Staying on Schedule

A final few words on scheduling: Do it correctly.

Utah and BYU had no problem getting in the NCAA Tournament, having played good non-conference schedules. New Mexico and San Diego State didn’t. Too many losses and too many Hamptons, Southeast Missouri States, Grambling States and Pine Bluffs.

Had Utah State lost in the WAC final, Saturday, it might have become the first team ever with 29 wins not to make the field of 64. It would have been interesting to see what the committee would have done. The record for wins by a non-dancer is 26.

Utah coach Jim Boylen says he plans to continue a similar schedule next year.
“We felt we earned our way in before the conference tournament,” said Boylen.

Already on the schedule for next year’s Utes are Louisiana State, Michigan and Oklahoma.

“We’re still a bit short. We want to add one more big road game,” said Boylen.
He said the “whole premise of the schedule was to toughen us up for league play.” The Mountain West had 37 of 45 starters returning.

The Selection Committee made it clear this year that it values early season games that count. USU coach Stew Morrill has avoided playing many big teams, saying those teams want two-for-one arrangements, rather than home-and-home.

Then the Aggies should take the two-for-one.

They’re going to need games against big teams more each year.