(02-25-2018 05:09 PM)ProfScott Wrote:  

(02-25-2018 04:36 PM)DavidSt Wrote:  UT-Tyler Applied To Join D2

UT-Tyler is applying to join D2 from D3 to join the Lone Star conference this year. It is also reported that they would be adding football. They already have a competitive marching band.

The only reason they talked about joining D2 last year was in case someone leaves the Lone Star Conference. That means that Tarleton State is getting a D1 invite this year. Southland Conference did no campus visits. The WAC did. As it is, I do not think the Southland wants to add anymore Texas or Louisiana schools right now. They are looking at schools like Delta State, Arkansas Tech or Central Oklahoma as the 12th football member and 14 all sports. UCA is on an island by themselves right now.

As for the talks when they added California Baptist? They added them just in case they lose either Chicago State or UMKC to another conference. This was before the shocker that Bakersfield State walked out on them. They do need to add a school now, and Tarleton State is ready to go D1. This could give UTRGV a travel partner as well. WAC could grow their footprint from California to Texas if they lose the northern schools of Seattle, UMKC and Chicago State. Lone Star Conference is at 20 members now and with UT-Tyler to join the ranks makes them at 21. WAC could be the logical place to take some Lone Star schools, RMAC, GNAC and the California schools.

Seems like a stretch to make some of these assumptions based on the article provided. Especially the assumption that Tarleton is getting a DI invite.

In an article earlier this year, Tarleton State did get a campus visit from WAC officials. Everybody is downplaying it right now. The WAC needs to step it up, and invite Tarleton State before it is too late. When the WAC said they are not looking? That was the word before Bakersfield went walking on them. There is not a D2 program ready right now to fill in in an emergency right now.

(02-25-2018 04:36 PM)DavidSt Wrote:  UT-Tyler Applied To Join D2

UT-Tyler is applying to join D2 from D3 to join the Lone Star conference this year. It is also reported that they would be adding football. They already have a competitive marching band.

The only reason they talked about joining D2 last year was in case someone leaves the Lone Star Conference. That means that Tarleton State is getting a D1 invite this year. Southland Conference did no campus visits. The WAC did. As it is, I do not think the Southland wants to add anymore Texas or Louisiana schools right now. They are looking at schools like Delta State, Arkansas Tech or Central Oklahoma as the 12th football member and 14 all sports. UCA is on an island by themselves right now.

As for the talks when they added California Baptist? They added them just in case they lose either Chicago State or UMKC to another conference. This was before the shocker that Bakersfield State walked out on them. They do need to add a school now, and Tarleton State is ready to go D1. This could give UTRGV a travel partner as well. WAC could grow their footprint from California to Texas if they lose the northern schools of Seattle, UMKC and Chicago State. Lone Star Conference is at 20 members now and with UT-Tyler to join the ranks makes them at 21. WAC could be the logical place to take some Lone Star schools, RMAC, GNAC and the California schools.

Keep your thread-hijacking fantasy trolling to yourself. A lot is very wrong in this post. Nothing in the post has any relation to the linked article. UT-Tyler going D2 has absolutely nothing to do with Tarleton State. UT-Tyler feels they have outgrown their current D3 conference. They are 1 of 3 public schools with 10 private schools and is the second largest having an enrollment that is at least 3X all other members except UT-Dallas. UT-Tyler does have plans for football but those plans are not imminent; and they would be only the 20th member in the Lone Star, not the 21st. (yes it's not much difference in a ridiculously large conference but it's still an incorrect fact) The WAC did visit Tarleton State but it was an unofficial informal visit. No one of Arkansas Tech, Central Oklahoma, or Delta State sponsor enough sports for D1 and are not adding any either so the Southland is not looking at them. I will stress this again; ATU has no D1 desires and I know this because I have been a part of ATU athletics for over 35 years. You really need to stop posting anything about Arkansas Tech going D1.

DavidSt, any word on West Texas A&M? Always wanted to see that dormant rivalry with NMSU rekindled.

MWC has talked to Gonzaga about joining. If Gonzaga goes to the MWC, will WCC take Seattle or GCU?

http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/spor...story.html

Good question. GCU would be an academic weakling, but Seattle would be another bottom dweller program. I think they'd prefer GCU, but might make them wait a couple years to see where their non-profit goes. But this is a conference that sat forever at 8 and then 9. The mindset is hardly "replace quick."

As I think about it, BYU would probably want out of a WCC without Gonzaga. What you have left is a bunch of small gym schools and programs that look like Seattle, and play down at Big West level (except Randy Bennett's team at SMC). But where would they go?

But first lets see if Gonzaga goes anywhere. That Thompson leaked their name, even though he called it exploratory, makes me think it might be serious.Otherwise, why leak their name. But it would make huge sense to add another large Arena program. that could be the spark to get UNLV, New Mexico, Colorado State, and San Diego State (even Boise State) recruiting back to the point that the conference would again be a 2 to 3 bid level more than on par with the AAC.

I love the idea as a counter to Wichita State going to the American.

(02-28-2018 06:13 PM)CrimsonPhantom Wrote:  MWC has talked to Gonzaga about joining. If Gonzaga goes to the MWC, will WCC take Seattle or GCU?

http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/spor...story.html

I don't know what Gonzaga would have to gain from making this type of move? MWC basketball is not any more prestigious than WCC basketball. St Mary's and BYU are every bit as good as the top MWC schools. Besides, I don't think BYU would stand still while Gonzaga considers a move like this; At least not while out BYU talking to the MWC concurrently.

Quote:Step 3: Get New Mexico State and Grand Canyon University for Olympic Sports

With the addition of BYU, the conference will need one more member for football. There are not a lot of options out there but there is a school in Las Cruces that is desperate for a home. NMSU can provide the 14th member for football. Their program appears to be on the up and up but if they fall back to where they have historically been, they provide a “San Jose State effect” for the Mountain Division. They bring a great basketball program that would instantly elevate the depth in the conference.

GCU is a risky proposition. They bring a major market, Phoenix, into the conference and they have a massive student body. They were recently highlighted by ESPN where their incredible facilities and their attempt to transition into non-profit status were discussed. How will the program and institution fair if/when they obtain non-profit status?

In the end, they provide a 16th basketball squad.

http://mwwire.com/2018/02/28/mountain-we...nd-canyon/

The scenario I wish would be considered is adding BYU, NMSU, and Gonzaga to bolster the MWC's basketball prestige. While also adding NMSU and BYU also in football. That would give the MWC a 14 team basketball and football conference.

West
San Diego State
San Jose State
Nevada
Fresno State
UNLV
Boise State
Gonzaga/Hawaii

Mountain
Wyoming
Colorado State
Air Force
New Mexico
New Mexico State
Utah State
BYU

I posted the same thread last year about Gonzaga, BYU and St. mary's going to the MWC to help the MWC RPI just like Wichita State to the AAC which the AAC to keep up with MWC they will grab Dayton and VCU. This is a way they are moving power basketball schools into the better conference. With all this going on? I do think that Tarleton State, Azusa Pacific, Dixie State and West Texas A&M all will get the invite to the WAC starting this year into the next few years. Northwest Nazarene could fit in WCC from the GNAC. A small private school like the others in WCC, and outside of Boise.

BYU blog about creating a new western non-football conference.

The link above shows to grab schools from MWC, WAC and WCC to form a new all sports conference. The 2 WAC schools mentioned are New Mexico State and Grand Canyon. The schools get rejected are Utah State, Hawaii, Fresno State, San Jose State and Wyoming.

Like I said before, there were rumors since last year about those three WCC schools and MWC could get together.

http://csnbbs.com/thread-814936.html

http://csnbbs.com/thread-812960.html

I think the second thread I added the talks about MWC in the cards for those three schools mentioned. These talks have been around for over a year. The threads that I started about the possible moves for all the schools involved.

http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/spor...story.html

"Mountain West Commissioner Craig Thompson on Wednesday told the Union-Tribune he has held discussions with Gonzaga about leaving the West Coast Conference for the Mountain West, perhaps as early as next season."

That would be a big coup for the MWC. Wonder how fast the WCC will call Seattle U. if it does happen. And perhaps Cal-Baptist, or GCU. The WAC can never seem to get out of crisis mode, and if Gonzaga makes this move it certainly won't help. I'm guessing that NMSU and GCU are keeping the number of the Horizon Conference Commissioner handy just in case.

While many schools may talk to the MWC, only Gonzaga's name was confirmed, and also that BYU had not asked. I think Thompson mentioned BYU because he was asked, and he is always asked about BYU.

I think the MWC would only take BYU back if Football came with the deal. BYU football is now playing 5 to 6 P5 schools a year, and I can't see them giving that up. They are waiting for the B12 resolution in 2024. Further if the MWC wants a Basketball school Gonzaga is far better a selection. And that pretty much removes BYU from consideration, even though they would be unhappy with the WCC losing Gonzaga.

I don't see any reason to add Football schools. And I'm pretty sure NMSU (duh), UTEP, and Rice (the last two schools vetted a few years ago) asked, but none of them add any money. If I had to guess the last two I'd suspect GCU is one, as they are scouting around for where to go next - not necessarily in a rush, but the WAC is not the final destination and we all know that. And I could be wrong on one of those, but at least one and maybe two mystery schools. Your guess is as good as mine (Texas-Arlington? Denver? some FCS school?)

Anyway, let's see if there is more to it than Thompson simply letting a name drop before trying to fit all the pieces "after Gonzaga leaves". The relative isolation and lack of options in the west might mean it simply leads to no reaction at all.

(02-28-2018 09:01 PM)DavidSt Wrote:  I posted the same thread last year about Gonzaga, BYU and St. mary's going to the MWC to help the MWC RPI just like Wichita State to the AAC which the AAC to keep up with MWC they will grab Dayton and VCU. This is a way they are moving power basketball schools into the better conference. With all this going on? I do think that Tarleton State, Azusa Pacific, Dixie State and West Texas A&M all will get the invite to the WAC starting this year into the next few years. Northwest Nazarene could fit in WCC from the GNAC. A small private school like the others in WCC, and outside of Boise.

BYU blog about creating a new western non-football conference.

The link above shows to grab schools from MWC, WAC and WCC to form a new all sports conference. The 2 WAC schools mentioned are New Mexico State and Grand Canyon. The schools get rejected are Utah State, Hawaii, Fresno State, San Jose State and Wyoming.

Like I said before, there were rumors since last year about those three WCC schools and MWC could get together.

I'm pretty sure I remember a Mr. Colangelo interview from the last year or two in which he also referenced the possibility of a new Western conference. That was about all I think he said, but where there's smoke?

UPDATE: Found it. The remarks came in this June 2017 article/interview.

PRWolfe's Men's basketball RPIs

This is the latest from PRWolfe's who is also reliable, but he covers all divisions under 1.

The rumors of moving and the best of men's hoops out west.

11.Gonzaga
26.St. Mary's
50.New Mexico State
51.South Dakota State
76.South Dakota
81.UC-Santa Barbara
82.BYU
94.Montana
102.Idaho
103.UC-Davis
107.Utah Valley
123.Northern Colorado
128.Portland State
129.Fullerton State
142.UC-irvine
144.Eastern Washington
147.U. of San Diego
149.Weber State
153.Western Oregon
156.Utah State
169.Grand Canyon U.
172.San Francisco
175.Seattle
188.UTSA
200.Southern Nazarene Oklahoma
202.Hawaii
203.Pacific
209.Long Beach State
231.Denver
223.North Dakota State
224.UTRGV
232.West Texas A&M
233.CSU-Bakersfield


375.UTEP and 472.Rice are bad adds.

UTSA, UTRGV, N. Texas, West texas A&M, Texas State, UTPB, SFA, Abilene Christian and Tarleton State are better adds win-lose wise. Not sure Rice and UTEP would bring a better bargain as a pair. I do think UTEP and UTSA would be the better pairing.

(02-28-2018 11:03 PM)gleadley Wrote:  

(02-28-2018 09:01 PM)DavidSt Wrote:  I posted the same thread last year about Gonzaga, BYU and St. mary's going to the MWC to help the MWC RPI just like Wichita State to the AAC which the AAC to keep up with MWC they will grab Dayton and VCU. This is a way they are moving power basketball schools into the better conference. With all this going on? I do think that Tarleton State, Azusa Pacific, Dixie State and West Texas A&M all will get the invite to the WAC starting this year into the next few years. Northwest Nazarene could fit in WCC from the GNAC. A small private school like the others in WCC, and outside of Boise.

BYU blog about creating a new western non-football conference.

The link above shows to grab schools from MWC, WAC and WCC to form a new all sports conference. The 2 WAC schools mentioned are New Mexico State and Grand Canyon. The schools get rejected are Utah State, Hawaii, Fresno State, San Jose State and Wyoming.

Like I said before, there were rumors since last year about those three WCC schools and MWC could get together.

I'm pretty sure I remember a Mr. Colangelo interview from the last year or two in which he also referenced the possibility of a new Western conference. That was about all I think he said, but where there's smoke?

UPDATE: Found it. The remarks came in this June 2017 article/interview.

The shake up as well that D2 schools are also in the picture. Conferences like the Big South, AEC, A-Sun, Southland, WAC and the Summit League would be the conferences that would bring up more D2 schools. Those are the conferences that could lose schools to better conferences in the future.

(02-25-2018 11:29 PM)IWokeUpLikeThis Wrote:  DavidSt, any word on West Texas A&M? Always wanted to see that dormant rivalry with NMSU rekindled.

WT's administration is happy where they are. Based on what I have seen on the D2 board, they want to be a dominate D2 brand that wins national titles

(03-01-2018 05:25 PM)chrisattsu Wrote:  

(02-25-2018 11:29 PM)IWokeUpLikeThis Wrote:  DavidSt, any word on West Texas A&M? Always wanted to see that dormant rivalry with NMSU rekindled.

WT's administration is happy where they are. Based on what I have seen on the D2 board, they want to be a dominate D2 brand that wins national titles

I do not know for how long that will last. Splitting up the money 20 ways will give them less money when the Heartland Conference members joining, and when UT-Tyler gets accepted to D2. D2 schools do not make the kind of money that they do at d1 levels for post season play in hoops, football and all that. Lone Star Conference will be hurting even more than C-USA.

(03-01-2018 05:48 PM)DavidSt Wrote:  

(03-01-2018 05:25 PM)chrisattsu Wrote:  

(02-25-2018 11:29 PM)IWokeUpLikeThis Wrote:  DavidSt, any word on West Texas A&M? Always wanted to see that dormant rivalry with NMSU rekindled.

WT's administration is happy where they are. Based on what I have seen on the D2 board, they want to be a dominate D2 brand that wins national titles

I do not know for how long that will last. Splitting up the money 20 ways will give them less money when the Heartland Conference members joining, and when UT-Tyler gets accepted to D2. D2 schools do not make the kind of money that they do at d1 levels for post season play in hoops, football and all that. Lone Star Conference will be hurting even more than C-USA.

What money? D-II pays almost zero distributions (way under $100K per school, in most cases under $50K). It's a rounding error for a typical $5M D-II non-Football budget, or $7-8M Football budget department. At D-II the NCAA does not distribute by conference anyway. So have 5 or 50 schools in your conference. Whatever works for you.

(03-01-2018 09:21 PM)Stugray2 Wrote:  

(03-01-2018 05:48 PM)DavidSt Wrote:  

(03-01-2018 05:25 PM)chrisattsu Wrote:  

(02-25-2018 11:29 PM)IWokeUpLikeThis Wrote:  DavidSt, any word on West Texas A&M? Always wanted to see that dormant rivalry with NMSU rekindled.

WT's administration is happy where they are. Based on what I have seen on the D2 board, they want to be a dominate D2 brand that wins national titles

I do not know for how long that will last. Splitting up the money 20 ways will give them less money when the Heartland Conference members joining, and when UT-Tyler gets accepted to D2. D2 schools do not make the kind of money that they do at d1 levels for post season play in hoops, football and all that. Lone Star Conference will be hurting even more than C-USA.

What money? D-II pays almost zero distributions (way under $100K per school, in most cases under $50K). It's a rounding error for a typical $5M D-II non-Football budget, or $7-8M Football budget department. At D-II the NCAA does not distribute by conference anyway. So have 5 or 50 schools in your conference. Whatever works for you.

I agree. D2 is about reducing travel expenses not about splitting a revenue pie. The Lone Star was in bad shape in 2012 (7/8 schools) and football had to play a round robin just to get enough games to qualify for the playoffs. Adding the Heartland schools bolsters non-football in case of departures.

I'm going to jump the gun, but as there is so far zero buzz, I think UMKC is not on the tSL agenda this weekend. Come Monday we can put to bed the notion UMKC will exit the WAC for another year.

Similarly it looks like the MVC is not adding anyone. Although the President's council doesn't report until April (expansion part of their report). But little has changed. They like Murray State ("felt like a MVC school"), but wont add them until a solid 12th is identified - no point in listing the speculative.

The Horizon League tourney is also this weekend, and no expansion buzz there either.

So come Monday we can probably put to bed almost everything. The only one which has some possible traction is Gonzaga and the MWC, but it is clearly early in the process and may go somewhere or nowhere in the next couple months. Remember similar rumors of Wichita State and the American surfaced in early November, and the deal was not done until well into April. The same timeline for Gonzaga would be looking at September or October. Obviously it could be faster, but I think media package in 2019 forward for the MWC is a big part.

A long winded way of saying, if nothing is reported out of these three conference tourneys (tSL, tHL, MVC) then we can pretty safely say the WAC will have all 9 schools in 2018-19 (CSUB is not leaving until after two more full years; and Chicago State hasn't closed it's doors yet). Even a Gonzaga move probably leaves the WCC a year away from responding, maybe more.

For the WAC I'd still focus on getting another D-II move up, like Asuza Pacific in the 2020 time frame. But I don't see a panic situation. Plenty of time to work on it.