With the MERCHANT MARINE ACADEMY just two days away here, it's worth discussing again: How in the world have some of these local Division I schools not been brought out here? These Division III games do nothing to improve this team. You will learn nothing about the new guys and nothing about what the veterans have done this offseason. You could if we scheduled these metro area teams. The top four teams in the MAAC last year are all in NY or NJ. Play them. St. Francis or LIU can take a train and walk to the arena. Play one of them. If a Connecticut team wants to take the ferry over, I'll even pick them up on the other side. Whatever.
Listen, I'm a season ticket holder not because I expect major programs to schedule road games here. Whether with family or friends, I'm going to enjoy the games regardless. And when Greg Gumbel says "the 14th seeded Seawolves of Stony Brook" in a few months, I'll be ready to sign up for the 2016-17 season too. And if he doesn't, well, you can bet I'll be there anyway. It's a great time. All that said, if you want to be a big-time program, you CANNOT schedule these games. As exhibitions? Fine. In fact, yes, absolutely, I encourage it. But as your first TWO home games of the season? That is reprehensible.