I'm not assuming it's between New Mexico State and Western Kentucky. I'm sure WKU is next. That's what we've been hearing for a while now.
What I am saying is that my personal preference for the next C-USA invite is New Mexico State. Why NM State?
- Every football, basketball, and baseball game is televised
- Solid men's basketball program
- Land-grant, Tier 1 national university
- Reduces travel costs as UTEP's travel partner
- No stench from the Belch
WKU wouldn't bring anything more to C-USA than NMSU. WKU's football program has a little more upside, but that's it. WKU doesn't produce all their games for TV, or at least I'm not aware of it if they do. WKU is located in a tiny market so they aren't an asset in TV negotiations or for conference exposure. WKU is a regional directional school, and those aren't the type of schools I like to be associated with. Their men's basketball programs are pretty comparable. Both NMSU and WKU have solid minor sports programs, but those don't really matter. However, there is no doubt that WKU is the best remaining athletic program in the Belch.
I don't think Benson will snatch up NMSU for all sports because they are too far out of the Belch's footprint.
Of course Reneau/Guice/BVDV should advocate for anybody but ULL. I certainly wouldn't want to touch ULL with a 10-foot pole. In no way should Tech ever want to be associated with ULL. I still don't think ULL is on C-USA's short list.
I don't think Texas State will get an invite until another Texas team leaves.
I don't think South Alabama will get an invite until UAB leaves.
I don't think ULL will get an invite until Tech leaves.
Maybe UTEP will keep New Mexico State out.
That leaves 1) Georgia State and 2)
Arkansas State sitting in good position to be next in line after WKU.
Of course the dynamics could change depending on which schools leave C-USA.
Just look at the map. Texas and Florida are the only states valuable enough to have more than one team in the conference, and Atlanta is very valuable.