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ISU has only played 14 games compared to 17-18 for most other programs...

ChiClones

ChiClones

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Jun 11, 2013
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ISU has only played 14 games compared to 17-18 for most other programs...

I hadn't really thought about it but does being 2-4 games behind most other programs around the nation (and the conference) help or hurt ISU??

The Pro is that the Cyclones have the opportunity to build chemistry in those games as they catch up to the other programs, but the Con is, do we have to worry about a more rigorous schedule down the stretch and wearing down?

Another Pro is that we could have been without McKay for even more games if you think about it, so having a heavier back end of the schedule gained more games for McKay.

Just curious how the scheduling worked out and wonder if was at all intentional.
 
ChiClones said:
ISU has only played 14 games compared to 17-18 for most other programs...

I hadn't really thought about it but does being 2-4 games behind most other programs around the nation (and the conference) help or hurt ISU??

The Pro is that the Cyclones have the opportunity to build chemistry in those games as they catch up to the other programs, but the Con is, do we have to worry about a more rigorous schedule down the stretch and wearing down?

Another Pro is that we could have been without McKay for even more games if you think about it, so having a heavier back end of the schedule gained more games for McKay.

Just curious how the scheduling worked out and wonder if was at all intentional.
Click to expand...

Just looking at the B12 standings, I only see one team that has played more than 16 games. That's West Virginia, which played 3 games in a tournament in Puerto Rico. I believe off-shore games don't count against the season max of 30. Someone more knowledgeable can correct me if I'm wrong.

There is a gap, but it's not quite as big as the 2-4 you assert "for most other programs." Here are the current numbers:

ISU 14 games
Baylor 15
West Virginia 17
Everyone else 16
 
Someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but I think we already had one of our conference "bye" dates too. Not entirely sure how that works for Bball, but thought I read that on here.

The biggest con in playing fewer games is fewer opportunities to watch Hoiball. Duh.
 
DiehardClone said:
Just looking at the B12 standings, I only see one team that has played more than 16 games. That's West Virginia, which played 3 games in a tournament in Puerto Rico. I believe off-shore games don't count against the season max of 30. Someone more knowledgeable can correct me if I'm wrong.

There is a gap, but it's not quite as big as the 2-4 you assert "for most other programs." Here are the current numbers:

ISU 14 games
Baylor 15
West Virginia 17
Everyone else 16
Click to expand...

I was looking at the major conferences where many schools are in the 16-17-18 range, but even just looking at the big 12, ISU is 2 games behind most everyone else as you say. Two games is pretty significant for a team to work on issues and gel as a unit. That's my point.
 
CarolinaCy said:
Someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but I think we already had one of our conference "bye" dates too. Not entirely sure how that works for Bball, but thought I read that on here.

The biggest con in playing fewer games is fewer opportunities to watch Hoiball. Duh.
Click to expand...

Yeah, we were playing South Carolina when other big 12 members were playing their first conference games.

Honestly i'd guess its a benefit to push more of our games later, as Hoiberg teams often take a little time to gel, especially when we've added a player at semester.
 
The South Carolina game was a late addition to the schedule when other potential games fell through. That game was the first weekend of the Big 12 schedule so in essence that weekend became one of ISU's conference bye dates. Also, ISU only plays 30 games this year while most play 31.
 
I think it helps overall. With McKay, Nader and BDJ, having a back loaded schedule is probably best.

We seem to peak towards the end of the year with Fred, so I don't think it's a bad thing
 
ChiClones said:
ISU has only played 14 games compared to 17-18 for most other programs...

I hadn't really thought about it but does being 2-4 games behind most other programs around the nation (and the conference) help or hurt ISU??

The Pro is that the Cyclones have the opportunity to build chemistry in those games as they catch up to the other programs, but the Con is, do we have to worry about a more rigorous schedule down the stretch and wearing down?

Another Pro is that we could have been without McKay for even more games if you think about it, so having a heavier back end of the schedule gained more games for McKay.

Just curious how the scheduling worked out and wonder if was at all intentional.
Click to expand...


ISU is one game short on the schedul this year, teams are allowed to count 31 games, ISU has 30 games. ISU will probablyh make up for some of this by playing in potentially 4 Big Mondays, where the turnaround is Saturday to Monday.
 
ChiClones said:
I was looking at the major conferences where many schools are in the 16-17-18 range, but even just looking at the big 12, ISU is 2 games behind most everyone else as you say. Two games is pretty significant for a team to work on issues and gel as a unit. That's my point.
Click to expand...

But we are really only one game behind. We play tonight instead of playing last night
 
cemarclone said:
ISU is one game short on the schedul this year, teams are allowed to count 31 games, ISU has 30 games. ISU will probablyh make up for some of this by playing in potentially 4 Big Mondays, where the turnaround is Saturday to Monday.
Click to expand...

Ahh, just assumed everyone played the same number. That makes a difference. Hopefully ISU still gets to 39 or 40 games! That's what really matters.
 
The schedule isn't really back-loaded is it? We just didn't play as many non-conference games. Our "bye" week was the first week of the season, but we played SC anyway.

The only way we make up number of games is in he Big 12 tourney.
 
Everyone will have close to the same amount of games played once Selection Sunday comes around, and by that time who you beat will matter more than how many teams you played.
 
As far as conference games go, ISU will be even with TCU and Texas in games played after tonight as those two teams do not play a weekday game this week. ISU will already be even with KU as they are a conference game behind as well. Next week Baylor has a weekday non-con game and WVU does not play so ISU will be even with those two teams then. So in a nutshell, about a week from now ISU will be even with the majority of the conference in Big 12 play. The other 4 teams don't have their open dates until the week of 23 FEB (OU and OSU - the anti-bedlam) and 02 MAR (Tech who plays on Friday but not earlier in the week and not on the weekend and KSU)
 
One of the reasons could be fewer home games over the holiday break. I grew up here, and I think I can remember times in the past when there were 2-3 games scheduled over the break, not often, but it did happen. Now, it's tough enough to get a quality opponent to come to Ames, let alone over the Christmas break.

While it's a bonus for local non-season ticket holders to get a first hand look at the 'Clones, attendance is far lower because of most of the students being gone, and the lack of a decent match-up.
 
Basically already answered, but there are 3 things going on:

1) ISU has 1 fewer non-conference due to scheduling problems compared with most. That's just 1 less game, not 1 that will eventually get played later.
2) For conference play, ISU had a very early bye week (as did Kansas). That will (obviously) work it's way out.
3) From conference to conference, there are different numbers of conference vs. non-con games, and positioning of bye weeks (pretty much obvious also).


So as to the original "does it help or hurt" question . . . Neither. Pretty much the only thing now that makes much difference is just how the conference schedule lays out. Several Monday games mean some quick turnarounds (from Sat. to Mon.). That will probably be the biggest "hurt", followed by any tough stretches/games where losing a tough game or 2 can lead to another loss from momentum/hangover effect (see Texas).
 
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