I think this is a good article written by a UMass blogger explaining the situation from both the perspective of UMass and the MAC:

"Many UMass fans are terrified of making a full-scale move to the MAC, and I completely understand that."

"On the flip side, setting up shop in the MAC equals stability – something UMass (which has its teams strewn out from the CAA to the MAC) hasn’t had in a long time. It also means that the Minutemen piggyback on a forward-looking conference that has television deals and a number of resources by which UMass fans can watch any and all of its teams."

http://maroonmusket.com/2012/03/temple-h...for-umass/