Interesting CUSA article

[Tech XXIX]

doesn't mention us since it is written by a Marshall writer. It is about the vision that the ECU AD has for CUSA.

http://www.dailymail.com/Sports/MUSports/200805190089

a couple of interesting notes:

1-ECU would rather play regional rivals than far strung conference members with no regional interest, tv games or money games.

2- a conference that operates two 9 team divisions that only play each other for conference championships.

3-This is driven because of only 1 NCAA credit in BB the last two years. Men's BB might be our ticket into CUSA.

[skilldawg]

doesn't mention us since it is written by a Marshall writer. It is about the vision that the ECU AD has for CUSA.

http://www.dailymail.com/Sports/MUSports/200805190089

a couple of interesting notes:

1-ECU would rather play regional rivals than far strung conference members with no regional interest, tv games or money games.

2- a conference that operates two 9 team divisions that only play each other for conference championships.

3-This is driven because of only 1 NCAA credit in BB the last two years. Men's BB might be our ticket into CUSA.

Men's basketball was, is and will be the key because Conference USA was is and will be primarily a men's basketball conference.

Obviously football matters but the way to get their attention is to show a committment to Men's Basketball along with an improving Football program.

[rebelboi]

We should stay where we are, the WAC is by far a superior conference. If the CUSA adds W. Kentucky, S. Alabama, and Middle Tennessee I still don't see how that would improve the conference.

[Soonerdawg]

We cannot stay in the WAC and survive.

[frogdog]

We can survive in the WAC, and it is the best ticket at this time. What we can not survive is the additude of our fans. We shoulc be able to fill seats no matter if the away team brings fans.

[CARTEK]

We cannot stay in the WAC and survive.

Long term...you are absolutely correct.

[FishingBack]

Long term...you are absolutely correct.

Yes, especially as Boise is itching to get into the MWC. They don't make a secret of it either.

[Reddawg]

We shoulc be able to fill seats no matter if the away team brings fans.

No way the casual Tech fan will come out for Idaho, Utah St, NMSU, etc. Not gonna happen. We need regional competition to get the average fan remotely intrested.

RD

[bluecrew]

We can survive in the WAC, and it is the best ticket at this time. What we can not survive is the additude of our fans. We shoulc be able to fill seats no matter if the away team brings fans.

It's going to take alot more than ticket sales to survive in the wac.

[Tech XXIX]

I think looking at the ECU scheduling model as one to follow is a good idea. They have 2-1 with regional rivals that produce large crowds. I think that we should be playing UL-L and UL-M. We must schedule Memphis, SO. Miss, Tulane and Texas CUSA schools even if it is a 2-1 deal in thier favor. These are regional games that offset the Idaho's, New Mexico St., Utah St. and San Jose St games in the WAC.

Fresno, Boise, and Hawaii tradiionally draw pretty good (20,000 +) the other schools don't and it doesn't matter how good we are.

[Tech XXIX]

I also think that we need to make sure that men's basketball has all the resources it needs to start getting to the tournament. That will be the key. This whole article was written because the ECU AD had to find ways to offset a drop in NCAA money. 1 bid leauges do not survive long with the travel cost of today.

[MoonPieBlue]

I think looking at the ECU scheduling model as one to follow is a good idea. They have 2-1 with regional rivals that produce large crowds. I think that we should be playing UL-L and UL-M. We must schedule Memphis, SO. Miss, Tulane and Texas CUSA schools even if it is a 2-1 deal in thier favor. These are regional games that offset the Idaho's, New Mexico St., Utah St. and San Jose St games in the WAC.

Fresno, Boise, and Hawaii tradiionally draw pretty good (20,000 +) the other schools don't and it doesn't matter how good we are.

I don't think ULL would draw a big crowd. I know it didn't in the past. If both schools were good that could change.

ULM and Tech would probably draw a big crowd at least initially. Interest would eventually begin to wain somewhat unless they were in the same conference.

I think other WAC games could draw a fairly big crowd, not as big as Fresno, Boise, and Hawaii; assuming that Tech was having a good season and in contention for the WAC title.

I imagine its hard to get Memphis, SO Miss, Tulane, and Texas CUSA schools to schedule us. They have a fairly packed conference schedule and probably want to either play a high-named team (either for money or possible recognition) or a rather weaker team (assuming that's not us) for an easy win.

[PawDawg]

We must schedule Memphis, SO. Miss, Tulane and Texas CUSA schools even if it is a 2-1 deal in thier favor.

Gimme some of what you are drinking!

[MoonPieBlue]

I also think that we need to make sure that men's basketball has all the resources it needs to start getting to the tournament. That will be the key. This whole article was written because the ECU AD had to find ways to offset a drop in NCAA money. 1 bid leauges do not survive long with the travel cost of today.

This I do agree with. While basketball is not my favorite sport, I do think this is one where we can make a big impact quickly. I didn't attend a game last year but am very excited about this year based upon the talent coming in.

[qng001]

We must schedule Memphis, SO. Miss, Tulane and Texas CUSA schools even if it is a 2-1 deal in thier favor.

Screw the 2-1 with those schools. If we can draw an SEC miss st for 1-1, we should be able to do the same with any non-BCS schools.