Willard Rips Schedule Imbalance

[Hall2012]

It seems like an annual event that Kevin Willard complains about the Big East schedule. This time, it's the balance of game timing.

https://amp.app.com/amp/2589580002?__twitter_impression=true

He's unhappy that teams like SHU and SJU have played 6 conference games so far (4 of which have been on the road for SHU) in the same time frame that teams like Villanova and Providence have only played 4. He seemed particularly unhappy about that PC game on Tuesday being the Pirates' 4th road game and the Friars' 4th total game.

Of course the Hall will have some breaks later in the year to balance the early schedule congestion, but he doesn't seem to like that either.

So what do you guys think? Just excuses or does he have a legitimate point that the league should try to balance schedule congestion (as he claims other power league's do)?

[redmen9194]

I think it's tough to schedule in the Big East more than any other league because of the use of pro-arenas. The Hall, G'Town, and Marquette play all of their home games in pro-arenas and St. John's plays anywhere from 5-7 games at the Garden. I think that it is tough to have to work around the NBA, NHL and whatever else is going on in those places. I think that has a lot to do with how the schedule shakes out. Then you add in TV and it can really get tough. Does he have a legitimate gripe? Maybe. With the physical, grind out play in this league, having a front loaded or back loaded schedule can be rough. But I don't think any coach is ever really happy with the schedule. Remember the old days of Saturday games followed by Monday night?

[GumbyDamnit!]

What do I think? “Wah!” C’mon KW. It’s a full round robin. Everyone has the same schedule. Sounds like Boeheim.

[stever20]

just looking at the other top 7 leagues...

The only team that I'm seeing that has a situation is Ohio St. They've played 5 games and everyone else in their confernece has played either 6 or 7 games. Tonight Ohio St plays Maryland who has played 7 conference games...

In the other 5 leagues- every team is within 1 game of each other right now...

[Hall2012]

I think it's tough to schedule in the Big East more than any other league because of the use of pro-arenas. The Hall, G'Town, and Marquette play all of their home games in pro-arenas and St. John's plays anywhere from 5-7 games at the Garden. I think that it is tough to have to work around the NBA, NHL and whatever else is going on in those places. I think that has a lot to do with how the schedule shakes out. Then you add in TV and it can really get tough. Does he have a legitimate gripe? Maybe. With the physical, grind out play in this league, having a front loaded or back loaded schedule can be rough. But I don't think any coach is every really happy with the schedule. Remember the old days of Saturday games followed by Monday night?

100% agree that's the cause of the issue. The Big East certainly has a more challenging scheduling job than other leagues because so many of our teams share arenas with pro teams that get scheduling priority over us.

Do I agree that starting with 6 games (4 on the road) in 18 days was a tough stretch for the Hall? Of course. But there's not one team in the league that doesn't have a tough stretch - be it schedule congestion, an extended road trip, or a few top opponents in a row - somewhere in their schedule. It evens out by the end of the year and it's certainly better than the days of playing UConn and Syracuse twice while battling for position with someone who played DePaul and USF twice instead.

[adoraz]

Yeah, he's just being a sore loser. I'd argue teams are better off having a tough stretch earlier in the BE season than later, anyways.

[paulxu]

Nova plays 6 games from Feb 6 through Feb 24.
4 of them are on the road.
3 of them are back-to-back-to-back road games.

[TBC Alum]

[AlexJesswein]

Is this a headline from The Onion?

[Edrick]

Complaining about scheduling in a double round robin league is......interesting