I can't argue with that logic. No one in Alabama cares about UAB except for their medical school. That being said, they have a storied history with most of the folks in the AAC,. They are on the upswing in a large market and would fit in either the East or West. We only make sense to the southwest schools and our growth since joining CUSA has not been optimal. We compete well athletically, but a poor economy and lackluster attendance have hindered any major growth. USM has the same flaws we do but they have a long history with those folks. I guess I am still holding out hope that we are prepared for a more geographically acceptable alternative in the mid-to-near future.
We've wasted years of potential growth in fan base and grass roots giving by 1) putting too much focus on a non-revenue sport and 2) making bad AD hires, but particularly in KEEPING a couple of those ADs too long. The current AD is leading us backwards, but many of our fans refuse to acknowledge the evidence of shrinking crowds and LTAC giving.
Can't argue with that either. I was a season ticket holder for several years but haven't had them the last two seasons. Our current AD doesn't give a crap about me or any of the fans like me. That's a symptom of mismanagement. How many out there are in the same boat? AAC is going to breeze right on through our resume without much thought. The assumption that we are a small public school in a poor state with very little market is enough to disqualify us from contention. Because we haven't been exceptional is why we are doomed for failure. Louisiana Tech has been a classic choke artist since my days on campus. We only win when it doesn't matter. Bowl games? Check. 20 win Basketball Seasons? Check. 30+ win baseball seasons? Check. Winning Conference Titles or making NCAA sanctioned postseasons? FAIL,FAIL,FAIL....
WAC loses anotherUMKC accepts invite to return to Summit League
WAC is losing UMKC in 20-21 and gaining Dixie State (not from the South! They are in Utah). UTRGV, Chicago State & Seattle U are all on their own island.UMKC will give the Summit League 10 schools, joining Denver, Purdue University Fort Wayne, North Dakota, North Dakota State, Nebraska Omaha, Oral Roberts; South Dakota, South Dakota State and Western Illinois.
Wow. . . ChiState is farther east than LATech was.
Louisiana Tech University
Flagship of the University of Louisiana System
If/when Rice goes to the AAC, the CUSA would not be acceptable for us anymore. There would be seven football independents - Army, BYU, Liberty, NMSU, ND, UConn, and UMass. Could we not convince these nine teams to form a conference?
LATech
USM
UNT
UTSA
UConn (football only - Big East)
UMass (prolly football only - A10)
Army
Liberty
One other team
For football:
Play one or two SEC road games every year.
Set up two 2-3's with AAC schools and host one SWAC school two out of every five years
Set up a 1-1 with WKU/MTSU/UAB ocassionally
(Win, win, win, and increase the endowment to become the next member of the AAC.)
Bring in two more schools for basketball only (if possible). Maybe the others would accept UALR for example. For OOC basketball, schedule home and homes with SFA, USL, WKU, Missouri State, UAB, MTSU, etc. Play a couple of tournaments to start the year and at Christmas.
If the new conference doesn't work for basketball, join the Southland or whatever other local conference will have us.
According to some of the Rice folks, their admin feel that a geographical shift is eventually going to happen. We will end up with new conferences all together once the AAC ascends or falters. Personally, I would just assume take the CUSA West, add NMSU, Arky State, Texas State and start over. The AAC has already stated that they will stick to 11 which is the smart move if they think none of us can add value. A one bid football league is the best we can hope for right now. Why not make it more enjoyable.
New South Conference
1. Tech
2. Southern Miss
3. UAB
4. Arkansas State
5. Rice
6. North Texas
7. Texas State
8. UTSA
9. Texas State
10. New Mexico State
I bet the AAC will pick a new member that isnt scared of losing to nlu.
I've seen articles they want Army or BYU. I don't know if it will happen.
11 is a good number for basketball, except for someone not having a travel partner (10 game round robin if you go to 20 conference games). They already have Navy as football only, so Army would be a good fit. BYU would be good for football only (the WCC is better for their Olympic sports). But I think BYU can earn more from ESPN being Independent.
Report: Army, BYU ‘top candidates’ to replace UConn in AAC
At some point this week, it’s expected UConn will confirm that its non-football sports will be leaving the American Athletic ...
NBC Sports3h
UConn will probably go Independent and face UMass, Liberty & NMSU annually.
They can probably get H/H with BC (already have one scheduled). MAC teams will probably be willing to do H/H.
They'll probably have 2-3 $$$ Games like we used to have.
Here's what their schedules would probably look like
FCS
P5 $$$
P5 $$$
P5 H/H or 2-for-1
MAC H/H
MAC H/H
C-USA H/H
C-USA H/H
Army
UMass
NMSU
Liberty (they are full until 2023)