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Jan 15 KenPom NonConf Strength of Schedule is #340 out of 358 Teams. On Nov 26 it was #354 of 358 Teams.

Franisdaman

HR King
Nov 3, 2012
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As we know, if we are a bubble NCAA Tournament team, a BAD nonconference schedule ranking could be a deciding factor for why we don't make the NCAA Tournament.

On Nov 26, our KenPom nonconference SOS was #354 out of 358 teams. At that time, @SSG T wrote that he loved using Kenpom but taking the rankings seriously 5 or 6 games into the season was a bad idea because at that point they are still significantly impacted by last season's #s (which the starting point is based on). He said once we got into January, they should start being accurate.

@TheTruthTheWholeTruth then stated that our nonconference SOS would still be in the 300's on Jan 5.

So, that made me curious and I decided to keep track of our nonconference strength of schedule (SOS) and see how it moved between Nov 26 and into 2022.

Will our nonconference SOS move out of the 300's by January?? Stay tuned.


On Dec 3, we played our first of 2 CONSECUTIVE conference games (Purdue & Illinois).
* Our nonconference SOS was #352 out of 358 teams.
* Our overall SOS was #352 out of 358 teams

On Dec 9, we played the first of 4 MORE nonconference games, heading to Clown U.
* Our nonconference SOS was #355 out of 358 teams.
* Our overall SOS was #313 out of 358 teams

On Dec 30, the day after completing our nonconference schedule:.
* Our nonconference SOS was #341 out of 358 teams.
* Our overall SOS (which included losses at Purdue and to Illinois) was #282 out of 358 teams

On Jan 3, we were 10-3 and heading into our final 18 conference games:
* Our nonconference SOS was #344 out of 358 teams.
* Our overall SOS (which included losses at Purdue and to Illinois) was #284 out of 358 teams

On Jan 15 (12-4 record), before we play Minnesota on Jan 16, with 15 conference games left:
* Our nonconference SOS is #340 out of 358 teams.
* Our overall SOS is #133 out of 358 teams.



Out of 358 teams, our KenPom Nonconference SOS:


354:
Nov 26
352: Dec 3 (we played our 1st of 2 CONSEC conf games (Purdue & Illinois)
355: Dec 9 (we played 1st of 4 MORE nonconf games, heading to Clown U
344: Dec 10, after losing by 20 to Clown U
348: Dec 18, prior to our game vs Utah State
322: Dec 19 (day after beating Utah State)
340: Dec 22 (day after beating Southeastern Louisiana)
341: Dec 30 (day after beating Western Illinois & completing our nonconf schedule)
344: Jan 3 (our record was 10-3; heading into our final 18 conference games)
340: Jan 15 (our record is 12-4; 15 conference games left)



Looking at our Nonconference Opponents:


KenPom
Rank on:

Nov...Dec...Dec..Dec..Dec..Dec..Dec..Jan..Jan
26........3.......9.....18.....19....22....30.....3......15....Nonconference Opponent

208....200...198....189...191...192....195...197....190....Longwood
193.....220...225....231...232..240...227...225...232....Kansas City
342...339..340...338..328..327..329..328..329....NC Central
332...338..338...340..339..339..333..333..326....Alabama State
320...313..317.....323..323..325..328..327...331.....Western Michigan

254...250..251......268...268..267...270..279...281.....Portland State
47........46....57........58.....57.....58.....71.....66....64.....Virginia
95.......80....64.......50.....47.....44.....44.....41....32.....Iowa State
68.......60....61........48.....55....55......61......61....65.....Utah State
305..318...309...313...314..312...312..307..295....Southeastern Louisiana
202....182....163....162....159...165....168..208..206.....Western Illinois
 
Last edited:
On Dec 10, after losing by 20 to Clown U:
* Our nonconference SOS is #344 out of 358 teams.
* Our overall SOS is #254 out of 358 teams
 
Fran's non-conference scheduling was designed to get a winning record and an NIT bid. He'll be successful.
 
I doubt SOS is going to matter much for the Hawks when all is said and done.
 
Out of 358 teams, our KenPom Nonconference SOS:

354:
Nov 26
352: Dec 3 (we played our 1st of 2 CONSEC conf games (Purdue & Illinois)
355: Dec 9 (we played 1st of 4 MORE nonconf games, heading to Clown U
344: Dec 10, after losing by 20 to Clown U
348: Dec 18, prior to our game vs Utah State

On Dec 18, prior to our game vs Utah State:


* Our nonconference SOS is #348 out of 358 teams.

* Our overall SOS (which includes losses at Purdue and to Illinois) is #265 out of 358 teams.


Looking at our Nonconference Opponents:


KenPom
Rank on:

Nov...Dec...Dec..Dec
26........3.......9.....18......Nonconference Opponent

208....200...198....189.....Longwood
193.....220...225....231.....Kansas City
342...339..340...338....NC Central
332...338...338...340...Alabama State
320...313....317...323.....Western Michigan

254...250.....251...268......Portland State
47........46......57......58......Virginia
95.......80......64.....50......Iowa State
68.......60......61......48......Utah State
305..318...309...313.....Southeastern Louisiana
202....182....163....162......Western Illinois
 
Last edited:
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Big win tonight.

However, I will never understand why we can't schedule more teams in the mid 150's or less as opposed to the SIX opponents who are currently in the 200's to 300's.

Next up? #313 Southeastern Louisiana.


Our 11 Nonconference Opponents:


KenPom
Rank on:

Nov...Dec...Dec..Dec
26........3.......9.....18......Nonconference Opponent

208....200...198....189.....Longwood
193.....220...225....231.....Kansas City
342...339..340...338....NC Central
332...338...338...340...Alabama State
320...313....317...323.....Western Michigan

254...250.....251...268......Portland State
47........46......57......58......Virginia
95.......80......64.....50......Iowa State
68.......60......61......48......Utah State
305..318...309...313.....Southeastern Louisiana
202....182....163....162......Western Illinois
 
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Out of 358 teams, our KenPom Nonconference SOS:


354:
Nov 26
352: Dec 3 (we played our 1st of 2 CONSEC conf games (Purdue & Illinois)
355: Dec 9 (we played 1st of 4 MORE nonconf games, heading to Clown U
344: Dec 10, after losing by 20 to Clown U
348: Dec 18, prior to our game vs Utah State
322: Dec 19 (day after beating Utah State)

On Dec 19, the day after beating Utah State:


* Our nonconference SOS is #322 out of 358 teams.

* Our overall SOS (which includes losses at Purdue and to Illinois) is #201 out of 358 teams.


Looking at our Nonconference Opponents:


KenPom
Rank on:

Nov...Dec...Dec..Dec..Dec
26........3.......9.....18.....19......Nonconference Opponent

208....200...198....189...191.....Longwood
193.....220...225....231...232.....Kansas City
342...339..340...338..328....NC Central
332...338..338...340..339....Alabama State
320...313..317.....323..323.....Western Michigan

254...250..251......268...268.....Portland State
47........46....57........58.....57.......Virginia
95.......80....64.......50.....47.......Iowa State
68.......60....61........48.....55......Utah State
305..318...309...313...314.....Southeastern Louisiana
202....182....163....162....159......Western Illinois
 
Out of 358 teams, our KenPom Nonconference SOS:


354:
Nov 26
352: Dec 3 (we played our 1st of 2 CONSEC conf games (Purdue & Illinois)
355: Dec 9 (we played 1st of 4 MORE nonconf games, heading to Clown U
344: Dec 10, after losing by 20 to Clown U
348: Dec 18, prior to our game vs Utah State
322: Dec 19 (day after beating Utah State)
340: Dec 22 (day after beating Southeastern Louisiana)

On Dec 22, the day after beating Southeastern Louisiana:


* Our nonconference SOS is #340 out of 358 teams.

* Our overall SOS (which includes losses at Purdue and to Illinois) is #255 out of 358 teams.


Looking at our Nonconference Opponents:


KenPom
Rank on:

Nov...Dec...Dec..Dec..Dec..Dec
26........3.......9.....18.....19....22......Nonconference Opponent

208....200...198....189...191...192.....Longwood
193.....220...225....231...232..240....Kansas City
342...339..340...338..328..327....NC Central
332...338..338...340..339..339....Alabama State
320...313..317.....323..323..325.....Western Michigan

254...250..251......268...268..267.....Portland State
47........46....57........58.....57.....58.....Virginia
95.......80....64.......50.....47.....44.....Iowa State
68.......60....61........48.....55....55......Utah State
305..318...309...313...314..312.....Southeastern Louisiana
202....182....163....162....159...165......Western Illinois
 
Kind of funny as bad as our non con SOS is, NW & Iowa State's are worse.


One of Northwestern's wins was vs Division II Illinois-Springfield.

Of Clown U's 12 nonconf games, 5 were against teams ranked in the 300's.


Clown U's (12-0) Nonconf Schedule:
356 Arkansas Pine Bluff
354 Chicago State
337 Alabama State
332 Grambling
312 Southeastern Louisiana
268 Kennesaw State
149 Oregon State
130 Jackson State
46 Creighton
31 Memphis
25 Xavier
23 Iowa

Northwestern's Nonconf Schedule:
Div 2 Illinois - Springfield
349 Eastern Illinois
340 Fairleigh Dickinson
305 New Orleans
283 NJIT
261 High Point
186 Georgia
64 Wake Forest
48 Providence
 
Out of 358 teams, our KenPom Nonconference SOS:


354:
Nov 26
352: Dec 3 (we played our 1st of 2 CONSEC conf games (Purdue & Illinois)
355: Dec 9 (we played 1st of 4 MORE nonconf games, heading to Clown U
344: Dec 10, after losing by 20 to Clown U
348: Dec 18, prior to our game vs Utah State
322: Dec 19 (day after beating Utah State)
340: Dec 22 (day after beating Southeastern Louisiana)
341: Dec 30 (day after beating Western Illinois & completing our nonconf schedule)

On Dec 30, the day after beating Western Illinois:


* Our nonconference SOS is #341 out of 358 teams.

* Our overall SOS (which includes losses at Purdue and to Illinois) is #282 out of 358 teams.


Looking at our Nonconference Opponents:


KenPom
Rank on:

Nov...Dec...Dec..Dec..Dec..Dec..Dec
26........3.......9.....18.....19....22....30....Nonconference Opponent

208....200...198....189...191...192....195.....Longwood
193.....220...225....231...232..240...227.....Kansas City
342...339..340...338..328..327..329....NC Central
332...338..338...340..339..339..333....Alabama State
320...313..317.....323..323..325..328.....Western Michigan

254...250..251......268...268..267...270.....Portland State
47........46....57........58.....57.....58.....71......Virginia
95.......80....64.......50.....47.....44.....44.....Iowa State
68.......60....61........48.....55....55......61......Utah State
305..318...309...313...314..312...312.....Southeastern Louisiana
202....182....163....162....159...165....168......Western Illinois
 
@TheTruthTheWholeTruth

* Any idea how bad this year's nonconf schedule was in comparison to other years?

* How much damage will it do come Selection Sunday when our NET (right now) is impressive?

* IMO, we would have to at least go 9-9 in B1G play and win a BTT game to make the NCAA Tournament. Would you agree? We are 10-3 now, so 9-9 and 1-1 in the BTT would put us at 20-13.
 

On Jan 3 (10-3 record), before we play Maryland, heading into our final 18 conference games:


* Our nonconference SOS is #344 out of 358 teams.

* Our overall SOS (which includes losses at Purdue and to Illinois) is #284 out of 358 teams.


Out of 358 teams, our KenPom Nonconference SOS:


354:
Nov 26
352: Dec 3 (we played our 1st of 2 CONSEC conf games (Purdue & Illinois)
355: Dec 9 (we played 1st of 4 MORE nonconf games, heading to Clown U
344: Dec 10, after losing by 20 to Clown U
348: Dec 18, prior to our game vs Utah State
322: Dec 19 (day after beating Utah State)
340: Dec 22 (day after beating Southeastern Louisiana)
341: Dec 30 (day after beating Western Illinois & completing our nonconf schedule)
344: Jan 3 (our record was 10-3; heading into our final 18 conference games)


Looking at our Nonconference Opponents:


KenPom
Rank on:

Nov...Dec...Dec..Dec..Dec..Dec..Dec..Jan
26........3.......9.....18.....19....22....30.....3....Nonconference Opponent

208....200...198....189...191...192....195...197.....Longwood
193.....220...225....231...232..240...227...225....Kansas City
342...339..340...338..328..327..329..328....NC Central
332...338..338...340..339..339..333..333....Alabama State
320...313..317.....323..323..325..328..327.....Western Michigan

254...250..251......268...268..267...270..279.....Portland State
47........46....57........58.....57.....58.....71.....66.....Virginia
95.......80....64.......50.....47.....44.....44.....41.....Iowa State
68.......60....61........48.....55....55......61......61....Utah State
305..318...309...313...314..312...312..307....Southeastern Louisiana
202....182....163....162....159...165....168..208.....Western Illinois
 
I have updated the orig post. As I stated on December 9, if we are a bubble NCAA Tournament team, a BAD nonconference schedule ranking could be a deciding factor for why we don't make the NCAA Tournament.


On Jan 15 (12-4 record), before we play Minnesota on Jan 16, with 15 conference games left:

* Our nonconference SOS is #340 out of 358 teams.

* Our overall SOS is #133 out of 358 teams.


Out of 358 teams, our KenPom Nonconference SOS:

354:
Nov 26
352: Dec 3 (we played our 1st of 2 CONSEC conf games (Purdue & Illinois)
355: Dec 9 (we played 1st of 4 MORE nonconf games, heading to Clown U
344: Dec 10, after losing by 20 to Clown U
348: Dec 18, prior to our game vs Utah State
322: Dec 19 (day after beating Utah State)
340: Dec 22 (day after beating Southeastern Louisiana)
341: Dec 30 (day after beating Western Illinois & completing our nonconf schedule)
344: Jan 3 (our record was 10-3; heading into our final 18 conference games)
340: Jan 15 (our record is 12-4; 15 conference games left)


Looking at our Nonconference Opponents:


KenPom
Rank on:

Nov...Dec...Dec..Dec..Dec..Dec..Dec..Jan..Jan
26........3.......9.....18.....19....22....30.....3......15....Nonconference Opponent

208....200...198....189...191...192....195...197....190....Longwood
193.....220...225....231...232..240...227...225...232....Kansas City
342...339..340...338..328..327..329..328..329....NC Central
332...338..338...340..339..339..333..333..326....Alabama State
320...313..317.....323..323..325..328..327...331.....Western Michigan

254...250..251......268...268..267...270..279...281.....Portland State
47........46....57........58.....57.....58.....71.....66....64.....Virginia
95.......80....64.......50.....47.....44.....44.....41....32.....Iowa State
68.......60....61........48.....55....55......61......61....65.....Utah State
305..318...309...313...314..312...312..307..295....Southeastern Louisiana
202....182....163....162....159...165....168..208..206.....Western Illinois


On Nov 26, our KenPom nonconference SOS was #354 out of 358 teams. At that time, @SSG T wrote that he loved using Kenpom but taking the rankings seriously 5 or 6 games into the season was a bad idea because at that point they are still significantly impacted by last season's #s (which the starting point is based on). He said once we got into January, they should start being accurate.

So, that made me curious and I decided to keep track of our nonconference strength of schedule (SOS) and see how it moved between Nov 26 and into 2022.

Well, when it comes to our nonconference SOS, it only improved from #354 on Nov 26 to #340 today.

@TheTruthTheWholeTruth then stated that our nonconference SOS would still be in the 300's on Jan 5. You nailed it, sir.


On Dec 3, we played our first of 2 CONSECUTIVE conference games (Purdue & Illinois).
* Our nonconference SOS was #352 out of 358 teams.
* Our overall SOS was #352 out of 358 teams

On Dec 9, we played the first of 4 MORE nonconference games, heading to Clown U.
* Our nonconference SOS was #355 out of 358 teams.
* Our overall SOS was #313 out of 358 teams

On Dec 30, the day after completing our nonconference schedule:.
* Our nonconference SOS was #341 out of 358 teams.
* Our overall SOS (which included losses at Purdue and to Illinois) was #282 out of 358 teams

On Jan 3, we were 10-3 and heading into our final 18 conference games:
* Our nonconference SOS was #344 out of 358 teams.
* Our overall SOS (which included losses at Purdue and to Illinois) was #284 out of 358 teams

On Jan 15 (12-4 record), before we play Minnesota on Jan 16, with 15 conference games left:
* Our nonconference SOS is #340 out of 358 teams.
* Our overall SOS is #133 out of 358 teams.
 
Last edited:
@TheTruthTheWholeTruth , what do we have to do moving forward so that our nonconference SOS is not an issue on Selection Sunday?

We are 13-4, 3-3 now.

Remaining schedule:

at Rutgers
vs Penn State
vs Purdue
at Penn State
at Ohio State
vs Minnesota
at Maryland
vs Nebraska
vs Michigan
vs Michigan State
at Nebraska
vs Northwestern
at Michigan
at Illinois
 
@TheTruthTheWholeTruth , what do we have to do moving forward so that our nonconference SOS is not an issue on Selection Sunday?

We are 13-4, 3-3 now.

Remaining schedule:

at Rutgers
vs Penn State
vs Purdue
at Penn State
at Ohio State
vs Minnesota
at Maryland
vs Nebraska
vs Michigan
vs Michigan State
at Nebraska
vs Northwestern
at Michigan
at Illinois

I keep going back to NC State 2019 with a NCSOS of 353.

They went 9-9 in the ACC and had a pre tourney NET of 33.

Q1 3-9 Q2 5-0 Q3 4-2 Q4 10-0

Missed the tournament.

Iowa is currently in a better position than that NC State squad but they can’t afford a Q3 loss at this point. Especially with the lack of Q1 wins. There’s no guarantee that a .500 conference record seals the deal, especially if all the do is hold serve by beating the dregs of the conference.
 
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There is no excuse for Iowa to ever play the terrible non-con teams Fran scheduled this year (and many other years). None. Nada. Zilch. Rebuilding? So what? You're IOWA, not Coe.

Play teams no worse than no. 250. Play DePaul, St. Louis, UNI, Drake, Illinois State and ISU twice--home and away-- EVERY season. Why not?

The rat Izzo plays tough non-con schedules, loses a couple games, but is prepared for the BIG and the NCAA.
Bobby Knight used to do the same thing.

Playing poor teams is a poor way to prepare, and it's embarrassing. IMHO, of course.
 
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I keep going back to NC State 2019 with a NCSOS of 353.

They went 9-9 in the ACC and had a pre tourney NET of 33.

Q1 3-9 Q2 5-0 Q3 4-2 Q4 10-0

Missed the tournament.

Iowa is currently in a better position than that NC State squad but they can’t afford a Q3 loss at this point. Especially with the lack of Q1 wins. There’s no guarantee that a .500 conference record seals the deal, especially if all the do is hold serve by beating the dregs of the conference.


thank you for your insight and history lesson.

i hope our nonconference schedule does not come back to bite us.
 
There is no excuse for Iowa to ever play the terrible non-con teams Fran scheduled this year (and many other years). None. Nada. Zilch. Rebuilding? So what? You're IOWA, not Coe.

Play teams no worse than no. 250. Play DePaul, St. Louis, UNI, Drake, Illinois State and ISU twice--home and away-- EVERY season. Why not?

The rat Izzo plays tough non-con schedules, loses a couple games, but is prepared for the BIG and the NCAA.
Bobby Knight used to do the same thing.

Playing poor teams is a poor way to prepare, and it's embarrassing. IMHO, of course.


I really wish they'd bring back the HyVee Classic, where Iowa, ISU, UNI and Drake could play games on both a Saturday and a Sunday. Iowa could play UNI or Drake on Saturday and then the other team on Sunday. 4 games total. It would be great for the Des Moines area fans and it's an easy way to get 2 better nonconference games in.
 
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