(09-04-2016 08:24 AM)IULurker Wrote: To be honest, I don't see what even an all sports UMass would do for the MAC. Their basketball just isn't anything special, and they are living on past glory. They would be upper middle of the MAC, but I don't think they would win the conference consistently. They would just be another mouth to feed even if they came all sports.
In other words, their AD will be waiting by the phone for a LONG time.
Cough, all major programs will be on an upswing starting this year. We had a 4 star recruit, LuWane Pipkins from the Chicago area sit out last year. We have two great recruits in this years class with Baldwin and top 100 Dejon Jarreau.
Full 2016 class
We hung tough with #25 Florida last night, were the defense did start to tire in the 4th qtr missing some tackles, but still very respectable and destroyed the 36 point spread.
That said 3 years of independence will be uncertain. The best thing we can do is improve attendance with improved playing and especially sell-out McGuirk so the expansion plans can precede. We don't know what the future is and was a bit surprised that our AD mentioned the MAC possibility, no matter how remote it maybe.
Footnote: The one program that I miss head and shoulders above the others is Ohio.
Think Ryan Bamford is a great AD for us. He gave up money for exposure in our TV contract, which will are all games on NESN. Most games are NESN National. The actual contract is through ASN, which enables other markets to pickup the feed, like the Tulane game on campus. If your not traveling to an away game, the Boston College - UMass game is on a noon time EST.
NESN National listing by major cities
Heard coach Whipple say that we are up to 85 scholarships for the first time.