I think WSU has alot of interest in MWC, why wouldn't they, it's a good basketball conference. Not sure I've heard any credible rumors of MWC wanting WSU though. I would think Gonzaga would be higher up the list for the MWC if they were interested in a basketball only school.

(01-28-2013 11:27 AM)Jet915 Wrote:  I think WSU has alot of interest in MWC, why wouldn't they, it's a good basketball conference. Not sure I've heard any credible rumors of MWC wanting WSU though. I would think Gonzaga would be higher up the list for the MWC if they were interested in a basketball only school.

Both Gonzaga and BYU are higher up on the MWC's list. However, the general feeling I've gathered from MWC fans is that those schools probably are too happy with the status quo to leave the WCC.

(01-28-2013 01:28 PM)College Basketball Fan Wrote:  

(01-28-2013 11:27 AM)Jet915 Wrote:  I think WSU has alot of interest in MWC, why wouldn't they, it's a good basketball conference. Not sure I've heard any credible rumors of MWC wanting WSU though. I would think Gonzaga would be higher up the list for the MWC if they were interested in a basketball only school.

Both Gonzaga and BYU are higher up on the MWC's list. However, the general feeling I've gathered from MWC fans is that those schools probably are too happy with the status quo to leave the WCC.

Gonzaga yes but BYU not without football. The thing about Gonzaga is institutional fit in reverse. Wichita State is more like a Fresno State or Utah State than Gonzaga.

Other than Gonzaga, Wichita State and perhaps Long Beach State their aren't many other options to solve the Hawaii issue.

I hope there really is a Hawaii issue that they want to "fix" at some point. Those on our message board much prefer the thoughts of the MWC over the C7 or any other option. Even if right now there aren't any immediate options and we're just thinking ahead.

(01-28-2013 11:27 AM)Jet915 Wrote:  I think WSU has alot of interest in MWC, why wouldn't they, it's a good basketball conference. Not sure I've heard any credible rumors of MWC wanting WSU though. I would think Gonzaga would be higher up the list for the MWC if they were interested in a basketball only school.

Yeah, it doesn't make much sense at all. Having an odd number of members is really irrelevant for any sport other than football and, as you've noted, a number of WCC schools would be more attractive if the MWC actually did want to add non-football members.

(01-29-2013 04:01 PM)Frank the Tank Wrote:  

(01-28-2013 11:27 AM)Jet915 Wrote:  I think WSU has alot of interest in MWC, why wouldn't they, it's a good basketball conference. Not sure I've heard any credible rumors of MWC wanting WSU though. I would think Gonzaga would be higher up the list for the MWC if they were interested in a basketball only school.

Yeah, it doesn't make much sense at all. Having an odd number of members is really irrelevant for any sport other than football and, as you've noted, a number of WCC schools would be more attractive if the MWC actually did want to add non-football members.

A number? Do you know much about the WCC? Try 1 Gonzaga and they may not come due to fit. The rest have gyms in the 3000-5000 seat range and not nearly the investment and following of Wichita State. The closest other alternative is USF and they haven't been relevant for years. Of the Big West schools only Long Beach State would be a credible alternative and Wichita State has had more success.

(01-29-2013 04:01 PM)Frank the Tank Wrote:  

(01-28-2013 11:27 AM)Jet915 Wrote:  I think WSU has alot of interest in MWC, why wouldn't they, it's a good basketball conference. Not sure I've heard any credible rumors of MWC wanting WSU though. I would think Gonzaga would be higher up the list for the MWC if they were interested in a basketball only school.

Yeah, it doesn't make much sense at all. Having an odd number of members is really irrelevant for any sport other than football and, as you've noted, a number of WCC schools would be more attractive if the MWC actually did want to add non-football members.

By the way the odd 8-2 schedule will make it relevant when Wyoming doesn't play C-State home and home or SDSU doesn't play UNLV home and home. The western teams want to play the western teams with reasonable travel partners. Same for the eastern teams. Only Boise doesn't have strong feelings one way or another but they lean west.

The question is does the MWC really care that they have an odd number? Doesn't seem like they are in a hurry to correct that.

(01-29-2013 05:36 PM)Jet915 Wrote:  The question is does the MWC really care that they have an odd number? Doesn't seem like they are in a hurry to correct that.

The MWC had lots of work to do just to integrate SDSU and remember they couldn't contractually offer any new member until the offer period for SDSU had expired...

In reality the MWC is two conferences... you have have the Mountain 4 (C-State, Wyoming, Nevada, and AF)

Then you have the Pacific 5 (FSU, SJSU, SDSU, UNLV, Reno) Hawaii is part of the group for football and if it wasn't such a long flight from the Range to Hawaii they would be part for all sports.

Boise and Utah State are kind of swing schools.

Under the 8 - 2 model you play home and home with 8 and a single game with 2 which rotates. Ultimately it isn't going to work because you have teams in each region that absolutely want to play each other and could almost care less if they play the other side. Not to mention the inefficiency of not having travel partners in minor sports which is why almost all conferences are even numbers.

That means they will have to balance out Hawaii eventually. Gonzaga would be preferred but Wichita State would have to be in the discussion.

Another option for Wichita State which has never been mentioned is possibly trading spots with the Air Force Academy for all sports but football. If I were the Wichita State AD I would be on the phone with the AFA AD discussing this option. The AFA struggles being in the MWC for most Olympic sports and they would flourish in the MVC. Meanwhile Wichita State would do well in the MWC across the board.

(01-29-2013 09:00 PM)Sactowndog Wrote:  

(01-29-2013 05:36 PM)Jet915 Wrote:  The question is does the MWC really care that they have an odd number? Doesn't seem like they are in a hurry to correct that.

The MWC had lots of work to do just to integrate SDSU and remember they couldn't contractually offer any new member until the offer period for SDSU had expired...

In reality the MWC is two conferences... you have have the Mountain 4 (C-State, Wyoming, Nevada, and AF)

Then you have the Pacific 5 (FSU, SJSU, SDSU, UNLV, Reno) Hawaii is part of the group for football and if it wasn't such a long flight from the Range to Hawaii they would be part for all sports.

Boise and Utah State are kind of swing schools.

Under the 8 - 2 model you play home and home with 8 and a single game with 2 which rotates. Ultimately it isn't going to work because you have teams in each region that absolutely want to play each other and could almost care less if they play the other side. Not to mention the inefficiency of not having travel partners in minor sports which is why almost all conferences are even numbers.

That means they will have to balance out Hawaii eventually. Gonzaga would be preferred but Wichita State would have to be in the discussion.

Another option for Wichita State which has never been mentioned is possibly trading spots with the Air Force Academy for all sports but football. If I were the Wichita State AD I would be on the phone with the AFA AD discussing this option. The AFA struggles being in the MWC for most Olympic sports and they would flourish in the MVC. Meanwhile Wichita State would do well in the MWC across the board.

Nobody wants AFA in the MVC but WSU fans so it gives them a pathway out of the MVC. I'm not sure but I don't think that will fly. As you may recall, when the AFA athletic director was going public about joining the MVC last year, the response from the MVC was dead silence.