Post by MinerMan2010 on Feb 17, 2010 14:21:39 GMT -5
Here is what I would like to see UTEP do with their 2010-11 basketball schedule. I will provide explanation for the match ups. Best of all, I think this schedule is very realistic. The schedule is an automatic upgrade because Texas Southern and Arkansas-Pine Bluff are not on it!
Likely or confirmed games:
at NMSU - confirmed
NMSU - confirmed
at BYU - pretty sure we return the game next season
Texas Tech - hopefully the series will continue next season, if it does it will be in El Paso.
UNM - It would be great to resume the series, if we have to go to ABQ to do it, so be it.
How and who we should schedule:
Seattle U - This should be the home opener. Why? Next season will be the 45th anniversary of the 66 National Title team and Seattle beat us that year. We open up with a team that is not very good and it a great backstory.
Grambling - You need to have some "softies" on your schedule, why not play the most recognized HBCU. Miner fans are tired of seeing TSU and UAPB. Bring in a different SWAC team and only one of them!!!
Northern Arizona - Without the multiple SWAC teams, we need other low majors to fill the schedule. NAU plays in the Big Sky and even if they are horrible, their RPI will not be as bad as another SWAC team. Again, a different opponent for UTEP fans to see.
San Jose St - SJSU doesn't draw well for their home games, it should be easy to get them to play here. SJSU will not have bad computer numbers and again, this game has some history/backstory to it. Why doesn't UTEP bring in teams like this on a regular basis?
Sun Bowl Classic - UTEP, UNC-Greensboro, St. Louis, Texas-San Antonio
If they bring back this fading tournament, they should try to schedule SLU. Only because of Rick Majerus. El Paso likes the guy and I think if the Sun Bowl committee actually asked him, they might have a shot. UTEP opens up with UNCG and SLU opens with UTSA. No matter what happens in the first round, UTEP will play a decent team. UTSA is a pretty good team this year. Sign home and homes with SLU and UTSA if they tournament doesn't happen anyway! Playing at UTSA would not be a bad thing for UTEP since a lot of UTEP alumni/fans live in the SA area!
Finish off the non-con schedule with a pair of winnable road games somewhere, I suggest the state of Michigan.
at Detroit - Guess what? Backstory. Don Haskins accepted the job at Detroit for like a second. They play in the Horizon League and will not have bad computer numbers.
at Oakland - This team has historically decent computer numbers and they do not play in a bottom feeder league. If UTEP wins these two games, they would have helped their numbers and maybe ESPNU could pick up one of the games.
UTEP played 13 non-conference games this season and I "scheduled" 13 games too. UTEP might play more road games than normal, but that's a good thing. You create demand to see UTEP and attendance will be higher for your "cupcake" games. I feel this could be realistic and don't see why something similar can't happen.
Likely or confirmed games:
at NMSU - confirmed
NMSU - confirmed
at BYU - pretty sure we return the game next season
Texas Tech - hopefully the series will continue next season, if it does it will be in El Paso.
UNM - It would be great to resume the series, if we have to go to ABQ to do it, so be it.
How and who we should schedule:
Seattle U - This should be the home opener. Why? Next season will be the 45th anniversary of the 66 National Title team and Seattle beat us that year. We open up with a team that is not very good and it a great backstory.
Grambling - You need to have some "softies" on your schedule, why not play the most recognized HBCU. Miner fans are tired of seeing TSU and UAPB. Bring in a different SWAC team and only one of them!!!
Northern Arizona - Without the multiple SWAC teams, we need other low majors to fill the schedule. NAU plays in the Big Sky and even if they are horrible, their RPI will not be as bad as another SWAC team. Again, a different opponent for UTEP fans to see.
San Jose St - SJSU doesn't draw well for their home games, it should be easy to get them to play here. SJSU will not have bad computer numbers and again, this game has some history/backstory to it. Why doesn't UTEP bring in teams like this on a regular basis?
Sun Bowl Classic - UTEP, UNC-Greensboro, St. Louis, Texas-San Antonio
If they bring back this fading tournament, they should try to schedule SLU. Only because of Rick Majerus. El Paso likes the guy and I think if the Sun Bowl committee actually asked him, they might have a shot. UTEP opens up with UNCG and SLU opens with UTSA. No matter what happens in the first round, UTEP will play a decent team. UTSA is a pretty good team this year. Sign home and homes with SLU and UTSA if they tournament doesn't happen anyway! Playing at UTSA would not be a bad thing for UTEP since a lot of UTEP alumni/fans live in the SA area!
Finish off the non-con schedule with a pair of winnable road games somewhere, I suggest the state of Michigan.
at Detroit - Guess what? Backstory. Don Haskins accepted the job at Detroit for like a second. They play in the Horizon League and will not have bad computer numbers.
at Oakland - This team has historically decent computer numbers and they do not play in a bottom feeder league. If UTEP wins these two games, they would have helped their numbers and maybe ESPNU could pick up one of the games.
UTEP played 13 non-conference games this season and I "scheduled" 13 games too. UTEP might play more road games than normal, but that's a good thing. You create demand to see UTEP and attendance will be higher for your "cupcake" games. I feel this could be realistic and don't see why something similar can't happen.
