(04-15-2013 06:01 PM)Buc66 Wrote: [ -> ]Is there evidence that the OVC wants to expand?
Wait a minute, there just might be evidence. Hasn't AD Sander specifically mentioned the OVC on several occassions as one of the conferences ETSU is in discussion with? If so, then why would the OVC be talking to him if they were not exploring expansion?
The SoCon is still a much better option than the A-Sun, because if we declined and stay in the A-Sun...someone else would go from the A-Sun and we would be stranded. It's the sad truth.
(04-15-2013 06:48 PM)MoreheadEagle Wrote: [ -> ]The OVC currently has 12 teams. For the OVC men's basketball drives the bus (as it should for mid- majors) and any more teams will dilute the $$$ gained from NCAA credits. I'm glad ETSU is restarting football but if the OVC expands (which is unlikely) I'd hope the conference adds Wright State and NKU.
You say that from a non-scholarship football standpoint in a conference that has underperformed in football though. FCS football conferences aren't safe at any level right now. If I'm the OVC commish, I stockpile teams, add Lipscomb and three football playing schools. 16 basketball, 12 football, split into divisions and the Eastern/southern OVC teams from going to Edwardsville and SEMO.
(04-15-2013 09:23 PM)MercerFan Wrote: [ -> ]The SoCon is still a much better option than the A-Sun, because if we declined and stay in the A-Sun...someone else would go from the A-Sun and we would be stranded. It's the sad truth.
Yes, the discussion on who the SoCon can take is ETSU, Mercer, etc. The speculation for the ASUN includes Union, LMU, etc. Big difference! The Atlantic Sun really needs to cease to exist. The Big South can take all of the teams that cant find another conference.
A Socon without CofC, App, Ga Southern and now Davidson is not a conference we want to be in. I'm sure UTC is probably thinking the same thing.
A little dated. Looks like C-USA is looking to expand to 16, with James Madison on their radar and/or more Sun Belt schools. If they keep taking Sun Belt schools, perhaps ETSU could work a deal with them to fast track through FCS up to FBS like South Alabama, Charlotte, Ga State, and ODU are doing.
http://hamptonroads.com/2013/04/odu-eyes...usa-invite
(04-24-2013 05:39 PM)Buc66 Wrote: [ -> ]A little dated. Looks like C-USA is looking to expand to 16, with James Madison on their radar and/or more Sun Belt schools. If they keep taking Sun Belt schools, perhaps ETSU could work a deal with them to fast track through FCS up to FBS like South Alabama, Charlotte, Ga State, and ODU are doing.
http://hamptonroads.com/2013/04/odu-eyes...usa-invite
Actually, there was a tweet yesterday that the CUSA commish said that the ACC's grant of rights made it less likely CUSA would expand to 16.
I think the conferences are trying to stabilize as much as possible and the grant of rights are probably doing the trick.