(07-19-2014 09:39 AM)NBPirate Wrote:  Win. Just win.

Doesn't work. See UCONN in 2011 for proof.

(07-19-2014 10:33 AM)DefCONNOne Wrote:  

(07-19-2014 09:39 AM)NBPirate Wrote:  Win. Just win.

Doesn't work. See UCONN in 2011 for proof.

No offense, but this really is more of a football discussion. UCONN killed it in both men's and women's bball, but that didn't move the needle compared to how a successful UCONN football team would. You're welcome to disagree, but by you own comment, I think you'd agree I'm right, though I won't say to what degree.

UCONN has put AAC basketball on the map, so I think it's safe to say most/all AAC fans are appreciative, for bragging rights as well as recruiting benefits. If UCONN straightens out their football, you'll see the benefits.

The upper level is maxed out at 65 teams. If you aren't in that number already, you won't be getting there.

One more will get in but it won't be from the East Coast.

(07-19-2014 10:53 AM)He1nousOne Wrote:  One more will get in but it won't be from the East Coast.

Go fish.

(07-19-2014 10:11 AM)He1nousOne Wrote:  The Big 12 is not going to be expanding, ever. My apologies as ECU and more importantly, the ECU following, deserves a shot. I do think ECU would drastically improve and perhaps even become the top football program in the State of North Carolina if they had the chance to compete on equal terms with the ACC four. Unfortunately, The Big 12 has made it pretty obvious that their plans do not include expansion.

Become? See last year. We're not far off right now.

I am sorry, but this will not happen. For whatever reason, and there are several, the big boys have chosen to leave you behind. ECU will never bet that coveted invite to the money conferences. Good luck in your future endeavors.

(07-19-2014 10:55 AM)NBPirate Wrote:  

(07-19-2014 10:11 AM)He1nousOne Wrote:  The Big 12 is not going to be expanding, ever. My apologies as ECU and more importantly, the ECU following, deserves a shot. I do think ECU would drastically improve and perhaps even become the top football program in the State of North Carolina if they had the chance to compete on equal terms with the ACC four. Unfortunately, The Big 12 has made it pretty obvious that their plans do not include expansion.

Become? See last year. We're not far off right now.

I am talking about more methods of measurement than just wins. I agree though, ECU is closer in the regard that I am talking about than most folks would appreciate or care to admit. That is why their participation in a Major Conference would be a game changer in the State of North Carolina.

Other than the perception that the Big 12 is the most likely to add members soon, why do you want to be invited there? I understand that you have almost no chance of being considered by either the ACC or the B1G. Obviously, the PAC makes no sense. That only leaves the Big 12 and the SEC.

You were among the last schools added by a desperate G5 conference. If you weren't attractive to the OBE/AAC, what has changed that would make you attractive to a conference that needs you to add a lot more value than you add to the AAC? What could change?

The one thing that is impossible to change is your location. Between the Big 12 and the SEC, the one for which your location is not a negative is the SEC. You are in what would be a new market for the SEC while still being contiguous. And, while both Carolina and State have much bigger followings, and currently have big recruiting advantages over you, they are mediocre at best in football. I know you and your fans want to beat those schools more than any other. But accomplishing that doesn't help your case with either the SEC or the Big 12.

I'd say you should try to make West Virginia your best friend and biggest rival. They are an outlier, too. And while they are in the Big 12, they make more sense to the SEC than any other school they are likely to covet this side of Texas and Oklahoma. Bringing you both in would let the SEC put Mizzou in the west where they belong.

Is that a long shot? You bet. The longest. But what else have you got? Stop scheduling UNC and NC State and shoot for WVU, Va Tech, South Carolina, Tennessee and Kentucky, even if you have to give them two home games for your one. And then win your share - not necessarily half, but 35-40% of them. Make it be known that you would be willing to sign on for something less than a full share.

Then, pray.

I always tought East Car could help the BE, been saying that since the mid 90's.
tought BB program was a sleeping giant in BB crazy state.
East Car biggest problem, they would be 5th school from NC
the more playoff money P5 wants, their gonna have to look at markets
from group perspective instead of conf perspective.

IMHO, the NCAA Conference Champion game requirements will dictate if the B12 will expand. If they keep the 12 Game requirement for the championship game, I think they go to 12. They thing that will help the B12 to expand is Fox Sports. With the latest TW takeover attempt, it appears Fox is serious about trying to challenge ESPN. I remember when everyone laughed at the idea of a 4th Network called Fox. Also, no way Fox News would ever compete with CNN. If Rupert Murdoch wants it to happen, his track record has been good.

Best thing for the AAC is for the minimum to drop to 10, otherwise, two teams will be poached. My prediction would be UCF or USF if not both, I think UCONN for the North East. While not close to WVU, at least it is the same time zone. Bonus prediction, B12 does a similar football deal with BYU to the ACC/ND agreement. I believe when conferences change add or lose teams, that typically opens up bowl and tv contract negotiations.

(07-19-2014 07:50 AM)hawghiggs Wrote:  ECU biggest problem is branding. Drop the East. Just be Carolina University. Heck go with The Carolina University.

UNC Branding along with South Carolina fans calling themselves Carolina will make this suggestion a bad decision.

I'd think B12 or SEC would be about the only two reasonable options UP from the AAC. The ACC will be politically impossible for us.

Lots of hatred for ECU on these boards. Not sure where it comes from.

I agree, I wish they ACC would let ECU in but the idea of a conference being about regions is a thing of the past :(

(07-19-2014 11:51 AM)NBPirate Wrote:  Lots of hatred for ECU on these boards. Not sure where it comes from.

um.....threads like these are where it comes from.

Branding has little to do with it. That's superficial and often merely in the minds of the supporters of some of the schools who don't like their own name. The term "directional" is often used as a pejorative, but I rarely hear it for UCF and USF; they outgrew that long-ago, despite their literal name, through academic standards, size of their student body, and transformation into research institutions.
Some schools have institutional barriers to overcome before they can go to these bigger leagues. And in many cases, they simply can't be overcome.

(07-19-2014 11:59 AM)HamiltonJames Wrote:  Branding has little to do with it. That's superficial and often merely in the minds of the supporters of some of the schools who don't like their own name. The term "directional" is often used as a pejorative, but I rarely hear it for UCF and USF; they outgrew that long-ago, despite their literal name, through academic standards, size of their student body, and transformation into research institutions.
Some schools have institutional barriers to overcome before they can go to these bigger leagues. And in many cases, they simply can't be overcome.

East is never a good name before a school. East Carolina, Eastern Michigan, Eastern Illinois, East Tenn St, East Texas St. East denotes basically a normal school.

Go with University of Cape Hatteras, Carolina Atlantic, or Greater Bermuda University. Make the public think you are a beach school will upgrade ECU's brand.

I think passing UCF and Cincy in the pecking order might be a little too ambitious right now. A better question is how to pass Memphis and Tulane. Memphis basicly got an invite to the Big East first because of basketball. Tulane because of history and academics.

ECU academics will never get to UNC, NCSU, or Duke levels. Its just not its mission, so the Tulane model is not the right plan to follow. Probably the Louisville example is best to follow, but Louisville already had a strong history in basketball, and was already #2 in a state with no pro teams.

The fact is there are no good examples for ECU to work off of. Texas Tech maybe. Its the 3rd ranked public P5 school in a large state with 5 different P5 schools. But TT may be more lucky than deserving.

(07-19-2014 12:11 PM)NoDak Wrote:  

(07-19-2014 11:59 AM)HamiltonJames Wrote:  Branding has little to do with it. That's superficial and often merely in the minds of the supporters of some of the schools who don't like their own name. The term "directional" is often used as a pejorative, but I rarely hear it for UCF and USF; they outgrew that long-ago, despite their literal name, through academic standards, size of their student body, and transformation into research institutions.
Some schools have institutional barriers to overcome before they can go to these bigger leagues. And in many cases, they simply can't be overcome.

East is never a good name before a school. East Carolina, Eastern Michigan, Eastern Illinois, East Tenn St, East Texas St. East denotes basically a normal school.

Go with University of Cape Hatteras, Carolina Atlantic, or Greater Bermuda University. Make the public think you are a beach school will upgrade ECU's brand.

West Virginia got in the B12 with West

Western Carolina, Western Kentucky, and Western Michigan are still on the waiting lest though...