More Excitement for Cornell Basketball

Just heard a rumor that we have a very cool opponent on the schedule next year! Anybody up for a trip to Cameron Indoor Stadium? I guess you could also just watch the game on ESPN.

I wrote a bit about it on my blog.

That would be a trip worth taking.

One correction (re: your blog): Paulus is from Syracuse. It sounds like there's as many Syracuse fans who dislike the Paulus family as like them. Greg turned down SU in both football and basketball, and younger brother Mike (I think it's Mike) turned the Orange down in football -- he'll be going to UNC. I also read that the family has moved down to NC, though that was on an SU fan board.

I wonder if the return trip would be the following year? A stop in Ithaca, a day off, and a trip to the Carrier Dome for a game against SU might make a fun trip.

Thanks for the correction! I made the adjustment on the blog.

It is confirmed that Cornell is currently pursuing a 2 for 1 deal with any willing and able "BCS" type opponent. The deal, as proposed by Cornell, would have the first game played in Ithaca with the following two years at the high-major's venue. I don't know if Duke agreed to play in Ithaca, as per the Cornell proposal, but it could make sense with local boy Greg Paulus on their roster. I am sure he still has tons of friends and family in upstate NY.

With respect to the Duke game, please note, I am only reporting a rumor, albeit from a usually reliable source. Location/date all TBD from what I can tell. I won't fully believe the game is scheduled until I see it on www.cornellbigred.com or if it is reported by a credible news source.

I just wanted it on everyone's radar.

Cornell really needs to toughen its schedule to prep for Ivy play. Penn plays its usual tough teams. Even Yale is playing Kansas, UCLA, Stanford and Penn State. I'd love to see Cornell get Syracuse, Duke and 1-2 other "name" opponents on the schedule.

who did you hear this from CornellFan? if this is true, that would be amazing

Just keep it on your radar screen and we will see before the end of August if I am right.

No problem. Greg Paulus, obviously, is a big draw in Syracuse, regardless of where he's going to school. It sounds like he still goes to the Dome to catch a football or basketball game whenever he gets a chance. Duke with, or without, Paulus is a game that'd attract 30,000 plus. There's just a segment of their fanbase that probably's burned out by all the Paulus-angst.

If Cornell's insisting on a 2-1, I'd be surprised if they play Syracuse anytime soon. As long as the football team's struggling, Boeheim's position seems to be only OOC road games with BCS programs will be considered (or as home games for team members). Football attendance is 15,000 below capacity right now -- SU basketball gets that for an exhibition game. Cornell probably just needs to keep going to Syracuse if they want to play them, at least until the football team's back. Of course, if Cornell's willing to play their "home" game at BCA in Rochester, HBSC in Buffalo, or the Garden in NYC...who knows. Syracuse is probably looking for more games in Buffalo (for Harris and Flynn), Michigan (for Devendorf -- with Belien now at UM that could happen soon), and probably Toronto (not sure how that'll happen, but there'll be 3 Canadiens on the team in 2008).

CornellFan, I really appreciate all the basketball info you share.

If we are able to win the Ivy as some are now predicting and we are all hoping, if we do play a high major team like Krzyzewski's mercenaries, would that necessarily help us in the tournament seeding? Or, if we fail miserably and are crushed, would that knock us down to a 15 or 16 seed?

I'm confused, Ithacat - why would the current crappiness of SU football influence their basketball scheduling?

Josh '99
I'm confused, Ithacat - why would the current crappiness of SU football influence their basketball scheduling?

Football tickets isn't making them money, so they'd want as many home basketball games as possible. He is saying that no matter what they sell out their basketball tickets.

Jacob '06

Josh '99
I'm confused, Ithacat - why would the current crappiness of SU football influence their basketball scheduling?

Football tickets isn't making them money, so they'd want as many home basketball games as possible. He is saying that no matter what they sell out their basketball tickets.

Ah, got it. It's not so much that Boeheim would WANT to schedule all home games as a result, but that his hands would be tied by the administration, to some extent.

I don't think losing badly to Duke will hurt us. Penn lost by 40 to UNC this year and it did not result in a bad seed for them.

Just a point of clarification...

(1) Cornell is not insisting on a 2 for 1 with a BCS. Rather, they are seeking the arrangement. In other words, if Duke offered to play Cornell ONLY at Cameron, I am sure Coach Donahue would not "insist" on a return date. When Duke offers you a game, you take it-- no matter the time or location. I don't have any details on the rumored Duke game.

(2) I don't think Cornell would shy away from playing Syracuse and Duke in the same year (both on the road) without possibility of a future return game. These are great teams to have on the schedule. In fact, I think there is a very good chance that we play Syracuse and Duke next year on the road and never see either team in Ithaca. But... I am still hoping we get Duke to Ithaca. I just don't think it will happen.

(3) If Cornell gets a BCS school to visit Ithaca (like Georgia Tech 2 years ago), I think it will probably be a bottom-feeder school from a major conference. As an FYI--- North Carolina is playing Penn at the Palestra this year and Penn State is going to play at Yale.

(4) Which BCS type schools could Cornell expect to attract to Ithaca? My hunch is not many. Although, I think A-10 schools could be persuaded like St. Bonaventure, Duquesne, maybe also a school like Rice. But doubtful anyone is going to pack a gym to see Duquesne.

Josh '99

Jacob '06

Josh '99
I'm confused, Ithacat - why would the current crappiness of SU football influence their basketball scheduling?

Football tickets isn't making them money, so they'd want as many home basketball games as possible. He is saying that no matter what they sell out their basketball tickets.

Ah, got it. It's not so much that Boeheim would WANT to schedule all home games as a result, but that his hands would be tied by the administration, to some extent.

That's it...right now SU is leaving approximately $450,000 on the table in football ticket sales alone (per game). Boeheim mentioned this fact recently in an article about being left out of the tournament. An average home basketball game generates more than $500,000 in ticket sales.

CornellFan
(1) Cornell is not insisting on a 2 for 1 with a BCS. Rather, they are seeking the arrangement. In other words, if Duke offered to play Cornell ONLY at Cameron, I am sure Coach Donahue would not "insist" on a return date. When Duke offers you a game, you take it-- no matter the time or location. I don't have any details on the rumored Duke game.

If you're talking about Cornell, absolutely. Syracuse could tell Duke to suck an orange. SU basketball is pretty strong currency. SU is (supposedly)exchanging a home-and-home basketball series with Southern Cal for a home-and-home football series. Of course, SU's AD came from USC.

CornellFan
(2) I don't think Cornell would shy away from playing Syracuse and Duke in the same year (both on the road) without possibility of a future return game. These are great teams to have on the schedule. In fact, I think there is a very good chance that we play Syracuse and Duke next year on the road and never see either team in Ithaca. But... I am still hoping we get Duke to Ithaca. I just don't think it will happen.

I would hope not. Cornell's season is the Ivy League. They should play the toughest schedule they can in order to better themselves for conference play. How often will the Ivies get an at-large bid?

CornellFan
(3) If Cornell gets a BCS school to visit Ithaca (like Georgia Tech 2 years ago), I think it will probably be a bottom-feeder school from a major conference. As an FYI--- North Carolina is playing Penn at the Palestra this year and Penn State is going to play at Yale.

Are you secretly a Duke fan? How many people would imply that UNC is a bottom-feeder? Bold...

CornellFan
(4) Which BCS type schools could Cornell expect to attract to Ithaca? My hunch is not many. Although, I think A-10 schools could be persuaded like St. Bonaventure, Duquesne, maybe also a school like Rice. But doubtful anyone is going to pack a gym to see Duquesne.

Good points...mid-majors would provide good competition, however. Anything that betters the program should be considered, and probably is being considered.

ithacat

CornellFan
(3) If Cornell gets a BCS school to visit Ithaca (like Georgia Tech 2 years ago), I think it will probably be a bottom-feeder school from a major conference. As an FYI--- North Carolina is playing Penn at the Palestra this year and Penn State is going to play at Yale.

Are you secretly a Duke fan? How many people would imply that UNC is a bottom-feeder? Bold...

I didn't read it that way at all; I read it as suggesting that Penn and Yale have an easier time attracting BCS schools to play on their campuses, but they're in Philadelphia and New Haven, while Cornell's in Ithaca, so it's an understandable advantage.

CornellFan
Just a point of clarification...

(1) Cornell is not insisting on a 2 for 1 with a BCS. Rather, they are seeking the arrangement. In other words, if Duke offered to play Cornell ONLY at Cameron, I am sure Coach Donahue would not "insist" on a return date. When Duke offers you a game, you take it-- no matter the time or location. I don't have any details on the rumored Duke game.

(2) I don't think Cornell would shy away from playing Syracuse and Duke in the same year (both on the road) without possibility of a future return game. These are great teams to have on the schedule. In fact, I think there is a very good chance that we play Syracuse and Duke next year on the road and never see either team in Ithaca. But... I am still hoping we get Duke to Ithaca. I just don't think it will happen.

(3) If Cornell gets a BCS school to visit Ithaca (like Georgia Tech 2 years ago), I think it will probably be a bottom-feeder school from a major conference. As an FYI--- North Carolina is playing Penn at the Palestra this year and Penn State is going to play at Yale.

(4) Which BCS type schools could Cornell expect to attract to Ithaca? My hunch is not many. Although, I think A-10 schools could be persuaded like St. Bonaventure, Duquesne, maybe also a school like Rice. But doubtful anyone is going to pack a gym to see Duquesne.

Here's my question: when did BCS status start mattering for basketball?? Isn't that a (ridiculously elitist) designation for football status only? Are we going to tip the power to large, athletic factories even more by crossing sport boundries?

RichH
Here's my question: when did BCS status start mattering for basketball?? Isn't that a (ridiculously elitist) designation for football status only? Are we going to tip the power to large, athletic factories even more by crossing sport boundries?

It is just being used as shorthand for "high RPI conferences" because of the overlap.

I don't use the BCS term in basketball. However, Assistant Coach Zach Spiker at Cornell is quoted as seeking a "BCS" 2-for-1 opponent. Thus, it Cornell's usage of the term, not mine. However, I should note, I am indeed seeing the "BCS" term more and more in college basketball. I think it is a more defined term than the more often used "high major" label.

What the hell is high-major anyways? There are 335 Division I teams in basketball. Are the top 110 high, the next 110 mid major and the bottom 115 the lows?

ugarte

RichH
Here's my question: when did BCS status start mattering for basketball?? Isn't that a (ridiculously elitist) designation for football status only? Are we going to tip the power to large, athletic factories even more by crossing sport boundries?

It is just being used as shorthand for "high RPI conferences" because of the overlap.

Except for the MVC being better than the Big 12 this season. Bring on SIU and Bradley! I think I'd rather play a home and home with those schools than be cupcake #21 on the schedule of a school like duke or florida that will never come to Ithaca.
[teamrankings.com]

The term mid-major is dumb. It all stems from that.

Beeeej
I didn't read it that way at all; I read it as suggesting that Penn and Yale have an easier time attracting BCS schools to play on their campuses, but they're in Philadelphia and New Haven, while Cornell's in Ithaca, so it's an understandable advantage.

I can see that...now.

Exactly...

We have a tough time getting teams to Ithaca because there is no reason for any big time program to gain additional recruiting exposure in our talentless region. Moreover, a game against Cornell is a potential "trap" game.

CornellFan
Moreover, a game against Cornell is a potential "trap" game.

Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

CornellFan
Moreover, a game against Cornell is a potential "trap" game.

ugarte
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

FYP.