(10-19-2021 03:59 PM)Schadenfreude Wrote:  I'm quite surprised to see these all signals that the Sun Belt might not be expanding after all. Old Dominion is clearly hinting it plans to stay in the Sun and expects to bring in local schools. (James Madison or Liberty or both, I imagine.)

Meanwhile, Marshall might be having second thoughts about joining the Sun Belt, possibly because it wants to bring a fairly close by school like Old Dominion along, and the Sun Belt may only want two more members (one of them Southern Mississippi).

So, unsurprisingly (to those of us who remember how the MAC was 20 years ago), at the moment, it is this again...

Marshall and ODU have been at the forefront of wanting a compact geographic conference. I would imagine that may be the course they take. JMU wants to be with ODU or with other Commonwealth colleges. You might see a school or two from another existing conference join them.

This could have implications for MAC men's soccer. From the Sun Belt board:

(10-19-2021 04:37 PM)Herd6993 Wrote:  My understanding is "if" Marshall joins the Belt, they (SBC) will sponsor M-Soccer again with Marshall, Coastal, Ga Southern, Ga State, ODU, UK,SC, and WVU.

(10-19-2021 04:44 PM)Schadenfreude Wrote:  This could have implications for MAC men's soccer. From the Sun Belt board:

(10-19-2021 04:37 PM)Herd6993 Wrote:  My understanding is "if" Marshall joins the Belt, they (SBC) will sponsor M-Soccer again with Marshall, Coastal, Ga Southern, Ga State, ODU, UK,SC, and WVU.

Just curious what would be the implications to the MAC? I don't believe any of the schools you listed play in the MAC?

(10-19-2021 05:04 PM)Flat Tire 2 Wrote:  

(10-19-2021 04:44 PM)Schadenfreude Wrote:  This could have implications for MAC men's soccer. From the Sun Belt board:

(10-19-2021 04:37 PM)Herd6993 Wrote:  My understanding is "if" Marshall joins the Belt, they (SBC) will sponsor M-Soccer again with Marshall, Coastal, Ga Southern, Ga State, ODU, UK,SC, and WVU.

Just curious what would be the implications to the MAC? I don't believe any of the schools you listed play in the MAC?

Ga St. and Ga So.

(10-19-2021 05:13 PM)mufanatehc Wrote:  

(10-19-2021 05:04 PM)Flat Tire 2 Wrote:  

(10-19-2021 04:44 PM)Schadenfreude Wrote:  This could have implications for MAC men's soccer. From the Sun Belt board:

(10-19-2021 04:37 PM)Herd6993 Wrote:  My understanding is "if" Marshall joins the Belt, they (SBC) will sponsor M-Soccer again with Marshall, Coastal, Ga Southern, Ga State, ODU, UK,SC, and WVU.

Just curious what would be the implications to the MAC? I don't believe any of the schools you listed play in the MAC?

Ga St. and Ga So.

Thanks!

Quote:Any truth to rumors that EMU and Akron may leave the MAC?

No. They spent a lot of money in recent times on their stadiums and such -- but their dreams of joining the Big Ten, and even the AAC are now diminished.

I don't think the MAC would want to add more teams, by default. We have a good TV contract that we don't want to shift for the worse in a greater split-up. If we can ensure the team-by-team payout stays the same -- or somewhat close to it but with better quality expansion that's clear as a bell (unlike Big-East-Rejected-Temple years ago, and UMass) -- then yeah.

With football, the travel's bigger than, say, a Wrastling or BBall team which doesn't have many people to traverse. That said, I would say:
- Marshall
- W Kentucky
- ODM (haven't been good at all lately; but with promise, OK)
- Mid Tenn State
* Southern Miss (Too Far; SBC may take them anyway)
* LA-Tech (Too Far; SBC may take them anyway)

... but realistically IF we were to expand and not take a hit financially in TV revenue -- I would say only add 2. NOT going to 16 teams. Why?

We really need 4 OOC games for Payouts, right? To play 2 P5s with some $$, each year. We go to 16, we'd lower that to 3. We won't be nixing a D1AA team for nearly every year -- and we wouldn't want to nix a P5 opponent for $$ reasons... so hardly Ever play a fellow G5 team and sacrifice that? Don't like it. I guess maybe on-off years, 1 D1AA, the other 1 fellow G5.

All in all, I don't know if it'd be worth it expanding to 14 given what we could realistically grab VS present & future TV $$ we rake in from ESPN.

(10-19-2021 02:46 PM)Bull_In_Exile Wrote:  

(10-19-2021 02:39 PM)cmufanatic Wrote:  unfortunately i think you are right, i have questioned MAC leadership and decisions in past, i too however feel MAC will take the easy road and stand still. Big opportunity here IMO to do something to strengthen the conference and possible help increase the payout!

And what's so upsetting is this...

Any of these pairs

WKU/Marshall
WKU/MTSU
ODU/JMU
ODU/Marshall

Would both enhance the conference a bit *AND* not blowout our geographical footprint too badly. ESP the WKU/Marshall.

If you try and fail, so be it. You miss 100% of the pitches you don't swing at. But the MAC will sit back until the dust settles rather than jumping into the scrum because they are too busy trying to be quippy on twitter.

Its better for the MAC to wait and see how desperate it becomes.

Marshall I don't think is on the menu for the MAC in any scenario.

Is WKU going to demand MT? Is ODU going to demand JMU? Those are questions that I would ask.

How does WKU & ODU feel about MAC basketball? It should be above the new SBC in quality.

(10-19-2021 05:13 PM)mufanatehc Wrote:  

(10-19-2021 05:04 PM)Flat Tire 2 Wrote:  

(10-19-2021 04:44 PM)Schadenfreude Wrote:  This could have implications for MAC men's soccer. From the Sun Belt board:

(10-19-2021 04:37 PM)Herd6993 Wrote:  My understanding is "if" Marshall joins the Belt, they (SBC) will sponsor M-Soccer again with Marshall, Coastal, Ga Southern, Ga State, ODU, UK,SC, and WVU.

Just curious what would be the implications to the MAC? I don't believe any of the schools you listed play in the MAC?

Ga St. and Ga So.

And West Virginia

(10-20-2021 07:19 AM)mpurdy22 Wrote:  

(10-19-2021 05:13 PM)mufanatehc Wrote:  

(10-19-2021 05:04 PM)Flat Tire 2 Wrote:  

(10-19-2021 04:44 PM)Schadenfreude Wrote:  This could have implications for MAC men's soccer. From the Sun Belt board:

(10-19-2021 04:37 PM)Herd6993 Wrote:  My understanding is "if" Marshall joins the Belt, they (SBC) will sponsor M-Soccer again with Marshall, Coastal, Ga Southern, Ga State, ODU, UK,SC, and WVU.

Just curious what would be the implications to the MAC? I don't believe any of the schools you listed play in the MAC?

Ga St. and Ga So.

And West Virginia

True, but I think West Virginia men's soccer is already on its way out the door, to Conference USA.

The MAC has a good core of four men's soccer programs. Akron has won national championships. Bowling Green and Northern Illinois are nationally-ranked right now. We added Georgia Southern and Georgia State to maintain the MAC's automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.

I assume something could be done if the Sun Belt takes up men's soccer. Men's soccer affiliations have changed over the years to stay at six.

Not sure if WVU's move to C-USA is viable now, the Mountaineers may want to rethink that.

Most of WKU's fanbase is dead set on being in a southern based league. Or at least they have been.

With 6 teams leaving C-USA, and the possibility of 2 more going to the SBC (most likely USM and Marshall) I think the fan base would quickly warm to the idea of the MAC vs. the alternative of being stuck in a conference with FIU and UTEP and little else.

As far as being tied to the hip with MTSU, I think that ship has sailed. They left the SBC without us initially. They have embraced mediocrity in C-USA under the current admin. Sticking with Marshall is number 1 on our wishlist. If they go to the SBC and don't have room for us, then WKU to the MAC with ODU (or JMU) becomes the best option for us in my opinion. Otherwise Independence in football and MVC in basketball seems like a better option than the Frankenstein's monster of a league C-USA would become.

(10-20-2021 09:06 AM)freshtop Wrote:  Most of WKU's fanbase is dead set on being in a southern based league. Or at least they have been.

With 6 teams leaving C-USA, and the possibility of 2 more going to the SBC (most likely USM and Marshall) I think the fan base would quickly warm to the idea of the MAC vs. the alternative of being stuck in a conference with FIU and UTEP and little else.

As far as being tied to the hip with MTSU, I think that ship has sailed. They left the SBC without us initially. They have embraced mediocrity in C-USA under the current admin. Sticking with Marshall is number 1 on our wishlist. If they go to the SBC and don't have room for us, then WKU to the MAC with ODU (or JMU) becomes the best option for us in my opinion. Otherwise Independence in football and MVC in basketball seems like a better option than the Frankenstein's monster of a league C-USA would become.

It is intriguing to imagine adding Western Kentucky and someone else near the footprint, such as Middle Tennessee or James Madison or whoever. And it wouldn't surprise me if someone at Western Kentucky eventually inquires about that. But I doubt the MAC would move forward.

That's not a commentary on Western Kentucky. It's just that the MAC is at a good number with 12, with nearly everyone seemingly committed long term. Adding more schools might only put more financial pressure on the schools already in the fold.

If we needed another school in the future, I imagine Western Kentucky would get a good look.

(10-20-2021 09:06 AM)freshtop Wrote:  Most of WKU's fanbase is dead set on being in a southern based league. Or at least they have been.

I remember Marshall fans (and, IIRC, their administration being on record) of having the same sentiment when they were in the league.

That's understandable, but that's obviously a concern about a former CUSA school (or southern based FCS) joining the MAC, and is probably why there isn't much media buzz about it anyhow.

I know the Rust Belt MAC is hardly a glamorous, up-and-coming place to be. But you'd want any new member to at least somewhat want to be here.

Therefore if - and I do mean IF - the MAC ever expands, it's better to approach schools like NDSU, SDSU, Northern Iowa, or Illinois State.

(10-20-2021 09:06 AM)freshtop Wrote:  Most of WKU's fanbase is dead set on being in a southern based league. Or at least they have been.

With 6 teams leaving C-USA, and the possibility of 2 more going to the SBC (most likely USM and Marshall) I think the fan base would quickly warm to the idea of the MAC vs. the alternative of being stuck in a conference with FIU and UTEP and little else.

As far as being tied to the hip with MTSU, I think that ship has sailed. They left the SBC without us initially. They have embraced mediocrity in C-USA under the current admin. Sticking with Marshall is number 1 on our wishlist. If they go to the SBC and don't have room for us, then WKU to the MAC with ODU (or JMU) becomes the best option for us in my opinion. Otherwise Independence in football and MVC in basketball seems like a better option than the Frankenstein's monster of a league C-USA would become.

If the reports are right and CUSA is down to 6 after USM/Marshall it just doesn't make sense to salvage it anymore.

WKU and/or ODU would help the MAC in basketball, where they actually need help. JMU I see as a 14th along for the ride, though they bring good FB.

(10-20-2021 12:01 PM)Kit-Cat Wrote:  WKU and/or ODU would help the MAC in basketball, where they actually need help. JMU I see as a 14th along for the ride, though they bring good FB.

BGSU president: "So I see adding Western Kentucky and Old Dominion means we get less money from the conference. What's the upside?"
BGSU AD: "Well, Western Kentucky and Old Dominion would help the MAC in basketball."
BGSU president: "Help how?
BGSU AD: "Well, both of these schools are traditionally pretty good at basketball."
BGSU president: "So we get less money, but on the other hand, we have two more schools in our conference that are pretty good at basketball?"
BGSU AD: "Correct."
BGSU president: "How does that help us?"
BGSU AD: "Excellent question. Well, as I said, these schools are pretty good at basketball."

(10-20-2021 01:33 PM)Schadenfreude Wrote:  

(10-20-2021 12:01 PM)Kit-Cat Wrote:  WKU and/or ODU would help the MAC in basketball, where they actually need help. JMU I see as a 14th along for the ride, though they bring good FB.

BGSU president: "So I see adding Western Kentucky and Old Dominion means we get less money from the conference. What's the upside?"
BGSU AD: "Well, Western Kentucky and Old Dominion would help the MAC in basketball."
BGSU president: "Help how?
BGSU AD: "Well, both of these schools are traditionally pretty good at basketball."
BGSU president: "So we get less money, but on the other hand, we have two more schools in our conference that are pretty good at basketball?"
BGSU AD: "Correct."
BGSU president: "How does that help us?"
BGSU AD: "Excellent question. Well, as I said, these schools are pretty good at basketball."

The assumption here is that (1) it's all about payout and (2) ESPN would not up the conference payout to maintain the "per team" share.

THe sales pitch to the BGSU president could be....

1 - Money will be about the same but we will be able to advertise the school in another state that borders Ohio during conference games

Also, two strong adds to hoops may help the MAC become an occasional two bid league, which we're sorely lacking at.

(10-20-2021 02:33 PM)Bull_In_Exile Wrote:  The assumption here is that (1) it's all about payout and (2) ESPN would not up the conference payout to maintain the "per team" share.

Correct.

I agree that the MAC should be patient. In my opinion, schools like WKU, Marshall, & Old Dominion (and others) would rather be associated with southern-based conferences. I get the feeling that Marshall wants to a larger big-time school but can never obtain that status, regardless of which conference to which they belong. UMass is not a good choice for the MAC primarily because their football program is not up to MAC standards & UMass basketball is not interested in joining the MAC. I suggest the MAC be patient, wait for other conference alignment plans are set, & then consider if expansion is a prudent path forward.

(10-20-2021 08:21 AM)Schadenfreude Wrote:  

(10-20-2021 07:19 AM)mpurdy22 Wrote:  

(10-19-2021 05:13 PM)mufanatehc Wrote:  

(10-19-2021 05:04 PM)Flat Tire 2 Wrote:  

(10-19-2021 04:44 PM)Schadenfreude Wrote:  This could have implications for MAC men's soccer. From the Sun Belt board:

Just curious what would be the implications to the MAC? I don't believe any of the schools you listed play in the MAC?

Ga St. and Ga So.

And West Virginia

True, but I think West Virginia men's soccer is already on its way out the door, to Conference USA.

The MAC has a good core of four men's soccer programs. Akron has won national championships. Bowling Green and Northern Illinois are nationally-ranked right now. We added Georgia Southern and Georgia State to maintain the MAC's automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.

I assume something could be done if the Sun Belt takes up men's soccer. Men's soccer affiliations have changed over the years to stay at six.

With CUSA looking like it's on the way out, the MAC could look at Kentucky and South Carolina and try to convince WVU to stay.

If Pete Thamel is correct, WKU and MTSU are not in play for the SBC. Marshall, USM, ODU, and JMU are.

So.. uh.... how you doin?