(05-07-2013 09:42 AM)solohawks Wrote:  

(05-07-2013 08:56 AM)Kit-Cat Wrote:  

(05-07-2013 03:49 AM)Fresno St. Alum Wrote:  looks like Oakland to the Horizon is happening later today.

http://www.freep.com/article/20130506/SP...zon-league

Big news and this drops the Summit League down to 8 schools. Only brings the Horizon up to 8 since both Butler and Loyola have left.

The Summit is teetering on collapse with the Big Sky and WAC also eyeing their programs. The Dakota schools sound like they are trying to leverage an invite to the highest bidder among the Big Sky, WAC and Horizon.

Horizon at 9 with Oakland

Oakland
Detroit
UIC
Valpo
Wright State
Cleveland State
UWM
UWGB
Youngstown State

Horizon was at 9 from 01 to 07 and has been at 10 from 08 to 12. ran at 9 this past year. So they could settle in at 9 and take from summit as needed from this point on to keep the Summit alive and as a feeder league. Oakland gets Horizon baseball back to 6 so Horizon will meet minimum requirements. No need to kill Summit if you are Horizon so Horizon may be done.

Right.

I was meaning 9 for the Horizon sorry for the typo.

(05-07-2013 09:47 AM)DexterDevil Wrote:  Question is, does Horizon stop at 9 or try and even the number up? If so, who else do they add?

That is the thing to consider, almost all D1 conferences are trying to play with at least 10 members in basketball these days.

If the Horizon wants to continue the urban school route it could go with UMKC as an easy move and stop at 10. Add one school in the west to balance out Oakland's add in the East.

Northern Kentucky has been mentioned on here a couple of times as a Horizon candidate but the Horizon never moves on new D1 schools.

(05-07-2013 08:56 AM)Kit-Cat Wrote:  

(05-07-2013 03:49 AM)Fresno St. Alum Wrote:  looks like Oakland to the Horizon is happening later today.

http://www.freep.com/article/20130506/SP...zon-league

Big news and this drops the Summit League down to 8 schools. Only brings the Horizon up to 8 since both Butler and Loyola have left.

The Summit is teetering on collapse with the Big Sky and WAC also eyeing their programs. The Dakota schools sound like they are trying to leverage an invite to the highest bidder among the Big Sky, WAC and Horizon.

Denver has a tough choice to make with Oakland leaving the Summit. They don't want to stay in a WAC with Grand Canyon or Chicago State. Nor do they have any intentions of starting football so it's probably a no go for the Big Sky. Plus neither the Missouri Valley or WCC are calling them for a while. I don't think the Horizon takes Denver either because they'd be even more of an geographic outlier there than the Summit.

A drawback to the Summit League is now it will be as weak as the Big West, if not weaker. Both conferences are essentially the same too: one-bid basketball leagues which don't sponsor football and are completely comprised of public universities. I think geography gives the Big West an advantage (hard to resist Honolulu and CA) and that Denver will give them another look due to both parties location, travel subs included. It may sound crazy but don't be surprised if Denver ends up joining the bus league for a few years.

It is now official. Oakland will join the Horizon League on July 1, 2013.

http://www.horizonleague.org/blog/oaklan...-july.html

(05-07-2013 03:36 PM)jdgaucho Wrote:  It is now official. Oakland will join the Horizon League on July 1, 2013.

http://www.horizonleague.org/blog/oaklan...-july.html

Schools don't give much notice these days do they?

(05-07-2013 03:44 PM)4x4hokies Wrote:  

(05-07-2013 03:36 PM)jdgaucho Wrote:  It is now official. Oakland will join the Horizon League on July 1, 2013.

http://www.horizonleague.org/blog/oaklan...-july.html

Schools don't give much notice these days do they?

Nope.

(05-07-2013 01:29 PM)jdgaucho Wrote:  

(05-07-2013 08:56 AM)Kit-Cat Wrote:  

(05-07-2013 03:49 AM)Fresno St. Alum Wrote:  looks like Oakland to the Horizon is happening later today.

http://www.freep.com/article/20130506/SP...zon-league

Big news and this drops the Summit League down to 8 schools. Only brings the Horizon up to 8 since both Butler and Loyola have left.

The Summit is teetering on collapse with the Big Sky and WAC also eyeing their programs. The Dakota schools sound like they are trying to leverage an invite to the highest bidder among the Big Sky, WAC and Horizon.

Denver has a tough choice to make with Oakland leaving the Summit. They don't want to stay in a WAC with Grand Canyon or Chicago State. Nor do they have any intentions of starting football so it's probably a no go for the Big Sky. Plus neither the Missouri Valley or WCC are calling them for a while. I don't think the Horizon takes Denver either because they'd be even more of an geographic outlier there than the Summit.

A drawback to the Summit League is now it will be as weak as the Big West, if not weaker. Both conferences are essentially the same too: one-bid basketball leagues which don't sponsor football and are completely comprised of public universities. I think geography gives the Big West an advantage (hard to resist Honolulu and CA) and that Denver will give them another look due to both parties location, travel subs included. It may sound crazy but don't be surprised if Denver ends up joining the bus league for a few years.

Has the Big West ever shown any interest in Denver, or vice versa?

Do the people in charge at DU have a clue about what they're doing with athletics? They recently fired their long-time hockey coach who won two national titles, apparently because he wanted a contract extension -- they might just be stumbling in the dark over there, not knowing where the light switch is. Maybe we shouldn't assume they know well enough to make the right call on conference affiliation.

(05-08-2013 12:51 AM)Wedge Wrote:  Has the Big West ever shown any interest in Denver, or vice versa?

Do the people in charge at DU have a clue about what they're doing with athletics? They recently fired their long-time hockey coach who won two national titles, apparently because he wanted a contract extension -- they might just be stumbling in the dark over there, not knowing where the light switch is. Maybe we shouldn't assume they know well enough to make the right call on conference affiliation.

It's been hinted that the Big West has shown interest in Denver. Not so much vice versa. Their AD said the following in an interview earlier this year: she "would be darned if she was going to be embarrassed because we might force them not to be a bus league." Very strong chance she was referring to the Big West, which would mean they did put a feeler out there for DU.

http://milehighmids.tumblr.com/post/4259...-denver-ad

I have no idea why they fired their hockey coach. 19 years and all the success, nothing about former players having any problems with him. It is concerning but hockey is one of the few sports that they don't have to worry about. Hockey and lacrosse are going to be accounted for no matter what happens.

Finding a conference home for basketball is the thing and with Oakland's departure from the Summit your guess is as good as anyone's where Denver will end up. The general consensus seems to be they are not long for the Summit, if they do end up going there.

Any chance Denver can make it to the WCC? BYU seems stable there so another Mountain Time Zone school makes sense. Seattle would probably have to be #12.

Denver to the WCC seems doubtful. The conference appears set with Pacific joining next year as the 10th member.

(05-08-2013 12:51 AM)Wedge Wrote:  

(05-07-2013 01:29 PM)jdgaucho Wrote:  

(05-07-2013 08:56 AM)Kit-Cat Wrote:  

(05-07-2013 03:49 AM)Fresno St. Alum Wrote:  looks like Oakland to the Horizon is happening later today.

http://www.freep.com/article/20130506/SP...zon-league

Big news and this drops the Summit League down to 8 schools. Only brings the Horizon up to 8 since both Butler and Loyola have left.

The Summit is teetering on collapse with the Big Sky and WAC also eyeing their programs. The Dakota schools sound like they are trying to leverage an invite to the highest bidder among the Big Sky, WAC and Horizon.

Denver has a tough choice to make with Oakland leaving the Summit. They don't want to stay in a WAC with Grand Canyon or Chicago State. Nor do they have any intentions of starting football so it's probably a no go for the Big Sky. Plus neither the Missouri Valley or WCC are calling them for a while. I don't think the Horizon takes Denver either because they'd be even more of an geographic outlier there than the Summit.

A drawback to the Summit League is now it will be as weak as the Big West, if not weaker. Both conferences are essentially the same too: one-bid basketball leagues which don't sponsor football and are completely comprised of public universities. I think geography gives the Big West an advantage (hard to resist Honolulu and CA) and that Denver will give them another look due to both parties location, travel subs included. It may sound crazy but don't be surprised if Denver ends up joining the bus league for a few years.

Has the Big West ever shown any interest in Denver, or vice versa?

Do the people in charge at DU have a clue about what they're doing with athletics? They recently fired their long-time hockey coach who won two national titles, apparently because he wanted a contract extension -- they might just be stumbling in the dark over there, not knowing where the light switch is. Maybe we shouldn't assume they know well enough to make the right call on conference affiliation.

My opinion is no, they do not.

Especially if you believe Mz Peg that she knew UMKC was going to join the WAC and left for the Summit anyway. Then she insults the Big West, the WAC, Chicago St, GCU, UVU, and UTPA in one interview? I have no interest in Denver joining the WAC or the Big West. Way too much of a headache.

Boise was not expected to stay in the BW long; they stayed long enough to pay an exit fee. Denver could very well spend 10 years somewhere waiting for the WCC or Missouri Valley to open up. I'm interested in them because of their market and rising basketball program. That they add even more to the soccer side of things is just icing on the cake.

(05-08-2013 02:42 AM)CPslograd Wrote:  

(05-08-2013 12:51 AM)Wedge Wrote:  Do the people in charge at DU have a clue about what they're doing with athletics?

My opinion is no, they do not.

Especially if you believe Mz Peg that she knew UMKC was going to join the WAC and left for the Summit anyway. Then she insults the Big West, the WAC, Chicago St, GCU, UVU, and UTPA in one interview? I have no interest in Denver joining the WAC or the Big West. Way too much of a headache.

Her job may come down to where Denver ends up. They may have to stay in the Summit in order for her to remain, a Summit that is being picked apart. Thing is, the chances of the WAC retaining them or the Big West landing them are increasing. They've gone up due to the AD's mouthing off and subsequent pickups by the MVC and Horizon. Combine that with the WCC passing on 'em and you have a situation where they could end up in several different conferences and you can find legit reasons for each one. DU may be one of the last acts of realignment for a while.

(05-08-2013 03:01 AM)jdgaucho Wrote:  

(05-08-2013 02:42 AM)CPslograd Wrote:  

(05-08-2013 12:51 AM)Wedge Wrote:  Do the people in charge at DU have a clue about what they're doing with athletics?

My opinion is no, they do not.

Especially if you believe Mz Peg that she knew UMKC was going to join the WAC and left for the Summit anyway. Then she insults the Big West, the WAC, Chicago St, GCU, UVU, and UTPA in one interview? I have no interest in Denver joining the WAC or the Big West. Way too much of a headache.

Her job may come down to where Denver ends up. They may have to stay in the Summit in order for her to remain, a Summit that is being picked apart. Thing is, the chances of the WAC retaining them or the Big West landing them are increasing. They've gone up due to the AD's mouthing off and subsequent pickups by the MVC and Horizon. Combine that with the WCC passing on 'em and you have a situation where they could end up in several different conferences and you can find legit reasons for each one. DU may be one of the last acts of realignment for a while.

From the Sun Belt to the WAC to the Summit. Next stop on her list RMAC

(05-07-2013 08:45 AM)dbackjon Wrote:  

(05-07-2013 06:24 AM)BirdstheWord Wrote:  

(04-30-2013 01:27 PM)dbackjon Wrote:  Thanks, but no.


Tell you what - here's a conference that makes as much sense:

Wichita State
UNO
UMKC
SDSU
UND
NDSU
UNC
USD
Denver
Western Ill



Go for it, buddy!

You're joking, right?

It makes as much sense as his set up


But as a serious conference proposal - no

I think that the other one makes more sense but wont happen.

(05-08-2013 06:11 AM)BirdstheWord Wrote:  

(05-07-2013 08:45 AM)dbackjon Wrote:  

(05-07-2013 06:24 AM)BirdstheWord Wrote:  

(04-30-2013 01:27 PM)dbackjon Wrote:  Thanks, but no.


Tell you what - here's a conference that makes as much sense:

Wichita State
UNO
UMKC
SDSU
UND
NDSU
UNC
USD
Denver
Western Ill



Go for it, buddy!

You're joking, right?

It makes as much sense as his set up


But as a serious conference proposal - no

I think that the other one makes more sense but wont happen.

It's really easy to try to destroy other people's conferences :)

The Missouri Valley taking Loyola probably ends their pursuit of Saint Louis for awhile.

Is Valparaiso on their way out?

(05-08-2013 09:26 AM)dbackjon Wrote:  It's really easy to try to destroy other people's conferences :)

Not if it's a smaller conference trying to raid a bigger one.

(05-08-2013 05:25 PM)LouPower Wrote:  The Missouri Valley taking Loyola probably ends their pursuit of Saint Louis for awhile.

Is Valparaiso on their way out?

If the MVC could add Saint Louis they would in a heart beat. However, there's the chance of them moving to the Big East and if they don't I think that they would rather stay in the A-10.

(05-12-2013 12:26 AM)BirdstheWord Wrote:  

(05-08-2013 09:26 AM)dbackjon Wrote:  It's really easy to try to destroy other people's conferences :)

Not if it's a smaller conference trying to raid a bigger one.

(05-08-2013 05:25 PM)LouPower Wrote:  The Missouri Valley taking Loyola probably ends their pursuit of Saint Louis for awhile.

Is Valparaiso on their way out?

If the MVC could add Saint Louis they would in a heart beat. However, there's the chance of them moving to the Big East and if they don't I think that they would rather stay in the A-10.

I think "staying in the A-10" is the biggest flashpoint between fans. The Big East is within reason, but if that doesn't happen...

(05-14-2013 02:05 PM)LouPower Wrote:  

(05-12-2013 12:26 AM)BirdstheWord Wrote:  

(05-08-2013 09:26 AM)dbackjon Wrote:  It's really easy to try to destroy other people's conferences :)

Not if it's a smaller conference trying to raid a bigger one.

(05-08-2013 05:25 PM)LouPower Wrote:  The Missouri Valley taking Loyola probably ends their pursuit of Saint Louis for awhile.

Is Valparaiso on their way out?

If the MVC could add Saint Louis they would in a heart beat. However, there's the chance of them moving to the Big East and if they don't I think that they would rather stay in the A-10.

I think "staying in the A-10" is the biggest flashpoint between fans. The Big East is within reason, but if that doesn't happen...

The addition of Loyola has lowered the quality bar in the MVC which makes it less likely St. Louis would be interested.

Especially since St. Louis finally has their program rolling in the A10 I doubt they would consider a move. The time to move to the MVC would have been after leaving CUSA in advance of some great years by the MVC.