And that is exactly true. That pre-conference schedule was ridiculous that year. We lost by one at eventual #1 UConn, played Wichita State, Ohio State, Cincy and so many other good teams. We still managed to win the SEC that year too, I believe. To be the best, ya gotta beat the best. Playing cupcakes ain't gonna get you anywhere, if anything, building up false confidence until you play real competition. Our team in 05-06 won most of those tough games and the ones they lost, they were extremely close. That right there told you we had a quality team with potential to grow and learn from the get-go.
You know i knew you guys were going to bring up that year, but you also ignore the fact that was after several years of Brady ball, a little underrated senior named Darrell Mitchell and a monster breakout season from the number 4 draftee in that year's draft. Don't get me wrong a tough schedule toughens you up for sure, but there's a time and place for the scheduling, is my only point. You take a look at what Ole Miss has done under Kennedy. He's rebuilt his program generally by playing a reasonable easy PRE-SEC schedule, give his young team confidence going into the SEC and then see how it goes... they've been in NCAA tourney or consideration for the tourney each of his years. Sure, eventually, as your team is mature and understands your system you go out and schedule. With Trent, he's not only inheriting a bunch of new players, but he's got to teach a new system. You don't roll that out against UConn and see how it flies. The other point I was trying to make was that you can't exactly call Xavier, Washington State, Texas A&M and Utah patsies. He's got a mix of easy teams early, plus some challenging non-conference games later, to go with the SEC schedule. Also, wait before you call the SEC one of the weakest conferences... It traditionally gets several teams in, and last year the conference was either young or in transition. This year is a different story.
All they have done has won 12-14 cupcake games and 5-6 SEC games and then miss the dance on the Bubble. I do not mind the schedule. But I do not think that it should be made habit, especially when the AD said one reason for firing Brady was attendance. Seeing Cal State Fullerton does nothing for attendance unless they playing in the Box.
I wish coach Johnson well but you need to get some talent in here before you toughen up the schedule. "The Great Promoter" used to do this to attract a crowd when he had the hustlers. But that what was right after the "greatest show on wood", Pete Maravich.
do you guys know why I mentioned something about this all? http://gostanford.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/sched/stan-m-baskbl-sched.html Look at Coach Johnson's schedule with Stanford this past season: NOTHING. I think the new regime has a sweet tooth for non conference cupcakes.
I am not saying that scheduling Duke is the answer to anything, but what would fans be most likely to go see? LSU vs. Duke or LSU vs. Nicholls? Your way of thinking: "Screw it, no one cares anyway," is fine and it in a lot of ways is true, but I guarantee you the guys in the AD Building do not think that way.
All of this scheduling talk seems ridiculous. I agree with Tiger n Hornland, a new coach, a new system. The team needs some easier games to gel and learn a new system. Someone wasn't happy about playing any top 25 team. Well, before the season is over I guarantee some of the SEC teams we play will be top 25 when we play em. It never fails! I'm really excited about the Tigers on tv this year. Everyone will be curious about a new coach and system at LSU regardless of this years schedule!
