(01-01-2021 03:30 AM)Attackcoog Wrote:  

(01-01-2021 03:00 AM)SoCalBobcat78 Wrote:  

(12-31-2020 03:29 PM)AllTideUp Wrote:  In my opinion, the league is perfectly positioned for a growth spurt. What do they gain? Greater notoriety in their own sphere, but adding a few more stalwart programs could really give them some attention back East beyond just everyone tuning in for Gonzaga. Boise State basketball has been getting better and they're a recognizable brand. San Diego State would be in the same category...assuming there's a way to get them into the AAC as well for a football deal. What if Seattle could be talked into going back?

The WCC is in a position to become a more recognizable force in basketball.

Boise State is a football brand, not a basketball brand. Boise State brings nothing to the WCC. In November of 2018, they lost at home to Idaho State in basketball, 72-70. They paid Idaho State $90,000 to drive down to Boise and take their money and a win. Four days earlier, Idaho State lost at Gonzaga, 120-79.

Gonzaga has not played Boise State in basketball in 20 years. They do not have much in common. Gonzaga is private and has a better academic reputation. Gonzaga does not play football. Boise State does not have a men’s soccer or baseball team, a couple of important sports in an Olympic sports league.

Boise State has lost at least one game to each conference in the west over the past two seasons. Gonzaga is great in basketball. Boise State is okay. There are much better candidates in the west than Boise State if the WCC is interested in expansion.

Boise would probably be the third or 4th best program in the WCC if they joined. Zags, BYU, and St Marys would all be considered better. In fact, I suspect Boise would be in the top 3 depending on the year. Boise is 6-1 this year including a win over a 9-2 BYU team. Boise has won 20 games a year every season but one since 2012. Boise would be a solid upper tier addition to the WCC. So, the Boise program would be a nice addition for the WCC---the problem is--as others have mentioned---Boise isnt really a great institutional fit.

That said, the idea of adding solid quality upper tier depth to the WCC while subtracting quality basketball depth from the MW might have a certain amount of appeal to WCC members who remember that the MW made a run at poaching Zags just a couple of years ago. That failed poaching attempt ended up costing every member (other than Zags) money. Those other members basically had to give Gonzaga a "special deal" that awarded Zags a larger cut of conference revenue. Its not impossible that those same schools might enjoy sticking it to the MW. My guess is that Boise will not get a WCC invite---but there are reasons to think its not completely out of the question Boise might find a home there.

https://apnews.com/article/275680042f9e4...4fbca0ff10

Gonzaga got a bigger share of the revenue because they deserved it. Before that, they were splitting revenue with schools that were contributing nothing. Boise State went 20-12 in 2019-2020 with a Net Ranking of 90. Not bad, but Gonzaga had the No. 1 Net Ranking last season, BYU No. 9, St. Mary's No. 31 and USF No. 83. Boise State was 13-20 in 2018-2019 with a Net Ranking of 149. They have not been to the tournament since 2015 and have never won a tournament game. But they usually win 20 games and they get the most out of the talent they recruit. In 2019-2020, they ranked 9th in basketball recruiting in the MWC.

I can't see a reason for the WCC to add Boise State other than as a favor to them and the AAC. They don't check any boxes. If the WCC doesn't care about academics, why not add GCU. They check a lot of boxes. Seattle or CBU or Denver would make more sense. It feels like the best fit for Boise State is the Big Sky Conference. If the BSC wants them, they should do it and end the drama. At this point, if Boise State and the AAC want to get married for football, then any D1 conference for Olympic sports should do. Everyone makes sacrifices in a marriage.