12-13-2014, 05:51 PM
Unless a divine miracle comes to pass, UAB basketball will most likely be looking at new competition in conference play for the 2015-16 season. With that, I wanted to see how various landing spots looked. All projections from rpiforecast.com So, here ya go:
A-10 (#7): Definitely a longshot, as we are a complete geographic outlier, yet our best hope. Top 3 teams: Davidson (26), VCU (48), GW (55)
AAC: (#8): Another longshot, but would reunite us with former conference mates. Of the first three conferences listed here, it's the best geographic fit. Top 3 teams: SMU (34), Cincinnati (60), UConn (72)
MVC: (#10): Not a great geographic fit either. But decent teams: Wichita State (16), Northern Iowa (32), Evansville (53)
CAA: (#14): Fairly decent geographically, but the last round of realignment left this league without brand names VCU, George Mason and Old Dominion. Top 3 teams: Hofstra (61), William & Mary (107), James Madison (117)
C*USA (#16): If we stay, we will be in a bottom-heavy league. 8 of the 14 teams in the league this year are projected to finish sub-200 (and we're one of them ) Top 3 teams: UTEP (63), Charlotte (67), Old Dominion (69)
Sun Belt (#19): A very realistic option, sadly. Should we return to the league, we will be in a geographically-friendly conference with one good team (Georgia State - 52) and several craptastic ones.
Big South (#23): Really starting to puke now. This Carolina-centric league has no one projected to finish in the Top 100. Top team: Cliff Ellis' Coastal Carolina (142)
A-Sun (#25): A very real fear for Blazer fans, the A-Sun features 8 teams scattered across Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, South Carolina and Kentucky. Top team: Florida Gulf Coast (62) Also features the JU Dolphins, an old-time rival. Bonus: A-Sun sponsors sand volleyball!
SoCon (#26): The most dreadful option, the Southern Conference would pit the Blazers against crosstown rival Samford. Of the 10 teams in the league, 8 are projected to be sub-200. Wofford runs the show around this league.
So there you have it--should we swing for the fence and miss with the A-10 or AAC, I believe the Sun Belt will be the most likely option.
A-10 (#7): Definitely a longshot, as we are a complete geographic outlier, yet our best hope. Top 3 teams: Davidson (26), VCU (48), GW (55)
AAC: (#8): Another longshot, but would reunite us with former conference mates. Of the first three conferences listed here, it's the best geographic fit. Top 3 teams: SMU (34), Cincinnati (60), UConn (72)
MVC: (#10): Not a great geographic fit either. But decent teams: Wichita State (16), Northern Iowa (32), Evansville (53)
CAA: (#14): Fairly decent geographically, but the last round of realignment left this league without brand names VCU, George Mason and Old Dominion. Top 3 teams: Hofstra (61), William & Mary (107), James Madison (117)
C*USA (#16): If we stay, we will be in a bottom-heavy league. 8 of the 14 teams in the league this year are projected to finish sub-200 (and we're one of them ) Top 3 teams: UTEP (63), Charlotte (67), Old Dominion (69)
Sun Belt (#19): A very realistic option, sadly. Should we return to the league, we will be in a geographically-friendly conference with one good team (Georgia State - 52) and several craptastic ones.
Big South (#23): Really starting to puke now. This Carolina-centric league has no one projected to finish in the Top 100. Top team: Cliff Ellis' Coastal Carolina (142)
A-Sun (#25): A very real fear for Blazer fans, the A-Sun features 8 teams scattered across Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, South Carolina and Kentucky. Top team: Florida Gulf Coast (62) Also features the JU Dolphins, an old-time rival. Bonus: A-Sun sponsors sand volleyball!
SoCon (#26): The most dreadful option, the Southern Conference would pit the Blazers against crosstown rival Samford. Of the 10 teams in the league, 8 are projected to be sub-200. Wofford runs the show around this league.
So there you have it--should we swing for the fence and miss with the A-10 or AAC, I believe the Sun Belt will be the most likely option.