The Big East Conference released the full slate of home and away opponents for the 2011-2012 basketball season today. Earlier, it was reported by ESPN that Villanova would play home and home series with South Florida, Cincinnati and Marquette.
Here is Villanova's schedule (italics indicates a home and home opponent).Dates and times of each matchup will come at a later date.
Home
Cincinnati Bearcats, Connecticut Huskies, DePaul Blue Demons, Marquette Golden Eagles, Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Providence Friars, Seton Hall Pirates, South Florida Bulls, Syracuse Orange
Away
Cincinnati Bearcats, Georgetown Hoyas, Louisville Cardinals, Marquette Golden Eagles, Pittsburgh Panthers, Rutgers Scarlet Knights, St. John’s Red Storm, South Florida Bulls, West Virginia Mountaineers
Some thoughts on the schedule after The Jump.
My initial thoughts is that this is an absolutely brutal schedule for Villanova in an expected down year. All of our home-only opponents, other than UConn and Syracuse, are bottom feeders.
Then take a look at the away schedule. Holy Christ. And what's up with no home and home series with UConn, Syracuse, Georgetown OR Pitt? Seriously, what the hell? At the very least, I guess this will really help our RPI next season.
Then you've got the situation of Georgetown and Syracuse only playing once this year. We're talking about the greatest rivalry in the league, and they're only going to play once. It's like Duke and UNC only playing once per year. That needs to be a permanent home and home fixture, just like I believe Villanova-Pitt should be a permanent home and home fixture.
John Marinatto and his team seem like they have royally Schruted this schedule.
Thoughts everyone?