CSNbbs

Full Version: UMASS looking at 1-A again.
You're currently viewing a stripped down version of our content. View the full version with proper formatting.
Pages: 1 2
UMASS is looking at 1-A (or whatever it is called now... No Playoff Division?). Sorry if this has already been posted. Did not see it here.

http://umassathletics.cstv.com/sports/m-...07aaa.html
They are not affected by the moratorium.

"The moratorium, which is effective immediately, does not affect 20 institutions that already have entered the seven-year Division I provisional-membership process for new NCAA members or the five-year process to move from Division II -- including institutions that currently are officially exploring Division I membership."
Everything besides their football stadium seems on par with most MAC facilities. Their football stadium needs A LOT of work. I'm sure the Sun Belt might be willing to take them.
epasnoopy Wrote:Everything besides their football stadium seems on par with most MAC facilities. Their football stadium needs A LOT of work. I'm sure the Sun Belt might be willing to take them.

They would never go to the Sun Belt. Stadium may be the issue for the moment. They are making improvements on the turff. Stadium seats 17,000. Could they expand seating?

UMASS Quick Facts: http://www.umass.edu/newsoffice/newsrele.../19158.php

Last Year they went 12-1 with a 1 point loss to Navy in Annapolis. UMASS, the perfect travel partner and All sports complement to Temple in the MAC by 2010? Basketball upgrade, solid 1AA football program. Think about it.
Mac bball would jump up if UMASS joined, along w/ Temple joining full time.
Gooch Wrote:Mac bball would jump up if UMASS joined, along w/ Temple joining full time.

Problem is that the closest MAC school for them would be Temple. Even Buffalo is further away (7+ hours). UMass average distance from the majority of the MAC would be 12+ hours. In general, most MAC schools are 6 hours or less away from each other. UMass is pretty far out of the Midwestern profile of the MAC. How do UMass fans feel about joining the MAC? I just don't see it happening and this is all speculation at this point since their administration hasn't even decided if they want to go 1-A or not. I would assume UMass knows they have no chance of getting into the Big East.
Temples top rival in basketball for many many many years
Gooch Wrote:Mac bball would jump up if UMASS joined, along w/ Temple joining full time.

Not really true anymore, Would have certainly done so in the 90's.

What makes the most sense at this time is football only for Temple and UMass.

UMass does have an outside shot at getting into the Big East someday. The best way to prepare is to move up to 1-A and the MAC, they have nothing to lose by doing so.
[Image: g-mcguirk.jpg]

their stadium doesn't look too bad. already looks better than BG and Kent.
epasnoopy Wrote:
Gooch Wrote:Mac bball would jump up if UMASS joined, along w/ Temple joining full time.

Problem is that the closest MAC school for them would be Temple. Even Buffalo is further away (7+ hours). UMass average distance from the majority of the MAC would be 12+ hours. In general, most MAC schools are 6 hours or less away from each other. UMass is pretty far out of the Midwestern profile of the MAC. How do UMass fans feel about joining the MAC?

If we took UCF why would we pass on UMass on the grounds it's too far away?
optimusprime Wrote:
epasnoopy Wrote:
Gooch Wrote:Mac bball would jump up if UMASS joined, along w/ Temple joining full time.

Problem is that the closest MAC school for them would be Temple. Even Buffalo is further away (7+ hours). UMass average distance from the majority of the MAC would be 12+ hours. In general, most MAC schools are 6 hours or less away from each other. UMass is pretty far out of the Midwestern profile of the MAC. How do UMass fans feel about joining the MAC?

If we took UCF why would we pass on UMass on the grounds it's too far away?

Fair enough. But do they want to be in the MAC?
epasnoopy Wrote:
Gooch Wrote:Mac bball would jump up if UMASS joined, along w/ Temple joining full time.

Problem is that the closest MAC school for them would be Temple. Even Buffalo is further away (7+ hours). UMass average distance from the majority of the MAC would be 12+ hours. In general, most MAC schools are 6 hours or less away from each other. UMass is pretty far out of the Midwestern profile of the MAC. How do UMass fans feel about joining the MAC? I just don't see it happening and this is all speculation at this point since their administration hasn't even decided if they want to go 1-A or not. I would assume UMass knows they have no chance of getting into the Big East.

Don't forget, the Big East lost their Boston presence when BC went to the ACC. UMass would be a good replacement. There are lots of Minutemen in Beantown. When or if UMass moves to FBS football they will shoot for Big East membership. UConn is their model. No BE membership, no move to FBS. They won't spend their small supply of money to join a distant league that their fans have little knowledge of and less interest in.
DexterEagle Wrote:
epasnoopy Wrote:
Gooch Wrote:Mac bball would jump up if UMASS joined, along w/ Temple joining full time.

Problem is that the closest MAC school for them would be Temple. Even Buffalo is further away (7+ hours). UMass average distance from the majority of the MAC would be 12+ hours. In general, most MAC schools are 6 hours or less away from each other. UMass is pretty far out of the Midwestern profile of the MAC. How do UMass fans feel about joining the MAC? I just don't see it happening and this is all speculation at this point since their administration hasn't even decided if they want to go 1-A or not. I would assume UMass knows they have no chance of getting into the Big East.

Don't forget, the Big East lost their Boston presence when BC went to the ACC. UMass would be a good replacement. There are lots of Minutemen in Beantown. When or if UMass moves to FBS football they will shoot for Big East membership. UConn is their model. No BE membership, no move to FBS. They won't spend their small supply of money to join a distant league that their fans have little knowledge of and less interest in.

I think DexterEagle makes the most sense, however, stranger things have happened. The 1 scenario where UMass might consider the MAC would be as a bridge to the Big East. If that were their intention, I think I might just pass. I don't know that I want another team that really doesn't want to be a MAC member.
UMass and Temple are both good fits for the Big East. I could see UMass joining the MAC for football only and hoping, along with Temple, for a Big East invite for all sports when the league splits apart. I could accept UMass in a similar situation to Temple where they would be in the East for football and a scheduling agreement for b-ball. While it would be nice to have them for all sports, it is not practical from a travel standpoint. 3-4 travel football games to the mid-west is manageable at the FBS level, but not for track and field hockey,etc.

MAC East
Kent State
Ohio
Buffalo
Akron
Temple
UMass
Miami

MAC West
BG
UT
BSU
WMU
CMU
EMU
NIU
Kit-Cat Wrote:
Gooch Wrote:Mac bball would jump up if UMASS joined, along w/ Temple joining full time.

Not really true anymore, Would have certainly done so in the 90's.

What makes the most sense at this time is football only for Temple and UMass.

UMass does have an outside shot at getting into the Big East someday. The best way to prepare is to move up to 1-A and the MAC, they have nothing to lose by doing so.

I would not bet against UMASS basketball right now if I were you. Their coach, Travis Ford is a program builder. Look what he did at eastern Kentucky. Built two programs before that. UMASS BB is on the rise. Trust me.
UMASS is a no brainer...... Automatic in..... Good school.... New Market, Boston ,,,,Balances FB schedule....
The Flash Wrote:UMass and Temple are both good fits for the Big East.

Temple isn't a good fit for the Big East...and they already bombed there once, even if a few of schools are no longer there.

As for a Boston presence for the Big East:
1) UMass is a two hour drive from Boston. They don't bring Boston.
2) Providence, as of today, serves the Boston market better (< 1 hour drive)
3) Boston is a pro sports town and with darn near 10+ colleges in the city and surrounding area splitting up loyalties among the few who legitimately care about college athletics.
4) UConn is the school in NE for the conference in football right now.
If Temple is here for the long haul, then we need to add a 14th football member. Of the options looking at FBS level, UMass would be a good add. UMass and Temple could be decent rivals being in the A-10 together for other sports. UB has an eastern flavor and could be a good rival for them as well .
The only thing I don't like is how spread out the conference would become with UMass. The MAC could feel like C-USA quickly. Limited natural rivalries and a tough travel environment for fans
I'd be very surprised to find UMASS alums and fans all that interested in joining a midwestern oriented league like the MAC, but if they wanted to join they'd be a good addition if you presume that we're staying with Temple, and that they will become a full time (all sports) member of the MAC.
Pages: 1 2
Reference URL's