(02-11-2012 05:06 PM)ntmeangreen11 Wrote:  Guys if you want to see this conference continue to make positive strides, you need to flood the sun belt website with emails stating your non support of hiring Karl Benson. WHY on earth would we hire a guy who's been out west for 15 years to run a southern conference?

WHY would we take the commissioner who has made some pretty dumb mistakes over the years?

and WHY would we even want the commissioner from the WAC? Surely there is a better candidate who has worked for CUSA/SEC/BIG12 obviously not their commissioners, but someone who has worked for said conferences for many years and has the necessary tools to continue to make the sun belt a viable program.

I'm telling you right now, if North Texas ends up in some stupid ass WAC/Sun belt conference that stretches from Boca Raton, Fl to San Jose, Ca I will no longer have interest in football. I will still watch basketball, but if we allow this to happen I'm done as a football fan.

Just Say NO to "Slick" Benson.

HireLeeFowler.com

I see no reason for this due to that fact that the WAC bottom feeders are MAJOR bottom feeders. The Sun Belt bottom feeders this year were FAU, Troy, and MT which is a pretty good thing due to in Troy's case we could jump back to winning any given season.

I personally think the La Tech administration just needs to suck it up and face reality. The WAC is on it's death bed and this is a true statement. A lot of the time you have upset fans who go after conferences like the Big East with verbal assaults but the WAC is a different case. Your core teams are gone, successful teams are gone, and the market potential is on it's way out the door.

Troy does not need to be going to Utah St because if were flying west it should be to play Pac-12 teams at their house not other non AQ teams like conference USA wants to. I say let conference USA do the merger and if the WAC teams want to join the Sun Belt then it should be considered. I see no issue with bringing in La Tech, UTSA, then adding Texas St and Dallas Baptist as oly sports members.

But if San Jose St ever starts a hint of success they are bolting to the MWC and the same goes for Utah St.

(02-11-2012 05:06 PM)ntmeangreen11 Wrote:  TEXAS DOESN'T NEED 12 F'ING FBS TEAMS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Why not?

(02-11-2012 02:34 PM)johnnylightnin Wrote:  My heart says NMSU, my head says UTSA.

Take La Tech, UTSA, TXST, and Georgia State. Go to 14.

The 3 Texas schools and the 3 Louisiana schools playing each other would be fun and fan friendly.

No to Texas State

I can live with UTSA and Georgia St but I'm not crazy about Texas St. Do they even play in the WAC yet? We would be better off just having 13 members than that because if we added UTSA and La Tech that would be more than enough to keep UNT quiet and give us two teams in Texas, a team in Georgia, two teams in Alabama, and two teams in Florida for recruiting.

(02-11-2012 07:36 AM)T_Won1 Wrote:  Let's assume CUSA takes Temple and FIU. Karl Benson becomes the new Sun Belt Commissioner. I'm thinking the natural move is to combine the Sun Belt and the WAC like this:

West
La Tech
North Texas
New Mexico St
Utah St
San Jose St
Idaho
Texas St
UT- San Antonio

East
Arkansas St
Western Kentucky
Troy
Middle Tennessee
South Alabama
Florida Atlantic
UL Lafayette
UL Monroe

Sound reasonable?

Drop San Jose U State and Idaho---add Tulas and Rice and ARK State-----Drop Monroe and FAU and add Tulane, UAB and Miss S!!!!

(02-11-2012 05:01 PM)mtsufan561 Wrote:  

(02-11-2012 04:54 PM)Grandgreen Wrote:  Why do so many assume that UTSA and/or Texas State would not be in the Belt in a second, if the Belt offered? The Belt doesn't have to merge with the WAC to get those plums.

The Belt merging with the WAC makes even less sense than the MWC/CUSA combination. There is absolutely no evidence that any of those mega-conference will actually work.

I'd want to see something positive out of it... Just expanding and merging with no foreseeable benefits doesn't serve out the interests of either conference (maybe the WAC, but whatever). Add a few new members to the Belt and make the conference stronger that way. We don't need a merger in my opinion. If any merger were to be considered, the only one I'd support is the remaining CUSA teams and the current SBC teams. And maybe one where we add a couple of MAC schools.

What I'd love is to see the Sun Belt get set up like this:

East

1. Alabama Birmingham
2. East Carolina
3. Florida International
4. Marshall
5. Middle Tennessee
6. South Alabama
7. Troy
8. Western Kentucky
   

West

1. Arkansas State
2. Louisiana
3. Louisiana Tech
4. North Texas
5. Southern Miss
6. Rice
7. Tulsa
8. UTSA
   

(02-11-2012 06:52 PM)mtsufan561 Wrote:  

(02-11-2012 05:01 PM)mtsufan561 Wrote:  

(02-11-2012 04:54 PM)Grandgreen Wrote:  Why do so many assume that UTSA and/or Texas State would not be in the Belt in a second, if the Belt offered? The Belt doesn't have to merge with the WAC to get those plums.

The Belt merging with the WAC makes even less sense than the MWC/CUSA combination. There is absolutely no evidence that any of those mega-conference will actually work.

I'd want to see something positive out of it... Just expanding and merging with no foreseeable benefits doesn't serve out the interests of either conference (maybe the WAC, but whatever). Add a few new members to the Belt and make the conference stronger that way. We don't need a merger in my opinion. If any merger were to be considered, the only one I'd support is the remaining CUSA teams and the current SBC teams. And maybe one where we add a couple of MAC schools.

What I'd love is to see the Sun Belt get set up like this:

East

1. Alabama Birmingham
2. East Carolina
3. Florida International
4. Marshall
5. Middle Tennessee
6. South Alabama
7. Troy
8. Western Kentucky
   

West

1. Arkansas State
2. Louisiana
3. Louisiana Tech
4. North Texas
5. Southern Miss
6. Rice
7. Tulsa
8. UTSA
   

Makes to much sense not going to happen.

Even though this would be as good as it could get for a non AQ conference. Big markets, good teams in individual sports like rice and Troy in baseball, then you have MT/UAB basketball, Tusla women's sports. And travel is great for everyone.

I would let ECU and Marshall go it's their way because they seem like they would be nothing but rotten eggs let them join up with App St, ODU, James Madison, and Georgia St like they have been wanting to.

(02-11-2012 02:30 PM)T_Won1 Wrote:  They could stay where they are right now at 16 teams and not add anyone. But I'm thinking they are going to move UTEP over and go to 18 teams. That would leave 7 in C-USA and 9 in MWC, so both spots would be on the C-USA side.

I tend to agree with this. Nothing more than a hunch, but I think that's what will happen.

If I had the power to simply pick out 2 SBC teams and put them in C-USA, I'd pick MTSU and WKU. I don't think many people can see it yet, but Middle Tennessee is going to overtake Memphis in every sport but MBB. I think that will be the eventual reality, even if MTSU stays in the Belt, and I think it will be obvious to everyone within the next 12 years or so.

(02-11-2012 02:30 PM)T_Won1 Wrote:  

(02-11-2012 02:23 PM)chiefsfan Wrote:  

(02-11-2012 02:20 PM)T_Won1 Wrote:  

(02-11-2012 02:04 PM)Native Georgian Wrote:  

(02-11-2012 07:36 AM)T_Won1 Wrote:  Let's assume C-USA takes Temple and FIU.

T-Won1 (or anyone else), do you really think that will happen?

I think that's the 2 schools CUSA wants. It's not clear if Temple is willing to move to CUSA. FIU would accept.

If Temple declines, I'm not sure who they would want between FAU or North Texas.

UNT....but im not sure they will invite more than 1 team.

They could stay where they are right now at 16 teams and not add anyone. But I'm thinking they are going to move UTEP over and go to 18 teams. That would leave 7 in CUSA and 9 in MWC, so both spots would be on the CUSA side.

If Temple declines and FIU accepts, FAU would make a great travel partner for FIU and give them another team in the Eastern Time Zone. If they are going to consider a Texas team, I think UTSA would probably make more sense than UNT since they have the San Antonio market all to themselves and UNT splits the DFW market with SMU and TCU.

If Temple will join, I think UTEP moves to the MWC side, and they add FIU. If Temple stays in the MAC, I could see both staying put and starting the new conference with 16, but in the end, it will probably come down to how bad they need to add markets to for their T.V. contract.

(02-11-2012 04:18 PM)Side Show Joe Wrote:  

(02-11-2012 12:15 PM)Burn the Horse Wrote:  

(02-11-2012 11:17 AM)bluephi1914 Wrote:  True, but why did he have to come calling to the SBC? Because he f'd his conference up by trying to destroy the MWC and got his lunch handed to him. Then, to keep things together he tried to harm the SBC. The cause and effect here is not like the SEC, PAC 12 or Big 10 trying to enhance strictly to maximize value. Instead, here it was to try to survive after enormously f'n up.

I see it differently. He was aggressive and took a chance that could have increased his Conference's prestige. But, when ya gamble...sometimes ya lose. After that occured events transpired that he had little control over because frankly, the MWC is a much better league than the WAC.

I respect Benson for being bold, he did what a good commissioner should do. It backfired, but had it not the WAC would be in great shape now. When is the last time Waters did ANYTHING to that level to try and grow our brand?

If we get Benson I think the Conference will come out ahead. He is aggressive and obviously knows a thing or two about how to advance a league. On top of that, he now has experience with losing a risky gamble so he's less likely to repeat his previous mistake.

for those of you who keep mentioning his attempts to raid the Belt, c'mon man. I'm with MTPiKapp 100% on this one. Every league does this, it was the logical move on Benson's part. Stop trying to make it personal, he was trying to strengthen the much weakened WAC and I don't blame him for doing so. The Sun Belt has surpassed the WAC now, so If he becomes our Commissioner he'll be doing the same for us, and I expect it to have positive results.

No. Benson attempted what a good commissioner would have accomplished. Benson is an idiot. The Sun Belt does not need the WAC's sloppy seconds.

For the life of me I cannot understand how you think Benson, or any one for that matter, was supposed to keep the schools from leaving for a better conference...

(02-11-2012 08:44 PM)Native Georgian Wrote:  

(02-11-2012 02:30 PM)T_Won1 Wrote:  They could stay where they are right now at 16 teams and not add anyone. But I'm thinking they are going to move UTEP over and go to 18 teams. That would leave 7 in C-USA and 9 in MWC, so both spots would be on the C-USA side.

I tend to agree with this. Nothing more than a hunch, but I think that's what will happen.

If I had the power to simply pick out 2 SBC teams and put them in C-USA, I'd pick MTSU and WKU. I don't think many people can see it yet, but Middle Tennessee is going to overtake Memphis in every sport but MBB. I think that will be the eventual reality, even if MTSU stays in the Belt, and I think it will be obvious to everyone within the next 12 years or so.

I think they've already done that.

(02-12-2012 08:18 AM)T_Won1 Wrote:  

(02-11-2012 08:44 PM)Native Georgian Wrote:  

(02-11-2012 02:30 PM)T_Won1 Wrote:  They could stay where they are right now at 16 teams and not add anyone. But I'm thinking they are going to move UTEP over and go to 18 teams. That would leave 7 in C-USA and 9 in MWC, so both spots would be on the C-USA side.

I tend to agree with this. Nothing more than a hunch, but I think that's what will happen.

If I had the power to simply pick out 2 SBC teams and put them in C-USA, I'd pick MTSU and WKU. I don't think many people can see it yet, but Middle Tennessee is going to overtake Memphis in every sport but MBB. I think that will be the eventual reality, even if MTSU stays in the Belt, and I think it will be obvious to everyone within the next 12 years or so.

I think they've already done that.

yep, and it wasn't all that hard to do. MBB is a different story, given memphis state's propensity to cheat to accomplish anything in that sport.

(02-12-2012 09:52 AM)SpaceRaider Wrote:  

(02-12-2012 08:18 AM)T_Won1 Wrote:  

(02-11-2012 08:44 PM)Native Georgian Wrote:  

(02-11-2012 02:30 PM)T_Won1 Wrote:  They could stay where they are right now at 16 teams and not add anyone. But I'm thinking they are going to move UTEP over and go to 18 teams. That would leave 7 in C-USA and 9 in MWC, so both spots would be on the C-USA side.

I tend to agree with this. Nothing more than a hunch, but I think that's what will happen.

If I had the power to simply pick out 2 SBC teams and put them in C-USA, I'd pick MTSU and WKU. I don't think many people can see it yet, but Middle Tennessee is going to overtake Memphis in every sport but MBB. I think that will be the eventual reality, even if MTSU stays in the Belt, and I think it will be obvious to everyone within the next 12 years or so.

I think they've already done that.

yep, and it wasn't all that hard to do. MBB is a different story, given memphis state's propensity to cheat to accomplish anything in that sport.

True that. We're on the rise in men's basketball... I've finally gotten to like Coach Davis more and more as this season has gone on. If we have another 20 win season next year then I'll be pleased with where we're headed.

I think SBC loses 1. Best thing to do then is add 3 to fill in the footprint, go to divisions and build a better football conference than The Merger or NBE. SBC has the football momentum right now with the new stadiums and coaching hires. Just win baby.

As usual panama, another educated point I agree with.

Panama it's an uphill climb, but you're slowly restoring my faith in your schools fanbase.

*To the UTSA poster*

Think about it. There's already ten FBS teams in Texas. 85 scholarships each=850. Two more= 1020 players needed over 4 years. It waters down Texas recruiting even more to bring in two teams in an attempt to save a conference that's not worth saving. I don't want to see UTSA/TSU in the sun belt, and I don't want to see them in FBS period. The smartest thing the belt could do is take LT and let the WAC die off, then select the best one out of the remaining WAC/FCS schools. That's just my opinion though.

They're not a rival, they're not a school we're going to be "happy" about having to play

The SBC should be taking schools based upon SBC 2017. UTSA will be way ahead of LaTech in 5 years. Better stadium and facilities, bigger budget and better donation giving. I know a lot of folks are hot on LaTech but they dont have the upside of FAU/UTSA/UNT/GSU etc. What is their basketball like? Baseball? Other Olympic sports? Last MBB tourney 1991? Last Baseball tourney 1987? This is where you cant hide a small budget.

We should just go ahead and go with a 16/18 format, with 16 football schools and 18 basketball schools. Let's wait to see if any schools are lost to the CUSA/MWC alliance. Either way, we should go into 2013 with the following:

Sun Belt Confernce Football
West
New Mexico State
UNT
TX State
UTSA
ASU
La Tech
ULM
ULL

East
USA
Troy
MTSU
WKU
Georgia State
FAU
FIU (App State)
UNC Charlotte

Sun Belt Conference Basketball
West
Denver
New Mexico State
UNT
ASU
ULM
ULL
La Tech
Tx State
UTSA

East
UALR
USA
Troy
MTSU
WKU
FAU
Ga State
FIU (App State)
UNC Charlotte

In football, the Conf. Championship will be played at the home stadium of the team with the best conference and overall record. Eight Conf. Games will be played, with each team playing a different cross conference opponent annually so as to keep a fair rotation in play.

In basketball, UALR will be in the East because they are farthest east out of them and Denver, and they do not sponsor football, so they can afford to allocate more budget for travel as opposed to ASU, ULM, ULL, and La Tech.