(01-23-2022 12:55 AM)FoUTASportscaster Wrote:  

(01-22-2022 01:30 PM)chiefsfan Wrote:  Question for UTA fans: The Press release really talked up renewing the rivalries with the old Texas Southland schools. Do those rivalries really interest you, or would you have preferred the MVC with more recognizable basketball names?

Great question, but come to expect good things from you in the just under a decade I was on this board.

It’s a two prong issue. The MVC is clearly a better conference by the rankings than the WAC or SBC. But there was no one we would have a natural rivalry with and would have needed time to develop a situation one (a la stAte and Louisiana).

The WAC is at the SBC ‘s level overall, but NMSU is leaving. The WAC isn’t at the MVC level surely. However, there’s an easy drive to a few schools where we can both take revenue at the gate or go see the team on the road. Rivalry games drive attendance, as we’ve seen with Texas State, rivalry games drive good attendance numbers. It was nice having that rivalry as no one really considered us SLC rivals as we never had football. UTSA was closer to TXST and Lamar was too far away with no meaningful games save baseball tournament finals. My hope is we can get to more postseason tournaments and have more fans from both sides show up.

In the end, I’m more hopeful in the WAC. It did suck to hear the MVC rejected us after the SBC did too. But in the end, it could be a good thing. The big thing is, we just aren’t with peer schools academically.

Agree with all this.

I liked having Georgia State, Texas State, and Louisiana as peer institutions in the SBC, and, it is true the WAC does not give us institutional peers. However, I think the chance to develop-renewal athletic rivalries with Texas teams that our fans know outweights that concern. Furthermore, numerous WAC institutions showed that they were literally excited to have us.

As for the MVC, we were a finalist, but it was never a sure thing and we are way out of their footprint. I see being a finalist as a positive. I would have supported it if it had happened, but, Fo, articulated the pros and cons of that very well.

(01-23-2022 12:55 AM)FoUTASportscaster Wrote:  

(01-22-2022 01:30 PM)chiefsfan Wrote:  Question for UTA fans: The Press release really talked up renewing the rivalries with the old Texas Southland schools. Do those rivalries really interest you, or would you have preferred the MVC with more recognizable basketball names?

Great question, but come to expect good things from you in the just under a decade I was on this board.

It’s a two prong issue. The MVC is clearly a better conference by the rankings than the WAC or SBC. But there was no one we would have a natural rivalry with and would have needed time to develop a situation one (a la stAte and Louisiana).

The WAC is at the SBC ‘s level overall, but NMSU is leaving. The WAC isn’t at the MVC level surely. However, there’s an easy drive to a few schools where we can both take revenue at the gate or go see the team on the road. Rivalry games drive attendance, as we’ve seen with Texas State, rivalry games drive good attendance numbers. It was nice having that rivalry as no one really considered us SLC rivals as we never had football. UTSA was closer to TXST and Lamar was too far away with no meaningful games save baseball tournament finals. My hope is we can get to more postseason tournaments and have more fans from both sides show up.

In the end, I’m more hopeful in the WAC. It did suck to hear the MVC rejected us after the SBC did too. But in the end, it could be a good thing. The big thing is, we just aren’t with peer schools academically.

Hate to “kick a Mav when he’s down,” but uuhhhh, NO. The WAC is clearly NOT at The SBC’s level.

Under the circumstances, I understand why you’d want to believe that though . . ..

Best to luck in that “lesser” conference.

In basketball, it certainly is. Look at the rankings. As I mentioned, we’ll wait and see what happens after NMSU leaves.

The SBC is a collection of schools that field a team, that’s evident in many ways. Football is the focus, and that’s each school’s prerogative to make. But they aren’t on the MVC level overall.

In the end, both are one-bud leagues, so that alone makes it equal.

I would consider it darn near lateral in terms of basketball ... but NMSU may make it slightly worse ... but not by much ... SBC basketball is fairly overrated by those of us in it (as the WAC probably is by those in it)... looking at the overall mid major rankings, and it is pretty much on the same level as the WAC ... different metrics favor each conference based on views ... so generally they are pretty much on par ... I like the SBC a bit better, but the difference is negligible ...

In terms of "rivalries" I think they are good ... UTA is lower case big ... as in we seem bigger at a glance then we are ... lack of attendance and interest overall is just fact ... a sleeping giant for over a decade is just that ... sleeping ... But things could still break big, if everything goes right ... but I like having this schools within a few hours drive, it should be a boon for attendance and that rivalry spirit ... Texas State was nice, but not enough ... maybe having a few to throw around one will stick??

Either way the SBC was fun, will always have a soft spot for the funbelt ... and hope to see some home and homes on the schedule for non conference ... mid majors gotta look out for each other ya know

I've heard that Tarleton will be announcing a big move in the next 2-3 months. My dude hinted at CUSA when I asked him but neither confirmed or denied. If so UTA will be losing a close potential WAC conferencemate.

Who knew that the WAC would have better basketball than the 'Belt? Kenpom Conference Ratings

#1 Big-12 (+18.14)

#7 MWC (+7.82)
#8 AAC (+7.32)
#9 WCC (+6.36)
#10 Atlantic (+4.24)
#11 MVC (+4.14)
#12 CUSA (-0.17)
#13 Southern (-0.66)
#14 CAA (-2.32)
#15 WAC (-2.34)
#16 Sun Belt (-2.46)
#17 Ivy (-3.07)
#18 Big West (-3.15)
#19 Mid=American (-3.18)
#20 MAAC (-3.73)
#21 ASUN (-5.82)
#22 Summit (-5.99)
#23 Big Sky (-6.14)
#24 Horizon (-7.10)

#30 Southland (-13.16)

I wonder if our leaving will make the 'Belt's kenpom rating go up. LOL

(01-24-2022 03:11 PM)Bobcat2013 Wrote:  I've heard that Tarleton will be announcing a big move in the next 2-3 months. My dude hinted at CUSA when I asked him but neither confirmed or denied. If so UTA will be losing a close potential WAC conferencemate.

It wouldn't surprise me.
Tarleton leadership wants FBS. They joined WAC to work with NMSU to restart FBS.

Tarleton was named with Sam and New Mexico State as CUSA targets in October.Later that night, they announced stadium expansion to 20-25k over the next 18 months.
Sam and NMSU moved and Tarleton was roasted online because they are an unknown D1 transitional program.

Since then Tarleton has announced their 15th (W soccer) and 16th (m golf) sports. This is important because 14 is the minimum for D1 programs, but 16 is the minimum for FBS conferences.
They also reclassified from Carnegie Regional Masters to Carnegie R2 High Research University.

My best guess is that both parties agreed to hold off in October with an eventual bid.
CUSA wants to recruit any and all members but the stigma of taking a team 2 years removed from D2 was too much then. They held in an attempt to figure out next steps knowing Tarleton was in the wings even a few years down the road.

Tarletons original plan for FBS a few more years out but you can't wait if something presents itself. Now they are adapting on the accelerated time line.

What's the difference with D2 program moving up and a new start up like CUSA and the Sun Belt have had before?

If C-USA adds Tarleton, the number of jokes about the conference will increase exponentially. Most people outside of Stephenville have never heard of Tarleton. I would hate for this to happen, because it would give the P6 another excuse to split FBS. Adding a school transitioning from D2 to an FBS conference is not a good look.

Does C-USA have any dignity left?

(01-25-2022 10:49 AM)CW Fishman Wrote:  If C-USA adds Tarleton, the number of jokes about the conference will increase exponentially. Most people outside of Stephenville have never heard of Tarleton. I would hate for this to happen, because it would give the P6 another excuse to split FBS. Adding a school transitioning from D2 to an FBS conference is not a good look.

Does C-USA have any dignity left?

Doesn’t seem like it.

But hey-give em 5-6 years and they might well recover.

I really hope my source is wrong or that he was misleading me. I have had some great times in Stephenville and have fond feelings for the school but they do not need to be FBS. Of course the same could probably be said for us lol

If they are headed to CUSA, they’ll have the lowest budget in both FBS and athletic budget among FBS schools.

(01-24-2022 09:41 PM)OsageJ Wrote:  What's the difference with D2 program moving up and a new start up like CUSA and the Sun Belt have had before?

In my opinion, nothing. I honestly don't care if C-USA adds them or not. It doesn't really change anything from a P5 perspective or Sun Belt perspective.

University of Texas at Arlington Accepts Invitation to Join WAC

https://wacsports.com/general/2021-22/re...0120nrv7nj

UTA’s Athletic Director “retired” this afternoon.

https://utamavs.com/news/2022/2/8/genera...etire.aspx

There have been rumors circulating for months now, or longer. But it’s happened, almost 10 years to the day he first started.

There are a lot of implications for the future of the program.

(01-25-2022 10:49 AM)CW Fishman Wrote:  If C-USA adds Tarleton, the number of jokes about the conference will increase exponentially. Most people outside of Stephenville have never heard of Tarleton. I would hate for this to happen, because it would give the P6 another excuse to split FBS. Adding a school transitioning from D2 to an FBS conference is not a good look.

Does C-USA have any dignity left?

Do you really think the new AAC will be anywhere near where they are now??? The “P6” campaign needs to go away. There will be nothing “P” about the AAC when the Big 12 finishes with them.

(02-08-2022 09:36 PM)FoUTASportscaster Wrote:  UTA’s Athletic Director “retired” this afternoon.

https://utamavs.com/news/2022/2/8/genera...etire.aspx

There have been rumors circulating for months now, or longer. But it’s happened, almost 10 years to the day he first started.

There are a lot of implications for the future of the program.

It was always my hope that UTA would add Football and stay in the Sun Belt. I guess getting a new AD to champion football is too little too late for UTA but I still hope for the fans it happens. FCS football in the WAC probably would be a good starting point for the program. Good luck with your AD search UTA!

(02-09-2022 08:07 AM)Georgia_Power_Company Wrote:  

(02-08-2022 09:36 PM)FoUTASportscaster Wrote:  UTA’s Athletic Director “retired” this afternoon.

https://utamavs.com/news/2022/2/8/genera...etire.aspx

There have been rumors circulating for months now, or longer. But it’s happened, almost 10 years to the day he first started.

There are a lot of implications for the future of the program.

It was always my hope that UTA would add Football and stay in the Sun Belt. I guess getting a new AD to champion football is too little too late for UTA but I still hope for the fans it happens. FCS football in the WAC probably would be a good starting point for the program. Good luck with your AD search UTA!

It's a bit optimistic to say the new UTA AD will come in to champion football, but I hope that will be the case. Anyway, thanks for ten years of your patience. Perhaps in another ten years we and our football team will be back.

(02-09-2022 09:37 AM)wewererebels Wrote:  

(02-09-2022 08:07 AM)Georgia_Power_Company Wrote:  

(02-08-2022 09:36 PM)FoUTASportscaster Wrote:  UTA’s Athletic Director “retired” this afternoon.

https://utamavs.com/news/2022/2/8/genera...etire.aspx

There have been rumors circulating for months now, or longer. But it’s happened, almost 10 years to the day he first started.

There are a lot of implications for the future of the program.

It was always my hope that UTA would add Football and stay in the Sun Belt. I guess getting a new AD to champion football is too little too late for UTA but I still hope for the fans it happens. FCS football in the WAC probably would be a good starting point for the program. Good luck with your AD search UTA!

It's a bit optimistic to say the new UTA AD will come in to champion football, but I hope that will be the case. Anyway, thanks for ten years of your patience. Perhaps in another ten years we and our football team will be back.

Get a team first. Hell, take ours, we ain’t using it. . . .

(02-09-2022 10:00 AM)Bobcat87 Wrote:  

(02-09-2022 09:37 AM)wewererebels Wrote:  

(02-09-2022 08:07 AM)Georgia_Power_Company Wrote:  

(02-08-2022 09:36 PM)FoUTASportscaster Wrote:  UTA’s Athletic Director “retired” this afternoon.

https://utamavs.com/news/2022/2/8/genera...etire.aspx

There have been rumors circulating for months now, or longer. But it’s happened, almost 10 years to the day he first started.

There are a lot of implications for the future of the program.

It was always my hope that UTA would add Football and stay in the Sun Belt. I guess getting a new AD to champion football is too little too late for UTA but I still hope for the fans it happens. FCS football in the WAC probably would be a good starting point for the program. Good luck with your AD search UTA!

It's a bit optimistic to say the new UTA AD will come in to champion football, but I hope that will be the case. Anyway, thanks for ten years of your patience. Perhaps in another ten years we and our football team will be back.

Get a team first. Hell, take ours, we ain’t using it. . . .

I love you guys. Your comments are in the spirit of the great Jim Wacker, who embodied integrity and humility.