(03-11-2021 10:21 AM)kreed5120 Wrote: The Atlantic 10 is a much more realistic aspiration for the MAC. I'm counting 10/14 (71%) teams in the top 150 of NET. 6/14 (43%) in the top 100. They always have at least 1 team, most years multiple, in the discussion for an at-large because they have so many schools that strive for that level of success.
As far as a realistic aspiration, that is only if the MAC drops football or drops its football to FCS. Otherwise, the idea of 3/4 or more of the MAC putting that much focus on basketball is wishful thinking. Sure, it would be nice, but individual schools will look at the opportunities to raise their profile by investing in different sports, and it's not going to be 9 or 10 MAC schools that decide to put that high priority on basketball.
Indeed, the new season scheduling with last year's 1 & 2 being home or away against last year's 11 & 12, and similarly for 3&4 against 9&10, reflects that reality.
Even getting it to 7 or 8 putting a high priority on basketball success is a push, though it's worthwhile making. But the MAC should maybe look at "challenge" series that reward schools the following year making it into the top six and top four. A four game challenge with the MVC, (previous season) 1st hosts 4th, 2nd hosts 3rd, and a six game challenge with CUSA, 1st hosts 6th, 2nd hosts 5th, 3rd hosts 4th. Obviously the schools have to build the program, but create the opportunity to bring more top 100 OOC wins into the conference race.
Then the top eight get to go to the conference tournament, with seeding benefits the higher you go, the top six are in one challenge series, the top four in two challenge series, and the top two host in two challenge series.
It's not like it would make the MAC a multiple bid Tourney conference, but it might help contribute to making the MAC a regular at-large NIT bid conference, which is a step up from where it is today.