(02-21-2020 01:59 PM)GoldenWarrior11 Wrote:  

(02-21-2020 09:54 AM)Frank the Tank Wrote:  UMass is an interesting case because I think that they could be in that SLU-type category. While they're not a clear institutional fit with the Big East outside of incoming UConn, it's definitely academically desirable as a flagship school in a wealthy high population state. If they could just get consistent solid (not even great) on-the-court performance, it would do wonders for the value of UMass for conference realignment purposes. You can squint your eyes and see the potential that they *could* be like another UConn (and would be great to have them paired in a conference like the Big East), but there's no reason why the Big East or AAC would take them *before* they actually show sustained success in the A-10.

After SLU/UD, I very much like UMass, personally, as a long-term candidate for #14 to eventually "pair" with UConn.

They are a top-65 national university, with a strong enrollment (30k) and is a flagship land grant institution (not unlike UConn). They have a near-10k arena on campus arena (which was getting filled during the Calipari/early Flint days), and would see a tremendous boost in support under the BE banner and resources. They would also be another strong presence in the NE market that further cements NYC as the conference's home.

Those three additions over a long(er) period of time would eventually put the league in a perfect 7/7 (East/West) split/set-up that would provide the perfect number of sessions for the BET at MSG, and ideal travel scenarios for Olympic sports. The BE would remain a non-football league, but allow two schools that play football (UConn/UMass) to have an alliance as FBS Independents.

If the NBE would take UMass then both UMass and UConn could pair up and go to the MAC for FB only equaling the UMass / Temple eastern market they once sought.