Road games Vs Non-Road Games:
I read a post from a fairly well known and respected face in the WAC when it comes to this question. When looking at the schedules side by side for Grand Canyon University (GCU) and Utah Valley University (UVU), the differences are resounding. GCU has only four true away games so far this season and they have played 22 games this season. UVU on the other hand, has had 13 road games, keeping in mind that 8 of those came in the non-conference slate. It should be noted that 5 of GCU's last 7 games are considered true away games this season while UVU plays only 3 road games down the stretch.
With those teams being No. 1 and No. 2 respectively in the WAC, is there something to be said about road games and how it prepares you for conference play? UVU currently sits in first place, just a half game above GCU, and the teams have split the season series. Of the 13 road games that Utah Valley has played this season, 6 of them have been losses. Being undefeated at home, can a viewer say that Utah Valley would be 22-1 if they played all home games in the non-conference slate?
There has been ridicule in the passed for the way that GCU schedules their non-conference slate by fans and bracket makers alike because GCU hardly goes on the road. GCU had only one away game in their entire non-conference slate, which they lost I should add. I mean, who are we kidding? If you had the fan base that GCU had, why would you willingly play road games?
It is hard to live in a hypothetical world of "what-ifs" especially in College Basketball. What if Florida St got a shot to play in the March Madness tournament in 2020, What if Indiana St wasn't snubbed from the tournament in 2024. There are far to many things that go into Selection Sunday, and global pandemics, that makes March both the happiest and the worst month for so many fans.
GCU Vs UVU!
I want to take a second and break down what exactly in considered a "true road game" and how it either positively or negatively affects you as a team. A true road game is defined as a game in which you are playing in the other teams home gym. For example, if GCU goes to play AT Utah Valley, that is considered a "True Road Game" for GCU. It should be noted that GCU had 3 "Neutral Site" games meaning that it was at neither teams home gym and then a "Semi-home" game in which GCU played Georgia in Atlanta vs Athens.
GCU has five losses this season, 2 on a neutral site, 2 on the road, and 1 at home. The 1 loss that was at home is a Q4 loss which is really hurting GCU's NET ranking with the NCAA. Additionally, GCU is 1-4 in Q1 and Q2 games this season. A team that was supposed to be vying for a T25 and an at large bid stumbled at just about ever shot that they had to get a "good win".
Utah Valley on the other hand has had a lot more "true road games" but they were mostly against lesser opponents. Of their 13 road games, there are 4 that are Q2, 4 that are Q3 and 5 that are Q4. Of those 13 road games, they have 6 losses away from home and 1 on a neutral court. Utah Valley is 0-4 in Q1 and Q2 games this season. Meaning that similarly to GCU, UVU did not do much when it came to getting meaningful wins.
Breaking down the #'s:
When looking at NET rankings for the two squads, GCU comes in at 88 while UVU comes in at 123 after their home win vs UT Arlington. Does this mean that playing less road games is the key to success? Playing more neutral site games? I think there is a lot to be said about the level of competition you are playing surely, but does home vs away really matter? I think that a team could play 0 true road games before conference play, if it means playing 3-4 neutral site games against better opponents in MTE's or simply just meeting a team in the middle for a one time deal.
At the end of the day, a casual fan will see the fact that UVU played 13 road games and think that they are "seasoned" and "Battle Tested" when in reality, they played North Dakota (277), Weber St (299) and others. Just because you go to someone else's home gym, does not automatically make it a "good win". This is why the NET System was created, was to value games appropriately compared to the competition that you are playing!
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