(05-04-2017 04:11 PM)Stugray2 Wrote:  The real blocking point UCSD faces in the Big West is not the CSU schools but the UC schools. UCSD competes head up with Irvine, Davis, Riverside, and Santa Barbara for the exact same UC eligible D-I athletes. The Cal States have entirely different standards and so are no competing for the same athletes.

This is a point lost by most people. It's the ADs of the UCs who are blocking. The research nexus, high profile thing doesn't play because the Big West is not the organization the research is centered, rather it is the UC System including Cal, UCLA, and Santa Cruz. There is no impact on that. The Big West decision will be made strictly on athletic issues.

And yes the SDSU stadium issue is in the back of Big West minds. Between that and the UC recruiting issue, I think UCSD's chances are far better with the WAC than the Big West. Only after proving themselves the strongest D-I Basketball school among the UC's would they be admitted to the Big West. But I don't think that reality has sunk in on everyone. Blaming the likes of Fullerton, Northridge and Long beach for what was more likely the Irvine, Davis, and Santa Barbara ADs saying hey there is too much competition for those 3.8 GPA, 2100 and D-I level athletes already.