(11-14-2016 05:26 PM)Greenroom Wrote: (11-11-2016 12:48 PM)cmett003 Wrote: (11-11-2016 12:06 PM)UTSAMarineVet09 Wrote: didnt ODU basketball win only 5 games a few years back?
We also dont play in a high school gym, and are building an $8.4 million dollar practice facility.
This is a fair point that you bring up especially with UTSA. I hate that our basketball program plays in the Convo. It was ok for the Southland, but for CUSA its not an acceptable arena. IMO
However, what others need to understand is that UTSA, did not expect to be in a conference like CUSA this fast. Timing worked out perfect for them to do it, but money and facilities need to catch up. And in time they will. UTSA invested in the football program first, and are tyring to upgrade secondary programs like soccer, baseball and softball (are next). So they are making the commitment, however it is going to take time.
Long term the future of UTSA basketball and football are very promising if they can build the facilities. And with all the money being put into the NW side of San Antonio it is going to be there.
But sorry the rest of your argument is just garbage. Rice football has been solid for years, yes this year they have taken a step back. And lets not think that ODU is that great either. How about you step up and win a title in something before you start acting like you are a class above everyone.
If I'm not mistaken, ODU football is only a year younger than UTSA football and neither have even made a bowl game yet, so I'm not sure what your point is.
Here's the thing. C-USA used to have Houston, Memphis, UCF, etc. C-USA fell from where they used to be because when the American stole half the conference and replacements were needed, C-USA chose a few established teams (La Tech, WKU, MTSU, UNT), but also chose markets with new teams (Charlotte, San Antonio, Norfolk, Miami, Boca Raton). They took a huge risk by taking teams with no history in exchange for lucrative markets in the hope that the teams would eventually, as the kids say, git gud.
Old Dominion seems to have gotten it together. Charlotte is at least playing like an FBS team now. Both UTSA and UNT have improved from last year.
Will the risk they took pay off? Who knows? I would rather they had chosen more established teams that were at least decent, but what's done is done. If C-USA is bad it's primarily the new teams (yes USM took a step back this year and Marshall tanked, but speaking in general here). Teams that will need time to build a program. I've heard Frank Wilson is a great recruiter with ties to HS coaches in TX, so there's that.
Point is, C-USA made a long term investment and if it's going to work, it's going to be a few years. Based on the improvements that we've seen from UNT, UTSA, ODU, and Charlotte this year, imagine if they continue to improve and the established teams that are disappointing this season (Rice, Marshall, UTEP, USM) get back to winning? Could be a much stronger conference moving forward.
Give it time.