[Farm93]

I wonder how much the long finals break contributes to a game like this.  Yeah, we had an exhibition game against a D-II team, but does that really prepare you for a road game against a Tourney-caliber team after two weeks off?  Is there some rule that our sports teams can't play during dead week or finals except for postseason or playoff events?

Pretty much yes. Teams in NCAA playoff events can participate in their events, but everyone else takes the time off. That's been true for a long time.  And it is a good policy.  The coaching staff should know how quickly teams can successfully get back to full strength.  However, since Winter Quarter ends during the NCAA tournament it actually is a good thing for the players to experience a tough bounce back game so that they can prepare for the more challenging dead week in a few months.

[Farm93]

I wonder how much the long finals break contributes to a game like this.  Yeah, we had an exhibition game against a D-II team, but does that really prepare you for a road game against a Tourney-caliber team after two weeks off?  Is there some rule that our sports teams can't play during dead week or finals except for postseason or playoff events?

Pretty much yes. Teams in NCAA playoff events can participate in their events, but everyone else takes the time off. That's been true for a long time.  And it is a good policy.  The coaching staff should know how quickly teams can successfully get back to full strength.  However, since Winter Quarter ends during the NCAA tournament it actually is a good thing for the players to experience a tough bounce back game so that they can prepare for the more challenging dead week in a few months.