(02-10-2016 11:13 PM)Buc4LifeGrad2015 Wrote:  For the majority of the time the SoCon has held a higher RPI though. At least according to old JC Press reports. I do know that there were years where the A-Sun was stronger. My main concern was the number of teams that now call the A-Sun home and the locations of said teams.

(02-11-2016 09:50 AM)RodShaw2 Wrote:  

(02-10-2016 11:13 PM)Buc4LifeGrad2015 Wrote:  For the majority of the time the SoCon has held a higher RPI though. At least according to old JC Press reports. I do know that there were years where the A-Sun was stronger. My main concern was the number of teams that now call the A-Sun home and the locations of said teams.

Conferences are shifting, it all comes from the top down, as the Big Boys realign and add, they steal from the lower. I think the Power Conferences are set for now, the mid tier is still sorting. SoCon has had a lot movement, Davidson,CoC,Elon Appy St and Georgia Southern, the only reason ETSU got back. Another shift and the SoCon could have the bottom drop out, lets say Chattanooga recent success in both football and basketball gets them an invite up ladder or Furman and Wofford decide to go play with some other private schools, Mercer is located in an attractive spot and could get interest. A-Sun will always have a role as a gateway conference until the NCAA chokes off schools from moving up to Div I.

(02-11-2016 02:57 PM)Buc66 Wrote:  

(02-11-2016 09:50 AM)RodShaw2 Wrote:  

(02-10-2016 11:13 PM)Buc4LifeGrad2015 Wrote:  For the majority of the time the SoCon has held a higher RPI though. At least according to old JC Press reports. I do know that there were years where the A-Sun was stronger. My main concern was the number of teams that now call the A-Sun home and the locations of said teams.

Conferences are shifting, it all comes from the top down, as the Big Boys realign and add, they steal from the lower. I think the Power Conferences are set for now, the mid tier is still sorting. SoCon has had a lot movement, Davidson,CoC,Elon Appy St and Georgia Southern, the only reason ETSU got back. Another shift and the SoCon could have the bottom drop out, lets say Chattanooga recent success in both football and basketball gets them an invite up ladder or Furman and Wofford decide to go play with some other private schools, Mercer is located in an attractive spot and could get interest. A-Sun will always have a role as a gateway conference until the NCAA chokes off schools from moving up to Div I.

I just fail to see anyone headed up and out of the SoCon anytime soon -- unless there's another earthquake shake up of other conferences forcing movement. And, keeping the SoCon at the present ten geographic compact members is the best option at present.

(02-11-2016 04:42 PM)RodShaw2 Wrote:  

(02-11-2016 02:57 PM)Buc66 Wrote:  

(02-11-2016 09:50 AM)RodShaw2 Wrote:  

(02-10-2016 11:13 PM)Buc4LifeGrad2015 Wrote:  For the majority of the time the SoCon has held a higher RPI though. At least according to old JC Press reports. I do know that there were years where the A-Sun was stronger. My main concern was the number of teams that now call the A-Sun home and the locations of said teams.

Conferences are shifting, it all comes from the top down, as the Big Boys realign and add, they steal from the lower. I think the Power Conferences are set for now, the mid tier is still sorting. SoCon has had a lot movement, Davidson,CoC,Elon Appy St and Georgia Southern, the only reason ETSU got back. Another shift and the SoCon could have the bottom drop out, lets say Chattanooga recent success in both football and basketball gets them an invite up ladder or Furman and Wofford decide to go play with some other private schools, Mercer is located in an attractive spot and could get interest. A-Sun will always have a role as a gateway conference until the NCAA chokes off schools from moving up to Div I.

I just fail to see anyone headed up and out of the SoCon anytime soon -- unless there's another earthquake shake up of other conferences forcing movement. And, keeping the SoCon at the present ten geographic compact members is the best option at present.

I think Chattanooga would be a strong candidate and perhaps Mercer because of location.

(02-11-2016 05:19 PM)BucFan1244 Wrote:  Does ETSU or Mercer look more attractive for conference pickups? I honestly wish the Socon would stay status quo for 8 years IMO.

(02-11-2016 10:39 PM)Efan Wrote:  I disagree. I think the Tri-Cities would be a little more attractive based on media market size. The Tri is ranked 97th and Macon is 120th. Not a huge difference, but it is significant. ETSU also is larger and has a much larger alumni base. We have 2 interstates running through our area just like they do, only difference is their proximity to a major city (Atlanta).

(02-12-2016 12:04 PM)shampoo Wrote:  

(02-11-2016 10:39 PM)Efan Wrote:  I disagree. I think the Tri-Cities would be a little more attractive based on media market size. The Tri is ranked 97th and Macon is 120th. Not a huge difference, but it is significant. ETSU also is larger and has a much larger alumni base. We have 2 interstates running through our area just like they do, only difference is their proximity to a major city (Atlanta).

The market is attractive only if ETSU basketball and football can hold their own against UT & VT. Basketball is becoming competitive, but football will take years. Mercer, on the other hand, is off to a good start with football and beat Duke in basketball recently, so they're profile is higher status right now IMO. Things can change suddenly, though, as with FGCU a la Dunk City.

(02-12-2016 09:28 PM)Buccaneerlover Wrote:  

(02-12-2016 12:04 PM)shampoo Wrote:  

(02-11-2016 10:39 PM)Efan Wrote:  I disagree. I think the Tri-Cities would be a little more attractive based on media market size. The Tri is ranked 97th and Macon is 120th. Not a huge difference, but it is significant. ETSU also is larger and has a much larger alumni base. We have 2 interstates running through our area just like they do, only difference is their proximity to a major city (Atlanta).

The market is attractive only if ETSU basketball and football can hold their own against UT & VT. Basketball is becoming competitive, but football will take years. Mercer, on the other hand, is off to a good start with football and beat Duke in basketball recently, so they're profile is higher status right now IMO. Things can change suddenly, though, as with FGCU a la Dunk City.

Market is just an excuse. Look at Appalachian. You really think 25/30K people are coming from Boone and Wilkesboro? They're also competing with UT, UNC, South Carolina, Duke, Wake Forest, NC State, Va. Tech, and Clemson for butts in seats. It can be done, it just takes consistent winning, and making the atmosphere on gameday something that people want to participate in. It's no different than Marshall having to compete against West Virginia, Pitt, and Ohio State.
It all starts with winning.
As for the Atlantic Sun, it'll survive. Trevecca Nazarene in Nashville will eventually want to move up (they're already getting pressure from locals to do so), Bellarmine, North Alabama, UA-H, West Florida, and West Georgia have all shown at least a hint of wanting to move up. Any of these could move up and immediately add stability.

(02-13-2016 11:44 AM)RodShaw2 Wrote:  Also North Carolina is larger then Tennessee (around 6.5 million to close to 10 million), and has traditionally been a basketball state not a football state when it comes to big schools (might be why Appy went after that niche). It also much farther away from the Big 4 than ETSU is from UT. Larger enrollment, a tradition built over many, many years, lots of factors that make Appy St different from ETSU even though they are close on the map.