Yosef Himself Wrote:Belmont is a BBall first school. I can't see them picking a conference with an RPI in the upper 20s compared to a conference in the single digits to low teens.

Fair point. But that is assuming the SoCon Public 3 are remaining in place. The league RPI takes quite a dip with their removal.

I was just noting the OVC is obviously a disaster right now and the ASUN would put them back in great geography with some traditional rivals. Just postulating.

As for the Big South, Kommissioner Kyle always has a great vision. HaHa

(02-09-2021 02:36 PM)IWokeUpLikeThis Wrote:  

(02-09-2021 02:11 PM)bill dazzle Wrote:  Belmont just announced a new president, Greg Jones, the dean of Duke University Divinity School (he starts July 1). I have no idea if one of Jones' top priorities will be to get BU out of the OVC. As the lone Belmont fan posting on this board (or seemingly so), I will attempt to keep you folks posted.

Something to keep an eye on. Given he's coming from an elite private in the Carolinas, I'm guessing he'll want Belmont in the SoCon.

That has been part of my thinking too.

(02-09-2021 02:41 PM)SlyFox Wrote:  Forgive my ignorance, Bill. But is there any chance that Belmont considers an ASUN return? Circumstances have changed significantly since they departed.

I would think Belmont would be intrigued by the ASUN given that league is charging forward (while the OVC is now wounded), SlyFox. I also think BU would be intrigued by being reunited with former ASUN (and Nashville) rival Lipscomb. The Atlantic Sun is a solid hoops league. Living in Nashville, I follow Lipscomb men's hoops and was pleased to see Bellarmine added to the conference.

However, as long at Murray and Austin Peay (two of the OVC's top three, with BU, men's hoops programs) stay in the OVC, Belmont likely will too. I also get the feeling that Belmont and Tennessee State like sharing a league and what that means for Nashville (kind of cool thing).

(02-09-2021 03:39 PM)Fighting Muskie Wrote:  

(02-09-2021 03:25 PM)AppManDG Wrote:  

(02-09-2021 01:46 PM)DawgNBama Wrote:  I have to wonder if the SoCon would kick the tires on Winthrop & Radford out of the Big South.

Big South Football is in trouble, again. If the ASUN finds one more FCS football playing school Kennesaw State and UNA will be gone. This comes on the heels of Presbyterian going non-scholarship football. The Big South will be left with 5 football schools - Campbell, Charleston Southern, Gardner Webb, Hampton and Monmouth (nothing screams Big South like a school in new Jersey).

The ASUN Commissioner put out an interesting video outlining what they're looking to do. Two separate conferences with 8 FCS state supported football playing schools in one called the United Athletic Conference and the ASUN as it's sister conference with as many as 18-20 schools, some associate schools in specific sports. Pretty interesting concept.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5t8AjIhdtcA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRQdGU785-8

You left out Robert Morris and NC A&T

I admittedly don't keep up with FCS that much and completely forgot those two were moving to the Big South. Still, you have to think the football side is on shaky ground when they have to bring in schools from New Jersey and Pennsylvania to survive.

(02-09-2021 03:45 PM)Yosef Himself Wrote:  Yeh...

Big South Football:

NCA&T - Campbell - Gardner Webb - Hampton - Charleston Southern - Robert Morris - Monmouth


Plus, if things go titsup they'd have no reservation on blowing up the MEAC and target NC Central or SCSU.

The Aggies must have made that move for a free ride into the playoffs. An 11K student state supported school in with a bunch of small private schools. Don't know how they're doing now, but SC State has been in financial trouble for seemingly the last 20 years. Moving to the more regionally friendly Big South could be very beneficial. have to think Monmouth & Robert Morris are just parking until something more regionally agreeable comes along.

(02-09-2021 05:02 PM)SlyFox Wrote:  

Yosef Himself Wrote:Belmont is a BBall first school. I can't see them picking a conference with an RPI in the upper 20s compared to a conference in the single digits to low teens.

Fair point. But that is assuming the SoCon Public 3 are remaining in place. The league RPI takes quite a dip with their removal.

I was just noting the OVC is obviously a disaster right now and the ASUN would put them back in great geography with some traditional rivals. Just postulating.

As for the Big South, Kommissioner Kyle always has a great vision. HaHa

With so many Tenn State Universities in the OVC one would think ETSU & UTC would be prime back-fil targets.

(02-09-2021 02:11 PM)bill dazzle Wrote:  Belmont just announced a new president, Greg Jones, the dean of Duke University Divinity School (he starts July 1). I have no idea if one of Jones' top priorities will be to get BU out of the OVC. As the lone Belmont fan posting on this board (or seemingly so), I will attempt to keep you folks posted.

William D., you and I both know he just wanted to move to NashVegas.

(02-09-2021 07:01 PM)AppManDG Wrote:  

(02-09-2021 03:45 PM)Yosef Himself Wrote:  Yeh...

Big South Football:

NCA&T - Campbell - Gardner Webb - Hampton - Charleston Southern - Robert Morris - Monmouth


Plus, if things go titsup they'd have no reservation on blowing up the MEAC and target NC Central or SCSU.

The Aggies must have made that move for a free ride into the playoffs. An 11K student state supported school in with a bunch of small private schools. Don't know how they're doing now, but SC State has been in financial trouble for seemingly the last 20 years. Moving to the more regionally friendly Big South could be very beneficial. have to think Monmouth & Robert Morris are just parking until something more regionally agreeable comes along.

Campbell and GWebb are putting real money into their programs. They're building serious athletic departments for all sports. Monmouth is a playoff contender too. NCA&T will push themselves and Campbell/GWU to be better in the same way GS/App pushed Furman and Wofford.

Belmont a few years ago mentioned that they would look into adding FCS football. If they add football now, and play in the Pioneer League and then moved to scholarships might be a ticket for them getting into SoCon. Bellarmine also have the same idea. The reason why SoCon do not give Belmont and Bellarmine an invite yet is the most important sport that they do not have. Football
The last SoCon expansion were schools with football.

If James Madison U go FBS? Delaware will follow them there.

NC A&T also talk about going FBS. They could be a target for ASUN. Can the ASUN talk to going FBS before Chattanooga, East Tennessee State and Western Carolina might get them not want to be left behind.

After hundreds of posts in this thread we’ve come to the conclusion that Belmont football is the crux of FCS realignment. Close her down, fellers. Let’s hit the diner for coffee and eggs.

(02-09-2021 10:46 PM)DavidSt Wrote:  Belmont a few years ago mentioned that they would look into adding FCS football. If they add football now, and play in the Pioneer League and then moved to scholarships might be a ticket for them getting into SoCon. Bellarmine also have the same idea. The reason why SoCon do not give Belmont and Bellarmine an invite yet is the most important sport that they do not have. Football
The last SoCon expansion were schools with football.

If James Madison U go FBS? Delaware will follow them there.

NC A&T also talk about going FBS. They could be a target for ASUN. Can the ASUN talk to going FBS before Chattanooga, East Tennessee State and Western Carolina might get them not want to be left behind.

I feel substantially dumber after reading that.

(02-09-2021 12:50 PM)HatterFan Wrote:  I think the CAA would have to look at the MAAC and NEC for replacements, some for football, some to shore up basketball and to have the geography move back to the northeast. Monmouth, Iona, Siena, etc. Quinnipiac, Bryant, LIU, Wagner seem like possibilities.

Monmouth is biting at the bit for that call. There was a reason they “outgrew” NEC football and followed the Stony Brook track of increasing scholarships and parking in Big South. Only, nobody’s called yet.

LIU would be all types of screwed, I’d imagine, as long as Hofstra and Stony were around.

Maybe CAA taps from the AmEast well again? Goes all-in on some of its CAAF associate members? I feel like Albany and Stony have been at the top of the list for some time, but politics get in the way. There’s still UNH, Maine, and maybe a basketball slot for Vermont? Maybe?

CAA will always be waiting for the A10 to shed or fracture, though.

(02-09-2021 11:38 PM)esayem Wrote:  After hundreds of posts in this thread we’ve come to the conclusion that Belmont football is the crux of FCS realignment. Close her down, fellers. Let’s hit the diner for coffee and eggs.

Great. Now you have me craving some Waffle House.

LaSalle is in dire straits and think if ODU wanted it, it would be likely be accepted into the A10.

UMass would advocate for them, URI AD is a former UMass football player and would probably support ODU.

Regarding the other FCS football universities, Dayton, Duquesne, Fordham and Richmond not sure but don't think there would not be strong objections, which could be won over. All the DC, Virginia, and NC teams would probably be OK with the travel. The hard convincing would be St. Bonaventure, St. Joes, and St Louis.

Think the Monarch's previous NCAA success, even team members would aide to the likely (over 50%) chance of ODU replacing LaSalle.

Both mid-west A10 teams Dayton and St Louis are at risk for the Big East. While Nashville would be a nice travel location, think a more consolidated footprint would be desirable as Covid has put a strain on athletic budgets.

(02-12-2021 11:35 AM)Steve1981 Wrote:  LaSalle is in dire straits and think if ODU wanted it, it would be likely be accepted into the A10.

UMass would advocate for them, URI AD is a former UMass football player and would probably support ODU.

Regarding the other FCS football universities, Dayton, Duquesne, Fordham and Richmond not sure but don't think there would not be strong objections, which could be won over. All the DC, Virginia, and NC teams would probably be OK with the travel. The hard convincing would be St. Bonaventure, St. Joes, and St Louis.

Think the Monarch's previous NCAA success, even team members would aide to the likely (over 50%) chance of ODU replacing LaSalle.

Why would St. Joe's have a problem? Pretty easy trip for them and we have scheduled multiple H/Hs with them OOC in recent history so there is likely a good relationship. Richmond is a gimme. That is a 1 hour trip and pretty much guaranteed to replace 2 non-TV games with 2 TV games. How many do you need in the A10? Just a simple majority?

(02-12-2021 11:57 AM)EverRespect Wrote:  

(02-12-2021 11:35 AM)Steve1981 Wrote:  LaSalle is in dire straits and think if ODU wanted it, it would be likely be accepted into the A10.

UMass would advocate for them, URI AD is a former UMass football player and would probably support ODU.

Regarding the other FCS football universities, Dayton, Duquesne, Fordham and Richmond not sure but don't think there would not be strong objections, which could be won over. All the DC, Virginia, and NC teams would probably be OK with the travel. The hard convincing would be St. Bonaventure, St. Joes, and St Louis.

Think the Monarch's previous NCAA success, even team members would aide to the likely (over 50%) chance of ODU replacing LaSalle.

Why would St. Joe's have a problem? Pretty easy trip for them and we have scheduled multiple H/Hs with them OOC in recent history so there is likely a good relationship. Richmond is a gimme. That is a 1 hour trip and pretty much guaranteed to replace 2 non-TV games with 2 TV games. How many do you need in the A10? Just a simple majority?

Never been aware of a vote. We've blamed Commissioner Bruno in the past for some additions so perhaps a lot depends on commissioner Bernadette McGlade. Remind me how close Newport News is from ODU, where she relocated A10 HQ.

(02-12-2021 11:57 AM)EverRespect Wrote:  

(02-12-2021 11:35 AM)Steve1981 Wrote:  LaSalle is in dire straits and think if ODU wanted it, it would be likely be accepted into the A10.

UMass would advocate for them, URI AD is a former UMass football player and would probably support ODU.

Regarding the other FCS football universities, Dayton, Duquesne, Fordham and Richmond not sure but don't think there would not be strong objections, which could be won over. All the DC, Virginia, and NC teams would probably be OK with the travel. The hard convincing would be St. Bonaventure, St. Joes, and St Louis.

Think the Monarch's previous NCAA success, even team members would aide to the likely (over 50%) chance of ODU replacing LaSalle.

Why would St. Joe's have a problem? Pretty easy trip for them and we have scheduled multiple H/Hs with them OOC in recent history so there is likely a good relationship. Richmond is a gimme. That is a 1 hour trip and pretty much guaranteed to replace 2 non-TV games with 2 TV games. How many do you need in the A10? Just a simple majority?

My concern would be if the small Northeast Catholic schools would balk at adding two large South-facing publics, especially if La Salle or Fordham leave. I know the A-10 isn't an exclusively private conference but the shift in geography and diversification of institution type were drivers in the Big East/AAC split.

Right now, the A10 has seven schools north of the Mason-Dixon line, five schools south, and two to the west. The private/public split is 10/4. An ODU+Charlotte add changes both significantly, even more so if a private or two leave.

The CAA lost the thread of its plot by overexpanding, which led to the heart of the conference (ODU, VCU, George Mason) leaving.

(02-12-2021 01:02 PM)Steve1981 Wrote:  

(02-12-2021 11:57 AM)EverRespect Wrote:  

(02-12-2021 11:35 AM)Steve1981 Wrote:  LaSalle is in dire straits and think if ODU wanted it, it would be likely be accepted into the A10.

UMass would advocate for them, URI AD is a former UMass football player and would probably support ODU.

Regarding the other FCS football universities, Dayton, Duquesne, Fordham and Richmond not sure but don't think there would not be strong objections, which could be won over. All the DC, Virginia, and NC teams would probably be OK with the travel. The hard convincing would be St. Bonaventure, St. Joes, and St Louis.

Think the Monarch's previous NCAA success, even team members would aide to the likely (over 50%) chance of ODU replacing LaSalle.

Why would St. Joe's have a problem? Pretty easy trip for them and we have scheduled multiple H/Hs with them OOC in recent history so there is likely a good relationship. Richmond is a gimme. That is a 1 hour trip and pretty much guaranteed to replace 2 non-TV games with 2 TV games. How many do you need in the A10? Just a simple majority?

Never been aware of a vote. We've blamed Commissioner Bruno in the past for some additions so perhaps a lot depends on commissioner Bernadette McGlade. Remind me how close Newport News is from ODU, where she relocated A10 HQ.

I live in Newport News. Takes me about 30 minutes to get to ODU and about an hour to get to VCU... a little more to UR.

(02-12-2021 01:02 PM)Steve1981 Wrote:  

(02-12-2021 11:57 AM)EverRespect Wrote:  

(02-12-2021 11:35 AM)Steve1981 Wrote:  LaSalle is in dire straits and think if ODU wanted it, it would be likely be accepted into the A10.

UMass would advocate for them, URI AD is a former UMass football player and would probably support ODU.

Regarding the other FCS football universities, Dayton, Duquesne, Fordham and Richmond not sure but don't think there would not be strong objections, which could be won over. All the DC, Virginia, and NC teams would probably be OK with the travel. The hard convincing would be St. Bonaventure, St. Joes, and St Louis.

Think the Monarch's previous NCAA success, even team members would aide to the likely (over 50%) chance of ODU replacing LaSalle.

Why would St. Joe's have a problem? Pretty easy trip for them and we have scheduled multiple H/Hs with them OOC in recent history so there is likely a good relationship. Richmond is a gimme. That is a 1 hour trip and pretty much guaranteed to replace 2 non-TV games with 2 TV games. How many do you need in the A10? Just a simple majority?

Never been aware of a vote. We've blamed Commissioner Bruno in the past for some additions so perhaps a lot depends on commissioner Bernadette McGlade. Remind me how close Newport News is from ODU, where she relocated A10 HQ.

Norfolk to Newport News is anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on traffic in the tunnel.

(02-12-2021 01:55 PM)Cyniclone Wrote:  

(02-12-2021 11:57 AM)EverRespect Wrote:  

(02-12-2021 11:35 AM)Steve1981 Wrote:  LaSalle is in dire straits and think if ODU wanted it, it would be likely be accepted into the A10.

UMass would advocate for them, URI AD is a former UMass football player and would probably support ODU.

Regarding the other FCS football universities, Dayton, Duquesne, Fordham and Richmond not sure but don't think there would not be strong objections, which could be won over. All the DC, Virginia, and NC teams would probably be OK with the travel. The hard convincing would be St. Bonaventure, St. Joes, and St Louis.

Think the Monarch's previous NCAA success, even team members would aide to the likely (over 50%) chance of ODU replacing LaSalle.

Why would St. Joe's have a problem? Pretty easy trip for them and we have scheduled multiple H/Hs with them OOC in recent history so there is likely a good relationship. Richmond is a gimme. That is a 1 hour trip and pretty much guaranteed to replace 2 non-TV games with 2 TV games. How many do you need in the A10? Just a simple majority?

My concern would be if the small Northeast Catholic schools would balk at adding two large South-facing publics, especially if La Salle or Fordham leave. I know the A-10 isn't an exclusively private conference but the shift in geography and diversification of institution type were drivers in the Big East/AAC split.

Right now, the A10 has seven schools north of the Mason-Dixon line, five schools south, and two to the west. The private/public split is 10/4. An ODU+Charlotte add changes both significantly, even more so if a private or two leave.

The CAA lost the thread of its plot by overexpanding, which led to the heart of the conference (ODU, VCU, George Mason) leaving.

Overexpansion is not what led to the CAA exodus. You are way overthinking this. The public/private thing is not a thing at all. If Lasalle or Fordham leave we only need 7 votes... if both leave we may only need 6 votes depending on how they break a tie... VCU, UR, GMU, GW, Davidson are 100%. So UMass and URI or St. Joe's would be all we'd need. The UMass guy seems to think UMass and URI are locks. St. Joes is a basketball school with basketball alumni and basketball donors. They think/want to think their peer and archrival is Villanova. They are not going down with Fordham and LaSalle. What would the Catholic's alternative be for replacement? Any NE Catholic school worth a darn is already in the Big East. Lehigh and Lafayette from the Patriot league?