It would be pretty funny if the MAC just said “screw it,” and added both Western Kentucky and Eastern Kentucky to get to 14.

(11-10-2021 12:35 PM)CarlSmithCenter Wrote:  

It would be pretty funny if the MAC just said “screw it,” and added both Western Kentucky and Eastern Kentucky to get to 14.

WKU and maybe UMASS or MoSt would boost MAC bball for sure. Hard pass on EKU.

I could live with the new CUSA IF it had new leadership, but clearly Judy is in over her head. It is way past due to fire the CUSA commissioner.

(11-10-2021 12:35 PM)CarlSmithCenter Wrote:  

It would be pretty funny if the MAC just said “screw it,” and added both Western Kentucky and Eastern Kentucky to get to 14.

I think EKU needs a little more time to show they are committed to moving to FBS.

Barely over .500 their last 10 seasons in FCS in football.

One 20+ win season in basketball (last year) in the last 6 in basketball.

Facilities still need some work as well.

New side seems half baked.

Basketball arena seems to be missing an end as well.

Budget is about 10 million short of where it needs to be and that is with institutional support already accounting for the lion's share.
http://cafidatabase.knightcommission.org...he_money-1

If they can come out with a facility plan, a plan to improve the budget (via ticket sales, student fees, donors, etc.), and start winning big at their current level consistently, then they would be ready to move.

Would Missouri State consider joining the MAC?

Would the MAC consider Missouri State?

Well, as long as WKU is on record as willing to leave CUSA for the MAC, maybe everybody can wait a year and see what possibilities will open up.

I think it would be a big mistake for WKU if they do that and agree to a long-term GOR that the MAC is asking for.

(11-10-2021 12:58 PM)MUHERD76 Wrote:  I think it would be a big mistake for WKU if they do that and agree to a long-term GOR that the MAC is asking for.

There are only 3 conferences that WKU has a chance to be in during the next 15-20 years-CUSA, MAC and Sun Belt. And MAC is a much better choice than the Sun Belt in everything but football and baseball. And right now the Sun Belt has no openings and there is no guarantee they have any anytime in the next 15-20 years.

Absolute no brainer for WKU to go to MAC if they can.

They've been in the Ohio Valley Conference with Akron and Youngstown. They were in the Gateway Conference (Missouri Valley) for several years with midwest schools. Miami, Ohio and Ball St. are all relatively close.

Add WKU all-sports and NDSU for football-only. They are the best FCS program and add a new market/state. Keeps travel costs down since MAC West teams would only have to travel to North Dakota once every two years but too far out of the footprint to be an all-sports member.

What about FIU (fb only) as a MAC companion for WKU? FIU could move everything else to the ASUN where they’d have 5 instate conference mates.

(11-10-2021 12:58 PM)MUHERD76 Wrote:  I think it would be a big mistake for WKU if they do that and agree to a long-term GOR that the MAC is asking for.

I don't think the long-term GOR is much of an issue for WKU. They aren't candidates for the AAC or the MWC. There seems to be too much bad blood with the Sun Belt to ever return, so where would they go? The MAC might be a one bid conference, but so are CUSA and the Sun Belt. As long as you are the team getting the big ever year who cares?

(11-10-2021 12:54 PM)solohawks Wrote:  Would Missouri State consider joining the MAC?

Would the MAC consider Missouri State?

I don't see how this is a fit. It's not like you're gaining a flagship/Eastern exposure as in UMass's case.

Sprinfield, MO to:
7:00 - WKU
7:15 - NIU
8:00 - BSU
8:30 - Miami
9:30 - WMU
10:00 - BGSU
10:15 - Toledo
10:45 - Ohio
10:45 - EMU
11:00 - CMU
11:30 - Akron
11:45 - Kent
14:30 - Buffalo

It's really a travesty for the MAC that Marshall, JMU, & MTSU are *all* off the board. WKU+MTSU or WKU+Marshall or WKU+JMU would've been perfect.

Unfortunately, there isn't a good, geographically-compatible 14th option. I'm happy with taking WKU and staying at 13 though.

(11-10-2021 01:29 PM)IWokeUpLikeThis Wrote:  

(11-10-2021 12:54 PM)solohawks Wrote:  Would Missouri State consider joining the MAC?

Would the MAC consider Missouri State?

I don't see how this is a fit. It's not like you're gaining a flagship/Eastern exposure as in UMass's case.

Sprinfield, MO to:
7:00 - WKU
7:15 - NIU
8:00 - BSU
8:30 - Miami
9:30 - WMU
10:00 - BGSU
10:15 - Toledo
10:45 - Ohio
10:45 - EMU
11:00 - CMU
11:30 - Akron
11:45 - Kent
14:30 - Buffalo

It's really a travesty for the MAC that Marshall, JMU, & MTSU are *all* off the board. WKU+MTSU or WKU+Marshall or WKU+JMU would've been perfect.

Unfortunately, there isn't a good, geographically-compatible 14th option. I'm happy with taking WKU and staying at 13 though.

Would the MAC be interested at all in Illinois St or Southern Illinois? Within the footprint with decent athletics.

(11-10-2021 01:14 PM)epasnoopy Wrote:  Add WKU all-sports and NDSU for football-only. They are the best FCS program and add a new market/state. Keeps travel costs down since MAC West teams would only have to travel to North Dakota once every two years but too far out of the footprint to be an all-sports member.

Yes. 100%. I'd actually prefer this to UMass.

(11-10-2021 01:30 PM)IWokeUpLikeThis Wrote:  

(11-10-2021 01:14 PM)epasnoopy Wrote:  Add WKU all-sports and NDSU for football-only. They are the best FCS program and add a new market/state. Keeps travel costs down since MAC West teams would only have to travel to North Dakota once every two years but too far out of the footprint to be an all-sports member.

Yes. 100%. I'd actually prefer this to UMass.

Even if not Western Kentucky, North Dakota St and South Dakota St for football-only would be interesting

I would leave my suburban Honolulu house for a $10 million beach estate next to Diamond Head “if offered”.

Unfortunately no one is offering.

(11-10-2021 01:30 PM)BePcr07 Wrote:  

(11-10-2021 01:29 PM)IWokeUpLikeThis Wrote:  

(11-10-2021 12:54 PM)solohawks Wrote:  Would Missouri State consider joining the MAC?

Would the MAC consider Missouri State?

I don't see how this is a fit. It's not like you're gaining a flagship/Eastern exposure as in UMass's case.

Sprinfield, MO to:
7:00 - WKU
7:15 - NIU
8:00 - BSU
8:30 - Miami
9:30 - WMU
10:00 - BGSU
10:15 - Toledo
10:45 - Ohio
10:45 - EMU
11:00 - CMU
11:30 - Akron
11:45 - Kent
14:30 - Buffalo

It's really a travesty for the MAC that Marshall, JMU, & MTSU are *all* off the board. WKU+MTSU or WKU+Marshall or WKU+JMU would've been perfect.

Unfortunately, there isn't a good, geographically-compatible 14th option. I'm happy with taking WKU and staying at 13 though.

Would the MAC be interested at all in Illinois St or Southern Illinois? Within the footprint with decent athletics.

SIU is in financial/enrollment turmoil and can't afford it. I heard they're trimming their AD budget by 20-25%. Also their demographics are poor recruiting-wise (nothing in Southern IL).

Unlike SIU, ISU could afford it. But it comes down to this - is a school in downstate IL really worth it for the 10 schools in NY/OH/MI? Also, I've heard there's not much desire on ISU's end to leave the MVC.

But if it came down to UMass or ISU, I'd take ISU and keep our league's regional identity.

Could happen. The philosophy grab the schools you want when you can, worry about round numbers later prevails. They may change their mind later.

Think they'll get it done and hold at 13 for a while. No other FBS fits. Also no viable FCS call ups.

(11-10-2021 01:37 PM)Stugray2 Wrote:  Could happen. The philosophy grab the schools you want when you can, worry about round numbers later prevails. They may change their mind later.

of course they worked 13 for football for a while IIRC.

(11-10-2021 01:35 PM)IWokeUpLikeThis Wrote:  

(11-10-2021 01:30 PM)BePcr07 Wrote:  

(11-10-2021 01:29 PM)IWokeUpLikeThis Wrote:  

(11-10-2021 12:54 PM)solohawks Wrote:  Would Missouri State consider joining the MAC?

Would the MAC consider Missouri State?

I don't see how this is a fit. It's not like you're gaining a flagship/Eastern exposure as in UMass's case.

Sprinfield, MO to:
7:00 - WKU
7:15 - NIU
8:00 - BSU
8:30 - Miami
9:30 - WMU
10:00 - BGSU
10:15 - Toledo
10:45 - Ohio
10:45 - EMU
11:00 - CMU
11:30 - Akron
11:45 - Kent
14:30 - Buffalo

It's really a travesty for the MAC that Marshall, JMU, & MTSU are *all* off the board. WKU+MTSU or WKU+Marshall or WKU+JMU would've been perfect.

Unfortunately, there isn't a good, geographically-compatible 14th option. I'm happy with taking WKU and staying at 13 though.

Would the MAC be interested at all in Illinois St or Southern Illinois? Within the footprint with decent athletics.

SIU is in financial/enrollment turmoil and can't afford it. I heard they're trimming their AD budget by 20-25%. Also their demographics are poor recruiting-wise (nothing in Southern IL).

Unlike SIU, ISU could afford it. But it comes down to this - is a school in downstate IL really worth it for the 10 schools in NY/OH/MI? Also, I've heard there's not much desire on ISU's end to leave the MVC.

But if it came down to UMass or ISU, I'd take ISU and keep our league's regional identity.

Illinois State makes a ton of sense for the MAC if the school actually wanted to make the move up to FBS. While ISU is located in central Illinois, the school has a lot of pull with Chicago area students and Bloomington-Normal is one of the more prosperous small/medium-sized metro areas in the Midwest due to it being the home of the State Farm world headquarters.

However, as you've noted, ISU hasn't ever stated that it really wants to leave the MVC or move up to FBS. I haven't heard a single thing out of ISU during all of this conference realignment round over the past few months and there hasn't been any strategic statements about the program changing from FCS to FBS over the years (unlike places like JMU or a lot of schools in the WAC).

ISU seems to be one of those FCS-to-FBS moves that looks great on paper, but the school has never indicated that it wants that to happen.