(02-15-2012 03:57 PM)HP-TBDPITL Wrote:  

(02-15-2012 03:52 PM)Louis Kitton Wrote:  

(02-15-2012 03:36 PM)OwlFamily Wrote:  

(02-15-2012 03:34 PM)BullsFanInTX Wrote:  http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketba...basketball

According to multiple sources, the candidates include Charlotte (A-10), which is about to start playing football; Florida International (Sun Belt); North Texas (Sun Belt); UT-San Antonio (WAC); Louisiana Tech (WAC); Middle Tennessee State (Sun Belt); Western Kentucky (Sun Belt), if the Hilltoppers want to bump up the football program; Old Dominion (CAA), if the Monarchs bump up football as well; and UMass and Temple (both would be coming from MAC in football, A-10 in other sports).

The West doesn't need to be shored up, but there are obvious candidates -- New Mexico State, Utah State and San Jose State are all possibilities -- if this league wanted to raid the WAC.

WKU is already a FBS playing school.

Katz is a basketball guy so is only looking at that perspective.

The only thing new here is the alliance must be willing to take a look at FCS programs with all the FCS names thrown out there like ODU and Charlotte.

It sounds like the MAC-12 has no interest in this merger. Some of the schools certainly have the markets and attendance to be considered but I think they are waiting to see how the power dynamic plays out among the non-AQ leagues.

The MAC by looking at the computer ratings may be a stronger football conference. It weakest program Akron just hired Terry Bowden as coach and that should make the conference stronger.

Just because they are looking at Charlotte and ODU doesnt mean they are looking at adding FCS football teams....they are most likely looking at them as non football members. The Charlotte fan base has been unhappy with the A-10 deal since the beginning. They would much rather play ECU, Marshall, UAB, Southern Miss, and Tulane than the Northeast schools.

I am pretty sure there isn't going to be non-football members in the alliance.

ODU already averages 20,000 after only a couple years of football and is talk about going to 35-40k real soon. ODU has good basketball but the draw for the alliance is more in football.

Charlotte is only building a 15k stadium and is in the same state as East Carolina so I don't know if adding another North Carolina school is a good idea. I think Charlotte could be in the alliance 5 years down the road when ECU leaves but not now.