http://www.kwch.com/news/local-news/AAC-...t/36869960

AAC, Wichita State a natural fit

WICHITA, Kan. -
Since Wichita State is putting feelers out for a potential change of conferences, there should be strong feeling for the American Athletic Conference. It is a match geographically, competitively and financially for Wichita State.

Proximity is paramount

Draw a route on a map from Connecticut, Florida, over to Houston and up to Tulsa: that’s the footprint of the AAC. It is a conference that features 11 teams in nine states, including Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas and Louisiana. If Wichita State were to join the AAC, those Midwestern states would accompany Kansas in the middle of the map.

Basketball Powers Align

Wichita State’s basketball program is the bait on the hook. The addition of the Shockers would instantly bolster the American Athletic Conference into one of the elite basketball conferences in the nation. The Shockers resume of success is lined with 12 NCAA tournament appearances. Over the last three years, head coach Gregg Marshall has architected a 35-1 season, as well as a Final 4 and Sweet 16 appearance. They are no mid-major. They are a nationally relevant program, capable of competing with the Power 5 and they are powerful.

The AAC is a conference that boasts the Connecticut Huskies. Head Coach Jim Calhoun constructed that program into a national power that won three national titles under his watch and a fourth championship the year after he left. Along with UCONN, the University of Memphis has a rich history of hoops. The Tigers have been a part of three Final Fours and finished runner-up twice.

IMHO now would be the absolute WORST time to add them. They're having an injury plagued season in what was supposed to be the last hurrah for the players on the magical tournament team of 4 years ago, and no one knows if Marshall will stick around (or even have continued success if he does)

I'm for adding them if they can prove a continued propensity of success, which means waiting a year or two.

**** that last paragraph

"A natural fit" ?

What bowl is their football team playing in?

(12-11-2015 02:27 PM)DownOnRohs Wrote:  "A natural fit" ?

What bowl is their football team playing in?

The Derby Waste Management Bowl.... HOME OF DERBY TRASH!

I'd want WSU if they don't have football, as an addition to balance out Navy, while adding a solid hoops program...with football? meh...I don't want to be the conference for upstart/1st year programs...that's the sun belt/mac/cusa's wheelhouse

Is this serious?

(12-11-2015 02:35 PM)uhcoog27 Wrote:  Is this serious?

I know WSU is putting a ton of articles out lately about moving up conferences. They seem to be eyeing the MWC or the AAC because both conferences have basketball vacancies to put the conferences at 12 teams. (AAC - Navy, MWC - Hawaii)

(12-11-2015 02:35 PM)uhcoog27 Wrote:  Is this serious?

Apparently, yes, on Wichita State's part anyway. Don't know if AAC has any interest.

I wouldn't mind their addition to balance out Navy football... but not sure about the rest.

This is where Aresco makes his salary. Long term strategic planning and asset evaluation. Would they move the needle on our contract? What's their long term brand potential?

(12-11-2015 02:26 PM)DownOnRohs Wrote:  **** that last paragraph

Why? Is it because Cincy's not mentioned in it?

(12-11-2015 03:02 PM)DefCONNOne Wrote:  

(12-11-2015 02:26 PM)DownOnRohs Wrote:  **** that last paragraph

Why? Is it because Cincy's not mentioned in it?

yes, and they should be mentioned...UConn, Cincy, Memphis, Temple, and even Tulsa have great basketball tradition.

(12-11-2015 02:40 PM)BullsFanInTX Wrote:  

(12-11-2015 02:35 PM)uhcoog27 Wrote:  Is this serious?

Apparently, yes, on Wichita State's part anyway. Don't know if AAC has any interest.

Wichita State from the MWC expansion article talked to the MWC 2 years ago but couldn't find a taker in that conference. I believe the MWC is fixated on Texas markets instead.

I've always thought Wichita State makes sense in the AAC because of its geography. The AAC wants to keep UConn in the conference and WSU helps to do that.

I realize WSU isn't haven't the best season but if you look at their support and facilities they could handle the AAC in basketball.

I think if you're going to add a football only member, doesn't it only make sense to add a non-football member to balance everything out? I'm not saying Wich St is that team necessarily, but I mean it's awkward having an 11 team basketball conference.

I think it would be awesome to have Wichita State in the American. As far as Tulsa goes, it makes a lot of since. Close geographically, and our most played rival in basketball. I don't know about the other teams in the conference, but it's a great fit for Tulsa.

I just hope Houston fans don't get upset that they'll have to take a back seat to WSU in basketball as our biggest rival.

Wichita State? Nope. We're good.


Marshall, BYU/Boise St...


Now we're talking

(12-11-2015 08:01 PM)Bear Wrote:  Wichita State? Nope. We're good.


Marshall, BYU/Boise St...


Now we're talking

(12-11-2015 08:01 PM)Bear Wrote:  Wichita State? Nope. We're good.


Marshall, BYU/Boise St...


Now we're talking

You lost all credit when you said Marshall. Shame on you.

Marshall is the dregs of athletics and academics..

I like the possibility. But you can hold onto your hopes for a football team, otherwise go talk toCUSA.

They are small by public school standards, but their basketball program is established,even if Marshall were to leave. A better option there than VCU.

Don't they have a good baseball program for the seam heads among us?

It sets up travel partners for our Olympic sports.
We could have two BB divisions and play a 16 game schedule in BB, which is preferable to me compared to our current unbalanced 18 game conference schedule.