Other programs are just like us, they want an attractive schedule that isn't full of "random" garbage teams that are an embarrassment to play, let alone lose to on the road. It's not terribly embarrassing to lose @ Mercer, Bellmont, Davidson, Gonzaga or Depaul. These programs actually have individual identities, besides random state university. But could you imagine losing @ Mercer State, or Bellmont State? People would say, "why the hell are we losing to crappy random teams or even playing them?"
Let's wake up and face it, fans don't get any more excited when the schedule says Webber State than they do when it says Nicoles State. It's just a random noname game to them. Programs want to play road games that are sexy. Mid or high major teams and fans think, "wow, great schedule but why are we playing @Webber State. Wait where the hell is Webber State anyways?" Just like they would if they saw Minot State.
Now if you play at Lamar, Drexel, or Auburn (All programs we out attend and could be considered more successful than), no one bats an eye. Why?? Because these school/programs have an individual perceived identity. Schools that insert state in their name like we did in the 60's when it was cool, basically say, "hey guys, we are small and unknown but don't worry, we added state so atleast you know we are state funded and not online-for/profit. No need to research us and form an individual opinion, just group us with all the other 1000 random you-name-it state universities with 4,300 students." There are literally hundreds but we have 8 times the success/program support and student enrollment as 95% of them. Of course, obviously this doesn't apply if you are named after a major city or the state you are located in since people have heard of the location.
I have said it before and will say it again, we are WEber!!! Not Webber State or whatever. We are a proud, one of a kind program/university, with a long basketball tradition that deserves more respect than our name affords. A schedule which reads Southern Miss, @Weber, @ Purdue, @ NDSU looks much more exciting than Southern Miss, @ Weber State, @ Purdue, @NDSU. I can't process Webber State as anything more than a random schedule filler and I went there for hell sakes. Until we drop state and become the one of a kind university simply known as "Weber", we will always be no different than playing any other random fill in the blank state team. As a result, we will continue to lack the brand recognition which is required to build a sold nonconference schedule.
