New OOC game - Central Arkansas at Pitt (Dec 6) - OUCH

[R-M-U-h-o-o-p-s-f-a-n]

I really like the four in one deal or something like that. I just suggested it as it could help out both team's RPI's.

Hopefully a lot of Pittsburgh people will come see Matty McConnell play at RMU. Very talented player...

 

[Harve74]

He used to be very good at staying away from this kind of game. Which is why this game being on our schedule makes even less sense. He knows better than most what a game like that is going to do to our RPI. It might be at least a little understandable if this was a game we were getting "stuck with" because of the "tournament" that we are playing in, although we should make it a part of any deal to play in one of these events that we don't get stuck with a game like this one. However that doesn't appear to be the case because it appears that the home games of the "tournament" are Eastern Washington, Western Carolina and Morehead State.

In short, this game being scheduled is completely inexplicable.

Isn't it possible that with the new AD, Dixon is NOT making the schedule totally by himself? I mean we had no shortage of vociferous fans saying Barnes would end the soft OOC games and bring in REAL opponents. Yet the most recent games announced have been the weakest.

Barnes has been AD for over 3 months now. At the very least, he has to sign off on the schedule, if not put a lot of it together himself. Maybe he's not as skilled as Jamie and SP were in putting together a slate to manipulate RPI.

Or more likely, Pitt just doesn't have as much scheduling clout to get the OOC games they want as they did when we were a constant Top 15 -25 team.

 

[R-M-U-h-o-o-p-s-f-a-n]

Pitt really should start scheduling some home and home games with good teams.

Like Dayton, VCU, Cinci, UConn, Temple, etc... This is something (good) that they FAIL to do.
Most of the teams that I mentioned would love to do it too....

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

Or more likely, Pitt just doesn't have as much scheduling clout to get the OOC games they want as they did when we were a constant Top 15 -25 team.

This is classic. So, when we were a Top 25 program for a decade, nobody wanted to play us because everyone was afraid of the Pete and nobody wanted to lose to us. Now, that we're not any good, we dont have the "clout" to land good opponents. People actually think this stuff.

Here's some reality. Pitt could call up about 60 teams right now for the 2016-17 season (too late for this season) and schedule a home and home with their choice of maybe 20 or 30 of them. Everybody is playing home and home. Pitt's one of only a handful of schools that don't. And we dont because Jamie doesnt like to. Plain and simple. Nothing more than that.

 

[R-M-U-h-o-o-p-s-f-a-n]

Yea

Pitt is stupid NOT to be scheduling home and homes... Just plain dumb...
Instead they are traveling half way across the world to play in Japan where this team will have some SERIOUS jet lag... We know way can happen with that.... (Lost to Hawaii, and SD state by almost 20...)

 

[NTOP]

This is classic. So, when we were a Top 25 program for a decade, nobody wanted to play us because everyone was afraid of the Pete and nobody wanted to lose to us. Now, that we're not any good, we dont have the "clout" to land good opponents. People actually think this stuff.

Here's some reality. Pitt could call up about 60 teams right now for the 2016-17 season (too late for this season) and schedule a home and home with their choice of maybe 20 or 30 of them. Everybody is playing home and home. Pitt's one of only a handful of schools that don't. And we dont because Jamie doesnt like to. Plain and simple. Nothing more than that.

Pure supposition.

 

[levance2]

Isn't it possible that with the new AD, Dixon is NOT making the schedule totally by himself? I mean we had no shortage of vociferous fans saying Barnes would end the soft OOC games and bring in REAL opponents. Yet the most recent games announced have been the weakest.

Barnes has been AD for over 3 months now. At the very least, he has to sign off on the schedule, if not put a lot of it together himself. Maybe he's not as skilled as Jamie and SP were in putting together a slate to manipulate RPI.

The DBO is the one that forms the schedule. The HC may play a vital role in getting major opponents lined up (and maybe the AD to a much lesser degree) but that's it. If you are criticizing the difference between a #150 opponent and a #350 opponent, that's on the DBO. The only other possibility is if the AD has hard limits on $$ paid to guarantee opponents, meaning the staff has less possibility of landing better teams (who require more money).

There is absolutely ZERO chance that Barnes is scheduling a game against Central Arkansas. It is also mostly ridiculous to assume that in the summer before the season kicks off, the AD can overhaul the schedule. With the exception of a couple of the worst opponents, these are set way earlier than that. If Barnes wants a harder/easier/cheaper OOC, it will not be evident until 2016-17 at the absolute earliest.

 

[Harve74]

The DBO is the one that forms the schedule. The HC may play a vital role in getting major opponents lined up (and maybe the AD to a much lesser degree) but that's it. If you are criticizing the difference between a #150 opponent and a #350 opponent, that's on the DBO. The only other possibility is if the AD has hard limits on $$ paid to guarantee opponents, meaning the staff has less possibility of landing better teams (who require more money).

There is absolutely ZERO chance that Barnes is scheduling a game against Central Arkansas. It is also mostly ridiculous to assume that in the summer before the season kicks off, the AD can overhaul the schedule. With the exception of a couple of the worst opponents, these are set way earlier than that. If Barnes wants a harder/easier/cheaper OOC, it will not be evident until 2016-17 at the absolute earliest.

Never heard before that the DBO makes up the schedule. Given that until Regan, who seems to be regarding it as his career summit, took that position, that position was entry level for a lot of young guys, that seems strange.

I didn't really think that Barnes was working the phones trying to line up OOC opponents, but I'm amused that under the guy a lot of fans have said will whip Dixon back into line, we're actualy going to be playing one of our lowest RPI-ranked opponents ever.

 

[Zaratoughda]

The reason they scheduled this game... couldn't find anyone else for the date that was open on their schedule. A matter of letting things drag on and then getting stuck with this.

 

[levance2]

Never heard before that the DBO makes up the schedule. Given that until Regan, who seems to be regarding it as his career summit, took that position, that position was entry level for a lot of young guys, that seems strange.

It's not that he's some kind of schedule architect, but it is a rather administrative duty. Why does it require a head coach to be working out a date with Ohio U, YSU, etc.?

Naturally, the HC is going to have some input and direction, and as I said, probably play a big role in getting the top teams committed. I'd assume Dixon gets the final say of which exempt event is accepted, whether they play in Okinawa or Jimmy V, etc.

If Barnes is micromanaging to the degree that he's deciding which team should be Pitt's worst OOC matchup, then he's going to be a terrible AD.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

It's not that he's some kind of schedule architect, but it is a rather administrative duty. Why does it require a head coach to be working out a date with Ohio U, YSU, etc.?

Naturally, the HC is going to have some input and direction, and as I said, probably play a big role in getting the top teams committed. I'd assume Dixon gets the final say of which exempt event is accepted, whether they play in Okinawa or Jimmy V, etc.

If Barnes is micromanaging to the degree that he's deciding which team should be Pitt's worst OOC matchup, then he's going to be a terrible AD.

The HC decides which kinds of teams he wants to schedule and tells the DBO to go do it. Head coaches make the schedule with a little input from the AD (probably none this year from Barnes). While I dont think Dixon went to the DBO and said lets play Central Arkansas and Kent State, he probably said "we can do 1 or 2 minor D1 teams and I want 2 or 3 100-150 RPI teams."

 

[Harve74]

It's not that he's some kind of schedule architect, but it is a rather administrative duty. Why does it require a head coach to be working out a date with Ohio U, YSU, etc.?

Naturally, the HC is going to have some input and direction, and as I said, probably play a big role in getting the top teams committed. I'd assume Dixon gets the final say of which exempt event is accepted, whether they play in Okinawa or Jimmy V, etc.

If Barnes is micromanaging to the degree that he's deciding which team should be Pitt's worst OOC matchup, then he's going to be a terrible AD.

I'm mainly just riffing on a common theme from a number of the anti-Dixon posters about how Barnes was gonna be the new sheriff in town and straighten out Dixon's OOC scheduling.

I'm not convinced the scheduling is delegated quite that far down to a DOB, but if so, many of the frequent shots at Dixon's scheduling would seem to be undeserved. Certainly Pederson was involved in setting scheduling parameters to maximize home games for revenue and in setting travel and guaranteed pay out budgets to attract opponents. Administration IS a big part of an AD's job description, not just fund-raising.

3 months into the job, , it's doubtful Barnes has drilled down so far into the minutia but he probsbly will get involved at some point.

.

 

[Zaratoughda]

I'm mainly just riffing on a common theme from a number of the anti-Dixon posters about how Barnes was gonna be the new sheriff in town and straighten out Dixon's OOC scheduling.

I'm not convinced the scheduling is delegated quite that far down to a DOB, but if so, many of the frequent shots at Dixon's scheduling would seem to be undeserved. Certainly Pederson was involved in setting scheduling parameters to maximize home games for revenue and in setting travel and guaranteed pay out budgets to attract opponents. Administration IS a big part of an AD's job description, not just fund-raising.

3 months into the job, , it's doubtful Barnes has drilled down so far into the minutia but he probsbly will get involved at some point.

.

Harve... you tell me.... what most likely happened here is they had an open date on their schedule and... Central Arkansas was the about the only program that had an opening... they couldn't get anyone else as everyone else was already filled up. So, that is why they scheduled this game. Otherwise I don't think they would be scheduling Central Arkansas. I don't think ANYBODY in the decision making process would be stupid enough to not take a better team if they were available.

No?

The only thing that makes any sense to me.

 

[levance2]

I'm mainly just riffing on a common theme from a number of the anti-Dixon posters about how Barnes was gonna be the new sheriff in town and straighten out Dixon's OOC scheduling.

I'm not convinced the scheduling is delegated quite that far down to a DOB, but if so, many of the frequent shots at Dixon's scheduling would seem to be undeserved.

I think you're looking at this at too granular a level. Barnes is the boss. If he says, "Pitt must play 18 home games to make $XM in revenue," then Dixon and his staff fall in line. If Barnes says, "We're losing STHs because our slate is unattractive, find at least two H&Hs to alternate," then it will happen. We have yet to see what Barnes might do. I think anyone suggesting Barnes is going to make Pitt schedule like MSU is out of touch with reality, but I also agree that Pitt is in a different situation than just a few years ago.

Likewise, Dixon sets the agenda. He makes it clear that he wants teams of a certain type (mostly high performing teams from smaller leagues), he wants the City Game, he wants NYC visibility, etc. He probably tackles a certain portion of that himself (talking with Villanova, Georgetown, etc. to no avail) and some other portion is delegated to the DBO. This is just normal business that you'd find in any company. It is not likely that important to Dixon whether Pitt has a mid-December game against YSU, Kent State, or Buffalo. He probably cares whether that game is substituted with UConn or Houston Baptist, however.

Zara is right, and anyone making a huge deal about this is misguided. Clearly nobody at Pitt set their sights on signing a deal with Central Arkansas. Dixon did not say, "Well even if we lose to everyone else, we'll still get that one win against one of the worst D-I teams possible." Pitt has had a few too many bad RPI opponents recently, and that's either a result of poor scheduling circumstances (being left out of BE/SEC, dropped neutral sites, etc.), Regan not being very good at his job, or Pitt not getting the same type of respect or business deals that we did in our peak years. As with everything lately, the answer will become more obvious in the next few years.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

I think you're looking at this at too granular a level. Barnes is the boss. If he says, "Pitt must play 18 home games to make $XM in revenue," then Dixon and his staff fall in line. If Barnes says, "We're losing STHs because our slate is unattractive, find at least two H&Hs to alternate," then it will happen. We have yet to see what Barnes might do. I think anyone suggesting Barnes is going to make Pitt schedule like MSU is out of touch with reality, but I also agree that Pitt is in a different situation than just a few years ago.

Likewise, Dixon sets the agenda. He makes it clear that he wants teams of a certain type (mostly high performing teams from smaller leagues), he wants the City Game, he wants NYC visibility, etc. He probably tackles a certain portion of that himself (talking with Villanova, Georgetown, etc. to no avail) and some other portion is delegated to the DBO. This is just normal business that you'd find in any company. It is not likely that important to Dixon whether Pitt has a mid-December game against YSU, Kent State, or Buffalo. He probably cares whether that game is substituted with UConn or Houston Baptist, however.

Zara is right, and anyone making a huge deal about this is misguided. Clearly nobody at Pitt set their sights on signing a deal with Central Arkansas. Dixon did not say, "Well even if we lose to everyone else, we'll still get that one win against one of the worst D-I teams possible." Pitt has had a few too many bad RPI opponents recently, and that's either a result of poor scheduling circumstances (being left out of BE/SEC, dropped neutral sites, etc.), Regan not being very good at his job, or Pitt not getting the same type of respect or business deals that we did in our peak years. As with everything lately, the answer will become more obvious in the next few years.

For a micromanager like Dixon, I fail to believe that he delegates much of the scheduling to the DBO. My guess is he is involved in scheduling as much as any other coach. Its just not his style to delegate much of anything. He's "hands-on" almost to a fault.

As for the Barnes angle, I cant believe people are thinking that the lack of a high level home and home this year is some sort of justification of Jamie's scheduling practices. First of all, Barnes wasnt here long enough to make that happen. Second of all, even if he is a schedule manipulator (remember he comes from the manipluating MWC and served on the committee), he may just agree with Jamie's theory on RPI manipulation.

 

[Harve74]

Harve... you tell me.... what most likely happened here is they had an open date on their schedule and... Central Arkansas was the about the only program that had an opening... they couldn't get anyone else as everyone else was already filled up. So, that is why they scheduled this game. Otherwise I don't think they would be scheduling Central Arkansas. I don't think ANYBODY in the decision making process would be stupid enough to not take a better team if they were available.

No?

The only thing that makes any sense to me.

Agree, Zara. Unless it is a favor to some old friend of Dixon, or Central Arkansas was the only school willing to accept a ridiculously low guarantee, it probably happened just as you say.

Agree with Le2 also. I don't have a lot of faith in Regan in his slot. EVERYBODY needs a political guy somewhere in the program and Regan has contacts and is fairly good at shaking hands and slapping bcks with boosters. But that spot is ideally filled with a young, up and comer earning his spurs.

It's Jamie's staff and he will succeed or fail with it. But to me Regan is the guy who seems out of place at a P5 school.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

Agree, Zara. Unless it is a favor to some old friend of Dixon, or Central Arkansas was the only school willing to accept a ridiculously low guarantee, it probably happened just as you say.

Agree with Le2 also. I don't have a lot of faith in Regan in his slot. EVERYBODY needs a political guy somewhere in the program and Regan has contacts and is fairly good at shaking hands and slapping bcks with boosters. But that spot is ideally filled with a young, up and comer earning his spurs.

It's Jamie's staff and he will succeed or fail with it. But to me Regan is the guy who seems out of place at a P5 school.

Yea, lets also blame the janitors, scorekeepers, and Bill Hillgrove while we're at it. Pitt's problem of not winning enough basketball games is really really easy to figure out. Our assistant coaches aren't good recruiters and our head coach is not a good recruiter. The DBO is more of an administrative position. Dixon, BK, and Barton aren't getting it done. Blame them.

 

[levance2]

For a micromanager like Dixon, I fail to believe that he delegates much of the scheduling to the DBO. My guess is he is involved in scheduling as much as any other coach. Its just not his style to delegate much of anything. He's "hands-on" almost to a fault.

I have heard/seen comments from Dixon in the past that 90% of a season's schedule is set before the prior season is even over. There are probably a couple spots that are still in question, and those are the spots where a game like this happens. If you think that Dixon is using his time in the middle of the conference season to decide what date Pitt will play low-majors 9-10 months later, then he is probably not a good coach.

If Dixon refuses to delegate to the extent that you suggest, then why is Barton even an issue? Dixon is doing everything including sweeping the court every night, according to you.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

I have heard/seen comments from Dixon in the past that 90% of a season's schedule is set before the prior season is even over. There are probably a couple spots that are still in question, and those are the spots where a game like this happens. If you think that Dixon is using his time in the middle of the conference season to decide what date Pitt will play low-majors 9-10 months later, then he is probably not a good coach.

If Dixon refuses to delegate to the extent that you suggest, then why is Barton even an issue? Dixon is doing everything including sweeping the court every night, according to you.

I'm not saying Jamie calls up the other schools' AD's and sets the games but I'd bet he is as involved as any other HC. My guess is he gives the DBO a list of schools and tells him to make it happen. Jamie is a wizard with the RPI and constantly says during his post-game radio interview "this is a good team, they are picked to win their league and should have good RPI." He knows these teams. Sometimes he'll even mention that a team was supposed to be higher but they lost a good player or something like that. As for Central Arkansas, every school has a low RPI game so I'm not even that upset about that.

 

[NTOP]

Harve... you tell me.... what most likely happened here is they had an open date on their schedule and... Central Arkansas was the about the only program that had an opening... they couldn't get anyone else as everyone else was already filled up. So, that is why they scheduled this game. Otherwise I don't think they would be scheduling Central Arkansas. I don't think ANYBODY in the decision making process would be stupid enough to not take a better team if they were available.

No?

The only thing that makes any sense to me.

Could very well be something like that. Also possible that someone at Pitt has a connection to that staff?? We've had some interesting games with teams that were deemed beneath us on a couple occasions.