Yes the website puts out a mixed bag of stuff but it is nice to see us get mention. This article aside, this is exactly what winning does for you and the type of press we need. It gets your name out to people that may not be as familiar with your program. This season was monumental for so many reasons...
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/14751...ext-target
I don't care what they're called, but with the only member left that defined the brand they aren't the Big East.
I'd prefer the MAC try to lure Cincinnati on over to fill the 7th spot in the west....or even better the east and slide Kent State or BG on over to the west....
If some of the MAC comes along, I'd do it.
And the MAC isn't luring anyone. The MAC is fun and all, but the bottom of the conference is ugly. I'd be happy with NIU joining teams like Toledo and Ohio in a different conference. Especially if that conference has a better TV contract.
(01-08-2013 10:22 AM)NIU8484 Wrote: [ -> ]I'd prefer the MAC try to lure Cincinnati on over to fill the 7th spot in the west....or even better the east and slide Kent State or BG on over to the west....
Cinci to the MAC is a big pipe dream. Why would they pay their coach $3million a year to basically ride around Ohio in a bus for half their schedule. They may entertain one more Ohio team to the BE but would never join a league with six Ohio programs. I think we all need to be realistic and acknowledge the MAC is not picking up any high profile teams any time soon. Cinci wants to be a national player, playing in the MAC would be a big step back.
(01-08-2013 10:22 AM)NIU8484 Wrote: [ -> ]I'd prefer the MAC try to lure Cincinnati on over to fill the 7th spot in the west....or even better the east and slide Kent State or BG on over to the west....
Not happening.
Cincinnati would only be in the case of a serious purging of the Big East, but ya I actually saw an article discussing the realignment and they said it would be most effective if NIU/Toledo/Ohio all left the MAC together for the move...let me see if I can find it....
Funny how success for "small" programs, even group success like the top end of the MAC is never met with people evolving their perceptions of a "small" conference, only in them wanting the successful to leave it.
This is another site which has us moving to the Big East. A lot of Rutgers fans think we fit their model for the same reasons the BIG Ten went after them. The idea that there is no clear cut FBS powerhouse in Illinois certainly is intriguing and hopefully we can position to become that team. No reason why we cannot consistently be the best FBS football program in Illinois.
And to be honest with you, I don't think that lineup looks all bad. Having regular games with Navy, Cinci, UConn, and a couple good Florida schools wouldn't be the worst for our program. Additional exposure in Florida would only help us.
http://rutgerssportsfans.blogspot.com/
(01-08-2013 10:31 AM)NIU8484 Wrote: [ -> ]Cincinnati would only be in the case of a serious purging of the Big East, but ya I actually saw an article discussing the realignment and they said it would be most effective if NIU/Toledo/Ohio all left the MAC together for the move...let me see if I can find it....
Buffalo & UMASS each have more to offer the BE now than Ohio.
How is that? Ohio was a sweet sixteen in basketball and is heads and tails above those 2 teams on the football field!
(01-08-2013 10:41 AM)NIU8484 Wrote: [ -> ]How is that? Ohio was a sweet sixteen in basketball and is heads and tails above those 2 teams on the football field!
So as a Conference commissioner you would invite a school with 0 market who had 1 good year in basketball (then lost their coach) and 2 good but not great years as a mid-major, over a school with the #51 TV market and has done the same thing in the past 5 seasons?
On top of that Buffalo's AAU status is worth more than Ohio's academic ranking.
(01-08-2013 10:41 AM)NIU8484 Wrote: [ -> ]How is that? Ohio was a sweet sixteen in basketball and is heads and tails above those 2 teams on the football field!
TV market size, Buffalo, Boston, and Chicago would look pretty good for a tv contract. With those $$$ both those schools could reinvest that into facilities, coaches, etc. Athens Ohio and the rest of the area is already saturated with other schools.
Would be open to a Big East consisting of
NIU
South Florida
East Carolina
UConn
Pitt
Toledo?
Cinncinati
Temple
Buffalo
UMass
UAB
Central Florida
for Football you would have some sizable TV markets including Chicago, Tampa, Orlando, Pittsburgh, Buffalo, Philadelphia, Boston, and Cinncinati
(01-08-2013 10:46 AM)RitzHuskie Wrote: [ -> ] (01-08-2013 10:41 AM)NIU8484 Wrote: [ -> ]How is that? Ohio was a sweet sixteen in basketball and is heads and tails above those 2 teams on the football field!
TV market size, Buffalo, Boston, and Chicago would look pretty good for a tv contract. With those $$$ both those schools could reinvest that into facilities, coaches, etc.
They only get Chicago if they also include Indy and Toledo.
Not sure I want to be in the Big East but it's nice to finally be getting mentioned in these realignment stories. The Orange Bowl has raised our profile for sure.
(01-08-2013 10:46 AM)RitzHuskie Wrote: [ -> ] (01-08-2013 10:41 AM)NIU8484 Wrote: [ -> ]How is that? Ohio was a sweet sixteen in basketball and is heads and tails above those 2 teams on the football field!
TV market size, Buffalo, Boston, and Chicago would look pretty good for a tv contract. With those $$$ both those schools could reinvest that into facilities, coaches, etc. Athens Ohio and the rest of the area is already saturated with other schools.
Would be open to a Big East consisting of
NIU
South Florida
East Carolina
UConn
Pitt
Toledo?
Cinncinati
Temple
Buffalo
UMass
UAB
Central Florida
for Football you would have some sizable TV markets including Chicago, Tampa, Orlando, Pittsburgh, Buffalo, Philadelphia, Boston, and Cinncinati
Pitt is already gone to the ACC
NO to NIU having anything to do with UAB.
Cincinnati and UCONN will go to the ACC WHEN (not if) the B1G picks up #15 and #16 (likely GT and UVA or UNC if hell freezes over)
Tulane already has been invited for all sports.
SMU/Houston have voiced that they want to stay in the BE instead of following Boise St to the MWC.
SD St is assumed to be leaving but its not decided yet.
Tulsa is the next team being discussed by the BE now with UMASS.
The lineup would be more like this...
Cincinnati
UConn
South Florida
Central Florida
Houston
SMU
Navy
Temple
East Carolina
Memphis
Tulane
Northern Illinois
UMass / Tulsa
Honestly not all bad. Defintely on par with MWC in my opinion as a very competitive best of the rest type conference.
(01-08-2013 11:22 AM)HuskieTap22 Wrote: [ -> ]The lineup would be more like this...
Cincinnati
UConn
South Florida
Central Florida
Houston
SMU
Navy
Temple
East Carolina
Tulane
Northern Illinois
UMass / Tulsa
Honestly not all bad. Defintely on par with MWC in my opinion as a very competitive best of the rest type conference.
Without Toledo and Ball St/Miami/WMU...that is ok at best until Cincinnati and UCONN leave. Then our closest conference mate is Memphis (which is not on your list but I know its a confusing conference!) the Tulsa is the second closest!
I would say no to this all sports league (which is what BE is looking for now that the C-7 are leaving).