(12-14-2012 07:03 AM)hawghiggs Wrote:  How about splitting up and forming better regional leagues. Houston and Uconn have nothing in common.

Neither does Texas A&M and South Carolina, but that didn't stop that move.

(12-14-2012 07:55 AM)chess Wrote:  

(12-14-2012 07:44 AM)Rich52c Wrote:  

(12-14-2012 07:11 AM)Cardsfan1974 Wrote:  

(12-13-2012 11:43 PM)BigEastHomer Wrote:  

(12-13-2012 11:40 PM)lollaperuna Wrote:  Once the split occurs we will be left with the following basketball.

Cincinnati
Connecticut
Memphis
Houston
SMU
Temple
Tulane
UCF
USF

Does ECU get an all sport invite now? Do we add anyone else?

16. ALL SPORTS. EAST-WEST STRUCTURE

If you did this you would have to go True west & true east teams. So the teams out west can play in all sports. If you want it to stabilize,and try to keep everyone happy.

Of course you go to 12 for all sports.
Certainly ECU will be included.
You add UMASS plus to get to 11 plus N.Ill.

All sports west coast will not work.

While I would like Northern Illinois in the conference because it if fairly close to my home, NIU should not be considered.

NIU football, and its successful 10 year run, still draws 15K a game. NIU basketball draws about 1,200 a game.

Playing basketball in empty arenas and stadiums doesn't help build the conference.

That is hilarious. NIU would have beat all your teams this year and won the league. Our attendance suffers from the midweek games as most MAC teams do. We averaged over 20K a few years back. We are getting tons of press in the Chicago media right now with the Orange Bowl. We are in all the newspapers, radio, and getting mention regularly on the nightly news. Our indoor practice facility opens next year and we will also have a new upscale scoreboard being installed I am not saying NIU is the ideal add but you would be missing out but not at least having them on the radar if you are trying to build a best of the rest league. Also as a side note, we had 4K at a home bball game a couple weeks back so with the right marketing and an improved product there will be increased support for hoops. Its tough for the fans to get up every game when you are playing teams like Eastern Michigan regularly.

(12-14-2012 11:00 AM)Knightshift Wrote:  

(12-14-2012 07:03 AM)hawghiggs Wrote:  How about splitting up and forming better regional leagues. Houston and Uconn have nothing in common.

Neither does Texas A&M and South Carolina, but that didn't stop that move.

Agreed. The Hog fan is conveniently preaching about a simpler time. Bus leagues like the Big West have gone the way of the spotted owl.

Until you know the $$$ value there will be no real commitments to stay, lip service yes, definately in, no way. Once the $$$ is known each school will consider whatever options maybe available and then decide if they are in or out.

(12-14-2012 11:21 AM)BigEastHomer Wrote:  

(12-14-2012 11:00 AM)Knightshift Wrote:  

(12-14-2012 07:03 AM)hawghiggs Wrote:  How about splitting up and forming better regional leagues. Houston and Uconn have nothing in common.

Neither does Texas A&M and South Carolina, but that didn't stop that move.

Agreed. The Hog fan is conveniently preaching about a simpler time. Bus leagues like the Big West have gone the way of the spotted owl.

Maybe there aren't any bus leagues left, but the most stable leagues are characterized by geographic continuity. That probably is not a coincidence.

(12-14-2012 11:00 AM)Knightshift Wrote:  

(12-14-2012 07:03 AM)hawghiggs Wrote:  How about splitting up and forming better regional leagues. Houston and Uconn have nothing in common.

Neither does Texas A&M and South Carolina, but that didn't stop that move.

Texas A/M and South Carolina both come from Dixie states and thus share a common southern heritage. Furthermore, to the extent that they are different, their SEC brethren connect them far better (geographic continuity, flagship status, etc.) than nBE brethren will connect Uconn and Houston. The latter two are far more different.

Cincinnati
Connecticut
Memphis
Temple
Tulane
UCF
USF
ECU

Houston
SMU
UNM
AFA
CSU
Boise St
Fresno
SDSU

Everyone all sports
Nine conference football games

Can weather a loss of two teams.