Messages

You're definitely right. This is only a Butler thing and no other programs schedule like us.

Purdue was a neutral court game and Utah was a return game. So we played one major team at home, one away, and three on a neutral court (with the possibility of more if we would have avoided Portland  State in the PK80). It's understandable that we would have a better OOC SOS than you, but you're acting like we schedule no one but cupcakes in OOC.

I understand Valpo's frustration and difficulty in scheduling, as most teams view you as a lose-lose situation. You're basically stuck taking buy games at Big Ten schools or scheduling other mid majors until you can break through. It's sucks for all mid majors. 

But it is what it is. I didn't come here to troll, I just wanted to ask a simple question as every Valpo fan on Twitter seems to think they deserve a H&H with Butler. I don't view Valpo as a lowly school, I just don't see the need from Butler to schedule Valpo, and if Butler doesn't feel the need, then why should they? I certainly wouldn't mind playing Valpo again, and wouldn't be surprised if we find you guys on the schedule in the next few years.

They might not count against RPI, but they count in the Win column, and Valpo sure has loved bragging about that at the beginning of the year, right? Ya, Butler had some easy games on the schedule, I didn't deny that, but we still had a very strong OOC SOS. I still don't understand why you think we should drop one of our buy games for a H&H with you though. No one has been able to explain what Butler has to gain from a H&H with Valpo and why we should schedule you.

Sure, lets compare OOC SOS over the past few years


2017-2018
Butler: 14
Valpo: 183


2016-2017
Butler: 16
Valpo: 81


2015-2016
Butler: 22
Valpo: 50




Sure Butler has some cupcakes on their schedule, but you're ignoring the fact that we play a tough schedule OOC. But, okay, let's have some fun at look at Valpo's OOC.


2017-2018: North park, Trinity
2016-2017: Trinity, Chicago State
2015-2016: IU-Kokomo, Trinity


You guys aren't even playing D1 schools, and the worst part about it is is that you boast about how you have an 8-0 record, first team to 8 wins in NCAAM, etc. while having non D1 schools on your schedule!!!! Why don't you drop your non D1 games and take a buy game from Butler or some other big school? I'm sure there are plenty of teams that would be willing to take a "bottom of the pack" MVC team.


Beggars can't be choosers.

I get your hatred for Butler, but all schools have their obnoxious fans and Butler is no different. Valpo has theirs too, and if you can't find them, then it's you.


Anyways, I understand Valpo wanting a H&H with Butler. My wife went to Valpo and we spent all 4 years of college dating, so I spent some time at Valpo's campus, and I know what the Butler game means to Valpo. It was consistently the most hyped game of the year and brought in a huge crowd to the ARC. Valpo's campus loved the rivalry. Having spent 4 years at Butler and spending weekends on Valpo's campus, I can say with confidence that the rivalry is really only one sided. I know you will think that is condescending, but it's the honest truth. Butler has had that too, especially with IU. I remember in 2010-2011 people actually thought Duke was a rivalry. I know we have shared conferences, and in the same state, but I don't think it means much to anyone at Butler to be honest.


So this brings me to my question, what do you think Butler gets out of a H&H deal with Valpo? Butler consistently plays a difficult OOC schedule, so while I think Valpo at the ARC would be a tough game, it's not a tough game that Butler needs to schedule at all. We're playing in top tournaments (PK80, Maui, Puerto Rico Tip Off), have H&H with major programs over the past few years (Utah, Florida, Maryland, Northwestern, Vanderbilt, Cincinnati ), and also have Crossroads Classic every year. Playing Valpo at Hinkle wouldn't generate any more interest than Ball State, Indiana State, Evansville, etc. I think Valpo has been the better program over the past couple of years, but people aren't going to pack Hinkle to see you guys play. Students wouldn't be much more interested in the game either.


Again, I understand why Valpo wants the game. It would boost your SOS and could help you get into the NCAA tournament. It would also be one of the biggest games of your season and be a sold out crowd, not to mention a good game for recruits to attend. But none of this is reciprocal to Butler.