After looking at the WAC and how two of their top teams have a legitamate shot at a BCS bid (Fresno St. and Boise State), it's not hard to see which conference has more potential. The WAC (if it stays together) will benefit greatly now that its a smaller, more regional league. Actually, it is what the Sunbelt (right now) should aspire to be. The WAC will actually make noise come bowl season.

As for the Sunbelt, North Texas is still the team to beat. And... they've been getting beat. Their loss to FAU should be a red light. With the investment FAU is putting into their program (new domed stadium), and superior recruiting and coaching, FAU POTENTIALLY could be setting themselves up to be the bellcow of that league (and a BETTER alternative for CUSA IF CUSA ever needs another member).

The same holds true for Troy State. Actually, it could be argued that Troy State is NOW the top dog of that league. IMO, given their success and LOCATION (in the CUSA East region), Troy State could very well be the best available option for CUSA status (IF CUSA needed a member).

All things considered... North Texas' BEST hope is that Sunbelt continues to grow and CUSA NEVER needs to pick off one of their teams. Because... UNT doesn't have the grasp on that league that they once did.

It's too bad.

Because, their recent success HAD opened a window for them to keep progressing in a better league.

I agree, the WAC is a much better league. North Texas had nothing to lose by trying the WAC because even if the WAC gets raided by the MWC, North Texas can always come back to the Sun Belt. It's not like the Sun Belt would have been too proud to let them back in. Besides, North Texas could have travel partnered with Louisiana Tech. At least from a national perspective UNT could have said, "well, we suck but at least now we suck in better company". Now, North Texas sucks and they are still in the lowest Division 1-A conference.

Wow... two smack threads about a school that isn't in our conference. This one started by a guy who's a fan of TWO schools who are 0-2 with several blowouts mixed in. :rolleyes:

What's with the Green obsession around here? I think you'd better focus on your next game. I'm sure as hell more worried about Navy than the boys from Denton...

This thread does not belong on this board!

It has been moved.

Cane Gang Wrote:Wow... two smack threads about a school that isn't in our conference. This one started by a guy who's a fan of TWO schools who are 0-2 with several blowouts mixed in. :rolleyes:

Canefan - It wasn't a smack thread. You should really read up on the difference. It was a legitimate question concerning the landscape of conference athletics given the upsets during the first two weeks of the season (fau-Hawaii, fau-UNT, Troy-Missouri).

Smack talk is just flat out "We're better than you" talk.

Your post would be considered smack talk.

And to that, all I can say is it's no matter. Yes, both the schools I'll have graduated from will have been blown out in the first two weeks of the season. However, there are brighter days ahead. It's too bad that nobody sees that for Tulsa. Your inclusion into this league ran off one of our perrenial top teams.

Now, that's bad.

Coog2Knight518 Wrote:

Cane Gang Wrote:Wow... two smack threads about a school that isn't in our conference. This one started by a guy who's a fan of TWO schools who are 0-2 with several blowouts mixed in.  :rolleyes:

Canefan - It wasn't a smack thread. You should really read up on the difference. It was a legitimate question concerning the landscape of conference athletics given the upsets during the first two weeks of the season (fau-Hawaii, fau-UNT, Troy-Missouri).

Smack talk is just flat out "We're better than you" talk.

Your post would be considered smack talk.

And to that, all I can say is it's no matter. Yes, both the schools I'll have graduated from will have been blown out in the first two weeks of the season. However, there are brighter days ahead. It's too bad that nobody sees that for Tulsa. Your inclusion into this league ran off one of our perrenial top teams.

Now, that's bad.

Sorry, try again. I believe you're thinking about the school located about 30 miles due east of Frogville. :D

There are plenty of brighter days ahead for Tulsa. Unlike one of your alma maters, we're coming off a bowl season. And unlike your other alma mater, we've lost to two BCS teams this year and managed to keep the score respectable both times.

yeah, I read your original post again. Maybe not smack... slightly smackish, but probably not smack.

EDIT: Man, I can't wait to get the Coogs back on the schedule. We had a good thing going with you guys.

Cane Gang Wrote:EDIT: Man, I can't wait to get the Coogs back on the schedule. We had a good thing going with you guys.

You're just jealous 'cause you want uhmump to come talk smack on the Tulsa board. :D

charles Wrote:I agree, the WAC is a much better league. North Texas had nothing to lose by trying the WAC because even if the WAC gets raided by the MWC, North Texas can always come back to the Sun Belt. It's not like the Sun Belt would have been too proud to let them back in. Besides, North Texas could have travel partnered with Louisiana Tech. At least from a national perspective UNT could have said, "well, we suck but at least now we suck in better company". Now, North Texas sucks and they are still in the lowest Division 1-A conference.

Not anymore. According to the Saragin Ratings:



CONFERENCE CENTRAL MEAN SIMPLE AVERAGE TEAMS

1 ATLANTIC COAST (A) = 78.86 79.00 ( 1) 11
2 PAC-10 (A) = 78.47 78.69 ( 2) 10
3 BIG 12 (A) = 77.76 77.37 ( 3) 12
4 SOUTHEASTERN (A) = 76.84 75.91 ( 4) 12
5 BIG TEN (A) = 75.50 75.26 ( 5) 11
6 I-A INDEPENDENTS (A) = 73.29 73.29 ( 6) 2
7 MOUNTAIN WEST (A) = 70.79 71.56 ( 7) 8
8 BIG EAST (A) = 70.42 70.54 ( 8) 7
9 CONFERENCE USA (A) = 68.58 68.62 ( 9) 11
10 WESTERN ATHLETIC (A) = 66.98 68.15 ( 10) 10
11 SUN BELT (A) = 63.66 64.36 ( 11) 9
12 MID-AMERICAN (A) = 63.10 63.55 ( 12) 14

lauramac Wrote:

Cane Gang Wrote:EDIT: Man, I can't wait to get the Coogs back on the schedule. We had a good thing going with you guys. 

You're just jealous 'cause you want uhmump to come talk smack on the Tulsa board. :D

Could be... :D

CAJUNNATION Wrote:

charles Wrote:I agree, the WAC is a much better league.  North Texas had nothing to lose by trying the WAC because even if the WAC gets raided by the MWC, North Texas can always come back to the Sun Belt.  It's not like the Sun Belt would have been too proud to let them back in.  Besides, North Texas could have travel partnered with Louisiana Tech.  At least from a national perspective UNT could have said, "well, we suck but at least now we suck in better company".  Now, North Texas sucks and they are still in the lowest Division 1-A conference.

Not anymore. According to the Saragin Ratings:



CONFERENCE CENTRAL MEAN SIMPLE AVERAGE TEAMS

1 ATLANTIC COAST (A) = 78.86 79.00 ( 1) 11
2 PAC-10 (A) = 78.47 78.69 ( 2) 10
3 BIG 12 (A) = 77.76 77.37 ( 3) 12
4 SOUTHEASTERN (A) = 76.84 75.91 ( 4) 12
5 BIG TEN (A) = 75.50 75.26 ( 5) 11
6 I-A INDEPENDENTS (A) = 73.29 73.29 ( 6) 2
7 MOUNTAIN WEST (A) = 70.79 71.56 ( 7) 8
8 BIG EAST (A) = 70.42 70.54 ( 8) 7
9 CONFERENCE USA (A) = 68.58 68.62 ( 9) 11
10 WESTERN ATHLETIC (A) = 66.98 68.15 ( 10) 10
11 SUN BELT (A) = 63.66 64.36 ( 11) 9
12 MID-AMERICAN (A) = 63.10 63.55 ( 12) 14

<span style='font-family:Times'><span style='font-size:12pt;line-height:100%'><span style='color:blue'>You have to forgive him, CajunNation. He's a UTEP Miner fan. Most of those guys are so used to sucking year in and year out, they are delusioned to the idea that their suckdom is actually good and if there's something better it automaticallys sucks worse than them if it's newer.

That is the case with the Sun Belt. You know, as bad as everyone rags Louisiana-Monroe in the fact that they lost 31-0 to 14th-ranked Auburn, how can a UTEP fan even say the Sun Belt sucks after that team got embarrassed 41-9 against UNRANKED Arizona State! Thank goodness for pathetic 1-AA's like Weber, eh?</span></span></span>

True, the WAC - especially thanks to Fresno and Boise State - is looking good. However, remember a number of people here ragged on La. Tech for being "too proud" to go back to the Sun Belt; talked about their WAC travel budget, etc. Why would it be different for UNT?

Troy's and FAU's success bodes well for the Sun Belt and for UNT. Improving the overall strength of the conference improves the conference as a whole, which benefits the Mean Green's program. True, they might not win the title as often, but the league will have a better chance of landing another bowl tie-in with more strong teams, which will help UNT out as well. In addition, the better the conference looks, the better the champion looks - which includes UNT on those years they'll win it in the future. Remember Memphis' discussions about bringing in Tulsa to strengthen C-USA's hoops? Same deal.

Southern Miss Alum Wrote:True, the WAC - especially thanks to Fresno and Boise State - is looking good. However, remember a number of people here ragged on La. Tech for being "too proud" to go back to the Sun Belt; talked about their WAC travel budget, etc. Why would it be different for UNT?

Troy's and FAU's success bodes well for the Sun Belt and for UNT. Improving the overall strength of the conference improves the conference as a whole, which benefits the Mean Green's program. True, they might not win the title as often, but the league will have a better chance of landing another bowl tie-in with more strong teams, which will help UNT out as well. In addition, the better the conference looks, the better the champion looks - which includes UNT on those years they'll win it in the future. Remember Memphis' discussions about bringing in Tulsa to strengthen C-USA's hoops? Same deal.

Exactly!

read the latest hoops magazines.Tulsa slated to be at the bottom of the list for the WAC.ATholon stated that the program is on the way down.LaTech and Rice on the way up.Utep and Nevada at the top.So at least you got two decent basketball programs.

Beaux66 Wrote:read the latest hoops magazines.Tulsa slated to be at the bottom of the list for the WAC.ATholon stated that the program is on the way down.LaTech and Rice on the way up.Utep and Nevada at the top.So at least you got two decent basketball programs.

Don't be listenin' to no haters...