(05-13-2022 03:55 PM)Frank the Tank Wrote: (05-10-2022 05:47 PM)BruceMcF Wrote: (05-09-2022 09:16 PM)inutech Wrote: I doubt the only thing preventing the MAC from taking WKU only was the fear of uneven divisions.
After the experience of uneven divisions with Temple (which UMass was supposed to fix until the old Big East found themselves in a position where they wanted Temple back) & uneven divisions with UMass, it was likely sufficient.
I am a little skeptical about the MAC taking the "opportunity" to play with 13 in a divisionless set-up, but I would not be surprised if going divisionless allows the "right" two adds to be made, without having to worry about whether the pair works to move Toledo and Bowling Green into the same division.
I don't think WKU is appealing enough to carry "whatever 14th school is available" in its wake, though ... it seems like it would have to be like the WKU/MTSU add, two schools which each justify their own add.
Yes - I think that's the main point that needs to be emphasized.
The MAC didn't want simply WKU or WKU plus a random 14th school.
They wanted the WKU/MTSU combo *specifically*. WKU brought the better fan base and on-the-field/court history while MTSU brought the entry into the major fast-growing market of Nashville. WKU propped up where MTSU was weak (actual athletic performance) and MTSU propped up where WKU was weak (demographics and market). Add on the geographic proximity to each other and fact that they're natural rivals would have unlocked more value (at least in the eyes of the MAC) than either one of those schools alone or being paired with a school where there isn't any synergy (e.g. UMass or some other C-USA school).
The leadership of the MAC and CUSA has been remarkably unimaginative. They could be in much better shape than they're in with strategic leadership.
Given the fact that ESPN gave the MAC (literally) a golden opportunity to expand, it seems odd that they gave up on the idea when MTSU turned them down, considering the fact that there was a solid option available to them.
In addition to WKU, they probably could have added North Dakota State as a FB-only member. NDSU is located 1 mile from the Minnesota border, making them a midwestern university. Moreover, NDSU's airport is only 3 miles from their campus.
North Dakota State has such a large national following that they would most likely be the highest-viewership team in the conference.
If they were to join the MAC, NDSU would prefer to keep their other sports in their current conference, since this would minimize their travel costs.
There are plenty of universities with good basketball programs near the center of the MAC's footprint, such as Northern Kentucky, which would probably jump at the chance to earn more broadcasting revenue and cut their travel costs.
MAC East: Buffalo, Akron, Kent St., Ohio, Toledo, EMU, BGSU
MAC West: NIU, WKU, NDSU/NKU, Ball St., Miami (OH), CMU, WMU
The addition of WKU and NDSU/NKU would make the MAC a stronger MBB conference and a much more competitive football conference with much greater viewership potential.
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