The 2016 schedule was release today. And like most seasons, I'm once again disappointed with the lack of quality non-conference opponents, especially NCAA caliber programs from the Power-5. There is almost no way this schedule earns UD an at-large NCAA opportunity. Its once again a season that comes down to the A10 tournament. Why we refuse to challenge the players with tougher schedules I have no idea. We've been down this road before with gaudy records that didn't even put us in the same time zone as the NCAA bubble. Kids want to compete against the best and be given an opportunity to show they can rise up and get a big win or two. The program NEEDS this. We need to earn a few nationally-respected wins that resonate in college soccer in order to grow the program, recruit and develop higher caliber players, and build on success (which is great timing considering last year's NCAAs).
The non-con schedule with RPI rank and 2015 results. Keep in mind there are only 206 D-I mens soccer programs:
#171 UW-Milwaukee 5-10-3
#38 SIU-Edwardsville 12-4-2
#102 Cleveland State 9-8-2
#68 Western Michigan 11-4-4
#107 St. Francis PA 11-5-4
#191 Belmont 4-13-2
#63 UNCW 8-8-3
#164 Marist 7-9-2
#181 IPFW 5-12-0
#98 BGSU 9-9-1
#65 Oakland 10-8-2
#188 Liberty 6-10-1
Not a single Top-25 opponent and only one Top-50 opponent to beat which are must-haves for earning NCAA at-large bids since there are only 48 teams in the bracket. You need at least 2-3 Top-50 wins and probably at least one Top-25 win to be considered for NCAA at-large consideration. Not a single Power-5 school on the schedule. Like it or not, beating strong Power-5 teams resonates in college soccer. Image matters. The folks doing the bracket picking don't put a lot of time and energy into it -- they go almost religiously by RPI and what match results seem to jump out at them.
The home schedule is just a snoozer. You aren't going to build a fan base with Marist, SF-PA, and Belmont strolling into town.
Ive said my peace. I say it every season, but I will always feel this way. I just want the fellas to be given an honest chance to go out and show they can compete and win against really strong nationally-competitive (repetitive NCAA tourney programs used to advancing in the bracket) opponents. Mens soccer is FAR more competitive than womens soccer. Just too many great athletes and good players abound, whereas the Top-10-15 teams in womens soccer dwarf everyone else. You give this team enough chances, they are gonna bust through. But, we gotta give them those shots. No question we lost some talent to graduation, but the cupboard is not entirely bare either.
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