(06-06-2015 06:00 PM)chargeradio Wrote:  If the AAC loses anyone it has some HUGE decisions to make regarding any replacements. The conference could choose to exit an area entirely, or it may seek replacements as close as possible to the departing schools.

If Cincinnati and UCF both leave, I could actually see the American trying to double down in the Midwest, such as NIU and Toledo. This keeps the conference in Ohio, and provides something of a bridge to NIU.

West - SMU, Houston, Tulane, Tulsa, Memphis, Navy
East - NIU, Toledo, Temple, UConn, ECU, USF

Other than having 11 in most sports and Navy wanting to be in the west, this is about as equitable as the division's could be. The MAC is then left at 10 and would need one more besides UMass to get to 12; Army would make sense, but the Cadets may not be willing to move. It might acute ally make more sense to do the UMass arrangement with a school like Missouri State, who like UMass did a few years ago wants FBS but would not gain anything by moving the entire program.

West - MO St, Ball St, WMU, CMU, EMU, BGSU
East - Ohio, Kent, Akron, Miami, Buffalo, UMass

If both did four basketball games per year against the MAC, they could cycle through the entire conference home and away twice every five years.

Of course if the American loses UCF, there may be clamoring to add FAU or FIU, and the revolving door in C-USA continues to spin.

Actually, if Cinci left, but not UConn---that might be one of the few scenarios that might favor the AAC adding UMass.

In that situation, there is little value in taking a MAC school. Not taking a shot at the MAC---its just that the MAC schools have generally poor attendance and there would be little point in placing one or two flags in an area where the Big-10 is dominant and what little interest is left is likely to be dominated by the Cinci's new conference (B-12) and the remaining 10 MAC teams. I just don think that kind of add helps the AAC much. Cinci works ok for the AAC right now because Cinci has a solid presence in the region and has had a decade as a AQ team to develop its image. Any MAC teams you grab wont have that kind of development or audience strength. NIU would be about the only possible selection that might work, but their attendance numbers don't provide much support for the idea that they can carry the area for the AAC if they are not playing on a Tuesday night with no other games on.

So with Cinci gone and UConn still a member--the leadership might look to replace Cinci with a team in UConn's area---even if its a somewhat weaker candidate on the surface.

That said, I just don't think UMass has a chance until they get their stadium situation fixed. Beyond that, they need to get basketball in the tournament more consistently and at least become "average" on grid iron.