Wichita State to AAC?

This seems like it could be a win-win. I'd thought it might be good to add a complement to Navy, but I would thinking St Louis. I didn't realize Wichita State was dissatisfied in the MVC. (Though their flirtation with football may have been a clue.)

Wichita State has emerged as a potential basketball-only addition to the American Athletic Conference, but obstacles are still standing in the way of a potential marriage, multiple sources told FanRag Sports.

Four separate sources told FanRag Sports that the Shockers were brought up as a potential basketball-only member at the latest league meetings.

The addition of Wichita State wouldn’t guarantee much financial benefit to the other programs in the American Conference if it was added to the league, but the impact it would have from a basketball perspective would be immense.

The American Conference has struggled to gain national respect since its creation prior to the start of the 2013-14 season despite having four teams earn bids to last year’s NCAA Tournament.

“It’s going to be a matter of what the programs and administrators want to do,” one source said. “Everyone wants to benefit financially, but everyone will have that eventually if the league gets better.”

Multiple sources told FanRag Sports that the majority of the basketball coaches in the league support the addition of the Shockers because of their overall brand and recent history.

It makes sense in the short-term for the AAC, but I don't think it makes sense for Wichita State.

The Shockers won't like being without a football team in a far-flung football league when they can earn a 1 seed right where they are now, and after the AAC's next TV deal negotiations, I don't think the money would be enough to make up for it, especially since most of the distribution will be for football.

If WSU adds football, then they would make more sense than Navy. Without football, it just seems like a bad idea.

The AAC's biggest problem is that they have no identity.

The "Power 6" propaganda is silly. People already believe the AAC is the 6th best football conference (but not basketball), but nobody really believes they are a "power" conference. Everybody just laughs it off, and nobody will go along with it. The money and clout just aren't there.

It's an 11-member all-sports conference including 3 private schools plus a traditionally independent military academy on the East coast playing in the West division. It spans the southwest to the southeast to the northeast to the midwest.

Now they are now talking about potentially adding a non-football school in Kansas that may or may not add football in the future.

Their "American" branding is also silly. Nobody thinks of their conference when people hear or see "American." The "A" logo is also weak. @American_Conf? That's awful. Why would a brand new league brand themselves so poorly?

The good thing about C-USA's identity is that we have a distinct southern identity spanning 10 of the 13 southern states without any members outside the South, a good name, and a logo that tells people exactly who we are.

I couldn't agree more about the name. Hate it. I don't mind the logo, though, if it's going to have that name.

As far as WSU goes, though, they are evidently looking to make a move, which suggests that geography isn't really an issue for them. There aren't more geographically appropriate options as good as or better than the MVC. Tulsa is the only close one, but there are four or five more within a traditional conference footprint. There seems to be some interest on their part with both the MWC and AAC in filling in the 12th hole. I could see them going for it. The main questions on their end would seem to be (a) the football question, and (b) future TV contracts (the only number I've heard is that they'd get about $550k a year from TV). The article is ambiguous as to whether it's a "no football" invite or "basketball-only." I have trouble believing it could be the latter, and if it is they'd be insane to take it. The question from the AAC's end would be (a) whether to accept basketball-only members, (b) how committed Navy is to the conference, and (c) future TV revenues.

The sourcing on the article seems to be ambiguous, though. The conference has never previously expressed interest in non-FB members (most members have been in a hybrid conference or two before), and I'm not sure what might have changed. And if Wichita State is serious about adding football, that probably won't work out. (At least, I hope not.)

Here's some local coverage, mostly regurgitating the same information though adding a bit of context. And here is an article (from October) talking about a hope that the Big 12 expands to open up a couple of slots.

Wichita State is a basketball school, and a damn good one. Always thought the MVC was a very good league, usually getting more than 1 into the Dance. But, WSU is in the same boat as Gonzaga in its conference. They are each much better than their leagues, and really carry those conferences as far as national perception. But, each conference has 2 or 3 other programs that contribute to the strength.

It does come down to WSU's wishes re: football. Football does drive the train, with MBB an important 2nd, or support, program. Schools that do well, and garner support from fans/alumni/conference affiliation, in those two sports have got it covered. For a school like WSU, they have to be careful not to jump into an all-sports' conference just to get football, but then sacrifice their MBB. If they can get FB and maintain their power-rating in MBB, then they should go for it.

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Originally Posted by Dawg06

The AAC's biggest problem is that they have no identity.


Their "American" branding is also silly. Nobody thinks of their conference when people hear or see "American." The "A" logo is also weak. @American_Conf? That's awful. Why would a brand new league brand themselves so poorly?

The good thing about C-USA's identity is that we have a distinct southern identity spanning 10 of the 13 southern states without any members outside the South, a good name, and a logo that tells people exactly who we are.

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Haha, I agree on the "American" Branding. I think they were so hung up on trying to appealing, that they tried to use the same concept as their old conference's name, conference USA. No originality at all, and it's a flop!

Maybe, since some of those schools change conferences like Hogdawg changes his underwear/socks....every 2 to 3 years....that the general CFB Nation is simply waiting for the next name change. No sense getting used to the AAC when that'll be defunct in favor of another version soon.

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Originally Posted by dawg80

Maybe, since some of those schools change conferences like Hogdawg changes his underwear/socks....every 2 to 3 years....that the general CFB Nation is simply waiting for the next name change. No sense getting used to the AAC when that'll be defunct in favor of another version soon.

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Next they'll try to fight the current MAC and go as the "Murica Athletic Conference." After all, the MAC is a recognizable brand ;)

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Originally Posted by dawg80

Maybe, since some of those schools change conferences like Hogdawg changes his underwear/socks....every 2 to 3 years....that the general CFB Nation is simply waiting for the next name change. No sense getting used to the AAC when that'll be defunct in favor of another version soon.

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Hopefully a conference with a better name. (My general sense is that in ten years most of what we call the AAC will be in a conference called the Big 12, and Conference USA in a conference called The American, and so on.)

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Originally Posted by Bearpaw

Haha, I agree on the "American" Branding. I think they were so hung up on trying to appealing, that they tried to use the same concept as their old conference's name, conference USA. No originality at all, and it's a flop!

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I'd have preferred they bite the bullet and go with something Metro-related (Metro 12, Metro East, Big Metro, something along those lines). Yeah, there'd still be UConn and ECU, but it still would have worked. And if in the future the conference invited Northern Illinois, Southern Miss, or Louisiana Tech, it still wouldn't be that big of a deal.

Back to the beginning....the old Metro Conference!! Had Cincy, Louisville, Memphis State, St. Louis, Florida State, Tulane, Georgia Tech. I think, I probably got a couple wrong. Yeah, I know NO WAY are most of those going back anywhere. But, the name can be revised.

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Originally Posted by dawg80

Back to the beginning....the old Metro Conference!! Had Cincy, Louisville, Memphis State, St. Louis, Florida State, Tulane, Georgia Tech. I think, I probably got a couple wrong. Yeah, I know NO WAY are most of those going back anywhere. But, the name can be revised.

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South Florida was also a member, after the GMW split away. Not sure you could use the exact same name because so many aren't there, but some variation to draw on that history just seems like a good idea.

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Originally Posted by parialex

South Florida was also a member, after the GMW split away. Not sure you could use the exact same name because so many aren't there, but some variation to draw on that history just seems like a good idea.

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I like that branding much better than the "American Athletic Conference."

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Originally Posted by dawg80

For a school like WSU, they have to be careful not to jump into an all-sports' conference just to get football, but then sacrifice their MBB. If they can get FB and maintain their power-rating in MBB, then they should go for it.

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I believe their demographic will always support MBB where ours will not. To me their biggest concern should be the weighing the increase in budget the cost of football will bring along with the losses they will incur from adding several non-revenue Title IX sports.

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Originally Posted by PawDawg

I believe their demographic will always support MBB where ours will not. To me their biggest concern should be the weighing the increase in budget the cost of football will bring along with the losses they will incur from adding several non-revenue Title IX sports.

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That's right! Very good point. Will have to create a bunch of women's sports to match the scholies of football.

Actually, I just checked, they have 7 women's sports now. They don't have soccer, so that would provide 15-20 'ships. But, they would have to drop some men's sports: golf, tennis, cross country to help balance the male-female ratio.

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Originally Posted by dawg80

Back to the beginning....the old Metro Conference!! Had Cincy, Louisville, Memphis State, St. Louis, Florida State, Tulane, Georgia Tech. I think, I probably got a couple wrong. Yeah, I know NO WAY are most of those going back anywhere. But, the name can be revised.

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I nailed it! Just checked. This was the Metro as of 1976. Changes began just two years later when Georgia Tech left for the ACC, replaced by Virginia Tech, and St. Louis left and was replaced by Southern Miss.

South Florida didn't join until 1991, along with Charlotte and VCU, to replace departing members FSU, Memphis State, and Cincy, and also South Carolina, which had just joined the Metro, and then departed for the SEC.

There were a bunch of other comings and goings. Cincy and Memphis State left to form a new conference called the Great Midwest Conference. Never heard of it? Don't fret. The ink hadn't dried on the paperwork when it too went defunct as members jumped to other leagues.

All these schools chasing the $$$ by hoping to land in a bigger conference, a richer conference. No, I don't blame them. But sometimes it's best to sit where you are and just observe.

For instance:
And through it all the absolutely smartest school has been....Vanderbilt. They have just sat there quietly raking in HUGE revenues as members of the SEC, without contributing a whole lot to its athletic success. The stupidest school: Tulane. They voluntarily left the SEC back in the 1960's. As did Georgia Tech, but at least GT has landed on its feet in a P5 conference.

Footnote:

The Great Midwest Conference did exist for a couple of years. But, it's epitaph was written even before it played its first official league game. A proposal to merge the GWC back into a selected portion of the Metro was made and accepted by the presidents/ADs of enough schools to effectively kill the conference. The ultimate results of the merger was CUSA. Surprisingly Virginia Tech was one the schools NOT invited to join CUSA. They and VCU sued to block the move, but the lawsuit was dismissed.

More speculation: http://www.si.com/college-basketball...rican-athletic

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Originally Posted by Dawg06

More speculation: http://www.si.com/college-basketball...rican-athletic

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I hope they take the football route and get in C-USA.

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Originally Posted by Tech77

I hope they take the football route and get in C-USA.

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I hope not. Don't want 'em. If they think they're too big for the MVC, then I hope they go to the A-10 or Big East. The last thing C-USA needs is a 15th team in Kansas (and 16th somewhere else?). WSU joining C-USA would ensure Tech would never make the NCAA Tourney and split the football distribution pool even smaller.

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Originally Posted by Dawg06

I hope not. Don't want 'em. If they think they're too big for the MVC, then I hope they go to the A-10 or Big East. The last thing C-USA needs is a 15th team in Kansas (and 16th somewhere else?). WSU joining C-USA would ensure Tech would never make the NCAA Tourney and split the football distribution pool even smaller.

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ok, you win :D

More smoke... http://www.kansascity.com/sports/col...139945788.html

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Originally Posted by skilldawg

I would take them, bit I have little confidence in our commissioner's ability to woo them.

The selling point would be CWSU

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All championships held in Wichita :laugh:

Fire... http://www.espn.com/college-sports/s...-sate-shockers

If I'm the AAC, I say "Thanks but no thanks until you add football." Just another 2 conference losses for Tulane. I think it'd be foolish if the AAC presidents and ADs let WSU in without football. It's a bandaid that will cause problems in the long-term. It would give WSU a huge advantage in basketball by allowing them to focus all their resources on hoops while all other members have to put the majority of their resources into football. But knowing the AAC and their lack of vision, they'll let the Shockers in.

The AAC would become a conference with a football-only military academy in Maryland, a non-football school in Kansas, 3 private all-sports members in Oklahoma, Texas, and Louisiana, and 8 public all-sports members in Texas, Tennessee, Florida, Ohio, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut. :rolleyes4: They've created a conference with no identity.

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Originally Posted by Dawg06

Fire... http://www.espn.com/college-sports/s...-sate-shockers


The AAC would become a conference with a football-only military academy in Maryland, a non-football school in Kansas, 3 private all-sports members in Oklahoma, Texas, and Louisiana, and 8 public all-sports members in Texas, Tennessee, Florida, Ohio, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut. :rolleyes4: They've created a conference with no identity.

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The Conneticut to Florida to Texas triangle is puzzling to me

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Originally Posted by Dawg06

Fire... http://www.espn.com/college-sports/s...-sate-shockers

If I'm the AAC, I say "Thanks but no thanks until you add football." Just another 2 conference losses for Tulane. I think it'd be foolish if the AAC presidents and ADs let WSU in without football. It's a bandaid that will cause problems in the long-term. It would give WSU a huge advantage in basketball by allowing them to focus all their resources on hoops while all other members have to put the majority of their resources into football. But knowing the AAC and their lack of vision, they'll let the Shockers in.

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I think the invitation is actually contingent on them *not* adding football. At least among fans, we like the idea as long as they don't have football but aren't interested in a newbie football program.

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Originally Posted by parialex

I think the invitation is actually contingent on them *not* adding football. At least among fans, we like the idea as long as they don't have football but aren't interested in a newbie football program.

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So, do you prefer them as "basketball only" members, or "all-but-football" members?

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Originally Posted by Bearpaw

So, do you prefer them as "basketball only" members, or "all-but-football" members?

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Their baseball program is good, too. But I think to take basketball is necessarily to take everything (but football). I also think geography works in their favor as we could use another western school.

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Originally Posted by Bearpaw

So, do you prefer them as "basketball only" members, or "all-but-football" members?

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There's no such thing as "basketball only" members. That'd be against NCAA rules. Every sport you sponsor that your conference sponsors must compete in that conference with the only exception being football.

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Originally Posted by parialex

I think the invitation is actually contingent on them *not* adding football. At least among fans, we like the idea as long as they don't have football but aren't interested in a newbie football program.

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That's just nuts. It's a knee-jerk reaction by both sides. Things like that are what ultimately rip conferences apart.

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Originally Posted by Dawg06

That's just nuts. It's a knee-jerk reaction by both sides. Things like that are what ultimately rip conferences apart.

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Perhaps. I've long thought adding a complement to Navy was a good idea to round it out to 12. I was thinking maybe St Louis, but Wichita State is better.

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Originally Posted by Dawg06

There's no such thing as "basketball only" members. That'd be against NCAA rules. Every sport you sponsor that your conference sponsors must compete in that conference with the only exception being football.

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Hmm, thanks for the info, I knew of football only, and assumed it was possible for other sports

More FIRE... https://www.si.com/college-basketbal...issouri-valley

Sure looks like a done deal to me.

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Originally Posted by parialex

Sure looks like a done deal to me.

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Now what does the MVC do? They've been crippled losing Creighton and Wichita State.

If I were MVC commish, Valpo seems like the obvious replacement, but common sense rarely happens in conference realignment. Maybe they lure Belmont. The MVC may want to replace Wichita State with another public school. I could see UIC, UMKC, UALR, Murray State, and UW-Milwaukee as public school candidates.

I've got to wonder what kind of financial distribution Wichita State will have with the conference. Will they receive an equal share of the sum, including football conference earnings (i.e. TV), or would they only receive earnings from basketball, etc.? As a caveat, does Navy only receive football conference revenue?

Wichita State to AAC appears to be a done deal.

http://www.kake.com/story/35069813/s...itter_KAKEnews

Witchita State must have a great WBB program.

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Originally Posted by The Historian

Wichita State to AAC appears to be a done deal.

http://www.kake.com/story/35069813/s...itter_KAKEnews

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Maybe the Leapin Leopards will get that long coveted MVC bid now :icon_razz:

Brett McMurphy‏Verified account @McMurphyESPN 6m6 minutes agoMore



AAC unanimously votes to add Wichita State for 2017-18 season, sources told @ESPN. Official announcement expected at noon ET