(05-11-2020 12:40 AM)lion1983 Wrote:  Correct me if I'm way of base...

This is just a theory, and there is no denying that C-USA is a stronger league at this point in time. They are 13 and ASUN is 23?

Say the ASUN stays stable for the next 10 years, and so does C-USA. And I'm taking football out of the equation for obvious reasons, but could it be possible that the ASUN at least catch up to C-USA?

If you look at a broader spectrum, how many years up to this point, has the ASUN been in disarray as far as membership goes? It finally looks as if the ASun made strong choices in membership, and even, basically traded its worst program for another conference's best program. (Yes I know the reasons) and gaining (what everyone thinks is a slam dunk, pun not intended) Bellarmine.

No, it's not perfect, but it looks like a lineup, at least to me, that has a very high ceiling. Outside of a couple of schools, and one that really dont fit, there is some major upside to the conference.

Liberty is excellent
Lipscomb will get stronger and stronger
North Alabama is in its infancy as far as this level is concerned, I expect a very strong program from UNA.
FGCU should get back to theirselves soon, hopefully.
UNF is getting stronger and stronger
JU and Stetson has solid potential
Bellarmine should be good
Hopefully KSU starts a big turnaround.

NJIT is the one who doesn't fit, but they dont seem unhappy, and I dont mind them. They just dont seem consistent.

But I think in the next few years, and I'm mostly talking basketball, the top 5-6 will be very strong and competitive
6-8 will be up and down and 9 and 10 will be what it is. All in all, I think it ends up a very good conference with multiple bids coming. It's just got to build.

This is one reason I dont like the idea of the split to for the UAC. I really like this lineup. The only thing I would like to see is either (A) help find NJIT a better home and pick up West Florida or a school in the Carolinas or (B) add another school to kinda bridge the gap.

The ASUN can get better but we are going to continue to be a bottom feeder. It is what it is. CUSA has much better brands. Much better fan bases. Much better facilities. Much better donors. Much better academics. The list is long. Plus we would add a natural rival and some local teams. It would be foolish for us to act like it isn’t a better conference. UNA would bolt if y’all could be CUSA vs FBS Indy and ASUN.

I had a nice talk with ASUN Commissioner Gumbart on the phone today. If the ASUN plan moves forward it will look like this according to him.....

ASUN
1. Liberty
2. Lipscomb
3. Bellarmine
4. NJIT
5. North Florida
6. Jacksonville
7. Stetson
8. FGCU
9.
10.
11.
12.

UAC
1. Kennesaw St.
2. North Alabama
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

- There will be no DII teams coming in to either conference.
- The UAC will be made up of regional state institutions.

(05-11-2020 12:40 AM)lion1983 Wrote:  Correct me if I'm way of base...

This is just a theory, and there is no denying that C-USA is a stronger league at this point in time. They are 13 and ASUN is 23?

Say the ASUN stays stable for the next 10 years, and so does C-USA. And I'm taking football out of the equation for obvious reasons, but could it be possible that the ASUN at least catch up to C-USA?

If you look at a broader spectrum, how many years up to this point, has the ASUN been in disarray as far as membership goes? It finally looks as if the ASun made strong choices in membership, and even, basically traded its worst program for another conference's best program. (Yes I know the reasons) and gaining (what everyone thinks is a slam dunk, pun not intended) Bellarmine.

No, it's not perfect, but it looks like a lineup, at least to me, that has a very high ceiling. Outside of a couple of schools, and one that really dont fit, there is some major upside to the conference.

Liberty is excellent
Lipscomb will get stronger and stronger
North Alabama is in its infancy as far as this level is concerned, I expect a very strong program from UNA.
FGCU should get back to theirselves soon, hopefully.
UNF is getting stronger and stronger
JU and Stetson has solid potential
Bellarmine should be good
Hopefully KSU starts a big turnaround.

NJIT is the one who doesn't fit, but they dont seem unhappy, and I dont mind them. They just dont seem consistent.

But I think in the next few years, and I'm mostly talking basketball, the top 5-6 will be very strong and competitive
6-8 will be up and down and 9 and 10 will be what it is. All in all, I think it ends up a very good conference with multiple bids coming. It's just got to build.

This is one reason I dont like the idea of the split to for the UAC. I really like this lineup. The only thing I would like to see is either (A) help find NJIT a better home and pick up West Florida or a school in the Carolinas or (B) add another school to kinda bridge the gap.

I prefer the ASUN to C-USA if it means keeping football independent. However, I don't think the ASUN has more potential. UAB, UNC-Charlotte, Western Kentucky, UTEP just to name a few are light-years ahead of almost all ASUN schools and have been generally down. Imagine if all of their members played up to their potential the way you are hypothesizing for the ASUN. And we don't even have to imagine all that much as they are already ten-ish slots higher than us already.

(05-11-2020 09:33 PM)GE and MTS Wrote:  

(05-11-2020 12:40 AM)lion1983 Wrote:  Correct me if I'm way of base...

This is just a theory, and there is no denying that C-USA is a stronger league at this point in time. They are 13 and ASUN is 23?

Say the ASUN stays stable for the next 10 years, and so does C-USA. And I'm taking football out of the equation for obvious reasons, but could it be possible that the ASUN at least catch up to C-USA?

If you look at a broader spectrum, how many years up to this point, has the ASUN been in disarray as far as membership goes? It finally looks as if the ASun made strong choices in membership, and even, basically traded its worst program for another conference's best program. (Yes I know the reasons) and gaining (what everyone thinks is a slam dunk, pun not intended) Bellarmine.

No, it's not perfect, but it looks like a lineup, at least to me, that has a very high ceiling. Outside of a couple of schools, and one that really dont fit, there is some major upside to the conference.

Liberty is excellent
Lipscomb will get stronger and stronger
North Alabama is in its infancy as far as this level is concerned, I expect a very strong program from UNA.
FGCU should get back to theirselves soon, hopefully.
UNF is getting stronger and stronger
JU and Stetson has solid potential
Bellarmine should be good
Hopefully KSU starts a big turnaround.

NJIT is the one who doesn't fit, but they dont seem unhappy, and I dont mind them. They just dont seem consistent.

But I think in the next few years, and I'm mostly talking basketball, the top 5-6 will be very strong and competitive
6-8 will be up and down and 9 and 10 will be what it is. All in all, I think it ends up a very good conference with multiple bids coming. It's just got to build.

This is one reason I dont like the idea of the split to for the UAC. I really like this lineup. The only thing I would like to see is either (A) help find NJIT a better home and pick up West Florida or a school in the Carolinas or (B) add another school to kinda bridge the gap.

I prefer the ASUN to C-USA if it means keeping football independent. However, I don't think the ASUN has more potential. UAB, UNC-Charlotte, Western Kentucky, UTEP just to name a few are light-years ahead of almost all ASUN schools and have been generally down. Imagine if all of their members played up to their potential the way you are hypothesizing for the ASUN. And we don't even have to imagine all that much as they are already ten-ish slots higher than us already.

I'm not trying to say the ASUN will eventually be better, I'm just saying it can catch up.

If UNA was planning on FBS, then yes, CUSA would be good for us. Being able to play against UAB, Southern Miss and MTSU. (Maybe they could take Liberty and UNA)

I look at Liberty as a program like BYU... be a football Indy, embrace it, schedule better and better games across the country. And have your other sports in the ASUN, or A10.

I’d like to see us fill in some geographical gaps.

(05-11-2020 06:37 PM)army56mike Wrote:  ASUN
1. Liberty . . . . . . . . VA
2. Lipscomb . . . . . . . TN
3. Bellarmine . . . . . . KY
4. NJIT . . . . . . . . . . . NJ
5. North Florida . . . . . FL
6. Jacksonville . . . . . . FL
7. Stetson . . . . . . . . . FL
8. FGCU . . . . . . . . . . FL
9. UNC Ashville . . . . . NC
10. UNC Wilmington . . NC
11. Winthrop . . . . . . . SC
12. Tennessee Tech . . TN

But even that doesn’t work, because it takes too many teams from other conferences, and I just can’t see any of the teams I listed wanting to come to the ASUN. It would really need to make a financial and perception difference in order for that to happen.

(02-19-2020 01:31 PM)WesternSkillet Wrote:  The WCHA is breaking up to form the CCHA. Basically it is the WCHA without the two Alaska schools and Alabama-Huntsville.

https://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2...-CCHA-.php

Putting this here because LU hockey should be aware of changes and potential D1 opportunities.

Alabama Huntsville is dropping hockey. Check out the lounge, on this message board, for the source.

Here’s how I see our future.....
Independent - Football
Other Sports - ASUN

(06-23-2019 11:35 AM)army56mike Wrote:  Wow, what an incredible upset it would be for Liberty to land in the AAC. But, I agree, it’s too soon. I would love for us to make that move, but I think it will be the other Virginia school getting an invitation..... ODU.

Virginia pecking order for the AAC should the conference move into that state.

1. VCU /BB/ Olympic Sports with Army FB only.
2. James Madison All sports
3. ODU All Sports
4. Marshall All Sports
5. THE END

(06-09-2020 12:58 PM)panite Wrote:  

(06-23-2019 11:35 AM)army56mike Wrote:  Wow, what an incredible upset it would be for Liberty to land in the AAC. But, I agree, it’s too soon. I would love for us to make that move, but I think it will be the other Virginia school getting an invitation..... ODU.

Virginia pecking order for the AAC should the conference move into that state.

1. VCU /BB/ Olympic Sports with Army FB only.
2. James Madison All sports
3. ODU All Sports
4. Marshall All Sports
5. THE END

1. Army isn't going to the American.
2. LOL Nothing screams P6 like an FCS call up. Your list should end after the first entry.
3. ODU is solid but I imagine they infringe too close to ECU territory so they don't bring as much to the table as another Virginia school.
4. I don't think Marshall has much, if any, pull in Virginia. I would think they make an impact in Ohio and Kentucky moreso than Virginia.
5. You forgot someone. Richmond of course!

You have to play football in CUSA to be a member. That is why UAB put the giddyup on bringing back football. They were gonna get heave-hoed out of the conference.

I think the only realignment for LU will be within the ASUN as we try and provide direction and insight on who we want the conference to expand with. From Liberty’s perspective who would that be? Probably a private, hopefully near Virginia, maybe a shared history?

(06-16-2020 05:12 PM)army56mike Wrote:  I think the only realignment for LU will be within the ASUN as we try and provide direction and insight on who we want the conference to expand with. From Liberty’s perspective who would that be? Probably a private, hopefully near Virginia, maybe a shared history?

If a private is invited we should immediately invite another plus a public... keep it even.

(06-16-2020 08:10 PM)lion1983 Wrote:  

(06-16-2020 05:12 PM)army56mike Wrote:  I think the only realignment for LU will be within the ASUN as we try and provide direction and insight on who we want the conference to expand with. From Liberty’s perspective who would that be? Probably a private, hopefully near Virginia, maybe a shared history?

If a private is invited we should immediately invite another plus a public... keep it even.

I wouldn’t mind that. The more the merrier.

Howard - Private
Nova Southeastern - Private
Florida Tech - Private
Bethune-Cookman - Private
Union - Private
NCCU - Public
North Georgia - Public
West Florida - Public
Alabama-Huntsville - Public
Francis Marion - Public

(06-16-2020 10:15 PM)army56mike Wrote:  

(06-16-2020 08:10 PM)lion1983 Wrote:  

(06-16-2020 05:12 PM)army56mike Wrote:  I think the only realignment for LU will be within the ASUN as we try and provide direction and insight on who we want the conference to expand with. From Liberty’s perspective who would that be? Probably a private, hopefully near Virginia, maybe a shared history?

If a private is invited we should immediately invite another plus a public... keep it even.

I wouldn’t mind that. The more the merrier.

Howard - Private
Nova Southeastern - Private
Florida Tech - Private
Bethune-Cookman - Private
Union - Private
NCCU - Public
North Georgia - Public
West Florida - Public
Alabama-Huntsville - Public
Francis Marion - Public

I know UNA would vote West Florida off of that list.

I thought you used to be a West Florida supporter?

Aah, nevermind. I misunderstood your message. I thoughtbyou meant you’d get rid of them from that list. But you really meant that’s the team you’d select from the list.

So, are we in agreement that there are only three worthy teams from the MEAC for ASUN expansion.

Howard
NCCU
Norfolk St.

(06-27-2020 04:31 PM)army56mike Wrote:  So, are we in agreement that there are only three worthy teams from the MEAC for ASUN expansion.

Howard
NCCU
Norfolk St.

I’d throw SC State in there for location. They aren’t the greatest but I would be okay with them and NCCU.

(06-27-2020 10:41 PM)Ewglenn Wrote:  

(06-27-2020 04:31 PM)army56mike Wrote:  So, are we in agreement that there are only three worthy teams from the MEAC for ASUN expansion.

Howard
NCCU
Norfolk St.

I’d throw SC State in there for location. They aren’t the greatest but I would be okay with them and NCCU.

So we want over half of the remaining MEAC? If that's the case, how is it that the majority of the MEAC is attractive to be in a conference with but can't get anyone to join them in the MEAC? Maybe we are just too bad and anyone looks like an upgrade.

(06-28-2020 07:03 AM)GE and MTS Wrote:  

(06-27-2020 10:41 PM)Ewglenn Wrote:  

(06-27-2020 04:31 PM)army56mike Wrote:  So, are we in agreement that there are only three worthy teams from the MEAC for ASUN expansion.

Howard
NCCU
Norfolk St.

I’d throw SC State in there for location. They aren’t the greatest but I would be okay with them and NCCU.

So we want over half of the remaining MEAC? If that's the case, how is it that the majority of the MEAC is attractive to be in a conference with but can't get anyone to join them in the MEAC? Maybe we are just too bad and anyone looks like an upgrade.

Well the ASUN obviously has a geographical gap. I think it would be smart to fill those holes while we can.

I know some of y’all hate the giant conference I proposed, but it does bunch teams into three geographical groups that are all connected. In conference you’d always face the teams closest to you and then venture out for some more “exotic” games to complete conference schedules.

ASUN

Area 1 . . . . . . . . Area 2 . . . . . . . Area 3
Bellarmine . . . . . Howard . . . . . . North Florida
Lipscomb . . . . . . Liberty . . . . . . .Jacksonville
North Alabama . . Norfolk St. . . . . West Florida
UA-Huntsville . . . NCCU . . . . . . . .Stetson
North Alabama . . Francis Marion . .Florida Tech
Kennesaw St. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .FGCU
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Nova Southeastern