There are roughly 125 D1 basketball programs ranging from the Chicago/south Michigan -to- south New England -to- upper South Carolina -to- east Missouri/west Tennessee that are regional to the regional limit (again, give or take). We've played a lot of them and many more than once. i think it's fair to say that Marshall has done a fair job over the years, when considering all aspects of scheduling but especially the priorities of costs, 1 for 1 needs/home vs away.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/35/College_basketball_division_1_teams.pngobviously, the Cayman lineup is disappointing but not the fault of Marshall, but just the state of affairs in CBB. still, new faces from wherever is not a bad thing. the Greenbrier is a potential program booster for Marshall if we become a sort of host. it could eventually draw some 'players' but Marshall would also need to increase it's value at the same time.
the KY game is a no-brainer and although i'd like 2 to a rare 3 per year (Ohio St, Lville, Cincy, VA, VT, TN, etc) from a strictly fan excitement standpoint, i understand that a home game might be more lucrative/realistic (again, the Greenbrier could possibly help to lure some to a neutral site at least until the newness wears off).
i tend to waffle back and forth as to whether or not to play ANY D2 and lower schools ANY year, but again, i understand not being able to avoid them on occasion. exhibition game opponents are enough of low-level schools