I remember when this version of CUSA was officially announced we all had high hopes of getting 2-3 bids to NCAA basketball tournament every year. We have had a team finish ranked in Top 25 of football more seasons than not etc.
We have spent all off season bashing our own conference. Let's spend a little time facing the facts we are stuck with each other and focus on what we are doing to get better.
I will say that I think the majority of this conference is investing in sports. We have a lot of really young programs with (I hate this word) potential.
North Texas has invested a lot in to athletics and imo has been a good add from a competitive stand point.
Charlotte has cleaned house so to speak and is making efforts to improve their athletics. We need Charlotte to get back to being a legit basketball program. Anything you can do in football would just be gravy imo.
UTEP seems to be getting things headed in the right direction in basketball. This conference needs a strong UTEP in all sports but definitely basketball.
MTSU and WKU have been solid especially in basketball. We need MTSU to get back to being a contender in basketball.
ODU just built a new football stadium (still way to small) but its a step in the right direction. ODU has solid basketball program and good fan support.
Marshall and So Miss need to get back to winning some big games OOC in football.
La Tech has been a solid add.
UTSA has great football support and shown flashes of what they can turn in to with multiple games over 40k. We need them to start winning more.
I know I have left some teams out. I don't have all night. Hoping you guys can add to the list. I just think this conference has actually been pretty close to getting over the hump, but yet it still feels so far away.
If we could consistently get 2 bids to NCAA tournament and have at least one football team finish in Top 25 each year then I would consider that a success. I really hope for a special year where the conference championship is between two ranked teams fighting for the Access Bowl. That's what we really need to get over the hump.
I'll end with this. As much as I bicker with you all in the off season, OOC football season is coming up. It's my favorite time of the year because I am a fan of all 14 CUSA teams during that time.
What do you all think we need to do in order to get over the hump?