UTEP is a 40/10 school; hence, UTEP is on CUSA's short list of 4 candidates for CUSA membership to include UTEP, North Texas, La Tech, and Temple. From today's El Paso Times.
CUSA Interest in UTEP
This link should work:
<a href='http://www.borderlandnews.com/stories/sports/todaysstories/20040125-72877.shtml' target='_blank'>http://www.borderlandnews.com/stories/spor...125-72877.shtml</a>
The Cleveland Plain Dealer is "reporting" the rumor that C-DOA is interested in the Rockets.
<a href='http://www.cleveland.com/sports/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/sports/107502678028772.xml' target='_blank'>Scroll to the bottom of the page.</a>
I still think Louisiana Tech will be "the chosen one". Geographical fit, pretty good team, natural rival for Tulane.
While I think it's unlikely they'll jump ship, if UT or Miami go, the MAC will be a-hurtin'.
Ain't it funny how every hometown newspaper has their team as the "possible chosen one" for TCU's replacement.
I stand by what I said before, I think if this many team think they have a strong shot and are being pursued more than the other candidates, then CUSA is up to something more than just adding one team to replace TCU.
Me thinks CUSA is about to add UTEP,LaTech, and Toledo or Temple to form a 14 all sport member league.
HERDitALL Wrote:Ain't it funny how every hometown newspaper has their team as the "possible chosen one" for TCU's replacement.
Except for Toledo, where The Blade has -- to this point -- ignored the rumor mongering.
El Paso Times didn't even mention Toledo, of couse I doubt they know where they are either
Makes sense........UTEP and L-Tech want to get into C-USA........the others (Temple, Toledo, Miami) are only on the C-USA 'wish list". I suspect that they'll end up taking the "easier road", and grab a willing new member in UTEP or L-Tech. UTEP is lousy in football, but has a strong fanbase in both hoops and football, and a first-rate stadium. Trouble is that El Paso is so far away from some other conference members that it's ridiculous. But, when has favorable geography been a priority of C-USA?
Well, in all honesty, one far away team is not gonna break the conference.
Sure the MAC bus league setup is great.
But most conferences air travel to their destinations.
I think UTEP, LaTech are worthy additions with alot of potential.
I think Toledo helps put CUSA over the top.
I think there is more to this Toldeo/CUSA than what's being said.
We'll see soon enough.
My odds on getting a CUSA invite and accepting..............
LaTech 3-2(LT would suck every CUSA butthole to get in)
UTEP 2-1(Miners are good all around, but geography problem)
TOLEDO 3-1(Toledo would take time to discuss decision within but would decide to go)
TEMPLE 10-1(Sorry but they aint leaving the A10 in bball)
Schadenfreude Wrote:HERDitALL Wrote:Ain't it funny how every hometown newspaper has their team as the "possible chosen one" for TCU's replacement.
Except for Toledo, where The Blade has -- to this point -- ignored the rumor mongering.
The Blade!!!! The only mention it might get in there would be when C-USA chooses La Tech or UTEP and then the Blade cracks on Toledo saying they had no chance.
The Blade doesn't print anything positive about Toledo. They have it out for the University and that is a fact. People have heard Blade personnel making comments supporting this.
Motown Bronco Wrote:I still think Louisiana Tech will be "the chosen one". Geographical fit, pretty good team, natural rival for Tulane.
While I think it's unlikely they'll jump ship, if UT or Miami go, the MAC will be a-hurtin'.
I would disagree completely.
Basically nobody really wants La Tech. They're only receiving consideration for three reasons.
1. They are a geographic fit (although they are not a natural rival of Tulane).
2. Their WBB team is traditionally strong.
3. People feel bad because they're out on an island in the WAC.
If it is not a MAC school, it will be either Temple, UNT, or UTEP. All of those have better athletic profiles than La Tech. Temple would only be welcomed as an all-sports member...so I think that's very unlikely. UNT fits the M.O. for CUSA (large, pi$$ed-on school in an urban area) and has a very solid FB program that just needs a little nudge. UTEP has some of the best facilities and fan support for a school their size and they hired Mike "I like strippers named Destiny" Price. Sketchy character?...yes. Qualified...overwhelmingly yes.
La Tech only comes on board if we take all three.
Oddball Wrote:The Cleveland Plain Dealer is "reporting" the rumor that C-DOA is interested in the Rockets.
<a href='http://www.cleveland.com/sports/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/sports/107502678028772.xml' target='_blank'>Scroll to the bottom of the page.</a>
Roger Brown is a hack who repeats rumors. He has no credibility. He probably read it here and repeated it.
The Flash Wrote:Oddball Wrote:The Cleveland Plain Dealer is "reporting" the rumor that C-DOA is interested in the Rockets.
<a href='http://www.cleveland.com/sports/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/sports/107502678028772.xml' target='_blank'>Scroll to the bottom of the page.</a>
Roger Brown is a hack who repeats rumors. He has no credibility. He probably read it here and repeated it.
I'd guess he got it from the West Virginia papers, but whatever.
HERDitALL Wrote:Well, in all honesty, one far away team is not gonna break the conference.
Cue the map.
CUSA has more than one team that is "far away".
Tulane wants nothing to do with LaTech. Tulane will try and block LaTech from joining C-USA. Tulane is not in favor of adding LaTech.
SMU is not in favor of adding North Texas.
Knight in Shining Armor Wrote:Tulane wants nothing to do with LaTech. Tulane will try and block LaTech from joining C-USA. Tulane is not in favor of adding LaTech.
SMU is not in favor of adding North Texas.
Toledo is not in favor of adding Toledo.
Oddball Wrote:Toledo is not in favor of adding Toledo.
Well, I guess we will see about that one!