(02-28-2018 11:53 PM)Attackcoog Wrote:  

(02-28-2018 06:54 PM)Wedge Wrote:  That article has an extremely rosy MWC spin. Gonzaga's RPI is "dragged down" by the bottom of the WCC? The answer to that problem is not the bottom of the MWC: CSU at 215, AFA at 239, and SJSU at 304 is an extremely small "improvement" over Loyola at 260, Portland at 275, and Pepperdine at 325. "Assuming San Diego State, UNLV and New Mexico can return to their past levels" -- C'mon. They're all struggling now. Assuming that all of them will somehow start to win every year as much as they did in their best two or three years out of the past 20 or 30 years is not a reasonable assumption, it's just a dream. The best argument that you could make for the MWC over the WCC is that most of the MWC's bottom feeders at least have the ambition to become much better in men's hoops at some point in the future, whereas I don't know that you could say that about Portland or Pepperdine.

But if this ever did happen, then it would be another potential extinction event for the WAC. Seattle would undoubtedly move to the WCC if they have to replace the Zags.

Also, I know that we should never expect anyone to "do the right thing" in college sports, but if the MWC is really looking to add new members to beef up their basketball, NMSU should be on the list.

The key isnt the bottom of either conference. The key is the top. It allows 2 conferences with narrow tops to increase the number of quality RPI games during the conference season.

I just talked about this in the G5 reorganization thread. The point I was making it it makes sense for the top non-power basketball schools (especially the ones that dont play football) to coalesce as it will improve their "at large" chances by improving their conference schedule. It makes sense for the top programs (like BYU, VCU, Wichita, Gonzaga, etc) to join up with the best non-power league in thier side of the country. Say the top 2 or 3 non-football programs in the east join the AAC. The top two or 3 non-football playing basketball programs in the west would gravitate to the MW. Its the best way for the top non-power basketball programs to avoid a conference schedule that drags down thier resume.

To add to that it is pretty much proven that a Top 20 program which moves from one of those conferences will maintain it moving to the G5 conference. For example Wichita moving its ranked program directly to the AAC. A direct shot in the arm for the AAC.

But from the perspective of Wichita or Gonzaga its about ensuring long term survival of their athletic department being tied to an FBS conference. Conferences with national TV deals because they have FBS football and legitimate futures.

Is it time for the MAC to also think about its little mid-major region about possibly going to 16 in basketball to become multibid? SLU, Bradley, Loyola, Valpo to double down in the Chicago market? It could prevent Buffalo from leaving some day.