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Topic: How balanced were MAC Schedules this year?

Topic: How balanced were MAC Schedules this year?

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L.C.
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Member Since: 8/31/2005
Location: United States
Post Count: 10,464

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How balanced were MAC Schedules this year?

Posted: 11/23/2024 5:58:16 PM

I divided the MAC into halves, those with a winning conference record, and those with a losing conference record. Interestingly, all six of the top six teams played at least 5 of the weakest teams, with WMU playing all six of them, and everyone else playing 5. On the other hand, all six of the bottom teams played only 3 of the bottom teams, and each of them had to play 5 of the top 6 teams.

My conclusion is that the schedules weren't balanced, but the way they were served to accentuate the difference between the bottom half and the top half. The one team who really got a bad deal was NIU, who held their own when playing top teams, going 2-3 against five of the top 6, but didn't get a bunch of easier wins against the bottom teams. Meanwhile, the team with the easiest schedule was WMU, and even then, WMU was only 3-2 against the bottom teams, with one game remaining (EMU). Without their harder schedule, NIU might have been higher than 7th, thought not at the very top. Without their easier schedule, WMU might have been lower than 6th, but not at the very bottom.

On the other hand, among those competing for the MACC, the schedules were remarkably balanced, even if incomplete. Buffalo, Miami, Ohio, BG, and Toledo all played 5 bottom teams and 3 top teams, but that means that they each missed two of the top teams, leaving things a bit incomplete. Still, that's a lot better than, say, the Big Ten/Eighteen, where Indiana played only one game against the top 7 teams in the conference.

Last Edited: 11/23/2024 6:16:26 PM by L.C.

“We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.” ― Epictetus

Andrew Ruck
General User

Member Since: 12/22/2004
Location: Columbus, OH
Post Count: 4,957

Status: Offline

RE: How balanced were MAC Schedules this year?

Posted: 11/23/2024 7:09:05 PM

Interesting data. The imbalance drives me crazy, especially with the new mega conferences. Looking at Indiana, a different draw and they may not even be ranked. As a baseball guy the idea of schedule draws playing a huge role just really bothers me. I really think all conferences should just be 10 teams with a 9 game balanced schedule. And 18 games in basketball. And as geographically sensical as possible within competitive reason.

Andrew Ruck
B.B.A. 2003

L.C.
General User

Member Since: 8/31/2005
Location: United States
Post Count: 10,464

Status: Offline

RE: How balanced were MAC Schedules this year?

Posted: 11/23/2024 9:30:26 PM

Based on what I'm seeing, with 12 teams, you seem to get enough mix that, in the end, the best teams rise to the top.

Supposing that instead of Ohio State, Indiana had drawn Rutgers, Wisconsin, or USC? And, it's not just Indiana. Penn State also mostly played bottom dwellers, as did Iowa. On the other hand, Purdue got to play Ohio St, Indiana, Penn State, Illinois, and Oregon. Clearly, 18 teams is too big.

“We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.” ― Epictetus

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