App vs Asheville in Hickory

[Stonewall]

A lot of reason this is a net positive for the University , the team and program. We also get a game at the Asheville Civic Center next season.

[APPdiesel]

I get it there really isn’t a better “arena” in hickory that doesn’t belong to Lenoir Rhyne and it is great community outreach for the program, just not a great facility.

[spacemonkey]

Anyone know why we stopped playing UNCG in basketball? That was a nice easy game to get to. Will they not play us anymore???

[Stonewall]

We called every D1 in the state….

[appfanjj]

Some guy a couple of posts back thought we were playing them this Saturday.
Would be a good game to schedule in the future.

[Bigdaddyg1]

Back in the day they annually played the B4 tournament with WF, Duke, State and UNC. Then when it became March Madness or bust nobody wanted 2 potential losses. Too bad as it was pretty cool. A similar tournament with App, UNCG, UNCC and maybe Davidson might not be terrible with the venues rotating. Would two losses by any of those 4 destroy their season?

[BambooRdApp]

I played a JV high school basketball game in this “arena” 20-something years ago when it was new. Not a good look for the program to be playing there. It’s not in any way a division 1 arena. Queens’ gym is vastly better than “The” Tarleton.

I went to the SAC bball tournament there in about 2003 when I lived in the apartments behind the mall in Hickory. Might not be the best look, but I understand why we’re playing there. With the new Hickory campus and a decent alumni contingent in HKY, we’re likely trying to build some following for the team.

Also, with students gone for exams, it is not like Holmes will be packed for a game in Boone.

If we are talking about the game on 12/21 exams are done but students are mostly gone home. There probably would not be very many folks in the HCC.

Aren't the Hickory kids local and commuters. Either way, Holmes will more than likely have low student turnout. Why not try one game in Hickory to gauge interest.

[NattyBumppo'sRevenge]

Anyone know why we stopped playing UNCG in basketball? That was a nice easy game to get to. Will they not play us anymore???

Jason Capel and Wes Miller are friends. That’s probably why we stopped, but Wes isn’t there anymore so maybe we’ll see them again soon.

[agentpaul001]

We'll likely face Akron, Kent St, or Toledo in the second game of the SBC/MAC challenge. It'll be a desperately needed boost to SOS and outside chance of a Quad 2 win based on their conference performance.

[APPdiesel]

As of this morning, App’s rankings in Kenpom, NET, and BPI:

71 in kenpom
41 in net
72 in BPI

Average them out, App is the consensus 62nd best basketball team in America. Completely unscientific way of looking at it, each rating system values different things and more data is needed but it’s a somewhat accurate way of seeing where we really are.

[ASUFan4863]

There are some very bad teams in the Sun Belt. Ga Southern and Coastal specifically. We can’t afford to lose to any of them or our rankings will likely shoot down. App vs JMU will be the key games again.

[BambooRdApp]

Once we get into conference play, I personally believe we only get a consideration for an at-large bid is if we go undefeated or maybe one loss. This is where the conference is with the selection committee. As such, winning the conference tournament is key as it is a guaranteed ticket to Match Madness.

[Bigdaddyg1]

You really have to wonder how much the selection committee really looks at mid major teams especially for conferences like the Sunbelt. There are so many D1 basketball teams and conferences and the obvious focus is on the majors. That's why every single year you see that 19-11 major get in and they don't get past the first weekend while a 23-7 mid major who went 13-5 in a tough conference gets snubbed. I'm not one who advocates for a ridiculous number of teams in the tournament but they could easily add a regional round played on the M/T of the first round. I have always thought there should be byes given to the top ranked or even conference champs. Let that be the incentive to win the regular season (not the conference tournament). If a team wins their tournament but not the regular season they move to that regional playin round. Imagine the excitement of a first rounder in Boone against a UNCG (assuming neither won the regular season but did win the conference tournament).

[BambooRdApp]

You really have to wonder how much the selection committee really looks at mid major teams especially for conferences like the Sunbelt. There are so many D1 basketball teams and conferences and the obvious focus is on the majors. That's why every single year you see that 19-11 major get in and they don't get past the first weekend while a 23-7 mid major who went 13-5 in a tough conference gets snubbed. I'm not one who advocates for a ridiculous number of teams in the tournament but they could easily add a regional round played on the M/T of the first round. I have always thought there should be byes given to the top ranked or even conference champs. Let that be the incentive to win the regular season (not the conference tournament). If a team wins their tournament but not the regular season they move to that regional playin round. Imagine the excitement of a first rounder in Boone against a UNCG (assuming neither won the regular season but did win the conference tournament).

I actually like this idea from the standpoint that regular season champs get in...and tourney champs get in ..in some form or fashion...if the winner is not the regular season champs. I have always thought it should be regular season champs with automatic bid .. however I get why it is not...March Madness, TV excitement to get fans to watch conference tournament, etc
The one concern, which is minor in my opinion, this would even water down the teams even more that play in NIT and any other post season tournaments...but, for me, I do not watch those...so I do not care.

[McLeansvilleAppFan]

The one concern, which is minor in my opinion, this would even water down the teams even more that play in NIT and any other post season tournaments...but, for me, I do not watch those...so I do not care.

That statement alone tells you how watered down the NIT is already. Though if App won an NIT I would be very very happy. I was excited when the ladies won the 3rd or 4th tier tournament a few years ago.

[T-Dog]

I can't go anymore and have one ticket for this one. Paid $25 for it. PM me if interested.

[agentpaul001]

Realistically App could probably drop one more game, win out until conference tournament, and reasonably get an at-large.

The OOC schedule & weak in-conference play (JMU aside) just doesn't give much margin for error, but I think much more is dependant on how the team does in the two JMU matchups + the eventual MAC home game.

North Texas is probably the best example of where the bar is. Unlike North Texas this team should have a Quad 1 win with the Auburn game to hang its hat on but the weak CUSA SOS last season really hurt North Texas and they lost to a UAB team that was better then likely any of our conference opponents.

It would be really cool to see the team win these next few and likely make the first bubble watch column of the season at ESPN. It'll be BS if the first matchup against JMU isn't on linear either. Hopefully we see it bumped up soon!

[Bootsy]

Any updates on where this will be televised?

[appgrad95&97]

I think there are 32 DI basketball conferences. It would be pretty cool if the regular season and tournament champions got auto bids to an 80 team NCAA tournament. Top 48 teams get a buy, with 32 teams playing in the first round. Obviously this would eliminate the need for an NIT.

[appgrad95&97]

Any updates on where this will be televised?

ESPN+