. With so many virtual strangers playing together to begin the season, it was good to allow them to jell somewhat, which they seem to have done remarkably well. The four or so relatively weak teams we opened against were followed by 4 P5 teams, 1 on the road and 2 at neutral sites and 1 at home against UVa which came into the game with the #1 SOS in the nation.

Hopefully, they are now ready to compete in the B1G and can handle Wisconsin on the road to come home to a huge game against IU.

 

[DennisHajekRC84]

Somebody has to go back and tell me what playing the super tough one got us? After last years results and pre season "respect" I tend to think Rutgers just has to win to shut em up regardless. Color me jaded.

 

[ecojew]

Often, it got us nowhere but sometimes, it put RU on the map. Probably most of us can still remember one of the, if not the, greatest weeks in RU women's bball history when RU knocked off Tennessee at the RAC - by double digits IIRC + no "clockgate" needed, defeated Texas on the road, then returned home to complete the sweep by beating #1 LSU.

Back then, RU had great rivalries with Tennessee, who we played quite often, Stanford, LSU, who we still play fairly regularly, Ohio State, and Michigan State, both of whom were not yet conference mates. And all that was on top of our conference rivals UConn and ND.

I do think that this team needed the time to jell into a cohesive unit, which they seem to have done quite nicely. This may be one of CVS's best coaching jobs in her time on the Banks.

 

[RUich]

Could care less about the OOC rankings.
The only number that really counts is the one after the final shot of the season. Either this team is good or they are not. Beating top ranked teams will be the only real measuring stick and the polls will respond.

 

[BeKnighted]

Often, it got us nowhere but sometimes, it put RU on the map. Probably most of us can still remember one of the, if not the, greatest weeks in RU women's bball history when RU knocked off Tennessee at the RAC - by double digits IIRC + no "clockgate" needed, defeated Texas on the road, then returned home to complete the sweep by beating #1 LSU.

And all three opponents were ranked in the top 10. I was at the Tennessee game. It's in my top 3 favorite RU games I've ever attended.

 

[AreYouNUTS]

Ha! Yes Beas just taking a look at this subject thanks! As others have mentioned, I think I can understand why she did it this year as such, makes sense. That being said I have a big opportunity coming up with the home game against Indiana. Just get it done.