The unofficial online home for fans of the Old Dominion University Monarchs. Part of Collegiate Sports Nation (CSN).

(01-20-2021 11:14 AM)Chillie Willie Wrote:  

(01-20-2021 10:58 AM)monarx Wrote:  

(01-20-2021 10:19 AM)FearTheLion Wrote:  Lol--so I will play in this one briefly and then jump back out.

Given that we're performing at a top 4-5 level on average in this league, which has a lot of schools at or near our level, we could overlay this performance to end up in the bottom 4-5 in the A10. Then we could go to conference championships with many drives back home after the opening round--fun indeed.

And then we could look forward to fully capitalized threads shouting why we need to GET OUT OF THE A10.

Of course, our recruiting, competitiveness, and results could improve but that could also happen in the current conference. I like to deal in root causes vs excuses for current circumstances. And truthfully, if we could just pick up our performance where we are, the A10 could very well come back calling--just as they did recently to add a school located all the way in Kansas with fans that face a 21 hour drive to their conference tournament.

I think ODU should just focus on being better than WKU, UAB, MTSU and LT on an almost yearly basis. We haven't done that and it is not because others in CUSA are bringing us down. It's because we're not capturing our potential in this part of the USA. But if we did, our options for any level we want would surely come over time. And while we're blaming other conference members and driving distance for our non-performance, others with the same conditions are making themselves available for AAC consideration. Personally, I would love that league for all sports vs A10, but basketball and football HAVE to win at this level pretty consistently to make that happen. Until then, I'm looking squarely at JJ and RR for program and performance improvement--in this league.

Sure, I guess its possible we could do poorly in the A10, but I really doubt it. If we have games on TV (which is huge in recruiting), sold out games much of the time (which is quite likely with conference games against the four close schools), great rivalries and a better chance at the NCAA, we will be able to recruit better. I think we would finish in the top 4 far more often than the bottom four. Of course, we would need a different coach to do so, but thats a given either way. VCU and Richmond have done well in the A10, so theres no reason we wouldn't. Even GMU has been pretty decent. I expect ODU would be better than both in the A10 most of the time, just as we were in the CAA. And regardless, nobody is shouting to get out of CUSA because of performance. We want out because the media package sucks, the rivalries suck, the geography sucks, and the basketball sucks (outside of the top 4 or 5). So even with bad performance in the A10 (which is unlikely) we'd still have good TV and media exposure, great rivalries, geographic proximity and good basketball. I'd be thrilled.

Exhibit A: George Mason, who have a Final Four on their resume and plenty of close schools and rivalries in the A10, have consistently been in the middle to bottom of the conference. Why aren’t they top 4 or 5? Are they blaming being in the A10 for their performance? Are they benefitting from TV and media?

George Mason has generally been bad at basketball for most of their existence. They caught lightning in a bottle with Larranaga, but sucked after he left, and sucked before he got there for decades. Their Final Four was an outlier.

(01-20-2021 11:55 AM)DaBigBlue Wrote:  Let's build the brand and look at the AAC.

I agree on what we need to do, don't think we can do that with basketball in CUSA.

(01-20-2021 12:05 PM)BigBlueMonarch Wrote:  

(01-19-2021 01:13 PM)Monarchblue Wrote:  I don't think that we should be discussing the SoCon in the same breath as the Big South or Asun, or really even CAA. The SoCon is a much stronger conference, with teams that have fanbases that care about basketball, and the conference has a very strong history, as well as a team that made the leap to the A-10. SoCon is an upgrade from CUSA for basketball, and is significantly better than any of the other options being discussed outside of A-10.

Below is the average conference RPI rank over the last 3 years (including this season) for conferences that have been discussed here. As you will see, SoCon is a legit basketball conference.

SoCon: 10.33
A-10: 10.67
CUSA: 14.00
CAA: 16.00
ASun: 23.00
Big South: 24.33

I am going to need folks to explain to me why they turn their nose up at that conference.

They may have a better conference RPI, but I would have zero interest in an ODU/VMI game or an ODU/Citadel Game. Ohhhh Furman and Wofford next week....meh. I am being sarcastic, no offense or disrespect intended.

I am just going to assume that people who would not be into games against Furman or Wofford are from the North and don't understand the historical significance of the SoCon or the passion that basketball fans have in that part of the country. The only other option is that they just don't know anything about basketball in 2021. Those teams have composed a conference that is better than the conference we almost unanimously agree we would like to be a part of over the last 3 years, and our other potential options are not even close to the SoCon. That conference is as good as the CAA before it fell apart.

(01-20-2021 01:09 PM)Monarchblue Wrote:  

(01-20-2021 12:05 PM)BigBlueMonarch Wrote:  

(01-19-2021 01:13 PM)Monarchblue Wrote:  I don't think that we should be discussing the SoCon in the same breath as the Big South or Asun, or really even CAA. The SoCon is a much stronger conference, with teams that have fanbases that care about basketball, and the conference has a very strong history, as well as a team that made the leap to the A-10. SoCon is an upgrade from CUSA for basketball, and is significantly better than any of the other options being discussed outside of A-10.

Below is the average conference RPI rank over the last 3 years (including this season) for conferences that have been discussed here. As you will see, SoCon is a legit basketball conference.

SoCon: 10.33
A-10: 10.67
CUSA: 14.00
CAA: 16.00
ASun: 23.00
Big South: 24.33

I am going to need folks to explain to me why they turn their nose up at that conference.

They may have a better conference RPI, but I would have zero interest in an ODU/VMI game or an ODU/Citadel Game. Ohhhh Furman and Wofford next week....meh. I am being sarcastic, no offense or disrespect intended.

I am just going to assume that people who would not be into games against Furman or Wofford are from the North and don't understand the historical significance of the SoCon or the passion that basketball fans have in that part of the country. The only other option is that they just don't know anything about basketball in 2021. Those teams have composed a conference that is better than the conference we almost unanimously agree we would like to be a part of over the last 3 years, and our other potential options are not even close to the SoCon. That conference is as good as the CAA before it fell apart.

If .3 separates them I would rather be in the A10 than SoCon. We'd be in the NE quadrant and only 2 teams within about 5 hours.

(01-20-2021 02:59 PM)bit_9 Wrote:  

(01-20-2021 01:09 PM)Monarchblue Wrote:  

(01-20-2021 12:05 PM)BigBlueMonarch Wrote:  

(01-19-2021 01:13 PM)Monarchblue Wrote:  I don't think that we should be discussing the SoCon in the same breath as the Big South or Asun, or really even CAA. The SoCon is a much stronger conference, with teams that have fanbases that care about basketball, and the conference has a very strong history, as well as a team that made the leap to the A-10. SoCon is an upgrade from CUSA for basketball, and is significantly better than any of the other options being discussed outside of A-10.

Below is the average conference RPI rank over the last 3 years (including this season) for conferences that have been discussed here. As you will see, SoCon is a legit basketball conference.

SoCon: 10.33
A-10: 10.67
CUSA: 14.00
CAA: 16.00
ASun: 23.00
Big South: 24.33

I am going to need folks to explain to me why they turn their nose up at that conference.

They may have a better conference RPI, but I would have zero interest in an ODU/VMI game or an ODU/Citadel Game. Ohhhh Furman and Wofford next week....meh. I am being sarcastic, no offense or disrespect intended.

I am just going to assume that people who would not be into games against Furman or Wofford are from the North and don't understand the historical significance of the SoCon or the passion that basketball fans have in that part of the country. The only other option is that they just don't know anything about basketball in 2021. Those teams have composed a conference that is better than the conference we almost unanimously agree we would like to be a part of over the last 3 years, and our other potential options are not even close to the SoCon. That conference is as good as the CAA before it fell apart.

If .3 separates them I would rather be in the A10 than SoCon. We'd be in the NE quadrant and only 2 teams within about 5 hours.

And isnt the SoCon typically a 1 bid league, while A10 is usually 2 or 3? And from what I see the A10 has a lot more games on TV, and is the league with all of our rivals other than JMU. Honestly, the thought of the A10 just feels like home, even though we've never even been a part of it. Its the league we are the perfect match for (well, except for football).

I don't think anyone is arguing SoCon over the A10 for us. I think the point was that SoCon would be a helluva lot better than CUSA or some realignment with the Sunbelt (for all other sports besides football).

(01-20-2021 03:02 PM)monarx Wrote:  

(01-20-2021 02:59 PM)bit_9 Wrote:  

(01-20-2021 01:09 PM)Monarchblue Wrote:  

(01-20-2021 12:05 PM)BigBlueMonarch Wrote:  

(01-19-2021 01:13 PM)Monarchblue Wrote:  I don't think that we should be discussing the SoCon in the same breath as the Big South or Asun, or really even CAA. The SoCon is a much stronger conference, with teams that have fanbases that care about basketball, and the conference has a very strong history, as well as a team that made the leap to the A-10. SoCon is an upgrade from CUSA for basketball, and is significantly better than any of the other options being discussed outside of A-10.

Below is the average conference RPI rank over the last 3 years (including this season) for conferences that have been discussed here. As you will see, SoCon is a legit basketball conference.

SoCon: 10.33
A-10: 10.67
CUSA: 14.00
CAA: 16.00
ASun: 23.00
Big South: 24.33

I am going to need folks to explain to me why they turn their nose up at that conference.

They may have a better conference RPI, but I would have zero interest in an ODU/VMI game or an ODU/Citadel Game. Ohhhh Furman and Wofford next week....meh. I am being sarcastic, no offense or disrespect intended.

I am just going to assume that people who would not be into games against Furman or Wofford are from the North and don't understand the historical significance of the SoCon or the passion that basketball fans have in that part of the country. The only other option is that they just don't know anything about basketball in 2021. Those teams have composed a conference that is better than the conference we almost unanimously agree we would like to be a part of over the last 3 years, and our other potential options are not even close to the SoCon. That conference is as good as the CAA before it fell apart.

If .3 separates them I would rather be in the A10 than SoCon. We'd be in the NE quadrant and only 2 teams within about 5 hours.

And isnt the SoCon typically a 1 bid league, while A10 is usually 2 or 3? And from what I see the A10 has a lot more games on TV, and is the league with all of our rivals other than JMU. Honestly, the thought of the A10 just feels like home, even though we've never even been a part of it. Its the league we are the perfect match for (well, except for football).

^^This! The A10 just feels right and is the most logical conference for us. It is without a doubt an upgrade. We can rejoin past conference mates. Be in an overall tighter geographical footprint. Dirvable away games. Increased media exposure. It would bring the life back into our sports. I have nothing mean to say about our current conference mates. But rarely do I ever attend a C-USA matchup and feel any jitters/enthusiasm. In fact, I usually feel nothing.

(01-20-2021 03:31 PM)EverRespect Wrote:  I don't think anyone is arguing SoCon over the A10 for us. I think the point was that SoCon would be a helluva lot better than CUSA or some realignment with the Sunbelt (for all other sports besides football).

Ahh gotcha. Ya. Can't argue with their recent performance. Been great!

(01-20-2021 02:59 PM)bit_9 Wrote:  

(01-20-2021 01:09 PM)Monarchblue Wrote:  

(01-20-2021 12:05 PM)BigBlueMonarch Wrote:  

(01-19-2021 01:13 PM)Monarchblue Wrote:  I don't think that we should be discussing the SoCon in the same breath as the Big South or Asun, or really even CAA. The SoCon is a much stronger conference, with teams that have fanbases that care about basketball, and the conference has a very strong history, as well as a team that made the leap to the A-10. SoCon is an upgrade from CUSA for basketball, and is significantly better than any of the other options being discussed outside of A-10.

Below is the average conference RPI rank over the last 3 years (including this season) for conferences that have been discussed here. As you will see, SoCon is a legit basketball conference.

SoCon: 10.33
A-10: 10.67
CUSA: 14.00
CAA: 16.00
ASun: 23.00
Big South: 24.33

I am going to need folks to explain to me why they turn their nose up at that conference.

They may have a better conference RPI, but I would have zero interest in an ODU/VMI game or an ODU/Citadel Game. Ohhhh Furman and Wofford next week....meh. I am being sarcastic, no offense or disrespect intended.

I am just going to assume that people who would not be into games against Furman or Wofford are from the North and don't understand the historical significance of the SoCon or the passion that basketball fans have in that part of the country. The only other option is that they just don't know anything about basketball in 2021. Those teams have composed a conference that is better than the conference we almost unanimously agree we would like to be a part of over the last 3 years, and our other potential options are not even close to the SoCon. That conference is as good as the CAA before it fell apart.

If .3 separates them I would rather be in the A10 than SoCon. We'd be in the NE quadrant and only 2 teams within about 5 hours.

I would rather be in the A-10 as well, just pointing out the absurdity of folks turning their noses up at the SoCon.

SoCon is NOT a good basketball conference. Y'all hate C-USA so much you're going crazy. C-USA is a better fit than SoCon by a country mile.

(01-20-2021 08:25 PM)Blue_Trombone Wrote:  SoCon is NOT a good basketball conference. Y'all hate C-USA so much you're going crazy. C-USA is a better fit than SoCon by a country mile.

Care to explain how it is not a good basketball conference? Provide statistics that refute those showing it is vastly better than any conference ODU might reasonably join (or CUSA) other than the A-10. Frankly, it is not close.

SoCon is SIGNIFICANTLY better than CUSA and CAA. The A-10 is ideal, but they would have to lose someone for us to even have a shot. The others mentioned, Big South and Atlantic Sun, are just awful conferences and should be non starters.

There seem to be quite a few people here who don't really follow college basketball as a whole.

Sent from my Pixel 4a using Tapatalk

SoCon would be a significantly better deal. While not Richmond/VA centric like the A10, the whole conference is within driving range and they get multiple bubble teams. I think a couple years ago they had 4.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

(01-20-2021 09:30 PM)Monarchblue Wrote:  

(01-20-2021 08:25 PM)Blue_Trombone Wrote:  SoCon is NOT a good basketball conference. Y'all hate C-USA so much you're going crazy. C-USA is a better fit than SoCon by a country mile.

Care to explain how it is not a good basketball conference? Provide statistics that refute those showing it is vastly better than any conference ODU might reasonably join (or CUSA) other than the A-10. Frankly, it is not close.

SoCon is SIGNIFICANTLY better than CUSA and CAA. The A-10 is ideal, but they would have to lose someone for us to even have a shot. The others mentioned, Big South and Atlantic Sun, are just awful conferences and should be non starters.

There seem to be quite a few people here who don't really follow college basketball as a whole.

Sent from my Pixel 4a using Tapatalk

The SoCon has had a few years of good results, but the schools in it have almost nothing in common with ODU, and in the long run, the SoCon will fall back to earth an everyone will go back to not caring about VMI, and Western Carolina basketball and not caring about the Citadel period. in a year or two CUSA will be better, or the Big South will be better and everyone will be moaning about why we are not in that conference. Until a truly long term better solution comes along, A-10 or AAC, let's just win and make the best of CUSA

(01-21-2021 01:16 PM)BigBlueMonarch Wrote:  

(01-20-2021 09:30 PM)Monarchblue Wrote:  

(01-20-2021 08:25 PM)Blue_Trombone Wrote:  SoCon is NOT a good basketball conference. Y'all hate C-USA so much you're going crazy. C-USA is a better fit than SoCon by a country mile.

Care to explain how it is not a good basketball conference? Provide statistics that refute those showing it is vastly better than any conference ODU might reasonably join (or CUSA) other than the A-10. Frankly, it is not close.

SoCon is SIGNIFICANTLY better than CUSA and CAA. The A-10 is ideal, but they would have to lose someone for us to even have a shot. The others mentioned, Big South and Atlantic Sun, are just awful conferences and should be non starters.

There seem to be quite a few people here who don't really follow college basketball as a whole.

Sent from my Pixel 4a using Tapatalk

The SoCon has had a few years of good results, but the schools in it have almost nothing in common with ODU, and in the long run, the SoCon will fall back to earth an everyone will go back to not caring about VMI, and Western Carolina basketball and not caring about the Citadel period. in a year or two CUSA will be better, or the Big South will be better and everyone will be moaning about why we are not in that conference. Until a truly long term better solution comes along, A-10 or AAC, let's just win and make the best of CUSA

This is just wrong. SoCon has a history of being a solid conference going back to the early days of college basketball (The ACC was born out of the SoCon). It is located in an area where the populations are fanatical about college basketball, and the league will always remain relevant for that reason.

It is not as good of a destination as the A-10, but it is a better destination for basketball than any other league we could potentially have access to. If you disagree, don't just **** on the 10th best conference in college basketball, tell me what would be a better place for our basketball program besides the A-10.

(01-21-2021 01:16 PM)BigBlueMonarch Wrote:  

(01-20-2021 09:30 PM)Monarchblue Wrote:  

(01-20-2021 08:25 PM)Blue_Trombone Wrote:  SoCon is NOT a good basketball conference. Y'all hate C-USA so much you're going crazy. C-USA is a better fit than SoCon by a country mile.

Care to explain how it is not a good basketball conference? Provide statistics that refute those showing it is vastly better than any conference ODU might reasonably join (or CUSA) other than the A-10. Frankly, it is not close.

SoCon is SIGNIFICANTLY better than CUSA and CAA. The A-10 is ideal, but they would have to lose someone for us to even have a shot. The others mentioned, Big South and Atlantic Sun, are just awful conferences and should be non starters.

There seem to be quite a few people here who don't really follow college basketball as a whole.

Sent from my Pixel 4a using Tapatalk

The SoCon has had a few years of good results, but the schools in it have almost nothing in common with ODU, and in the long run, the SoCon will fall back to earth an everyone will go back to not caring about VMI, and Western Carolina basketball and not caring about the Citadel period. in a year or two CUSA will be better, or the Big South will be better and everyone will be moaning about why we are not in that conference. Until a truly long term better solution comes along, A-10 or AAC, let's just win and make the best of CUSA

SoCon is truly a better long term solution. Why? Because that means all our sports are not welded to football... so long tern, we are not stuck. So if we can work out any deal to have football either remain in CUSA, join another conference, or go independent while our other sports go elsewhere, that is the only long-term solution.
Frankly, if we could find a that solution with football, even the MEAC is a better solution. I guess to believe that, you need to get it out of your head that there is so much as a 1% chance of ever getting into the AAC. They are talking to schools like Boise State and adding basketball only schools like Wichita State. They have no interest in us or anyone else in the East. And even if enough spots opened up for us to be considered, that would mean anyone worth getting our teams on flights to travel to and any attached media money would be gone.

(01-21-2021 01:43 PM)EverRespect Wrote:  

(01-21-2021 01:16 PM)BigBlueMonarch Wrote:  

(01-20-2021 09:30 PM)Monarchblue Wrote:  

(01-20-2021 08:25 PM)Blue_Trombone Wrote:  SoCon is NOT a good basketball conference. Y'all hate C-USA so much you're going crazy. C-USA is a better fit than SoCon by a country mile.

Care to explain how it is not a good basketball conference? Provide statistics that refute those showing it is vastly better than any conference ODU might reasonably join (or CUSA) other than the A-10. Frankly, it is not close.

SoCon is SIGNIFICANTLY better than CUSA and CAA. The A-10 is ideal, but they would have to lose someone for us to even have a shot. The others mentioned, Big South and Atlantic Sun, are just awful conferences and should be non starters.

There seem to be quite a few people here who don't really follow college basketball as a whole.

Sent from my Pixel 4a using Tapatalk

The SoCon has had a few years of good results, but the schools in it have almost nothing in common with ODU, and in the long run, the SoCon will fall back to earth an everyone will go back to not caring about VMI, and Western Carolina basketball and not caring about the Citadel period. in a year or two CUSA will be better, or the Big South will be better and everyone will be moaning about why we are not in that conference. Until a truly long term better solution comes along, A-10 or AAC, let's just win and make the best of CUSA

SoCon is truly a better long term solution. Why? Because that means all our sports are not welded to football... so long tern, we are not stuck. So if we can work out any deal to have football either remain in CUSA, join another conference, or go independent while our other sports go elsewhere, that is the only long-term solution.
Frankly, if we could find a that solution with football, even the MEAC is a better solution. I guess to believe that, you need to get it out of your head that there is so much as a 1% chance of ever getting into the AAC. They are talking to schools like Boise State and adding basketball only schools like Wichita State. They have no interest in us or anyone else in the East.

I think the AAC is very doable in the future. But we have to get our football team up to respectable first, and they need an open spot. Thats probably at least a decade away. Our basketball would hold its own in the middle of that league right now though. And if we go independent in football (which I would be OK with) it had better be for a better basketball conference than CUSA. Which basically means the A10. FWIW, the A10 said a few years ago they would love to have ODU if they have a spot. If they do have a spot for us, Id go Indy football in a heartbeat. Otherwise, I'd just stay in CUSA and try to make it better. No disrespect to the teams in SoCon, I just don't care to play them. Id rather play WKU, Marshall, UAB and Charlotte.

Edit: Just did some quick searching. Here are the conference ratings for both leagues over the last 3 years.

2018: CUSA 12 SoCon 21
2019: CUSA 13 SoCon 12
2020: CUSA17 SoCon 13

CUSA has been just slightly worse the last 2 years, but has a higher 3 year average. To me they are basically the same. Decent one bid leagues. The SoCon might save some travel money, but fan interest would plummet. I still say ride it out in CUSA until the A10 or AAC is an option, and do whatever it takes to get in one of those 2. Meanwhile, work to make CUSA better.

(01-21-2021 01:52 PM)monarx Wrote:  

(01-21-2021 01:43 PM)EverRespect Wrote:  

(01-21-2021 01:16 PM)BigBlueMonarch Wrote:  

(01-20-2021 09:30 PM)Monarchblue Wrote:  

(01-20-2021 08:25 PM)Blue_Trombone Wrote:  SoCon is NOT a good basketball conference. Y'all hate C-USA so much you're going crazy. C-USA is a better fit than SoCon by a country mile.

Care to explain how it is not a good basketball conference? Provide statistics that refute those showing it is vastly better than any conference ODU might reasonably join (or CUSA) other than the A-10. Frankly, it is not close.

SoCon is SIGNIFICANTLY better than CUSA and CAA. The A-10 is ideal, but they would have to lose someone for us to even have a shot. The others mentioned, Big South and Atlantic Sun, are just awful conferences and should be non starters.

There seem to be quite a few people here who don't really follow college basketball as a whole.

Sent from my Pixel 4a using Tapatalk

The SoCon has had a few years of good results, but the schools in it have almost nothing in common with ODU, and in the long run, the SoCon will fall back to earth an everyone will go back to not caring about VMI, and Western Carolina basketball and not caring about the Citadel period. in a year or two CUSA will be better, or the Big South will be better and everyone will be moaning about why we are not in that conference. Until a truly long term better solution comes along, A-10 or AAC, let's just win and make the best of CUSA

SoCon is truly a better long term solution. Why? Because that means all our sports are not welded to football... so long tern, we are not stuck. So if we can work out any deal to have football either remain in CUSA, join another conference, or go independent while our other sports go elsewhere, that is the only long-term solution.
Frankly, if we could find a that solution with football, even the MEAC is a better solution. I guess to believe that, you need to get it out of your head that there is so much as a 1% chance of ever getting into the AAC. They are talking to schools like Boise State and adding basketball only schools like Wichita State. They have no interest in us or anyone else in the East.

I think the AAC is very doable in the future. But we have to get our football team up to respectable first, and they need an open spot. Thats probably at least a decade away. Our basketball would hold its own in the middle of that league right now though. And if we go independent in football (which I would be OK with) it had better be for a better basketball conference than CUSA. Which basically means the A10. FWIW, the A10 said a few years ago they would love to have ODU if they have a spot. If they do have a spot for us, Id go Indy football in a heartbeat. Otherwise, I'd just stay in CUSA and try to make it better. No disrespect to the teams in SoCon, I just don't care to play them. Id rather play WKU, Marshall, UAB and Charlotte.

Edit: Just did some quick searching. Here are the conference ratings for both leagues over the last 3 years.

2018: CUSA 12 SoCon 21
2019: CUSA 13 SoCon 12
2020: CUSA17 SoCon 13

CUSA has been just slightly worse the last 2 years, but has a higher 3 year average. To me they are basically the same. Decent one bid leagues. The SoCon might save some travel money, but fan interest would plummet. I still say ride it out in CUSA until the A10 or AAC is an option, and do whatever it takes to get in one of those 2. Meanwhile, work to make CUSA better.

Where did you find that data, because the data I found was markedly different.

Average rank over the last three years (Includes this year):

SoCon: 10.33
A-10: 10.67
CUSA: 14.00
CAA: 16.00
ASun: 23.00
Big South: 24.33

(01-21-2021 03:39 PM)Monarchblue Wrote:  

(01-21-2021 01:52 PM)monarx Wrote:  

(01-21-2021 01:43 PM)EverRespect Wrote:  

(01-21-2021 01:16 PM)BigBlueMonarch Wrote:  

(01-20-2021 09:30 PM)Monarchblue Wrote:  Care to explain how it is not a good basketball conference? Provide statistics that refute those showing it is vastly better than any conference ODU might reasonably join (or CUSA) other than the A-10. Frankly, it is not close.

SoCon is SIGNIFICANTLY better than CUSA and CAA. The A-10 is ideal, but they would have to lose someone for us to even have a shot. The others mentioned, Big South and Atlantic Sun, are just awful conferences and should be non starters.

There seem to be quite a few people here who don't really follow college basketball as a whole.

Sent from my Pixel 4a using Tapatalk

The SoCon has had a few years of good results, but the schools in it have almost nothing in common with ODU, and in the long run, the SoCon will fall back to earth an everyone will go back to not caring about VMI, and Western Carolina basketball and not caring about the Citadel period. in a year or two CUSA will be better, or the Big South will be better and everyone will be moaning about why we are not in that conference. Until a truly long term better solution comes along, A-10 or AAC, let's just win and make the best of CUSA

SoCon is truly a better long term solution. Why? Because that means all our sports are not welded to football... so long tern, we are not stuck. So if we can work out any deal to have football either remain in CUSA, join another conference, or go independent while our other sports go elsewhere, that is the only long-term solution.
Frankly, if we could find a that solution with football, even the MEAC is a better solution. I guess to believe that, you need to get it out of your head that there is so much as a 1% chance of ever getting into the AAC. They are talking to schools like Boise State and adding basketball only schools like Wichita State. They have no interest in us or anyone else in the East.

I think the AAC is very doable in the future. But we have to get our football team up to respectable first, and they need an open spot. Thats probably at least a decade away. Our basketball would hold its own in the middle of that league right now though. And if we go independent in football (which I would be OK with) it had better be for a better basketball conference than CUSA. Which basically means the A10. FWIW, the A10 said a few years ago they would love to have ODU if they have a spot. If they do have a spot for us, Id go Indy football in a heartbeat. Otherwise, I'd just stay in CUSA and try to make it better. No disrespect to the teams in SoCon, I just don't care to play them. Id rather play WKU, Marshall, UAB and Charlotte.

Edit: Just did some quick searching. Here are the conference ratings for both leagues over the last 3 years.

2018: CUSA 12 SoCon 21
2019: CUSA 13 SoCon 12
2020: CUSA17 SoCon 13

CUSA has been just slightly worse the last 2 years, but has a higher 3 year average. To me they are basically the same. Decent one bid leagues. The SoCon might save some travel money, but fan interest would plummet. I still say ride it out in CUSA until the A10 or AAC is an option, and do whatever it takes to get in one of those 2. Meanwhile, work to make CUSA better.

Where did you find that data, because the data I found was markedly different.

Average rank over the last three years (Includes this year):

SoCon: 10.33
A-10: 10.67
CUSA: 14.00
CAA: 16.00
ASun: 23.00
Big South: 24.33

I just googled conference rankings for each year. I think at least 2 of them came from Warren Nolan. The averages of what I saw line up with yours for CUSA (14), but differ for SoCon (15.5). I did not include this year, just 18,19 & 20. I just looked at Warren Nolan again for all three years. The first year was different. 2018 CUSA 14 SoCon 16 (rather than 12/21 which I think came from CollegeRPI).

I highly doubt fan interest would plummet. I don't think it can get any worse. They play their Conference tournament in Asheville, NC. We could bring a caravan. And the saving of travel money is the entire point. CUSA is ruining our athletic department. We can't just stick it out in CUSA for an indefinite period because the money isn't there. If we want in the A10, we need to cut a deal with someone to separate football now and Covid and money is the perfect excuse to make it happen. When the A10 is in a position to realign, we will be first in line. I'm sorry, but the AAC is a pipe dream... unless USF, UCF, Houston, Cincy, and Memphis move on... in which case we are back to square one.

I actually had to go look at who was in the SoCon, No thanks. CUSA has much better upside and better teams that are more like us. Almost half the schools have under 4K and we would be the biggest school by a lot. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_Conference