(09-19-2019 04:42 PM)NMSUPistolPete Wrote:  

(09-19-2019 04:30 PM)Lopes87 Wrote:  

(09-19-2019 01:49 PM)CitrusUCF Wrote:  

(09-19-2019 01:47 AM)NMSUPistolPete Wrote:  Unless NMSU can find an FBS home elsewhere, I think it benefits the Aggie program (Olympic sports wise) for the WAC to survive and prosper. If the WAC unravels (again), I really don't think our AD wants to put NMSU in another non-FBS football playing conference (i.e. Summit, Big West, Horizon, Missouri Valley) unless it's absolutely necessary. Ideally, Moccia would like to place NMSU in the MWC or CUSA as a full member. But the SBC is a more realistic option; now that there has been a commissioner change recently (no more Mr. Peanut). I don't think NMSU's AD has any interest in dropping down to the FCS level by joining the Big Sky or the Southland. That would damage the prestige of the Aggie basketball program long term.

So I wouldn't assume that joining the Big Sky or Southland for all sports means demoting FB to join them as well. I suppose at this point both have pretty much gone for all-sports members and not non-football members, but NMSU would be a top team for both of them in basketball and might provide enough value to not have to drop FB in as well.

That said, why do you think FCS football devalues basketball?

Big Sky doesn't have baseball and if NMSU leaves the WAC they won't be keeping baseball in the WAC I would imagine so they would have to put in the summit which would be the thing they are trying to avoid and the reason for them trying to put all sports in the same league. NMSU would prefer the Southland to the Big Sky anyways if they had to pick from these two options. I wonder if NMSU has tried to convince D2 schools in NM to make the jump to the WAC. This would same some money but it doesn't help their football situation as it currently stands.

New Mexico is a poor State. It can barely support NMSU and UNM. Nobody wants another D1 program to fund in New Mexico. The closes to making a move D1 would probably be Eastern New Mexico; in Portales, NM. But they would add virtually nothing to the WAC.