That actually makes a lot of sense to play the top name schools you can, if you can schedule them. For many schools that can be a major problem though. Believe our basketball coaches get together at all the SBC meetings. Would like to be a fly on the wall hearing those meetings. We need one of the schools that will stay in the SBC to get good. Perception is key.


Remembering all the old Sun Belt schools like you VCU.

(10-01-2013 05:06 PM)GoApps70 Wrote:  That actually makes a lot of sense to play the top name schools you can, if you can schedule them. For many schools that can be a major problem though. Believe our basketball coaches get together at all the SBC meetings. Would like to be a fly on the wall hearing those meetings. We need one of the schools that will stay in the SBC to get good. Perception is key.


Remembering all the old Sun Belt schools like you VCU.

UL, USA, and UALR have a history of basketball success. That's a good core. ASU has also had some good teams. UTA is a basketball school but not familiar with their history. That's 5 teams out of 11 basketball teams. If those 5 teams can produce, you've got a good league. The one glaring thing about the lowest conferences is that they usually only have 1 or 2 teams that can produce and dominate their league and the rest are just taking up space. The better leagues have 4 or more that win lots of ooc games and finish in the top tier of their league. That's a mid-major league that gets noticed.....ala A10, MVC, etc.

(10-01-2013 04:50 PM)chiefsfan Wrote:  

(10-01-2013 04:42 PM)VCUfan Wrote:  

(10-01-2013 03:46 PM)MemTGRS Wrote:  Just a coincidence, but I posted on the C-USA board that I thought the SBC did recently enact some type of scheduling mandate. Perhaps even some/all non-conference games facing league office approval?

http://csnbbs.com/showthread.php?tid=652...pid9793208

The SBC has a rich hoops tradition from the 80's and early 90's. New Mexico State's hoops it outstanding. Other than the geographic issues, they would be a slam dunk for all sports. Another quality non-football school with good basketbal might be something to consider ... but I'm really not thinking of many in the South sans VCU and they're staying Atlantic 10 unless the new Big East calls. At one time, I might have suggested Winthrop (Charlotte area ... strategic bridge from GA State to Appalachian State), but they've fallen since Greg Marshall departed for Wichita State.

Uh yeah... VCU's not going back to the Sun Belt. That was a different league in a different time with no football and completely different programs for the most part.

It was a really good basketball league in the 80's though. Several multi-bid seasons between VCU, ODU, South Florida, Charlotte, Western Kentucky, UAB etc. Good times!

The league went football. It was our choice and we made the right one. WKU is one of the last basketball schools left. Part of the reason we are rebranding.

Not questioning the move at all. It's the right move for you guys. Just don't see basketball schools being interested in it.

If the SBC can get all the school pretty much on the same track
it should help a lot in improving all the schools rankings. There are some good ideas that have been mentioned in this thread. Money would solve a lot, but many things can be done without a major out lay.

(10-01-2013 05:24 PM)VCUfan Wrote:  

(10-01-2013 04:50 PM)chiefsfan Wrote:  

(10-01-2013 04:42 PM)VCUfan Wrote:  

(10-01-2013 03:46 PM)MemTGRS Wrote:  Just a coincidence, but I posted on the C-USA board that I thought the SBC did recently enact some type of scheduling mandate. Perhaps even some/all non-conference games facing league office approval?

http://csnbbs.com/showthread.php?tid=652...pid9793208

The SBC has a rich hoops tradition from the 80's and early 90's. New Mexico State's hoops it outstanding. Other than the geographic issues, they would be a slam dunk for all sports. Another quality non-football school with good basketbal might be something to consider ... but I'm really not thinking of many in the South sans VCU and they're staying Atlantic 10 unless the new Big East calls. At one time, I might have suggested Winthrop (Charlotte area ... strategic bridge from GA State to Appalachian State), but they've fallen since Greg Marshall departed for Wichita State.

Uh yeah... VCU's not going back to the Sun Belt. That was a different league in a different time with no football and completely different programs for the most part.

It was a really good basketball league in the 80's though. Several multi-bid seasons between VCU, ODU, South Florida, Charlotte, Western Kentucky, UAB etc. Good times!

The league went football. It was our choice and we made the right one. WKU is one of the last basketball schools left. Part of the reason we are rebranding.

Not questioning the move at all. It's the right move for you guys. Just don't see basketball schools being interested in it.

I don't think many expect them too unless a radical change is made in terms of whether or not basketball only schools can pay athletes.

Most of our sane expansion talk has focused on FCS football programs with strong Olympic sports. That would be one way to get a strong basketball school into the league.

Good approach.

Best way to improve basketball is to invest in basketball. Otherwise any and all success will be fleeting. Any good coaches you get will move on to programs who invest more unless you up the ante and make your program worth staying and building at.

That means recruiting budgets, facilities, salaries, player development amenities, travel budgets all that being in line with leagues you aspire to match in basketball. You can't expect to spend 25% or 50% of what folks in conferences you want to see as peers in basketball are spending and expect to be successful.

In the end, it's tough for programs to spend money on both basketball and football in a manner that allows both to be successful. It's pretty rare.

In this competitive landscape, football drives the bus, and I think the Sun Belt is right to focus on that. Being better in basketball is nice, but would be tough to pull off. I think the Sun Belt has their priorities straight. If you're going to do football, focus on making football legit.

For those of us not in "The Big Five", I don't know why there might be too much of a hang up about being a "hybrid". We really have to do things a bit different when you think about it.

In my opinion, UTA was a good choice for the SBC. You maintain a presence in the DFW area and a school with a lot of potential and it prevents Texas State from feeling isolated (Helloooo West Virginia).

Heck, I would now call the ACC a hybrid leage with Notre Dame's entry. Our league as well with Navy's football only and the Mountain West (via Hawaii) as well.

I would attempt a cartwheel if the American could somehow land VCU as the perfect 12th team complement to Navy. If we had invited UMass instead of Tulane, it might have increased that possibility.

An all-sports Missouri State would be a great target for the SBC's hoops but are they even thinking about it?

Jacksonville U (former SBC) had GREAT hoops in the 70's ... the Atlantic Sun is teetering now that ETSU and Mercer will be departing. They're near Statesboro, GA and would re-establish presence in the Sunshine State. They started 1-AA non-scholarship football about five years ago with former Florida QB Kerwin Bell as head coach in the Pioneer League.

(10-01-2013 05:54 PM)MemTGRS Wrote:  For those of us not in "The Big Five", I don't know why there might be too much of a hang up about being a "hybrid". We really have to do things a bit different when you think about it.

In my opinion, UTA was a good choice for the SBC. You maintain a presence in the DFW area and a school with a lot of potential and it prevents Texas State from feeling isolated (Helloooo West Virginia).

Heck, I would now call the ACC a hybrid leage with Notre Dame's entry. Our league as well with Navy's football only and the Mountain West (via Hawaii) as well.

I would attempt a cartwheel if the American could somehow land VCU as the perfect 12th team complement to Navy. If we had invited UMass instead of Tulane, it might have increased that possibility.

An all-sports Missouri State would be a great target for the SBC's hoops but are they even thinking about it?

Jacksonville U (former SBC) had GREAT hoops in the 70's ... the Atlantic Sun is teetering now that ETSU and Mercer will be departing. They're near Statesboro, GA and would re-establish presence in the Sunshine State. They started 1-AA non-scholarship football about five years ago with former Florida QB Kerwin Bell as head coach in the Pioneer League.

We know that Missouri State's AD have had contact with us about moving up. To my knowledge, they are going to have to work out the finances, and make sure the fans are on board before it happens. Missouri State has a sugar daddy that most of us would dream of, wo they should be okay on any facility improvements.

I really think they could begin playing catch up with Missouri if they move up. Many ASU fans were incredibly unimpressed with Columbia during our visit this weekend.. (You guys have them killed in football tailgating) They are state that badly needs a 2nd FBS team.

Seems like some Missouri State posters have indicated that they may be interested in the SBC.
However no real administration acknowledgement of their interest or future intent.

(10-01-2013 05:54 PM)MemTGRS Wrote:  Jacksonville U (former SBC) had GREAT hoops in the 70's ... the Atlantic Sun is teetering now that ETSU and Mercer will be departing. They're near Statesboro, GA and would re-establish presence in the Sunshine State. They started 1-AA non-scholarship football about five years ago with former Florida QB Kerwin Bell as head coach in the Pioneer League.

Artis 'A-Train' Gilmore! VCU just got a commit from his nephew.

Jacksonville really was great back then.

(10-01-2013 06:05 PM)GoApps70 Wrote:  Seems like some Missouri State posters have indicated that they may be interested in the SBC.
However no real administration acknowledgement of their interest or future intent.

There were some FOIA requests that indicated contact between ASU and Missouri State about moving up. I know that our administration is Missouri State's biggest fan in terms of expansion.

How does the Sun Belt move up in Basketball? That's easy.

Grab teams from big markets.


DUH!

(10-01-2013 06:01 PM)chiefsfan Wrote:  I really think they could begin playing catch up with Missouri if they move up. Many ASU fans were incredibly unimpressed with Columbia during our visit this weekend.. (You guys have them killed in football tailgating) They are state that badly needs a 2nd FBS team.

Really? Memphis tailgating? Well, due to geography, I have not seen the improvements at all to know, but muchas gracias, señor.

I don't know how that SEC thing will work for Mizzou ... besides an incredible amount of cash, that is. Despite that, I still see them as a flight risk the moment that the Big Ten looks their way. They don't stick out nearly like WVU in the Big 12, but culturally, I see them as Midwest w/o the intensity of any of the other 13 SEC schools.

Minor league note, but they are also the only SEC state where the high schools don't have spring practice. As outstanding as the high school football already is in North Carolina and Virginia, I can't help but think they would be even stronger if their high schools allowed spring football.

(10-01-2013 06:07 PM)chiefsfan Wrote:  

(10-01-2013 06:05 PM)GoApps70 Wrote:  Seems like some Missouri State posters have indicated that they may be interested in the SBC.
However no real administration acknowledgement of their interest or future intent.

There were some FOIA requests that indicated contact between ASU and Missouri State about moving up. I know that our administration is Missouri State's biggest fan in terms of expansion.

Didn't know that. Missouri State is certainly at the top of the list as far as I am concerned. Hard to say any school is perfect, but would think they are pretty close to an ideal SBC expansion school except for football average attendance. Which there are some SBC scheduling things and dates that could help them increase their attendance.

(10-01-2013 06:12 PM)GoApps70 Wrote:  

(10-01-2013 06:07 PM)chiefsfan Wrote:  

(10-01-2013 06:05 PM)GoApps70 Wrote:  Seems like some Missouri State posters have indicated that they may be interested in the SBC.
However no real administration acknowledgement of their interest or future intent.

There were some FOIA requests that indicated contact between ASU and Missouri State about moving up. I know that our administration is Missouri State's biggest fan in terms of expansion.

Didn't know that. Missouri State is certainly at the top of the list as far as I am concerned. Hard to say any school is perfect, but would think they are pretty close to an ideal SBC expansion school except for football average attendance. Which there are some SBC scheduling things and dates that could help them increase their attendance.

What's with the GIF? Showing off your free throw shooting prowess to the rest of the league?

ASU has a large alum base in the Northwest Arkansas/Southwest Missouri area. However, we have little exposure in that market because the University of Arkansas pretty much controls everything. Getting a league opponent in the area gives us an opportunity to work on our alums a bit.

(10-01-2013 06:01 PM)chiefsfan Wrote:  

(10-01-2013 05:54 PM)MemTGRS Wrote:  For those of us not in "The Big Five", I don't know why there might be too much of a hang up about being a "hybrid". We really have to do things a bit different when you think about it.

In my opinion, UTA was a good choice for the SBC. You maintain a presence in the DFW area and a school with a lot of potential and it prevents Texas State from feeling isolated (Helloooo West Virginia).

Heck, I would now call the ACC a hybrid leage with Notre Dame's entry. Our league as well with Navy's football only and the Mountain West (via Hawaii) as well.

I would attempt a cartwheel if the American could somehow land VCU as the perfect 12th team complement to Navy. If we had invited UMass instead of Tulane, it might have increased that possibility.

An all-sports Missouri State would be a great target for the SBC's hoops but are they even thinking about it?

Jacksonville U (former SBC) had GREAT hoops in the 70's ... the Atlantic Sun is teetering now that ETSU and Mercer will be departing. They're near Statesboro, GA and would re-establish presence in the Sunshine State. They started 1-AA non-scholarship football about five years ago with former Florida QB Kerwin Bell as head coach in the Pioneer League.

We know that Missouri State's AD have had contact with us about moving up. To my knowledge, they are going to have to work out the finances, and make sure the fans are on board before it happens. Missouri State has a sugar daddy that most of us would dream of, wo they should be okay on any facility improvements.

I really think they could begin playing catch up with Missouri if they move up. Many ASU fans were incredibly unimpressed with Columbia during our visit this weekend.. (You guys have them killed in football tailgating) They are state that badly needs a 2nd FBS team.

We stopped in Columbia on the way back from WKU's game in the NCAA vs Kansas and wasn't impressed with the city or campus.

(10-01-2013 06:09 PM)TheRevSWT Wrote:  How does the Sun Belt move up in Basketball? That's easy.

Grab teams from big markets.


DUH!

No doubt we could add some good basketball schools and that would do it, but really trying to figure out how we can improve the basketball perceptions and realities.

(10-01-2013 06:14 PM)chiefsfan Wrote:  

(10-01-2013 06:12 PM)GoApps70 Wrote:  

(10-01-2013 06:07 PM)chiefsfan Wrote:  

(10-01-2013 06:05 PM)GoApps70 Wrote:  Seems like some Missouri State posters have indicated that they may be interested in the SBC.
However no real administration acknowledgement of their interest or future intent.

There were some FOIA requests that indicated contact between ASU and Missouri State about moving up. I know that our administration is Missouri State's biggest fan in terms of expansion.

Didn't know that. Missouri State is certainly at the top of the list as far as I am concerned. Hard to say any school is perfect, but would think they are pretty close to an ideal SBC expansion school except for football average attendance. Which there are some SBC scheduling things and dates that could help them increase their attendance.

What's with the GIF? Showing off your free throw shooting prowess to the rest of the league?

ASU has a large alum base in the Northwest Arkansas/Southwest Missouri area. However, we have little exposure in that market because the University of Arkansas pretty much controls everything. Getting a league opponent in the area gives us an opportunity to work on our alums a bit.

That's our ace shooter. Nothing to see there. Always thought of it as the worst free throw ever. Guess the ball slipped off his hand.

Sounds like stAte would be helped with Missouri State joining the conference in several ways.

(10-01-2013 06:21 PM)GoApps70 Wrote:  

(10-01-2013 06:09 PM)TheRevSWT Wrote:  How does the Sun Belt move up in Basketball? That's easy.

Grab teams from big markets.


DUH!

No doubt we could add some good basketball schools and that would do it, but really trying to figure out how we can improve the basketball perceptions and realities.

I guess my joke went unrecognized. I know jack all about basketball, so instead I decided to take the bad joke approach and poke fun at CUSA and their "improve football" approach.

With the possible separation of the FBS from the rest of the NCAA, wouldn't the Sun Belt improve in basketball just by association with the highest level of the NCAA and the probable introduction of stipends.

That issue could force Mo State to join the FBS as basketball could be hurt. The MVC, WCC, OVC, and other leagues could be damaged but the Sun Belt could be elevated in basketball.