(09-09-2021 11:29 AM)Ramblin Wreck Wrote: (09-09-2021 11:20 AM)WesternBlazer Wrote: https://medium.com/run-it-back-with-zach...aeda680a1b
Hmmm…all I can say about that is Southern Miss must have a lot of social media followers. Toledo? Really?
That is one bizarre list.
I think it would take a lot to entice any MAC program from their almost cult-like conference (j/k)
I posted a variation of this on our board yesterday.
Unless and until the AAC gets desperate, I think the criteria is thus:
1. DMA (television market size). That seems to be important again as ESPN is driving all of this, either directly or indirectly. Memphis was apparently excluded from Big 12 consideration, in part at least, because of it's market size, and Memphis is DMA 51! Remember it is not necessarily ALL about local ratings, but also about market rights fees. Likely a DMA of top 50.
2. Academic level. The Presidents are the ultimate deciders in all of this. I don't believe that undergraduate academic ratings will play a part, but I DO believe that, based on existing AAC profiles, a Carnegie R1 or R2 research rating will be necessary.
3. Athletic Department budget. This is self explanatory, and provides a window into an institution's long term commitment to excellence.
4. Proximity to a real airport; within an hour's drive of one with at least a a runway that handles a full size charter. Until the discussion with my coach friend, this had not occurred to me, but apparently it is a real "thing" now, and makes good sense. This also implies an urban, or near to urban environment.
5. Commitment to basketball. This based on Aresco's recent comments
So, just a quick down and dirty list based on the above, and the likely needs of the AAC, I came up with a list of potential candidates.
West: IF the AAC wants to maintain a bigger presence in Texas. Choices are UNT, UTSA and Rice. All three meet all criteria. I suspect that, given it's history with some AAC programs, and what some call the most fertile recruiting ground in the Country, it will be Rice. In any event it would be one of those three.
Florida: IF the AAC wants to maintain a bigger presence in Florida, I think FAU has the edge over FIU. Both meet all criteria.
South: UAB and Georgia State meet all of the above criteria and both could be in play.
East. Old Dominion and Charlotte meet all of the above criteria and both could be in play.
UAB is the #1 candidate IMHO
Among other programs mentioned that do not meet one or more of "my" criteria are
Coastal Carolina, Marshall, MTSU, WKU, Colorado State, Arkansas St, App State, Liberty, and Southern Miss.
I hope my posting on this board is not seen as an intrusion