He gave an interview to El Paso's ABC-7. NMSU's AD talked about this as well. It was about how both schools can improve their basketball since C-USA has been a one league bid for 10 years and NMSU plays in a really weak WAC. UTEP's underachievement are UTEP's fault not the conference's. If UTEP was in the MWC, it would definitely not won 20+ games the last few seasons. I find this really interesting because Stull has been known as being tight lipped about this stuff and I expected him to say the typical "we're happy where we are yada yada yada" I think this is the first time he has been open about the MWC (except during the proposed alliance) but some fellow Miners can correct me on this one.

Here's some interesting quotes:

"There was a lot of movement in the last 10 years or so," Stull said recently about the conference landscape. "It's settled down dramatically Geographically, the Mountain West is a little better fit for us, just the fact you have the mountain states and a little bit more West."

Stull admits the Mountain West, consisting of many of the old Western Athletic Conference schools that UTEP used to play, like New Mexico, Colorado State and Air Force, is a consideration.

"I think there's always somewhat of an attraction to the Mountain West," Stull said, "just the fact where they are and we'll always keep our eyes open."

NMSU's AD said he would propose to Stull going as a package deal to the MWC when he meets him soon.

http://www.kvia.com/news/utep-and-nmsu-l...s/31855908

(03-17-2015 11:50 PM)UTEPDallas Wrote:  He gave an interview to El Paso's ABC-7. NMSU's AD talked about this as well. It was about how both schools can improve their basketball since C-USA has been a one league bid for 10 years and NMSU plays in a really weak WAC. UTEP's underachievement are UTEP's fault not the conference's. If UTEP was in the MWC, it would definitely not won 20+ games the last few seasons. I find this really interesting because Stull has been known as being tight lipped about this stuff and I expected him to say the typical "we're happy where we are yada yada yada" I think this is the first time he has been open about the MWC (except during the proposed alliance) but some fellow Miners can correct me on this one.

Here's some interesting quotes:

"There was a lot of movement in the last 10 years or so," Stull said recently about the conference landscape. "It's settled down dramatically Geographically, the Mountain West is a little better fit for us, just the fact you have the mountain states and a little bit more West."

Stull admits the Mountain West, consisting of many of the old Western Athletic Conference schools that UTEP used to play, like New Mexico, Colorado State and Air Force, is a consideration.

"I think there's always somewhat of an attraction to the Mountain West," Stull said, "just the fact where they are and we'll always keep our eyes open."

NMSU's AD said he would propose to Stull going as a package deal to the MWC when he meets him soon.

http://www.kvia.com/news/utep-and-nmsu-l...s/31855908

It might be the best thing for all parties.

IMHO UTEP belongs in the MWC

UAB will miss you if you leave.

While the CUSA membership has changed, the geography not so much. Why would the geography of the MWC do UTEP more favors than the geography they have encountered since they came to CUSA? I always had the impression they couldn't wait to get into the more geographically diverse CUSA. I don't see how the MWC can offer UTEP better TV money for football and basketball at this time over CUSA, unless the tv deal looming for CUSA is going to be a real eye opener.

why would the MWC want UTEP? I know they won't want NMSU no matter how good their basketball is

I would think UTEP would do better playing in San Antonio, Houston, and Dallas than New Mexico, Idaho, and Colorado. The package deal with NMSU is interesting. Makes me think UTEP wouldn't be opposed to NMSU in CUSA.

(03-18-2015 12:38 AM)PirateTreasureNC Wrote:  While the CUSA membership has changed, the geography not so much. Why would the geography of the MWC do UTEP more favors than the geography they have encountered since they came to CUSA? I always had the impression they couldn't wait to get into the more geographically diverse CUSA. I don't see how the MWC can offer UTEP better TV money for football and basketball at this time over CUSA, unless the tv deal looming for CUSA is going to be a real eye opener.

I like C-USA. I truly believe this conference (3.0) has more potential in basketball than 2.0 ever had where it was just Memphis and the 11 dwarfs. In football there's some upside but there's lots of work to do before we catch up to 1.0 and even 2.0. If UTEP decides to stay here, I'll be happy. If it's the MWC, I'll be happier.

With that said, Rice is the only school that UTEP has any history with and it just started less than 20 years ago in the WAC-16. The relationship with UAB, USM and Marshall is just 10 years old and UAB might be heading out of the door.

The MWC has UTEP's biggest rival: New Mexico. The UTEP-UNM basketball games were THE basketball rivalry in the old WAC. New Mexico lacks a true rival, they haven't had one since 1999, the last year both schools played in the same conference. It has schools UTEP has history with. They're mostly schools where they're the only show in town, not the 4th or 7th choice. They have their basketball tournament in Las Vegas. Who doesn't want to go to Vegas? These are some of the reasons why the MWC is an attractive option to a school like UTEP.

But I think nothing will happen. I don't think our AD would talk about this very openly if there was some interest from the MWC. He's just making it clear that if the MWC is interested in UTEP, the interest is mutual. That's it.

In my honest opinion HOUSTON, UTEP, UTSA, and Rice should all be in the MWC

UTSA turned down the MWC once and opted for a Texas friendly conference.

UTEP needs to do the same. Be grateful for having a quality conference to call home.

NMSU on the other hand is a year out from being thrown out by SBC so of course they are going to push new membership....anywhere.

UTEP should be in the MWC. It would be a hit to CUSA, but membership in that league makes a lot more sense.

I think CUSA will be down to 12 members in the near future.

If Uab does not bring FB back, UTEP moving could be good for CUSA. If it can bring TV in flat or slightly down, you could get more per school.

(03-18-2015 02:15 AM)SApuro Wrote:  UTSA turned down the MWC once and opted for a Texas friendly conference.

UTEP needs to do the same. Be grateful for having a quality conference to call home.

But, San Antonio is in the heart of Texas. El Paso is barely in Texas. There is a huge difference. It would be a serious blow to CUSA basketball, but if I was involved with UTEP, I'd want to move to the MWC.

(03-18-2015 12:32 AM)Dracorex Wrote:  UAB will miss you if you leave.

We definitely have a good basketball rivalry going which is unusual considering how far we are from one another. I doubt UTEP is going anywhere and hopefully UAB is staying as well.

Can you say ...Airport 5?

(03-17-2015 11:50 PM)UTEPDallas Wrote:  He gave an interview to El Paso's ABC-7. NMSU's AD talked about this as well. It was about how both schools can improve their basketball since C-USA has been a one league bid for 10 years and NMSU plays in a really weak WAC. UTEP's underachievement are UTEP's fault not the conference's. If UTEP was in the MWC, it would definitely not won 20+ games the last few seasons. I find this really interesting because Stull has been known as being tight lipped about this stuff and I expected him to say the typical "we're happy where we are yada yada yada" I think this is the first time he has been open about the MWC (except during the proposed alliance) but some fellow Miners can correct me on this one.

Here's some interesting quotes:

"There was a lot of movement in the last 10 years or so," Stull said recently about the conference landscape. "It's settled down dramatically Geographically, the Mountain West is a little better fit for us, just the fact you have the mountain states and a little bit more West."

Stull admits the Mountain West, consisting of many of the old Western Athletic Conference schools that UTEP used to play, like New Mexico, Colorado State and Air Force, is a consideration.

"I think there's always somewhat of an attraction to the Mountain West," Stull said, "just the fact where they are and we'll always keep our eyes open."

NMSU's AD said he would propose to Stull going as a package deal to the MWC when he meets him soon.

http://www.kvia.com/news/utep-and-nmsu-l...s/31855908

It's very, very un-Stull like to say anything like this. Considering there are no openings in the MWC he probably should have continued his policy of praising C-USA although he did not say anything detrimental other than discussing UTEP's geography.

When the alliance was still on both Stull and president Natalicio were absolutely praising the "new" conference due to UTEP being associated with Texas schools AND MWC schools, so they liked that idea a lot.

(03-18-2015 02:15 AM)SApuro Wrote:  UTSA turned down the MWC once and opted for a Texas friendly conference.

UTEP needs to do the same. Be grateful for having a quality conference to call home.

NMSU on the other hand is a year out from being thrown out by SBC so of course they are going to push new membership....anywhere.

UTSA turned down the MWC when the alliance was still being discussed and I believe UTSA wanted to be associated more with the other Texas schools. I don't think UTEP is going anywhere since the MWC is not going to go above 12 members imo.

(03-18-2015 07:49 AM)MinerInWisconsin Wrote:  

(03-18-2015 02:15 AM)SApuro Wrote:  UTSA turned down the MWC once and opted for a Texas friendly conference.

UTEP needs to do the same. Be grateful for having a quality conference to call home.

NMSU on the other hand is a year out from being thrown out by SBC so of course they are going to push new membership....anywhere.

UTSA turned down the MWC when the alliance was still being discussed and I believe UTSA wanted to be associated more with the other Texas schools. I don't think UTEP is going anywhere since the MWC is not going to go above 12 members imo.

Well, we will find out where everyone stands if Hawaii ever pulls the plug as has been mentioned in the past.

How does Rice feel about this? We've been partners in crime for a long time now, it would be nice to keep it that way.

(03-18-2015 08:41 AM)Art Vandelay Wrote:  How does Rice feel about this? We've been partners in crime for a long time now, it would be nice to keep it that way.

Speaking only for myself, I would rather have UTEP in CUSA than the MWC. I see some kinship for UTEP with the MWC - at least UTEP is in the Mountain time zone. But I think an analysis of travel would show that UTEP is better off in CUSA. Trips to Houston, SA and Denton are better than trips to Boise et al, and the NM rivalries can be continued as OOC. At least the letters behind El Paso are T and X.