...seems like there was scuttlebutt about a year ago - when Army ended up joining - that VCU, and perhaps a few more (St. Louis, Dayton) could be a possibilty to join the AAC... Not sure as to their 'overall value', but would definitely help out the league's profile in bball...

UMASS basketball to the MAC?

No way.

Wow. Thats unreal.

UMASS was a national brand in 1995 and now they are playing Toledo in basketball.

Thats really really sad for UMASS fans.

(02-26-2024 05:59 PM)GreenFreakUAB Wrote:  ...seems like there was scuttlebutt about a year ago - when Army ended up joining - that VCU, and perhaps a few more (St. Louis, Dayton) could be a possibilty to join the AAC... Not sure as to their 'overall value', but would definitely help out the league's profile in bball...

Offer those three immediately as a package deal. AAC instantly becomes a top 6-7 basketball conference worthy of 3-5 bids each year.

(02-26-2024 06:00 PM)panicstricken Wrote:  UMASS basketball to the MAC?

No way.

...yeah, a bit of a head-scratcher in terms of UMass b-ball... ...on the other hand, should be a stout fave to get the MAC autobid in most seasons, although there have been some decent teams from the MAC here and there... Toledo had some good years recently, I believe...

EDIT - just saw your second post about Toledo... er... ...yeah, the MAC isn't known for the roundball...

(02-26-2024 06:14 PM)Owls9878 Wrote:  

(02-26-2024 05:59 PM)GreenFreakUAB Wrote:  ...seems like there was scuttlebutt about a year ago - when Army ended up joining - that VCU, and perhaps a few more (St. Louis, Dayton) could be a possibilty to join the AAC... Not sure as to their 'overall value', but would definitely help out the league's profile in bball...

Offer those three immediately as a package deal. AAC instantly becomes a top 6-7 basketball conference worthy of 3-5 bids each year.

...yep, could be Aresco's final move for his legacy... I'm good with it...

Unfortunately I don’t think basketball adds enough to bring in teams. With that said adding three from
Dayton, Richmond, VCU and Loyola Chicago to go to 16 in basketball would be nice.

(02-26-2024 06:53 PM)Cubanbull1 Wrote:  Unfortunately I don’t think basketball adds enough to bring in teams. With that said adding three from
Dayton, Richmond, VCU and Loyola Chicago to go to 16 in basketball would be nice.

St. Louis would need to come before Richmond or Loyola. It’s a moot point because they’d need to pay for themselves in the media deal and only Dayton could really do that.

(02-28-2024 07:48 AM)aTxTIGER Wrote:  

(02-26-2024 06:53 PM)Cubanbull1 Wrote:  Unfortunately I don’t think basketball adds enough to bring in teams. With that said adding three from
Dayton, Richmond, VCU and Loyola Chicago to go to 16 in basketball would be nice.

St. Louis would need to come before Richmond or Loyola. It’s a moot point because they’d need to pay for themselves in the media deal and only Dayton could really do that.

Vcu probably can too.

Richmond, Loyola, and slu I doubt.

I think VCU would be the most likely to come, if anyone came. The Catholic schools have Big East aspirations, realistic or not.

Who’s to say that teams would not join the AAC for the same money they are making in the A10? We could use some of our exit fee warchest to help them with the exit fees.

It would strengthen the league in hoops, for sure. I would go after VCU, Dayton and St. Louis if I were Aresco.

(02-28-2024 09:33 PM)Ned Low Wrote:  Who’s to say that teams would not join the AAC for the same money they are making in the A10? We could use some of our exit fee warchest to help them with the exit fees.

It would strengthen the league in hoops, for sure. I would go after VCU, Dayton and St. Louis if I were Aresco.

They can make the same as Wichita its like 3m a year. They make a couple tourneys every 4 years or a run in one every four years and they have paid for themselves. Dayton and VCU are both capable of that maybe SLU though its a gamble.

(02-28-2024 10:34 PM)Foreverandever Wrote:  

(02-28-2024 09:33 PM)Ned Low Wrote:  Who’s to say that teams would not join the AAC for the same money they are making in the A10? We could use some of our exit fee warchest to help them with the exit fees.

It would strengthen the league in hoops, for sure. I would go after VCU, Dayton and St. Louis if I were Aresco.

They can make the same as Wichita its like 3m a year. They make a couple tourneys every 4 years or a run in one every four years and they have paid for themselves. Dayton and VCU are both capable of that maybe SLU though its a gamble.

But do they want to leave a league that's at least equal, if not stronger, and give up games against established regional rivals. And do they want to be in a league where basketball isn't the priority.

(02-28-2024 10:41 PM)BlazintheAtl1 Wrote:  

(02-28-2024 10:34 PM)Foreverandever Wrote:  

(02-28-2024 09:33 PM)Ned Low Wrote:  Who’s to say that teams would not join the AAC for the same money they are making in the A10? We could use some of our exit fee warchest to help them with the exit fees.

It would strengthen the league in hoops, for sure. I would go after VCU, Dayton and St. Louis if I were Aresco.

They can make the same as Wichita its like 3m a year. They make a couple tourneys every 4 years or a run in one every four years and they have paid for themselves. Dayton and VCU are both capable of that maybe SLU though its a gamble.

But do they want to leave a league that's at least equal, if not stronger, and give up games against established regional rivals. And do they want to be in a league where basketball isn't the priority.

I assume you mean isn't THE priority. We're talking Dayton what regional rivals would they be leaving? SLU I guess maybe Loyola? VCU actually has some, but the money is significant and VCU gets some close opponents still in ECU, Charlotte (old A10) and Temple. Better exposure, better money, better seeds, and normally better basketball. Not a slam dunk and the non-football may be an issue, but this is definitely something that is possible.

I would love to see VCU and Dayton join. Without football, what's best for WSU is the strongest basketball conference we can get. Assuming we actually improve our program from it's current state.

(02-29-2024 09:41 AM)CollegeHillShocker Wrote:  I would love to see VCU and Dayton join. Without football, what's best for WSU is the strongest basketball conference we can get. Assuming we actually improve our program from it's current state.

I would love to be in a conference with Dayton again. Memphis and UAB were in the Great Midwest with Dayton back in the 90s. I dont think Dayton goes anywhere however. They are waiting for UCONN to join another conference and see if they can get a Big East invite.

Dayton and VCU are no brainers, IMO. If their addition can be done, it should be done.

I like SLU as an add

Dont really care about the others

(02-26-2024 06:00 PM)panicstricken Wrote:  UMASS basketball to the MAC?

No way.

It's official, we are putting football first and both the Football and Basketball NIls are doing fine. Infact with this move, believe the basketball NIL is gaining members at a good clip supporting basketball.

Quote:The University of Massachusetts has accepted an invitation to join the Mid-American Conference (MAC) as a full member, beginning on July 1, 2025.

A press conference will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, March 7 in the Hunt Room at the Football Performance Center (see details below).

"As one of the nation's leading public research universities, with a rich tradition of intercollegiate athletics, UMass Amherst is well suited to join the similarly situated institutions of the Mid-American Conference," said Chancellor Javier A. Reyes. "We are aligned with the MAC in our institutional missions, our values, and the profound impact we have on our respective communities. We join the MAC with great enthusiasm knowing that this affiliation through athletics will elevate and extend the profile and exposure of both UMass Amherst and all members of the MAC's member institutions significantly."

Massachusetts will compete in the Mid-American Conference in baseball, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's cross country, field hockey, football, men's and women's indoor/outdoor track & field, women's lacrosse, women's soccer, softball, men's and women's swimming and diving, women's tennis. The Massachusetts hockey program will remain in the Hockey East Association moving forward.

More information will become available in the coming months regarding future conference membership plans for the UMass men's soccer, men's lacrosse and women's rowing programs.

All UMass sports currently competing in the Atlantic 10 will remain in the Atlantic 10 through the 2024-2025 academic year and maintain eligibility to compete for conference championships and NCAA postseason play. Massachusetts football will continue as an FBS independent program for the 2024 season.

"Our entire athletics program will benefit greatly by aligning and partnering with the Mid-American conference and its member institutions," said Director of Athletics Ryan Bamford. "As we consider our future in a very challenging and choppy college athletics landscape, having conference peers with similar institutional profiles, aspirations and commitments toward athletics excellence will provide stability and strength. Furthermore, our transition to the MAC will provide additional resources allowing our department to evolve and grow in a manner that will support student academic success and competitive excellence," Bamford added.

https://umassathletics.com/news/2024/2/2...ull-member

I still believe we should have added UMass..
They are jus such a perfect fit in this conference. I think football will improve and basketball will continue to get better under Frank Martin.