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Wouldn't we fit in more with the ACC because it's more basketball oriented than the Big 12? I figure the more basketball favoring fans can shine a better light on this for me.

The ACC has better academics and research schools that are more inline with UAB, i would think. Travel wise we are closer to ACC schools than Big 12.

(02-01-2016 12:43 PM)rook360 Wrote:  Wouldn't we fit in more with the ACC because it's more basketball oriented than the Big 12? I figure the more basketball favoring fans can shine a better light on this for me.

The ACC has better academics and research schools that are more inline with UAB, i would think. Travel wise we are closer to ACC schools than Big 12.

Probably because the ACC is not going to expand anymore (unless they make ND a full member) and the Big 12 could look to expand in the next couple of years into SEC country.

(02-01-2016 12:50 PM)82blazer Wrote:  

(02-01-2016 12:43 PM)rook360 Wrote:  Wouldn't we fit in more with the ACC because it's more basketball oriented than the Big 12? I figure the more basketball favoring fans can shine a better light on this for me.

The ACC has better academics and research schools that are more inline with UAB, i would think. Travel wise we are closer to ACC schools than Big 12.

Probably because the ACC is not going to expand anymore (unless they make ND a full member) and the Big 12 could look to expand in the next couple of years into SEC country.

If we are looking at realistic arguments, UAB is no where near being looked at. If they want to expand into SEC country they can get Memphis, USF, UCF, or Tulane. They could try to poach Ga Tech, I doubt it. Even if they took a C-USA school and bypassed the AAC (which would be awesome in itself), you have USM, LaTech, or WKU.

I guess I'm trying to see why some think the Big 12 is more attracttive than the ACC, not our chances of getting into one over the other.

(02-01-2016 12:59 PM)rook360 Wrote:  

(02-01-2016 12:50 PM)82blazer Wrote:  

(02-01-2016 12:43 PM)rook360 Wrote:  Wouldn't we fit in more with the ACC because it's more basketball oriented than the Big 12? I figure the more basketball favoring fans can shine a better light on this for me.

The ACC has better academics and research schools that are more inline with UAB, i would think. Travel wise we are closer to ACC schools than Big 12.

Probably because the ACC is not going to expand anymore (unless they make ND a full member) and the Big 12 could look to expand in the next couple of years into SEC country.

If we are looking at realistic arguments, UAB is no where near being looked at. If they want to expand into SEC country they can get Memphis, USF, UCF, or Tulane. They could try to poach Ga Tech, I doubt it. Even if they took a C-USA school and bypassed the AAC (which would be awesome in itself), you have USM, LaTech, or WKU.

I guess I'm trying to see why some think the Big 12 is more attracttive than the ACC, not our chances of getting into one over the other.

Birmingham has the #1 TV market for college football. People here watch football regardless of conference which could benefit UAB tremendously in realignment if we get our football program together

Big12 is the best basketball conference this year. But we're not getting in either conference, maybe the AAC one day,.

What if TCU & Baylor say, "Hey, UAB was at our level 10 years ago and TV money helped us tremendously. Look at their market, look at where they could be with increased revenue from conference affiliation & the P5 image boost."

BUT the reality is that conferences aren't in the business of charity. If you don't bring value, they don't want you.

Again, football will ultimately drive this bus. If we do the impossible and win out of the gate, get an inviting new stadium, increase donations, and have big attendance numbers we MIGHT have the smallest of windows to move up (I'm talking AAC) if everything aligns perfectly. And I mean everything.

Then again, if you would have told me in 2014 that 20+ of Birmingham's biggest business leaders would step up to protect our athletic department in 2015, I wouldn't have believed you either.

Never say never to UAB.

It is because of the instability of the Big 12. Texas runs the conference and Oklahoma wants out.

That being said, we have zero chance in getting into the Big 12 in its current configuration. At some point the Texahoma schools will leave (probably along with Kansas) and the 5 remaining schools will add schools to get to 12, mostly from the AAC. We need to get our ducks in a row to be a candidate for the AAC when they add someone.

The SEC has invaded the Big 12 footprint and poached away some of their former programs, TAMU, Missouri & Arkansas. I'm sure the Big 12 would like to carve away a chunk of Alabama to return the favor. And adding UaB to the Big 12 would be the deepest stab possible into the heart of the SEC power broker's ego. (save stealing away an SEC school)

(02-01-2016 01:47 PM)blazer-J Wrote:  It is because of the instability of the Big 12. Texas runs the conference and Oklahoma wants out.

That being said, we have zero chance in getting into the Big 12 in its current configuration. At some point the Texahoma schools will leave (probably along with Kansas) and the 5 remaining schools will add schools to get to 12, mostly from the AAC. We need to get our ducks in a row to be a candidate for the AAC when they add someone.

Or be ready for the ACC when the SEC adds Texas, Oklahoma @ Kansas.

If the SEC jumps into being a Mega conference, the ACC will feel the need to follow suit.

Of course Louisville would try to c*ckblock us ...again.

(02-01-2016 01:53 PM)BlazerPhil Wrote:  

(02-01-2016 01:47 PM)blazer-J Wrote:  It is because of the instability of the Big 12. Texas runs the conference and Oklahoma wants out.

That being said, we have zero chance in getting into the Big 12 in its current configuration. At some point the Texahoma schools will leave (probably along with Kansas) and the 5 remaining schools will add schools to get to 12, mostly from the AAC. We need to get our ducks in a row to be a candidate for the AAC when they add someone.

Or be ready for the ACC when the SEC adds Texas, Oklahoma @ Kansas.

If the SEC jumps into being a Mega conference, the ACC will feel the need to follow suit.

Of course Louisville would try to c*ckblock us ...again.

Add Oklahoma, KU & Texas to the SEC West and UAT will never sniff the NCAA tourney again.

With the current TV projected revenues, unless adding a school brings in as much revenue as it will receive, the SEC, ACC, Big10, Pac12, or Big12 won't be expanding. Been reading some interesting info about how people deciding to cut off cable service will affect ESPN and ultimately Disney (owners of ESPN, ABC,etc). Decreasing revenue from cable providers and networks wanting to increase their contracts with ESPN, Fox, etc. Will be interesting to watch over next couple decades.

Like the BOT will let us jump into the Big 12. Join a legitimate football conference where we would compete for talent at their level? Not happening!

(02-01-2016 03:29 PM)Blazer14172 Wrote:  With the current TV projected revenues, unless adding a school brings in as much revenue as it will receive, the SEC, ACC, Big10, Pac12, or Big12 won't be expanding. Been reading some interesting info about how people deciding to cut off cable service will affect ESPN and ultimately Disney (owners of ESPN, ABC,etc). Decreasing revenue from cable providers and networks wanting to increase their contracts with ESPN, Fox, etc. Will be interesting to watch over next couple decades.

ESPN money flow is pretty much done. Next time contracts come up for renewal, the NFL and NCAA conferences are going to be very, very disappointed.

UAB's conference change future may rest upon certain changes in coming years.
A new system BOT membership that is not so determined to hobble the undergrad side (particularly its athletic programs) of the school so UAB can be judged on its own merits.
A more stable state educational funding base that supports enlargement of its total student population. It is probable that about 80% of the recruits signed Wed. by Alabama's five D1 programs will once again be from high schools in states that have some form of gambling supporting their public schools and their athletic programs. This has the effect of causing the majority of Alabama HS athletes to compete with one arm tied behind their back.
UAB getting its facility building program from "planned" to "constructed" so its recruiting can "keep up with the Joneses". We have a great coach so now UAB must back him up with the ability to hire top quality assistants and bring in desired recruits.
These are at least a beginning to making UAB attractive to better conferences.

Oh, I'm plenty sure most folks here would opt for the ACC over the Big XII if there was a choice to be made. I just figure the Big XII just warrants conversation because of the current instability. It's too bad we're so far behind. We're on a strong rebound, but we don't even begin to compare to the schools we're competing against. I think we have a decent enough window before realignment starts again. It's take some major success in a really short time to move the needle and it'd probably result in a shift to a dilapidated AAC.

Quote:Of course Louisville would try to c*ckblock us ...again.

What's that about?

What a silly thread.

(02-01-2016 04:15 PM)mixduptransistor Wrote:  ESPN money flow is pretty much done. Next time contracts come up for renewal, the NFL and NCAA conferences are going to be very, very disappointed.

I'm pretty sure the NFL will not be affected or disappointed by ESPN money woes you silly rabbit.

(02-01-2016 06:29 PM)Hopeful Wrote:  Oh, I'm plenty sure most folks here would opt for the ACC over the Big XII if there was a choice to be made. I just figure the Big XII just warrants conversation because of the current instability. It's too bad we're so far behind. We're on a strong rebound, but we don't even begin to compare to the schools we're competing against. I think we have a decent enough window before realignment starts again. It's take some major success in a really short time to move the needle and it'd probably result in a shift to a dilapidated AAC.

It's been 20 years since we lost our momentum, with the hirings of Watson Brown and I Claudius Bennett. Had we continued the academic and athletic growth curve of the previous 20, I don't doubt we'd be AAU and ACC. Instead, well, here we are.

Fire Ray Watts.

(02-01-2016 06:29 PM)Hopeful Wrote:  Oh, I'm plenty sure most folks here would opt for the ACC over the Big XII if there was a choice to be made. I just figure the Big XII just warrants conversation because of the current instability. It's too bad we're so far behind. We're on a strong rebound, but we don't even begin to compare to the schools we're competing against. I think we have a decent enough window before realignment starts again. It's take some major success in a really short time to move the needle and it'd probably result in a shift to a dilapidated AAC.

Quote:Of course Louisville would try to c*ckblock us ...again.

What's that about?

During the formation of CUSA 1.0 , legend has it that the Loserville contingent did not want UaB in the new conference.

(02-01-2016 08:49 PM)BlazerPhil Wrote:  

(02-01-2016 06:29 PM)Hopeful Wrote:  Oh, I'm plenty sure most folks here would opt for the ACC over the Big XII if there was a choice to be made. I just figure the Big XII just warrants conversation because of the current instability. It's too bad we're so far behind. We're on a strong rebound, but we don't even begin to compare to the schools we're competing against. I think we have a decent enough window before realignment starts again. It's take some major success in a really short time to move the needle and it'd probably result in a shift to a dilapidated AAC.

Quote:Of course Louisville would try to c*ckblock us ...again.

What's that about?

During the formation of CUSA 1.0 , legend has it that the Loserville contingent did not want UaB in the new conference.

It goes back further than that. bartow tried to get UAB in the Metro in the 80s and Louisville blocked it.