(11-27-2023 11:28 PM)inutech Wrote:  

(11-27-2023 10:56 PM)Fresno St. Alum Wrote:  

(11-27-2023 06:27 PM)inutech Wrote:  

(11-27-2023 06:14 PM)msm96wolf Wrote:  

(11-27-2023 06:06 PM)inutech Wrote:  Why would we even consider that? What would be the upside?

Why would anyone add just UMass and UConn football?

I think your commissioner would like it, did not say the fans would. Again, I have no dogs in this fight.

But even then, why? Why would that be good for the commissioner? It's not helpful in the event of future realignment (you need full members). It doesn't help on-field strength. It is bad for travel (not that the conference office cares about that).

I guess you could get a higher total media deal, maybe even enough more to offset two more members. Is that the thinking?

I told you 12 was a lock back when you had 9. 14 is the new 12. There's a more than 50% chance they add a Texas fcs school and another fcs to get to 14 in a couple yrs or to back fill any early ACC exits causing dominos in the AAC, etc...

For La Tech, you hope Georgia St. goes to the AAC in that case and you guys get a chance at their spot in the SBC. But I'd have MTSU, WKU higher on the SBC list.

12 is better than 14 or 11 and not that much worse than 9 in a vacuum. The issue is this 11 (and 12 once we do that) won't belong together. It's the wrong 12 (for each other, not just for us).

And if a SB-East team leaves they aren't replacing them in the west. Georgia State leaving doesn't help us at all. Because their divisions make sense.

Well they could go to 16 or hope for the MWC to eventually go to 16 w/ Texas St.

(11-27-2023 06:04 PM)msm96wolf Wrote:  Not that I have dogs in this fight, but I just have a feeling CUSA will go to 14 football and 12 basketball.

Delaware and Tarleton St from FCS

UMASS and UCONN Football only

Not saying it is good or bad, just seems where it is heading. Three NE football teams and Texas

LIKE ^^^

A big fat NO from me on UMASS and a bigger one on UCONN FB-only.

(11-27-2023 02:23 PM)inutech Wrote:  

(11-27-2023 02:17 PM)ChrisLords Wrote:  I voted UConn. Even though you don't get UConn's valuable sports, they are a pretty big name for the collection of CUSA schools to associate with.

In football? You're talking about just football? The "pretty big name" of UConn football?

Universally known for awful. Huge name for stink.

(11-27-2023 02:24 PM)UofMstateU Wrote:  Why dont CUSA and the sunbelt merge, then add Uconn and Umass since those conference just HAVE to have Uconn and Umass on their schedule.

No thanks

(11-27-2023 02:24 PM)UofMstateU Wrote:  Why dont CUSA and the sunbelt merge, then add Uconn and Umass since those conference just HAVE to have Uconn and Umass on their schedule.

Uh NO

(11-27-2023 05:53 PM)bill dazzle Wrote:  

(11-27-2023 05:41 PM)MattBrownEP Wrote:  I will be very, very surprised if it isn't UMass.

I hope you are proved correct, MB.

Call me clueless, but I think UMass would bring a good bit to the table for C-USA. It's a flagship university with a $1.1 billion endowment. UMass offers a solid men's hoops history and previously offered strong FCS football. It's a "known" quantity that would provide C-USA with some cache.

They have made the NCAA tournament once since 1998. Their glory years were under Calipari and his Final Four was vacated. So I’m not too excited about their basketball program. And while UCONN has had some success at the FBS level, UMASS has consistently sucked.

(11-27-2023 03:07 PM)inutech Wrote:  

(11-27-2023 02:48 PM)army56mike Wrote:  a. UMass

I know we've gone around and around on all of this and clearly don't have the same priorities or interests, but I just can't understand this. Is it just "we were indy-buds together" good memories?

What is appealing about being in a conference with UMass?

Do you think their addition just gives us the best chance at the highest total media deal? Is it about the potential media money only? I guess the financial wager makes the most (conceivable) sense to me even if I'd really want to see the numbers before getting all excited (ok, I wouldn't be excited even then because of all the other stuff). I'd still disagree but "they are the most likely to make my school more money" at least makes sense to me.

Or is it like a personal thing because you travel there or something?

I can't imagine Liberty recruits much in that area (for students or athletes).


I'm really not trolling or trying to be the always negative poster that you (incorrectly) think that I am. I am truly curious. I can't see the appeal.

They are a big state school. Yes. But they are also far away and not good at football (without what looks to me like a super-big upside to improve in football that I can see). They haven't been good in basketball in like ten years. They don't seem to be great at baseball. There isn't a way to ask this without looking like I'm trashing UMass (especially given my school's recent on-field struggles), but that really isn't my intention. I just don't see why you can't have fond feelings for them or even root for them without wanting to share a conference. That's allowed! Heck, I'd cheer for them against just about any P5 school.

Is it that you would rather play UMass than NMSU or UTEP?

What is the appeal? Why are you so high on the minutemen?

UMass spends much more than the average CUSA school. This is usually an indicator as to their potential.

UMass was able to strike an independent media deal with ESPN. This is usually an indicator they have some potential to increase a conference media deal, relatively speaking.

UMass adds new territory to the conference, we have seen this is important to the modern conference for various reasons.

UMass was one of the most successful FCS programs and has had coaching troubles in FBS, which has been pointed out by their posters. Mark Whipple was prematurely fired during his rebuild, for instance.

Their basketball coach took SC to the Final Four, so I definitely think they have potential there.

CUSA has already indicated they aren't afraid to stretch the footprint with quality programs. Travel from your POV is overblown here; UMass would be taking on the travel burden, but they may only have the minimum for full membership, as one poster pointed out.

(11-28-2023 08:03 AM)esayem Wrote:  

(11-27-2023 03:07 PM)inutech Wrote:  

(11-27-2023 02:48 PM)army56mike Wrote:  a. UMass

I know we've gone around and around on all of this and clearly don't have the same priorities or interests, but I just can't understand this. Is it just "we were indy-buds together" good memories?

What is appealing about being in a conference with UMass?

Do you think their addition just gives us the best chance at the highest total media deal? Is it about the potential media money only? I guess the financial wager makes the most (conceivable) sense to me even if I'd really want to see the numbers before getting all excited (ok, I wouldn't be excited even then because of all the other stuff). I'd still disagree but "they are the most likely to make my school more money" at least makes sense to me.

Or is it like a personal thing because you travel there or something?

I can't imagine Liberty recruits much in that area (for students or athletes).


I'm really not trolling or trying to be the always negative poster that you (incorrectly) think that I am. I am truly curious. I can't see the appeal.

They are a big state school. Yes. But they are also far away and not good at football (without what looks to me like a super-big upside to improve in football that I can see). They haven't been good in basketball in like ten years. They don't seem to be great at baseball. There isn't a way to ask this without looking like I'm trashing UMass (especially given my school's recent on-field struggles), but that really isn't my intention. I just don't see why you can't have fond feelings for them or even root for them without wanting to share a conference. That's allowed! Heck, I'd cheer for them against just about any P5 school.

Is it that you would rather play UMass than NMSU or UTEP?

What is the appeal? Why are you so high on the minutemen?

UMass spends much more than the average CUSA school. This is usually an indicator as to their potential.

UMass was able to strike an independent media deal with ESPN. This is usually an indicator they have some potential to increase a conference media deal, relatively speaking.

UMass adds new territory to the conference, we have seen this is important to the modern conference for various reasons.

UMass was one of the most successful FCS programs and has had coaching troubles in FBS, which has been pointed out by their posters. Mark Whipple was prematurely fired during his rebuild, for instance.

Their basketball coach took SC to the Final Four, so I definitely think they have potential there.

CUSA has already indicated they aren't afraid to stretch the footprint with quality programs. Travel from your POV is overblown here; UMass would be taking on the travel burden, but they may only have the minimum for full membership, as one poster pointed out.

Would you support them joining the ACC?

(11-28-2023 08:34 AM)AssKickingChicken Wrote:  

(11-28-2023 08:03 AM)esayem Wrote:  

(11-27-2023 03:07 PM)inutech Wrote:  

(11-27-2023 02:48 PM)army56mike Wrote:  a. UMass

I know we've gone around and around on all of this and clearly don't have the same priorities or interests, but I just can't understand this. Is it just "we were indy-buds together" good memories?

What is appealing about being in a conference with UMass?

Do you think their addition just gives us the best chance at the highest total media deal? Is it about the potential media money only? I guess the financial wager makes the most (conceivable) sense to me even if I'd really want to see the numbers before getting all excited (ok, I wouldn't be excited even then because of all the other stuff). I'd still disagree but "they are the most likely to make my school more money" at least makes sense to me.

Or is it like a personal thing because you travel there or something?

I can't imagine Liberty recruits much in that area (for students or athletes).


I'm really not trolling or trying to be the always negative poster that you (incorrectly) think that I am. I am truly curious. I can't see the appeal.

They are a big state school. Yes. But they are also far away and not good at football (without what looks to me like a super-big upside to improve in football that I can see). They haven't been good in basketball in like ten years. They don't seem to be great at baseball. There isn't a way to ask this without looking like I'm trashing UMass (especially given my school's recent on-field struggles), but that really isn't my intention. I just don't see why you can't have fond feelings for them or even root for them without wanting to share a conference. That's allowed! Heck, I'd cheer for them against just about any P5 school.

Is it that you would rather play UMass than NMSU or UTEP?

What is the appeal? Why are you so high on the minutemen?

UMass spends much more than the average CUSA school. This is usually an indicator as to their potential.

UMass was able to strike an independent media deal with ESPN. This is usually an indicator they have some potential to increase a conference media deal, relatively speaking.

UMass adds new territory to the conference, we have seen this is important to the modern conference for various reasons.

UMass was one of the most successful FCS programs and has had coaching troubles in FBS, which has been pointed out by their posters. Mark Whipple was prematurely fired during his rebuild, for instance.

Their basketball coach took SC to the Final Four, so I definitely think they have potential there.

CUSA has already indicated they aren't afraid to stretch the footprint with quality programs. Travel from your POV is overblown here; UMass would be taking on the travel burden, but they may only have the minimum for full membership, as one poster pointed out.

Would you support them joining the ACC?

Nice try, but they don't spend much more than the average ACC member. Apples/oranges etc

(11-28-2023 08:03 AM)esayem Wrote:  

(11-27-2023 03:07 PM)inutech Wrote:  

(11-27-2023 02:48 PM)army56mike Wrote:  a. UMass

I know we've gone around and around on all of this and clearly don't have the same priorities or interests, but I just can't understand this. Is it just "we were indy-buds together" good memories?

What is appealing about being in a conference with UMass?

Do you think their addition just gives us the best chance at the highest total media deal? Is it about the potential media money only? I guess the financial wager makes the most (conceivable) sense to me even if I'd really want to see the numbers before getting all excited (ok, I wouldn't be excited even then because of all the other stuff). I'd still disagree but "they are the most likely to make my school more money" at least makes sense to me.

Or is it like a personal thing because you travel there or something?

I can't imagine Liberty recruits much in that area (for students or athletes).


I'm really not trolling or trying to be the always negative poster that you (incorrectly) think that I am. I am truly curious. I can't see the appeal.

They are a big state school. Yes. But they are also far away and not good at football (without what looks to me like a super-big upside to improve in football that I can see). They haven't been good in basketball in like ten years. They don't seem to be great at baseball. There isn't a way to ask this without looking like I'm trashing UMass (especially given my school's recent on-field struggles), but that really isn't my intention. I just don't see why you can't have fond feelings for them or even root for them without wanting to share a conference. That's allowed! Heck, I'd cheer for them against just about any P5 school.

Is it that you would rather play UMass than NMSU or UTEP?

What is the appeal? Why are you so high on the minutemen?

UMass spends much more than the average CUSA school. This is usually an indicator as to their potential.

UMass was able to strike an independent media deal with ESPN. This is usually an indicator they have some potential to increase a conference media deal, relatively speaking.

UMass adds new territory to the conference, we have seen this is important to the modern conference for various reasons.

UMass was one of the most successful FCS programs and has had coaching troubles in FBS, which has been pointed out by their posters. Mark Whipple was prematurely fired during his rebuild, for instance.

Their basketball coach took SC to the Final Four, so I definitely think they have potential there.

CUSA has already indicated they aren't afraid to stretch the footprint with quality programs. Travel from your POV is overblown here; UMass would be taking on the travel burden, but they may only have the minimum for full membership, as one poster pointed out.

Very well presented, esayem.

UMass would be a strong addition to C-USA on various levels, and this MTSU grad would be pleased to see it.

(11-28-2023 05:52 AM)JSUCleburneslim Wrote:  

(11-27-2023 02:23 PM)inutech Wrote:  

(11-27-2023 02:17 PM)ChrisLords Wrote:  I voted UConn. Even though you don't get UConn's valuable sports, they are a pretty big name for the collection of CUSA schools to associate with.

In football? You're talking about just football? The "pretty big name" of UConn football?

Universally known for awful. Huge name for stink.

There is a more tactful way of framing this. Hypothetically, let's say Jacksonville State is FBS indy and trying to get all its other sports in the A10. And a UMass fan posts something nasty about your school and its athletics. I understand the concerns some C-USA fans have about UMass. But some diplomacy would be helpful.

I would go with Chat... you can't let the Sun Belt have free reign on that part of the country. Texas is saturated. Most likely they want a division split though, but LA Tech, SHSU, UTEP, NMSU, JSU is hardly geographic.

I think the Delaware add is such an obvious play for UMass all sports. So I went with them

I would love for it to be Stephen F. Austin for selfish reasons: My niece is a freshman on the dance team. It would also be nice for the Lumberjacks/Lady Jacks to be able to renew the Battle of the Piney Woods at the FBS level, especially as a conference game. Now I don't really root for SFA, but I've always thought it had the resources to be an FBS conference-level athetics program.

What I'm hoping for is this: CUSA goes to 14 football schools and adds the following schools: SFA, Tarleton, and Chattanooga.

(11-28-2023 09:08 AM)bill dazzle Wrote:  

(11-28-2023 05:52 AM)JSUCleburneslim Wrote:  

(11-27-2023 02:23 PM)inutech Wrote:  

(11-27-2023 02:17 PM)ChrisLords Wrote:  I voted UConn. Even though you don't get UConn's valuable sports, they are a pretty big name for the collection of CUSA schools to associate with.

In football? You're talking about just football? The "pretty big name" of UConn football?

Universally known for awful. Huge name for stink.

There is a more tactful way of framing this. Hypothetically, let's say Jacksonville State is FBS indy and trying to get all its other sports in the A10. And a UMass fan posts something nasty about your school and its athletics. I understand the concerns some C-USA fans have about UMass. But some diplomacy would be helpful.

Im against non full members. We have DBU to take care of UTEPs lack of baseball but if they add Im for removing DBU. Yes I understand DBU is very good at baseball just want full members only.

While I do not think it is in UConn’s or C-USA’s best interests for UConn football-only to join, here is my case for them:

They’re invested in facilities. Just a few years ago they opened multimillion dollar locker rooms.

They can attract quality opponents to East Hartford. ACC teams have done home and homes in the recent past and in the coming years.

They have a TV deal with CBSSN. Most G5’s can’t pull that off.

They’re a big research university and state flagship. C-USA presidents will find that attractive.

They have a brand name. Yes, even in football. You can’t tell me that UConn football, a former Big East member that went to the Fiesta Bowl, has a lesser name than Jacksonville State, Stephen F. Austin, or Tarleton. Nobody says, “Who’s that?” or “Where is that school?” when UConn plays, say, NC State. Not so with many, many G5 schools.

All that to say, UConn independence is here to stay, though they’ve got to be feeling the heat to join a league. They’re no Notre Dame, which may well be the only independent left soon.

(11-28-2023 09:40 AM)Michael in Raleigh Wrote:  I do not think it is in C-USA’s best interests for UConn football-only to join,



UConn independence is here to stay,

This part convinced me. I agree with this.

(11-28-2023 09:28 AM)Gemofthehills Wrote:  

(11-28-2023 09:08 AM)bill dazzle Wrote:  

(11-28-2023 05:52 AM)JSUCleburneslim Wrote:  

(11-27-2023 02:23 PM)inutech Wrote:  

(11-27-2023 02:17 PM)ChrisLords Wrote:  I voted UConn. Even though you don't get UConn's valuable sports, they are a pretty big name for the collection of CUSA schools to associate with.

In football? You're talking about just football? The "pretty big name" of UConn football?

Universally known for awful. Huge name for stink.

There is a more tactful way of framing this. Hypothetically, let's say Jacksonville State is FBS indy and trying to get all its other sports in the A10. And a UMass fan posts something nasty about your school and its athletics. I understand the concerns some C-USA fans have about UMass. But some diplomacy would be helpful.

Im against non full members. We have DBU to take care of UTEPs lack of baseball but if they add Im for removing DBU. Yes I understand DBU is very good at baseball just want full members only.

Adding DBU may be the only thing CUSA has done that I've liked since the mad scramble to remain extant.

(11-28-2023 08:03 AM)esayem Wrote:  

(11-27-2023 03:07 PM)inutech Wrote:  

(11-27-2023 02:48 PM)army56mike Wrote:  a. UMass

I know we've gone around and around on all of this and clearly don't have the same priorities or interests, but I just can't understand this. Is it just "we were indy-buds together" good memories?

What is appealing about being in a conference with UMass?

Do you think their addition just gives us the best chance at the highest total media deal? Is it about the potential media money only? I guess the financial wager makes the most (conceivable) sense to me even if I'd really want to see the numbers before getting all excited (ok, I wouldn't be excited even then because of all the other stuff). I'd still disagree but "they are the most likely to make my school more money" at least makes sense to me.

Or is it like a personal thing because you travel there or something?

I can't imagine Liberty recruits much in that area (for students or athletes).


I'm really not trolling or trying to be the always negative poster that you (incorrectly) think that I am. I am truly curious. I can't see the appeal.

They are a big state school. Yes. But they are also far away and not good at football (without what looks to me like a super-big upside to improve in football that I can see). They haven't been good in basketball in like ten years. They don't seem to be great at baseball. There isn't a way to ask this without looking like I'm trashing UMass (especially given my school's recent on-field struggles), but that really isn't my intention. I just don't see why you can't have fond feelings for them or even root for them without wanting to share a conference. That's allowed! Heck, I'd cheer for them against just about any P5 school.

Is it that you would rather play UMass than NMSU or UTEP?

What is the appeal? Why are you so high on the minutemen?

UMass spends much more than the average CUSA school. This is usually an indicator as to their potential.

UMass was able to strike an independent media deal with ESPN. This is usually an indicator they have some potential to increase a conference media deal, relatively speaking.

UMass adds new territory to the conference, we have seen this is important to the modern conference for various reasons.

UMass was one of the most successful FCS programs and has had coaching troubles in FBS, which has been pointed out by their posters. Mark Whipple was prematurely fired during his rebuild, for instance.

Their basketball coach took SC to the Final Four, so I definitely think they have potential there.

CUSA has already indicated they aren't afraid to stretch the footprint with quality programs. Travel from your POV is overblown here; UMass would be taking on the travel burden, but they may only have the minimum for full membership, as one poster pointed out.

We also only recently (in the past few years) realized you actually need to spend money on coaching. Since Cal, we always went for another "start-up" coach, trying to find lightning in a bottle again. Martin is the first one who was actually a proven commodity.

For football, Molnar was the worst thing that could have happened to this program, and he set us back years. Whipple was making progress, but was dealt a **** hand. Then we tried another start-up coach for football with Bell, and that went about as expected.

Now we have Don Brown and have our first multi-win season since Whipple. Next year might be better, but our schedule won't really do us any favors, with Missouri, Mississippi State, and Georgia...as well as Liberty, Miami-OH, and Toledo.

We're finally investing in coaching, and have a Chancellor who likes college football.