(02-13-2013 01:28 AM)Title Wrote:  Butler is something like a combined 9-1 vs Purdue and Indiana over the last decade and a half (really looks funny when you add a 6-game winning streak vs ND) I think they may rather just close up shop rather than play a game at Hinkle

I think the last time IU played at Hinkle was in 93. After losing, Bob Knight swore to never return

I think the best you'd ever see along those lines are what is already in place. Purdue, ND, Butler, and Indiana play a mid-December doubleheader at Banker's Life (Pacers). Next year will be the 3rd year of the event.

This is why it would be amazing to get ND in. You'd have 2 conferences with 2 major teams in Indiana battling it out for state supremacy. Automatic rivalry.

(02-13-2013 12:12 PM)stever20 Wrote:  

(02-13-2013 12:07 PM)johnbragg Wrote:  

(02-13-2013 11:57 AM)stever20 Wrote:  

(02-13-2013 11:45 AM)Title Wrote:  The money difference between the C7+ and those below by itself will insulate the league from "mid major" the same way the differential does from above. In 2017, we will make 3.5mm in media revenue. An ACC member will make 24mm. A Big Ten member will make $43mm.

Everyone below the C7+ makes pittance. Which is why the competitive balance of college sports is going to be gone shortly.

Effectively, "real" D1 is going to be 60-90 programs, the rest are de facto D2, regardless if they are actually D2 or not.

Real D1 will be a lot more than 60-90 programs...

ACC 15
B10 14
SEC 14
B12 10
P12 12
total there of 65 teams...

add in
C7 12
MWC 12
NBE 10

right there you have 99 teams.

I think the case could be made that the C7, MWC, and NBE will be the new mid-major sort of speak.

No, the real DI is either the football power conferences, or the football power conferences plus us. MWC, Aresco are screwed. A handful of programs like Boise State and Gonzaga will be able to compete on that level, but as individual programs. You could see UConn or UNLV basketball thriving, but essentially the way Memphis basketball has lately or Butler basketball.

It's more and more a Ricky Bobby world, including college athletics, where if you ain't first, you're last.

That's why I said the MWC, Aresco, and C7 are the new mid major in essence.

The comparison between UConn/UNLV to Memphis/Butler I don't think is right. Memphis and Butler were in much lower conferences- in the teens. UConn/UNLV will be in top 7-8 conferences. HUGE difference.

I don't agree that we're the new mid major and fox/espn agrees with me. I'm starting to think you are in capable of thinking positive in any instance.

(02-13-2013 12:14 PM)NJRedMan Wrote:  

(02-13-2013 12:09 PM)stever20 Wrote:  

(02-13-2013 12:01 PM)NJRedMan Wrote:  

(02-13-2013 11:57 AM)stever20 Wrote:  

(02-13-2013 11:45 AM)Title Wrote:  The money difference between the C7+ and those below by itself will insulate the league from "mid major" the same way the differential does from above. In 2017, we will make 3.5mm in media revenue. An ACC member will make 24mm. A Big Ten member will make $43mm.

Everyone below the C7+ makes pittance. Which is why the competitive balance of college sports is going to be gone shortly.

Effectively, "real" D1 is going to be 60-90 programs, the rest are de facto D2, regardless if they are actually D2 or not.

Real D1 will be a lot more than 60-90 programs...

ACC 15
B10 14
SEC 14
B12 10
P12 12
total there of 65 teams...

add in
C7 12
MWC 12
NBE 10

right there you have 99 teams.

I think the case could be made that the C7, MWC, and NBE will be the new mid-major sort of speak.

Except we will make more money than those group of five leagues. Even without FB we are seen as a more valuable brand. In the eyes of the TV folks we are a power conference. Just one who doesn't play FB but in BBall on the same page as the top five. We will be making what ND makes as a BBall team in the ACC. So in essence we are making the same amount for BBall as the ACC.

The Notre Dame comparison is garbage. They have this little thing called 5 football games. That right there is probably half of the money the ACC is paying Notre Dame.

The money difference between C7 and MWC and NBE is negligible enough that it's not that big of a deal. It's enough to where hoops units etc. can make a lot of the difference.

Do by your rational we are paying our schools twice as much as the ACC is paying Notre Dame. Which isn't really tire because the five FB games are in trade for the bowl tie ins.

In regards to the Gof5 FB conferences, we don't have to fund money pit FB programs like they do.

I don't see UNLV, New Mexico, San Diego St, Memphis, Temple, Cincy, UConn really going anywhere at all.

(02-13-2013 10:29 AM)stever20 Wrote:  

(02-13-2013 09:58 AM)NJRedMan Wrote:  

(02-13-2013 09:48 AM)TexanMark Wrote:  The biggest issue I see going forward for the C7 is crowd size. Will your fans come out still when it is Butler or Creighton showing up vice Cuse/UConn/Ville/ND.

I'm not sure GTown/Nova/SJU can fill up their downtown NBA arenas without the big names. We'll see if the C7 can reinvent itself. I'm actually rooting for you guys to do well as I loved the old BE.

Fans show up when we win and when we play ranked teams. Folks know who Butler is. Also schools like St. John's, Villanova and Georgetown will have little trouble shifting its SOS towards OOC match ups.

Folks know who Butler is, but outside of them and really VCU due to their final 4 run, none of the other new schools are real names at all. It won't excite a Georgetown fan to play against Creighton. Heck, I don't think it'll excite a St John's fan to play vs Xavier. Being a ranked team helps, but what fans have gotten used to was a ranked name team.

Also with the OOC games, a lot get done on neutral floors. Not sure how good the home schedules can be OOC even.

Oh my god. Sorry to burst your VCU bubble, but Xavier is the most well known of all the newcomers. VCU = George Mason to most casual fans.

(02-13-2013 12:19 PM)aughnanure Wrote:  

(02-13-2013 10:29 AM)stever20 Wrote:  

(02-13-2013 09:58 AM)NJRedMan Wrote:  

(02-13-2013 09:48 AM)TexanMark Wrote:  The biggest issue I see going forward for the C7 is crowd size. Will your fans come out still when it is Butler or Creighton showing up vice Cuse/UConn/Ville/ND.

I'm not sure GTown/Nova/SJU can fill up their downtown NBA arenas without the big names. We'll see if the C7 can reinvent itself. I'm actually rooting for you guys to do well as I loved the old BE.

Fans show up when we win and when we play ranked teams. Folks know who Butler is. Also schools like St. John's, Villanova and Georgetown will have little trouble shifting its SOS towards OOC match ups.

Folks know who Butler is, but outside of them and really VCU due to their final 4 run, none of the other new schools are real names at all. It won't excite a Georgetown fan to play against Creighton. Heck, I don't think it'll excite a St John's fan to play vs Xavier. Being a ranked team helps, but what fans have gotten used to was a ranked name team.

Also with the OOC games, a lot get done on neutral floors. Not sure how good the home schedules can be OOC even.

Oh my god. Sorry to burst your VCU bubble, but Xavier is the most well known of all the newcomers. VCU = George Mason to most casual fans.

I'd put butler ahead of Xavier but I agree.

Related....All 8 away conference games that Butler will play this year sold out.

Last Saturday, was the first time since 2000 that George Washington sold out

(02-13-2013 12:12 PM)stever20 Wrote:  That's why I said the MWC, Aresco, and C7 are the new mid major in essence.

There ain't gonna be no mid-major. You're either competing with the power schools, or you're a one-bid league. The shades of difference between the A-10, CAA and MAAC will collapse.

Or put another way, EVERYONE not in a power/elite conference is a midmajor. UCF, Florida Gulf Coast, Drexel, whatever.

Quote:The comparison between UConn/UNLV to Memphis/Butler I don't think is right. Memphis and Butler were in much lower conferences- in the teens. UConn/UNLV will be in top 7-8 conferences. HUGE difference.

MEmphis was in CUSA, which, partially because of them and partially as a hangover from the UL-UC-MEmphis-Marquette days, was seen as a top midmajor conference. They'll falter, or they'll continue as islands of relevance in a sea of palookaville.

You'll have a few Butler-type programs, who build an oasis in the desert. But those will be individual programs, not midmajor conferences.

(02-13-2013 12:24 PM)Title Wrote:  Related....All 8 away conference games that Butler will play this year sold out.

Last Saturday, was the first time since 2000 that George Washington sold out

Well for a lot of those schools they don't get a lot if big name schools to come to their campus. Now you will be playing in bigger nba arenas against teams who have been playing blue bloods at home every year. Nit saying they won't help but they won't be doing that in the C7 right off the bat.

(02-13-2013 12:26 PM)johnbragg Wrote:  

(02-13-2013 12:12 PM)stever20 Wrote:  That's why I said the MWC, Aresco, and C7 are the new mid major in essence.

There ain't gonna be no mid-major. You're either competing with the power schools, or you're a one-bid league. The shades of difference between the A-10, CAA and MAAC will collapse.

Or put another way, EVERYONE not in a power/elite conference is a midmajor. UCF, Florida Gulf Coast, Drexel, whatever.

Quote:The comparison between UConn/UNLV to Memphis/Butler I don't think is right. Memphis and Butler were in much lower conferences- in the teens. UConn/UNLV will be in top 7-8 conferences. HUGE difference.

MEmphis was in CUSA, which, partially because of them and partially as a hangover from the UL-UC-MEmphis-Marquette days, was seen as a top midmajor conference. They'll falter, or they'll continue as islands of relevance in a sea of palookaville.

You'll have a few Butler-type programs, who build an oasis in the desert. But those will be individual programs, not midmajor conferences.

I totally disagree. I mean this year the MWC is the #2 conference in RPI. They're not going to just disappear. The NBE isn't going to just disappear. Too many good teams in those conferences to think they're going to become like the MAAC of today. Basketball is different in that one or two players can make a difference.

I mean take right now- using the current bracketology on CBS Sports:
C7- 5-6 bids(depends on if we take VCU)
MWC- 5 bids
NBE- 3, would be 4 if UConn was eligible
So 11-12 at large bids from those 3 conferences

other non Big 5 conferences would have 2-3 at large bids. St Mary's, VCU/La Salle(if we don't take VCU), and Indiana St

Also, for the MWC, playing out west is a help....

(02-13-2013 12:10 PM)NJRedMan Wrote:  

(02-13-2013 12:02 PM)stever20 Wrote:  VCU has the biggest upside of any of the schools that we're looking at. They are high risk high reward.

I disagree. Butler is a now a name in a BBall crazy state and now has a real national name that average folks recognize. They are on the same level as GTown and Nova. Those are/will be outlet three most well known names. They have a low risk/high reward quality. VCU's risk could seriously hurt the league. If they fall to dead last they will have a very hard time getting back up. They don't have donors to buy out bad contracts or help with any needed facility upgrades. Their upside isn't as high as some of the other new comers.

Upside, as in unrealized potential. Thanks to back-to-back championship games, Butler's arguably close to "peak performance." How much more of Indiana/the Rust Belt are they going to capture? What happens to the state of VA when/if the ACC falls apart? Hmmm. As for the money....

VCU finished a $3 million upgrade to our arena in 2011, and even though it's too preliminary to call a plan, the AD has looked at filling in the corners to add several thousand seats and get us near the 10,000 mark. Closeout funding for a new $10 million+ practice facility should be announced after the tourney, with construction probably beginning in 2013

In regard to donors, I think you might be confused/misinformed:

Quote:"Money raised in the athletic department went from $1.6 million [in 2006] to $5.3 [in 2011], to an anticipated $13 million for [2012]. Meanwhile, Ram Athletic Fund members grew from 528 to 1,777 from [2006] year to [2011]."
http://www.startribune.com/sports/blogs/149673945.html

Compare, for instance, to $3 million a year from Creighton's Jaybackers. To top it off, VCU has below average tuition and fees for a four-year VA public. Raising fees by $47 a semester x 30,000+ students = an easy $3 million a year, and that could probably be done tomorrow if need be. How much headroom is there for a private school to raise fees, and would it even make a dent if those fee increases are spread over only a few thousand students? With the explosive growth of tuition prices and privates already charging top rate, there's not a lot of space there.

Lastly, VCU has the biggest endowment of all the expansion candidates + the C7 save for Richmond, Georgetown and SLU. This is on top of roughly $1 billion dollars in development in Richmond over the last 15 years, and with plans for another $1 billion in development to be completed by 2019.

Money will not be a problem for VCU, but it definitely could be for small schools with small donor bases and no room to raise fees. The real danger is in VCU eventually starting football, but Shaka is gone the second that happens and our AD and our President have made it clear that they're 100% committed to hoops (thus Shaka has stayed and turned down the Illini, NC State, UMD et al). That's not to say a different regime might not take a different tack, but there are FBS incumbents (UVA, VT, ODU) that would likely block such a move in the General Assembly.

ACC 8
Big Ten 7
Big 12 6
Pac 12 4
SEC 4

C7 and MWC would have more than Pac 12 and SEC. NBE would have as many as those. If you want to say 8 power conferences and everyone else that makes sense. But you can't say the MWC or the NBE will become just like the MAAC. Especially the MWC.

(02-13-2013 01:02 PM)stever20 Wrote:  ACC 8
Big Ten 7
Big 12 6
Pac 12 4
SEC 4

C7 and MWC would have more than Pac 12 and SEC. NBE would have as many as those. If you want to say 8 power conferences and everyone else that makes sense. But you can't say the MWC or the NBE will become just like the MAAC. Especially the MWC.

Then why are you so convinced we'll fall off the cliff if we don't get 6-7 teams in the NCAA year one?

(02-13-2013 12:57 PM)stever20 Wrote:  

(02-13-2013 12:26 PM)johnbragg Wrote:  

(02-13-2013 12:12 PM)stever20 Wrote:  That's why I said the MWC, Aresco, and C7 are the new mid major in essence.

There ain't gonna be no mid-major. You're either competing with the power schools, or you're a one-bid league. The shades of difference between the A-10, CAA and MAAC will collapse.

Or put another way, EVERYONE not in a power/elite conference is a midmajor. UCF, Florida Gulf Coast, Drexel, whatever.

Quote:The comparison between UConn/UNLV to Memphis/Butler I don't think is right. Memphis and Butler were in much lower conferences- in the teens. UConn/UNLV will be in top 7-8 conferences. HUGE difference.

MEmphis was in CUSA, which, partially because of them and partially as a hangover from the UL-UC-MEmphis-Marquette days, was seen as a top midmajor conference. They'll falter, or they'll continue as islands of relevance in a sea of palookaville.

You'll have a few Butler-type programs, who build an oasis in the desert. But those will be individual programs, not midmajor conferences.

I totally disagree. I mean this year the MWC is the #2 conference in RPI. They're not going to just disappear. The NBE isn't going to just disappear. Too many good teams in those conferences to think they're going to become like the MAAC of today. Basketball is different in that one or two players can make a difference.

I mean take right now- using the current bracketology on CBS Sports:
C7- 5-6 bids(depends on if we take VCU)
MWC- 5 bids
NBE- 3, would be 4 if UConn was eligible
So 11-12 at large bids from those 3 conferences

other non Big 5 conferences would have 2-3 at large bids. St Mary's, VCU/La Salle(if we don't take VCU), and Indiana St

Also, for the MWC, playing out west is a help....

No way is UConn in if they are eligible. At least not yet.

To me, mid-major means low budget schools in conferences that get more than one bid to the tournament (or even just have the potential to get more than one, like the MVC). That is the traditional definition.

Essentially, that definition becomes worthless after the latest round of conference realignment. These are your guarantees:

1. Power Conferences: Five (B1G, ACC, Big 12, Pac 12, SEC)

2. New Midmajors: Two (nBE, MWC)

3. Lower edge: Two (WCC, A-10)

4. Absolute bottom feeders: Everyone else, 24 conferences (American East, Atlantic Sun, Big South, Big Sky, Big West, CAA, CUSA, Great West, Horizon League, Ivy League, MAAC, Mid-American, MEAC, MVC, Northeast, OVC, Patriot League, Southern Conference, Southland Conference, SWAC, Sun Belt, Summit League, WAC).


There is NO chance that the C7 will be part of the Lower Edge or Bottom Feeders groups. That isn't the problem. The problem is that they could end up in group 2. They would essentially become a part of the new mid-major conferences, which are slightly stronger, more consolidated versions of earlier mid-major conferences (A-10, MVC, C-USA, WAC/WCC). In other words, the choice isn't between being a good mid-major and a bad mid-major conference; it is between being elite (group 1), or being an outsider (groups 2, 3, and especially 4).

(02-13-2013 01:14 PM)College Basketball Fan Wrote:  To me, mid-major means low budget schools in conferences that get more than one bid to the tournament (or even just have the potential to get more than one, like the MVC). That is the traditional definition.

Essentially, that definition becomes worthless after the latest round of conference realignment. These are your guarantees:

1. Power Conferences: Five (B1G, ACC, Big 12, Pac 12, SEC)

2. New Midmajors: Two (nBE, MWC)

3. Lower edge: Two (WCC, A-10)

4. Absolute bottom feeders: Everyone else, 24 conferences (American East, Atlantic Sun, Big South, Big Sky, Big West, CAA, CUSA, Great West, Horizon League, Ivy League, MAAC, Mid-American, MEAC, MVC, Northeast, OVC, Patriot League, Southern Conference, Southland Conference, SWAC, Sun Belt, Summit League, WAC).


There is NO chance that the C7 will be part of the Lower Edge or Bottom Feeders groups. That isn't the problem. The problem is that they could end up in group 2. They would essentially become a part of the new mid-major conferences, which are slightly stronger, more consolidated versions of earlier mid-major conferences (A-10, MVC, C-USA, WAC/WCC). In other words, the choice isn't between being a good mid-major and a bad mid-major conference; it is between being elite (group 1), or being an outsider (groups 2, 3, and especially 4).

I think this is exactly right. The problem I see is that humans like to take shortcuts and are prone to sorting things that aren't like other things. We've already seen it with ESPN et al's use of the term "Catholic 7" , and even though people on these very boards should know better, there are already "Should we be all catholic?!" threads and comments...

I do not know if or how the C7+ shakes being an asterisk attached to the Power 6 football conferences (not such a bad thing), save for routinely kicking their asses and kicking them from the start out of the gate. There won't be a second chance for a first impression.

(02-13-2013 01:20 PM)thegalen Wrote:  

(02-13-2013 01:14 PM)College Basketball Fan Wrote:  To me, mid-major means low budget schools in conferences that get more than one bid to the tournament (or even just have the potential to get more than one, like the MVC). That is the traditional definition.

Essentially, that definition becomes worthless after the latest round of conference realignment. These are your guarantees:

1. Power Conferences: Five (B1G, ACC, Big 12, Pac 12, SEC)

2. New Midmajors: Two (nBE, MWC)

3. Lower edge: Two (WCC, A-10)

4. Absolute bottom feeders: Everyone else, 24 conferences (American East, Atlantic Sun, Big South, Big Sky, Big West, CAA, CUSA, Great West, Horizon League, Ivy League, MAAC, Mid-American, MEAC, MVC, Northeast, OVC, Patriot League, Southern Conference, Southland Conference, SWAC, Sun Belt, Summit League, WAC).


There is NO chance that the C7 will be part of the Lower Edge or Bottom Feeders groups. That isn't the problem. The problem is that they could end up in group 2. They would essentially become a part of the new mid-major conferences, which are slightly stronger, more consolidated versions of earlier mid-major conferences (A-10, MVC, C-USA, WAC/WCC). In other words, the choice isn't between being a good mid-major and a bad mid-major conference; it is between being elite (group 1), or being an outsider (groups 2, 3, and especially 4).

I think this is exactly right. The problem I see is that humans like to take shortcuts and are prone to sorting things that aren't like other things. We've already seen it with ESPN et al's use of the term "Catholic 7" , and even though people on these very boards should know better, there are already "Should we be all catholic?!" threads and comments...

I do not know if or how the C7+ shakes being an asterisk attached to the Power 6 football conferences (not such a bad thing), save for routinely kicking their asses and kicking them from the start out of the gate. There won't be a second chance for a first impression.

I'm sorry but did the big Ten win national titles right out of the gate? The Pac? SEC? Why do we?

Oh and the guy who brought up being all catholic is a Fresno fan.

What are VCU's athletic fees now? All I could find was the University Fee, which funds the Athletics at almost $830.00 a semester, which seems pretty high when you consider tuition for instate students is around $4,000.00 a semester, for undergrads. "Little" schools do not seem to have much of an issue raising funds, as per the new excellent arenas at SLU and Xavier, and Richmond & Butler about to invest $25 Million into their arenas.

(02-13-2013 01:13 PM)NJRedMan Wrote:  

(02-13-2013 12:57 PM)stever20 Wrote:  

(02-13-2013 12:26 PM)johnbragg Wrote:  

(02-13-2013 12:12 PM)stever20 Wrote:  That's why I said the MWC, Aresco, and C7 are the new mid major in essence.

There ain't gonna be no mid-major. You're either competing with the power schools, or you're a one-bid league. The shades of difference between the A-10, CAA and MAAC will collapse.

Or put another way, EVERYONE not in a power/elite conference is a midmajor. UCF, Florida Gulf Coast, Drexel, whatever.

Quote:The comparison between UConn/UNLV to Memphis/Butler I don't think is right. Memphis and Butler were in much lower conferences- in the teens. UConn/UNLV will be in top 7-8 conferences. HUGE difference.

MEmphis was in CUSA, which, partially because of them and partially as a hangover from the UL-UC-MEmphis-Marquette days, was seen as a top midmajor conference. They'll falter, or they'll continue as islands of relevance in a sea of palookaville.

You'll have a few Butler-type programs, who build an oasis in the desert. But those will be individual programs, not midmajor conferences.

I totally disagree. I mean this year the MWC is the #2 conference in RPI. They're not going to just disappear. The NBE isn't going to just disappear. Too many good teams in those conferences to think they're going to become like the MAAC of today. Basketball is different in that one or two players can make a difference.

I mean take right now- using the current bracketology on CBS Sports:
C7- 5-6 bids(depends on if we take VCU)
MWC- 5 bids
NBE- 3, would be 4 if UConn was eligible
So 11-12 at large bids from those 3 conferences

other non Big 5 conferences would have 2-3 at large bids. St Mary's, VCU/La Salle(if we don't take VCU), and Indiana St

Also, for the MWC, playing out west is a help....

No way is UConn in if they are eligible. At least not yet.

They would be in the tourney right now if they were eligible and were eligible for bracketology. They are 16-6 with the #27 SOS. That's a lock just about.

(02-13-2013 01:28 PM)NJRedMan Wrote:  

(02-13-2013 01:20 PM)thegalen Wrote:  

(02-13-2013 01:14 PM)College Basketball Fan Wrote:  To me, mid-major means low budget schools in conferences that get more than one bid to the tournament (or even just have the potential to get more than one, like the MVC). That is the traditional definition.

Essentially, that definition becomes worthless after the latest round of conference realignment. These are your guarantees:

1. Power Conferences: Five (B1G, ACC, Big 12, Pac 12, SEC)

2. New Midmajors: Two (nBE, MWC)

3. Lower edge: Two (WCC, A-10)

4. Absolute bottom feeders: Everyone else, 24 conferences (American East, Atlantic Sun, Big South, Big Sky, Big West, CAA, CUSA, Great West, Horizon League, Ivy League, MAAC, Mid-American, MEAC, MVC, Northeast, OVC, Patriot League, Southern Conference, Southland Conference, SWAC, Sun Belt, Summit League, WAC).


There is NO chance that the C7 will be part of the Lower Edge or Bottom Feeders groups. That isn't the problem. The problem is that they could end up in group 2. They would essentially become a part of the new mid-major conferences, which are slightly stronger, more consolidated versions of earlier mid-major conferences (A-10, MVC, C-USA, WAC/WCC). In other words, the choice isn't between being a good mid-major and a bad mid-major conference; it is between being elite (group 1), or being an outsider (groups 2, 3, and especially 4).

I think this is exactly right. The problem I see is that humans like to take shortcuts and are prone to sorting things that aren't like other things. We've already seen it with ESPN et al's use of the term "Catholic 7" , and even though people on these very boards should know better, there are already "Should we be all catholic?!" threads and comments...

I do not know if or how the C7+ shakes being an asterisk attached to the Power 6 football conferences (not such a bad thing), save for routinely kicking their asses and kicking them from the start out of the gate. There won't be a second chance for a first impression.

I'm sorry but did the big Ten win national titles right out of the gate? The Pac? SEC? Why do we?

Oh and the guy who brought up being all catholic is a Fresno fan.

Hate to break it to you, but the landscape is a lot different than 100 years ago. We don't have to win titles, but we have to be relevent right off the bat.

(02-13-2013 01:14 PM)College Basketball Fan Wrote:  To me, mid-major means low budget schools in conferences that get more than one bid to the tournament (or even just have the potential to get more than one, like the MVC). That is the traditional definition.

Essentially, that definition becomes worthless after the latest round of conference realignment. These are your guarantees:

1. Power Conferences: Five (B1G, ACC, Big 12, Pac 12, SEC)

2. New Midmajors: Two (nBE, MWC)

3. Lower edge: Two (WCC, A-10)

4. Absolute bottom feeders: Everyone else, 24 conferences (American East, Atlantic Sun, Big South, Big Sky, Big West, CAA, CUSA, Great West, Horizon League, Ivy League, MAAC, Mid-American, MEAC, MVC, Northeast, OVC, Patriot League, Southern Conference, Southland Conference, SWAC, Sun Belt, Summit League, WAC).


There is NO chance that the C7 will be part of the Lower Edge or Bottom Feeders groups. That isn't the problem. The problem is that they could end up in group 2. They would essentially become a part of the new mid-major conferences, which are slightly stronger, more consolidated versions of earlier mid-major conferences (A-10, MVC, C-USA, WAC/WCC). In other words, the choice isn't between being a good mid-major and a bad mid-major conference; it is between being elite (group 1), or being an outsider (groups 2, 3, and especially 4).

I'd put MVC as the same level as the A10 and WCC.