(04-14-2018 01:21 PM)BearcatJerry Wrote:  

(04-14-2018 10:00 AM)panite Wrote:  

(04-14-2018 07:18 AM)BearcatJerry Wrote:  I'll never understand the love for UMass in some quarters of the AAC fanbase... They are a total mooch program; they want the $$$ and exposure that FBS and the AAC would bring but have historically invested next-to-nothing in their sports and bring next-to-nothing in return. New Hampshire or Delaware would be better additions and partners but you don't hear anyone pining over them.

UMass would be so far down my list of "expansion candidates" that if the American adds them, I'd say it's just time to close up shop because that means we're beyond desperate.

New Hampshire and Delaware do not want to move up though so they are out. The AAC can merely schedule games with UMASS especially for FB and BB without taking them into the conference while they make the improvements that need to be made. Close members like UCONN, Temple, an Navy could rotate them through their schedules for FB, and the schools of greater distance could rotate them regionally.

Yeah... It's called sarcasm. Except that New Hampshire and Delaware--who don't want to move up--still would make better expansion partners than UMass.

I'm sitting here in my UNH sweatshirt laughing at the absurdity of this. UNH and Delaware give you **** sports in nothing markets (no, Delaware doesn't get you Philly and UNH doesn't get you Boston). UMass does get you Boston and is one of the biggest college brands in New England. Obviously, if they wanted AAC membership, they'd have to make a commitment to improve their athletics budget and football facilities. With that, they're a great candidate with a high ceiling.

I'm sticking by what I've been saying for a long time; adding UMass and Old Dominion, along with VCU and another basketball-only, would be the best move for the conference.