(06-06-2015 10:10 AM)UConn-SMU Wrote:  UMass' long-term plan should have been to go with the MAC in all sports. It would give them a safe home. They could do very well in basketball, go to a bunch of NCAA tourneys, and slowly build the brand name and the football program. Then (if successful) they would get a look from the AAC someday.

I don't understand what the hell they're doing now.

Long or short term UMASS should have joined the MAC for all sports when the MAC ultimatum was delivered. When you are building a D-1 football program you have to think about both revenue sports not just one cash cow. The BB credits left behind would have covered the A-10 buyout unless your last AD thought he had a gentleman's agreement for a temporary spot in the Sunbelt until the next alignment worked its way out.

If UMASS had stayed in the MAC for all sports the MAC probably would have made an offer to James Madison for number 14 to balance the league and keep the Mid Atlantic and N.E. east coast media exposure.

Good luck on independence because I think an AAC invite that UMASS is looking for is pretty far off barring another P5 realignment grab for AAC teams. At the very least UMASS needs a major scheduling agreement with either the AAC or MAC for postseason bowl options to stay a float short term. The AAC would be the one to use to meet that goal with their longer list of bowls even though UMASS would get their worst bowl. Another option might be to try to get into their Miami Bowl when the AAC can't get a P5 opponent or BYU to play in that bowl.