I just hope CUSA fares well against the WAC. Most of the WAC school's names are not that well known to fans but some of these teams are more than capable of winning against the CUSA.

EDIT: Yes, I know the determination for the matchups came from NET ratings. I just prefer KenPom. Sue me.

KenPom rankings (as of 7/19/23)

48 Liberty - Home vs Grand Canyon (108), at Utah Valley (64)
73 Sam Houston - Home vs Utah Valley (64), at Grand Canyon (108)
116 MTSU - Home vs SFA (132), at Southern Utah (111)
123 Kennesaw - Not part of CUSA until next year
165 La Tech - Home vs Southern Utah (111), at Seattle U (141)
173 WKU - Home vs Abilene Christian (193), at Cal Baptist (155)
178 UTEP - Home vs Seattle U (141), at Abilene Christian (193)
187 NMSU - Home vs Cal Baptist (155), at SFA (132)
210 FIU - Home vs Tarleton (163), at Utah Tech (146)
233 Jax State - Home vs Utah Tech (146), at Tarleton State (163)

From the WAC, UT Arlington (241) and UTRGV (246) are not participating in the Alliance this season.

(07-19-2023 02:29 PM)NMSUPistolPete Wrote:  I just hope CUSA fares well against the WAC. Most of the WAC school's names are not that well known to fans but some of these teams are more than capable of winning against the CUSA.

That's the truth right there. The WAC was a brutal mid major basketball conference who can go toe to toe with CUSA. Teams to watch for: UVU, GCU, SFA, Seattle and ACU. All of those teams are capable of winning big against CUSA teams. I was really hoping Sam Houston would get to avoid GCU but nope. We were given UVU at home and away at GCU.

(07-19-2023 03:40 PM)Bearkat21 Wrote:  

(07-19-2023 02:29 PM)NMSUPistolPete Wrote:  I just hope CUSA fares well against the WAC. Most of the WAC school's names are not that well known to fans but some of these teams are more than capable of winning against the CUSA.

That's the truth right there. The WAC was a brutal mid major basketball conference who can go toe to toe with CUSA. Teams to watch for: UVU, GCU, SFA, Seattle and ACU. All of those teams are capable of winning big against CUSA teams. I was really hoping Sam Houston would get to avoid GCU but nope. We were given UVU at home and away at GCU.

My only real concern with this alliance was the lack of fan interest for teams in the East that are unfamiliar with the WAC programs. This should be an absolute win in terms of NET ratings. Hopefully we have so good games that showcase to fans that these opponents are better than playing DII/III games.

(07-20-2023 07:09 AM)freshtop Wrote:  My only real concern with this alliance was the lack of fan interest for teams in the East that are unfamiliar with the WAC programs. This should be an absolute win in terms of NET ratings. Hopefully we have so good games that showcase to fans that these opponents are better than playing DII/III games.

Agree 100% with all of the above.

With the exception of the most devoted of college basketball followers, Jax State's home game against Utah Tech likely won't generate much fan buzz. Even if they hadn't recently changed the school's name, I think most casual fans would've thought "Dixie State" was a small JUCO or D-II in Mississippi or some place.

Jax State *might* have more name recognition with *slightly* more fans at our away game at Tarleton, only because a few of their fans might've looked into CUSA teams due to all the realignment rumors and speculation. Even then, I'm sure most of their casual fans will think we're a D-II in Florida.

But those of us paying attention are absolutely thrilled with both matchups, especially given how underwhelming our 2022-2023 season was. This will be a great opportunity to regain some lost ground in our NET ratings before the conference grind begins.

And what a grind it will be.

(07-19-2023 03:40 PM)Bearkat21 Wrote:  

(07-19-2023 02:29 PM)NMSUPistolPete Wrote:  I just hope CUSA fares well against the WAC. Most of the WAC school's names are not that well known to fans but some of these teams are more than capable of winning against the CUSA.

That's the truth right there. The WAC was a brutal mid major basketball conference who can go toe to toe with CUSA. Teams to watch for: UVU, GCU, SFA, Seattle and ACU. All of those teams are capable of winning big against CUSA teams. I was really hoping Sam Houston would get to avoid GCU but nope. We were given UVU at home and away at GCU.

Guess we get to take turns taking care of GCU & UVU

(07-20-2023 11:51 AM)Keswick_Crusaders_Forever51 Wrote:  

(07-19-2023 03:40 PM)Bearkat21 Wrote:  

(07-19-2023 02:29 PM)NMSUPistolPete Wrote:  I just hope CUSA fares well against the WAC. Most of the WAC school's names are not that well known to fans but some of these teams are more than capable of winning against the CUSA.

That's the truth right there. The WAC was a brutal mid major basketball conference who can go toe to toe with CUSA. Teams to watch for: UVU, GCU, SFA, Seattle and ACU. All of those teams are capable of winning big against CUSA teams. I was really hoping Sam Houston would get to avoid GCU but nope. We were given UVU at home and away at GCU.

Guess we get to take turns taking care of GCU & UVU

hopefully Liberty and SHSU will be going 2-0 against the WAC.

(07-20-2023 12:39 PM)Bearkat21 Wrote:  

(07-20-2023 11:51 AM)Keswick_Crusaders_Forever51 Wrote:  

(07-19-2023 03:40 PM)Bearkat21 Wrote:  

(07-19-2023 02:29 PM)NMSUPistolPete Wrote:  I just hope CUSA fares well against the WAC. Most of the WAC school's names are not that well known to fans but some of these teams are more than capable of winning against the CUSA.

That's the truth right there. The WAC was a brutal mid major basketball conference who can go toe to toe with CUSA. Teams to watch for: UVU, GCU, SFA, Seattle and ACU. All of those teams are capable of winning big against CUSA teams. I was really hoping Sam Houston would get to avoid GCU but nope. We were given UVU at home and away at GCU.

Guess we get to take turns taking care of GCU & UVU

hopefully Liberty and SHSU will be going 2-0 against the WAC.

4-0. Unless you mean, EACH of you goes 2-0.

I know. I know. I just felt like being THAT guy. It's been a long day.

WKU Fans are thrilled to travel cross country to play Cal Baptist and then home vs a school called Abliene Tech, great job Judy!

OMG, just wait until the Kennesaw joins!

Women’s matchups included here

(07-20-2023 07:09 AM)freshtop Wrote:  

(07-19-2023 03:40 PM)Bearkat21 Wrote:  

(07-19-2023 02:29 PM)NMSUPistolPete Wrote:  I just hope CUSA fares well against the WAC. Most of the WAC school's names are not that well known to fans but some of these teams are more than capable of winning against the CUSA.

That's the truth right there. The WAC was a brutal mid major basketball conference who can go toe to toe with CUSA. Teams to watch for: UVU, GCU, SFA, Seattle and ACU. All of those teams are capable of winning big against CUSA teams. I was really hoping Sam Houston would get to avoid GCU but nope. We were given UVU at home and away at GCU.

My only real concern with this alliance was the lack of fan interest for teams in the East that are unfamiliar with the WAC programs. This should be an absolute win in terms of NET ratings. Hopefully we have so good games that showcase to fans that these opponents are better than playing DII/III games.

True, and same could be said about many non conference opponents who teams might actually be able to schedule at home. Some of those opponents end up being being pretty random to fans, with the analytics side of scheduling deciding who was contacted based on likely NET etc.

Agreements like this definitely take some of the pressure off of scheduling. And it “buys” a home game without throwing away money to get a SWAC, MEAC, or Southland type of team with a 300+ NET to come play.

What is the upside for us? I care little for anything the WAC does and I'm not alone. I can see upside for the WAC since FBS teams have more of a brand.

(07-24-2023 07:50 AM)Curtisc83 Wrote:  What is the upside for us? I care little for anything the WAC does and I'm not alone. I can see upside for the WAC since FBS teams have more of a brand.

The upside for cusa teams is playing 2 more opponents that can be good for NET rankings rather than filling out the schedule with div 2 or 3 teams. These 2 conferences are ranked fairly close.

(07-19-2023 01:47 PM)PredatorUTEP Wrote:  Would have preferred different opponents, but it's better than what Golding would have filled with those spots.

The game at ACU is good for ticket sales for them since we took their coach. The Seattle game at UTEP reminds me that UTEP (Texas Western ) had only 1 loss during the 1966 National Championship year and it was at Seattle the last game of the regular season. Not many will remember or care about that but they still have a good team.

(07-24-2023 07:50 AM)Curtisc83 Wrote:  What is the upside for us? I care little for anything the WAC does and I'm not alone. I can see upside for the WAC since FBS teams have more of a brand.

I think his point here is--from a fan perception-- this is NOT interesting for most fans in the EAST.

(07-24-2023 10:23 AM)TOPSTRAIGHT Wrote:  

(07-24-2023 07:50 AM)Curtisc83 Wrote:  What is the upside for us? I care little for anything the WAC does and I'm not alone. I can see upside for the WAC since FBS teams have more of a brand.

I think his point here is--from a fan perception-- this is NOT interesting for most fans in the EAST.

I do live in the Midwest now but I would be considered a fan from the east. And yes this is from a fan perspective. To me its like if we filled up our FB schedules with FCS teams of a particular conference for an alliance. Its obvious I won't be watching any of those WAC games and many won't. I just can't see the entertainment value playing against a for-profit school in BB.

(07-24-2023 09:24 AM)MinerInWisconsin Wrote:  

(07-24-2023 07:50 AM)Curtisc83 Wrote:  What is the upside for us? I care little for anything the WAC does and I'm not alone. I can see upside for the WAC since FBS teams have more of a brand.

The upside for cusa teams is playing 2 more opponents that can be good for NET rankings rather than filling out the schedule with div 2 or 3 teams. These 2 conferences are ranked fairly close.

What are we in math class or something? I like the idea of having good teams and exciting games and not trying to play Moneyball to squeeze as much as humanly possible out of NET rankings...LOL

(07-24-2023 11:12 AM)Curtisc83 Wrote:  

(07-24-2023 10:23 AM)TOPSTRAIGHT Wrote:  

(07-24-2023 07:50 AM)Curtisc83 Wrote:  What is the upside for us? I care little for anything the WAC does and I'm not alone. I can see upside for the WAC since FBS teams have more of a brand.

I think his point here is--from a fan perception-- this is NOT interesting for most fans in the EAST.

I do live in the Midwest now but I would be considered a fan from the east. And yes this is from a fan perspective. To me its like if we filled up our FB schedules with FCS teams of a particular conference for an alliance. Its obvious I won't be watching any of those WAC games and many won't. I just can't see the entertainment value playing against a for-profit school in BB.

I don’t see any entertainment value in playing your bible thumping diploma mill, nor would I like to at all, but I can see the athletic value it brings.

Acting like NET ratings don’t matter is ignorant. This isn’t about the fans, half of us don’t have any. It isn’t about “entertainment value”. It’s about getting two D1 games that otherwise, at least in SH’s case, would be home games against NAIA schools. Having “good teams” and being respected nationally and getting at large bids goes hand in hand with NET ratings.

Your football scheduling comparison is dumb. The WAC is close to, or on par with CUSA in hoops. It’s a solid mid-major league, better than the Sun Belt, MAC or ASUN. We’re playing teams of similar stature from a similar conference. And it’s two games.

I’m not sure how you can’t see a few positives that come out of this for CUSA, even if it doesn’t really benefit Liberty much.

Instead of playing Sam Houston, I was hoping one of the old guard CUSA schools would get to travel to GCU and meet the Havoc. GCU puts on a big production at every game. GCU is a master at marketing its' school.