I was thinking this morning about the next 3 games, and how they will really define our non-Conderence season and could set the tone for the year. These are clearly the 3 toughest games before conference season begins, against maybe 2, possibly 3 tournament teams

0-3 would be disappointing, and leave a bad taste going into conference play.

1-2 is probably expected, but still a little disappointing

2-1 would be a great showing

3-0.....we might head into conference season ranked

Boise is gonna be tough given the travel schedule this teams been on. Luckily we get some rest before UIC, and have a longer turnaround time before Florida. Given the travel i think we finish 1-2...had Boise been a home game I'd say 2-1. I do think we can catch Florida a bit flat footed and give them a run after their game against Florida State though.

One thing that I think is worth pointing out has been our halftime adjustments. Since UMKC we've come out of halftime swinging and gone on multiple runs to start the second half. Hopefully that's a trend that continues...

I happen to be in Portland for business, so I'm attending PK80. I'll did a little scouting of Florida against Duke for us

Question: How would 1-2 be a little disappointing? @ Boise St - legit team tough turnaround travel and @ Florida? If the Ramblers come out of this 2-1 we should extend PM again!

Only two ways I will be disappointed in 1-2:

1. We don't show well at Boise at all. We need to be competitive.

2. We beat Boise and lose to UIC.

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Florida is just ridiculously difficult, so it would be understandable in any case to lose on their court. Boise State is a team where we would likely be favored by a few points at home, and might be a Pick 'em at a Neutral site, but their dominance in their own building is going to make it very difficult. Since there are no other non-con games against P5 or top 100 teams, that would make losing at Boise State (to me) a little disappointing, in that we don't have many opportunities besides this one shot at a top 100 win.

THIS GAME is why some people get so worked up/concerned about scheduling in the off season, and this was only scheduled as part of the MVC-MWC series which may or may not continue now that Wichita State is out of the conference.

UIC certainly isn't going to be a top 100 game or anywhere near, as some thought might be possible. I watched them blow a five point lead with about a minute left inbounding the ball at home against St. Joseph's. And they also lost to IPFW.... at home.... by 16 points.

I think we should beat UIC.

Boise is good, but I think we’re at least on par with them. And such a win would likely raise some eyebrows and interest outside of our circle in advance of a UIC game that should garner at least some press in Chicago.

So losing to Boise, while it wouldn’t be totally unexpected, would still be a little disappointing to me.

As a follow-up to my hope that a win tomorrow would get more people to notice the Ramblers, one person in the Coaches poll already is:

http://sportspolls.usatoday.com/ncaa/ba ... ches-poll/

When’s the last time we were ranked in that poll? Last year I believe it was the AP poll we received a vote in.

5 straight 20 win seasons in a better conference than the MVC...pretty impressive program. We are still not healthy. In February, I think this could be a tight game and maybe a win. Pretty tough tomorrow night for our squad in my mind. But, what do I know? I had em losing to UNCW and Kent st!!