In order of likelihood of being invited:

WKU
ULL
Memphis
NMSU
UCF

I can't see ECU, Tulane, SMU, or Houston being seriously considered, as they bring nothing we don't already have in abundance.

Ohio or BUST

(01-10-2013 06:27 PM)SApuro Wrote:  If we lose any more teams CUSA is quickly starting to look like the Slumbelt.

Coming from a fan of a school that hasn't played a snap at the FBS level, that's a bit over the top...

I think longterm CUSA is the better conference, but the "slumbelt" flexed its muscle this year, there's no denying that.

(01-10-2013 08:43 PM)MU ATO Wrote:  Ohio or BUST

Ohio has been visited by C-USA. If we lose 2 or more then they have to be in the conversation.

(01-10-2013 08:46 PM)BeliefBlazer Wrote:  

(01-10-2013 08:43 PM)MU ATO Wrote:  Ohio or BUST

Ohio has been visited by C-USA. If we lose 2 or more then they have to be in the conversation.

get Ohio, NIU, and maybe Toledo depending on how many CUSA loses

(01-10-2013 08:46 PM)BeliefBlazer Wrote:  

(01-10-2013 08:43 PM)MU ATO Wrote:  Ohio or BUST

Ohio has been visited by C-USA. If we lose 2 or more then they have to be in the conversation.

Have heard nothing but great things about Athens, they are definitely on my list.

(01-10-2013 08:46 PM)BeliefBlazer Wrote:  

(01-10-2013 08:43 PM)MU ATO Wrote:  Ohio or BUST

Ohio has been visited by C-USA. If we lose 2 or more then they have to be in the conversation.

Ohio and WKU would actually be really nice

Looks like unless C-USA surprises us and adds Texas State and/or NMSU then UAB will be going west. Being in a football division with La Tech and USM could be tough.

As a Southern Miss fan, it's really hard for me to care anymore. This conference has just become a revolving door. Who knows how long any of these teams will actually stay or move on and pass us by. Just give us our 8 games a season and we'll move on from there.

Western Kentucky basketball history and fast learning curve reaching a bowl so soon makes them a good add.

(01-10-2013 10:14 PM)OhioBobcatJohn Wrote:  Western Kentucky basketball history and fast learning curve reaching a bowl so soon makes them a good add.

You think Ohio would leave the MAC?

I think WKU would be a great addition for a few of reasons. First, they have a history of success in MBB and are developing into a nice FB program as well. Second, they would fill in the eastern geography and help out Marshall, MTSU, Charlotte and ODU with travel. Finally, they have a history with ODU, Charlote and UAB in the old Sunbelt...as well as with MTSU.

Great rivalries help make great conferences, along with great fan support. CUSA needs to choose schools with solid fan support, dedication to growth and excellence and with an eye to tightening up the geography.

One last reason in favor of WKU...they want to be here. I'm tired of all the doom an gloomers moping about the state of the conference. I want to surround myself with upbeat folks striving to build a strong, vibrant league. My feeling is that respect is earned by your performance, not by the label on the floor or the field.

(01-10-2013 08:30 PM)Noodles Wrote:  In order of likelihood of being invited:

WKU
ULL
Memphis
NMSU
UCF

I can't see ECU, Tulane, SMU, or Houston being seriously considered, as they bring nothing we don't already have in abundance.

Good sense of humor Noodles.

If UH and SMU pulled out of the nBE why would Tulsa go? That would make no sense.

My order of preference (if this would happen, which I don't think it will)

Strong Interest:

1) Arkansas State (again, LOTS of room for growth... and their in the same boat USM is in. Lots of potential recruiting grounds, with a few SEC teams as the competition, both they and #2 are natural MTSU rivals)
2) Western Kentucky (again, potential, gives Marshall/ODU someone closer to work with)


Moderate Interest
3) Ohio (mostly for Marshall, and program has shown some progress in terms of expanding their capabilities
4) Northern Illinois - consistent team, just way out on an island if they were to be considered.
5) ULL - We just brought in La Tech. Let them have the driver's seat for the Louisiana recruiting area for a while.
6) South Alabama - could be revisited way down the road, but right now, offers very little that interest me as a sports fan. (although I do enjoy when they make their occasional NCAA bid, just because it's the only time my wife (USA grad) gets into sports)
7) Texas State - We've already got 4 schools from Texas.. No need to dilute that ground any more

NO CHANCE!

8) University of Mass - 1) out on an island, 2) NO fan support of any significant numbers 3) Facilities are... well, they've got basketball
9) New Mexico State - Island... and their house is almost in as bad shape as Idaho is.

(01-10-2013 08:53 PM)BeliefBlazer Wrote:  Looks like unless C-USA surprises us and adds Texas State and/or NMSU then UAB will be going west. Being in a football division with La Tech and USM could be tough.

If Marshall loses UAB & Southern Miss to the West, then I'm flying to Dallas to kick Banowsky in his tiny balls.

I voted for UL-L because it's closer to USM, but would have no problem with WKU or stAte. I think all three of those schools are equal to or better than some of the recent additions.

I like NIU but they are probably too far North.

No to everyone else on the list for now, for various reasons such as geography, no name recognition, and other factors. I just don't see the point in expanding if we aren't gaining value. I would rather reduce the size of the conference than to add most of them.

It doesn't matter.

Where's that "Dewey Defeats Truman" photo when you need it?