Western is exempt from the question, as well as your team if you are a non Western fan who visits this board! Who has the Sunbelt's best athletic program?

UNT dominates in football, South Al is the most consistent baseball program, MTSU is showing signs of being on the rise in both football and basketball. While I can make cases for all I go with UL because I have a basketball bias and they generally represent the Sunbelt when WKU isn't! Anybody else have thoughts?

I'd probably have to say MTSU, because it seems like they're never last or near last in any sport. They may not be number 1 either, but they've got more top 5 spots than bottom five, or so I think. They've also got a new AD that I think can really heat things up. I think their best days are ahead of them, and that could mean bad news for the rest of the conference, including us!

I have thought that with the booming population in middle TN and the fact that enrollment has them as the biggest in the state, soon MTSU could be the unviversity in TN.

Thats one of the reasons I would like them for a travelling buddy in whatever conference we end up in!

I agree on MTSU. They have a lot going for them.

I think everyone will use their own criteria when answering this question. For me, it's "what do you do with the big five sports?"

Football
Men's Basketball
Women's basketball
Softball
Baseball

With all due respects to the Bubas Cup, not that many fans care about excellence in Volleyball and Cross Country, etc.

I had a friend that was on the Volleyball team, don't ever say that to her! :saber:

BirdofParadise Wrote:I think everyone will use their own criteria when answering this question. For me, it's "what do you do with the big five sports?"

Football
Men's Basketball
Women's basketball
Softball
Baseball

With all due respects to the Bubas Cup, not that many fans care about excellence in Volleyball and Cross Country, etc.

First, let me say that I like the positive comments about MT athletics. I believe the university has the best all around athletic program (evidenced by thee Bubas Cups in five years) and things will only get better with the addition of Chris Massaro as our AD.

Next, since I can not vote for the Blue Raiders, I pick the Ragin' Cajuns of UL. I have a ton of respect for their fans and they are the choice for most MT fans to represent the SBC if MT fails to win the title. Plus, outside of football last year, they were at or near the top in most sports. Unfortunately for them, we all know football is THE sport for most fans.

Finally, what is BirdofParadise smoking? If that post was a knock against MT's excellence across the athletic specturm, the poster needs to check the facts.
1. Softball isn't on the radar screen of any fans.
2. MT finished better than anyone else in the cumulative results of the big four.
A. Fourth place in football (automatically eliminates Western since they don't compete on 1-A level)
B. Men's basketball WAS disappointment. But still finished 3rd in div.
C. Second best record in WBB. Won tournament. Advanced to second rd of NCAA.
D. BB team finished 4th in regular season and advanced to tournament championship game.

Quote:Who has the Sunbelt's best athletic program?

I'm going to pull a Clinton and paraphrase "It depends upon how you define has"

2004-5 - MTSU
The last 5 Years, edge to UL over MTSU
2005-2006 - I'm going to break the rules and say WKU