I want to see how many of you actually think this... (I left out an adjective)

(11-05-2014 05:44 PM)Who You Crappin? Wrote:  I want to see how many of you actually think this... (I left out an adjective)

I'm not sure why ANYONE would think it is a lateral move. And if so, they obviously have some sort of blinders on.

Well, I've read it multiple times in these threads. I don't think it is, but I want to see what percentage of us actually think this.

(11-05-2014 05:46 PM)Who You Crappin? Wrote:  Well, I've read it multiple times in these threads. I don't think it is, but I want to see what percentage of us actually think this.

No I have seen it as well. I'm just stating that I have no clue why some people believe that.

MAC<ACC<BIG 12

Please explain if you answer "yes".

Definitely not a lateral move. There may be programs that would be lateral as far as coaching or AD, etc. but an entire conference it's definitely above the MAC.

Money is larger, schools are larger, markets are larger and not saturating a state. (Looking at you Ohio schools)

Getting into markets like Tampa, Orlando, Dallas, Cincy, etc would be good for NIU.

It fully depends on what people consider lateral.

If we are talking about SOS then of course the AAC would be a much better conference to be in. We would be able to play much better teams on a week to week basis and throw that in with the out of conference scheduling we've done we would have a pretty solid schedule in the AAC.

But......the AAC is a group of 5 conference. So in the end they too will be left by the wayside. I feel that if you can even make a case that it is a lateral move (which you can), that it is indeed a lateral move. Only moving to a P5 conference could we say with full confidence that it is a step up.

Therefore, I've voted "yes" in the poll. I totally agree our schedule would be much better in the AAC and we would probably gain some more national recognition. But if we are talking about strictly the landscape of FBS football, then in my opinion the AAC is a lateral move.

(11-05-2014 06:05 PM)HuskieJWN Wrote:  Definitely not a lateral move. There may be programs that would be lateral as far as coaching or AD, etc. but an entire conference it's definitely above the MAC.

Money is larger, schools are larger, markets are larger and not saturating a state. (Looking at you Ohio schools)

Getting into markets like Tampa, Orlando, Dallas, Cincy, etc would be good for NIU.

agreed, it opens up a whole new world for NIU sports.....but it also requires a lot more travel.....correct me if I'm wrong but we travel by bus to most MAC conf games....yes? The MAC is a Mich/Ohio conference

If you doubled up the MAC West (clones), and not the MAC East -- sure, I'd say it'd be a lateral move in football.

AAC has bigger fan-base, more fans at games, more money in the conference, tougher schedule, etc. It's a step up. Is it a Big Step up? No, not really -- but a good solid one. But what it will get you is that Access Bowl birth more easily if ya go 10-2 regular season, looking into a Conf Champ game (they're adding teams; next year they'll be split into two Divs).

I would instead say CUSA wouldn't be worth going to with all that hassle, NO. Both divisions are better than the MAC East, but the MAC West is arguably better than both too. Not worth that.

Mountain West? Yeah. But between that and AAC -- it depends on how good each conf is doing that year, in which the AAC would be doing a bit better more often than not.

Any move from the MAC is an upgrade

Technically yes, it's a lateral move if you only think group of five and access bowl.
But in the grand scheme of things, it's a big move that would alter NIU athletics forever. And thats a good thing.

BCS win and two national championships in basketball last year. It would be a huge upgrade.

We have a SEC caliber team. That's where we should move.

To follow up, today... I can't believe that there are 8 yes's. I really would have thought it would be at most 2 or 3. If any of you that voted yes would elaborate on your decision, it would be cool. I personally don't think it's even close to being lateral. The bigger markets alone would be a great thing.

Those who don't want to leave the MAC for the AAC are crazy. Big cities, schools with a history of national prominence. UConn, Memphis, Cincy, Houston have all won or been close to the national championship in basketball. Also top notch in other sports and its women's teams are top drawer as well. Getting into cities like Phila., Houston, Dallas, Orlando, Tampa, New Orleans, Raleigh, Washington DC area, c'mon versus Athens, Kalamazoo, Mt. Pleasant? Have you ever been to these schools? Absolutely no comparison. If we could get into the AAC, grab it. The Big 12 is at least 5-10 years into the future if ever. The G5 conferences are headed up by the AAC and the MW. Then come the MAC, CUSA, and SBC. Move up if you can.

I think it would be more like a screen play.

Moving to AAC would further help recruiting efforts in Florida and Texas, sell players on playing at bigger stadiums, play an away game near home, etc. No way is AAC a lateral move, could you also imagine UConn playing at convo if NIU were to become a full member of AAC.

(11-06-2014 10:50 AM)ADOG05 Wrote:  Moving to AAC would further help recruiting efforts in Florida and Texas, sell players on playing at bigger stadiums, play an away game near home, etc. No way is AAC a lateral move, could you also imagine UConn playing at convo if NIU were to become a full member of AAC.

Or Cinci/Memphis?? I think alot of people are not grasping the positive effects a move to the AAC would bring for the basketball program...maybe even more than for football.

(11-06-2014 10:53 AM)RedandBlackAttack Wrote:  

(11-06-2014 10:50 AM)ADOG05 Wrote:  Moving to AAC would further help recruiting efforts in Florida and Texas, sell players on playing at bigger stadiums, play an away game near home, etc. No way is AAC a lateral move, could you also imagine UConn playing at convo if NIU were to become a full member of AAC.

Or Cinci/Memphis?? I think alot of people are not grasping the positive effects a move to the AAC would bring for the basketball program...maybe even more than for football.

Completely agree

(11-06-2014 10:53 AM)RedandBlackAttack Wrote:  

(11-06-2014 10:50 AM)ADOG05 Wrote:  Moving to AAC would further help recruiting efforts in Florida and Texas, sell players on playing at bigger stadiums, play an away game near home, etc. No way is AAC a lateral move, could you also imagine UConn playing at convo if NIU were to become a full member of AAC.

Or Cinci/Memphis?? I think alot of people are not grasping the positive effects a move to the AAC would bring for the basketball program...maybe even more than for football.

+1

Same thing about the B12 having a much better chance of recruiting basketball players out of Chicago-land because they will likely get to play a few games in their home state in their career.