Chattanooga’s schedule in 2008-2009 was brutally tough, and directly lead to them nearly having a losing record. Missouri, USC, Tennessee, Memphis, Alabama and Top 100 (according to the RPI) Niagara team all found their way onto the schedule. That does not even include Steph Curry’s Davidson team being on the schedule twice in conference play. The only good news was that they did not have to play College of The Saviors…er…Charleston on the road. Whew. That was a relief.
Coach John Shulman promised that he would not do that again. It was just too much for his team to try to overcome. This year, with six seniors off the team, he has taken the easier road, though this schedule still has its landmines.
When examining the schedule, it is important to realize that until mid-December (right around the Georgia Tech game), the team will not be at full strength, assuming everyone gets healthy and academically eligible. That makes all the November games that much tougher.
Here’s a closer look at the schedule from where we stand right now:
NOVEMBER
13- Virginia Intermont
17- East Tennessee State
22- @ Richmond
24- @ Missouri
27- Texas- Pan America (South Padre Island Invitational)
28- Bethune-Cookman/Longwood (South Padre Island Invitational)
Overview: It is a nice ease in with Virginia Intermont to get everyone ready to go, but then things get tougher. The next three games are not going to be easy. Richmond is one of the favorites in the A-10, Missouri was in the Elite Eight last year, and ETSU is a huge rivalry game. Texas-Pan America is close to home, but is picked to finish sixth out of six teams in the new conference, the Great West. Bethune-Cookman is picked to finish fifth in the MEAC. Longwood had their most successful season at the D-1 level last year, when they finished 17-14. This is clearly an easier start than last year, but only one D-1 home game during November puts a little damper on the early season schedule, although it is against ETSU, which is a big plus. Too bad it doesn’t fall on a weekend.
Most Important Game: While casual Moc fans will point to the Missouri game as the biggest game since it is against a BCS conference team, and some diehard fans will point to the East Tennessee State game since it is the biggest rivalry, I believe that the most important game (and yes, I am about to lump two games into one, since it is impossible to separate them) is at San Padre Island. Those two games on a neutral court are critical to the Mocs getting off to a solid start. They need at least a split in those two games, and a sweep would be beneficial. That is far from guaranteed. Win those two games, and the Mocs would be no worse than 3-3 coming out of November (assuming a win over Virginia Intermont). Given the injuries and academic issues, along with the D-1 inexperience on the team, a 3-3 start would not be bad.
DECEMBER
1-@ Jacksonville State
5- Elon
12- Mississippi Valley State
14- Georgia Tech
19-@ Murray State
21- Tennessee Temple
29- Long Island (Dr Pepper Classic)
30- Eastern Kentucky/Morgan State (Dr Pepper Classic)
Overview: Only two road games find their way onto the schedule this month. They are against two OVC teams. Jacksonville State is picked to finish sixth in the conference, and Murray State is picked to win the conference. Neither game will be easy. Elon is the conference opener for the Mocs. Mississippi Valley State plays fifteen of their first sixteen games on the road. The Mocs are road game seven on that list. Georgia Tech is nationally ranked and coming the McKenzie Arena for one of the most anticipated games of the year. Tennessee Temple is a non-D-1 opponent. Long Island was picked to finish second in the NEC. Eastern Kentucky is picked fifth in the OVC, and is a successful program. Morgan State is picked to win the MEAC. This is a great December schedule. The only “easy” game is Tennessee Temple, and Mississippi Valley State SHOULD be a win, but beyond that, there is no guaranteed win, but also no game the Mocs absolutely cannot win.
Most Important Game: Clearly, the most important game is the Elon game. Not only is it a SoCon game, but it is a game against a division rival. This is a critical game. The Dr Pepper Classic is always important, but winning a SoCon home game will be very important to trying to earn a bye in the Southern Conference Tournament. Slowly, Elon is becoming one of the Mocs biggest rivals. (Hey, maybe I’m the only one that feels that way, but I hate how the Mocs always seem to lose to those ole Fighting Christians, I mean, the Phoenix.)
JANUARY
6-@ Georgia Southern
11- UNC-Greensboro
14- The Citadel
16- College of Charleston
21-@ UNC-Greensboro
23-@ Elon
25-@ Wofford
28- Western Carolina
30- Appalachian State
Overview- Now the SoCon season heats up. This is good stuff. The Mocs will hopefully be playing together as a team by this point. The home games against The Citadel and College of Charleston will play an important role in the other division. Four of the last five games are against division rivals, and those will probably go a long way to determining the Mocs positioning in the division as they head into February.
Most Important Game- Western Carolina at home will be huge. The Catamounts are the team that seem to be the favorite in the division. Coming off a tough three game road trip, the Mocs will need to either be focused after some big wins, or ready to bounce back at home against one of the best teams in the division. This is virtually a must win for the Mocs.
FEBRUARY
4-@ College of Charleston
6-@ The Citadel
10- Samford
13- Furman
20-@ Samford
22- Davidson
25-@ Appalachian State
27-@ Western Carolina
Overview- And now, the SoCon season wraps up. The schedule is very difficult this month, as the Mocs go on the road for five of their eight games, including against College of Charleston and The Citadel, who most people think are two of the top three in the South Division, and Appalachian State and Western Carolina, possibly the top two teams in the North Division. Davidson, the conference bully over the last several seasons, comes to Chattanooga as well. Throw in that the Mocs play Samford (a future rival…I just don’t feel it yet, but they are clearly the geographical rival) twice, and the schedule is full of danger.
Most Important Game- The trip to Samford will be crucial to determine how important the last three games are. If the Mocs can get by them on the road, then they may be in position to win the division if they can find a way to get through the last three games on their schedule. That game will be critical for the Mocs end of season aspirations.
FINAL ANALYSIS
So, there it is. All in all, this is a decent schedule. The three toughest games will be at Richmond, at Missouri, and Georgia Tech at home. The rest of the schedule is not unbelievable, but there are plenty of nice mid-major challenges. Murray State, Jacksonville State, Long Island, Morgan State, ETSU, and Eastern Kentucky all are good quality opponents. The SoCon appears fairly wide open, as well. Virginia Intermont, Tennessee Temple, and Mississippi Valley State at home are the three easiest games on the schedule.
The only two not put into a category are the two at the South Padre Island Invitational. Those two games may make or break the first month and a half of the season, and determine the Mocs perception around the conference for the rest of the season.
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