If the AAC dropped one all sports member they would be left with 10 football teams and 11 basketball teams. That might be the way to go. But who would they drop?

(04-06-2021 08:24 AM)SMUstang Wrote:  If the AAC dropped one all sports member they would be left with 10 football teams and 11 basketball teams. That might be the way to go. But who would they drop?

It would never happen, but if it did maybe a school that starts with a T?

(04-06-2021 08:27 AM)EigenEagle Wrote:  

(04-06-2021 08:24 AM)SMUstang Wrote:  If the AAC dropped one all sports member they would be left with 10 football teams and 11 basketball teams. That might be the way to go. But who would they drop?

It would never happen, but if it did maybe a school that starts with a T?

Yes, an AAC school is as likely to get promoted to the P5 (not happening) as it is to get "dropped" (not happening). The threat of massive litigation and setting a bad precedent would prevent it.

If someone did have to go though, I would imagine it would be ECU before Temple.

Realignment never works this way unless the school committed major NCAA violations (UTPA), was a contract member (CSU) or didn't fulfill league by-laws (CSU).

If you're a regular poster on this board, you should know better.

I suggested once that they simply switch Navy from a football affiliate to a 5 game/yr scheduling alliance.

It was not received well.

(04-06-2021 08:34 AM)quo vadis Wrote:  Yes, an AAC school is as likely to get promoted to the P5 (not happening) as it is to get "dropped" (not happening). The threat of massive litigation and setting a bad precedent would prevent it.

If someone did have to go though, I would imagine it would be ECU before Temple.

Tulane was the one add the AAC made that was very CUSA-esque to me. They haven't done anything in basketball and have been middling in football with one of the most underrated coaches in the country that's won at several coaching stops through many coordinators in a long career.

(04-06-2021 08:52 AM)EigenEagle Wrote:  

(04-06-2021 08:34 AM)quo vadis Wrote:  Yes, an AAC school is as likely to get promoted to the P5 (not happening) as it is to get "dropped" (not happening). The threat of massive litigation and setting a bad precedent would prevent it.

If someone did have to go though, I would imagine it would be ECU before Temple.

Tulane was the one add the AAC made that was very CUSA-esque to me. They haven't done anything in basketball and have been middling in football with one of the most underrated coaches in the country that's won at several coaching stops through many coordinators in a long career.

Eh, Tulane is the top academic school in the conference, is located in a very desirable place athletically and has improved on the football field. They have upside potential.

ECU was brought in for one reason - the football performance and "50,000 strong" in the stands. Neither exist anymore. And they are stuck on an island in the tidewater flats of North Carolina, far removed from anyone or anything.

(04-06-2021 09:01 AM)quo vadis Wrote:  

(04-06-2021 08:52 AM)EigenEagle Wrote:  

(04-06-2021 08:34 AM)quo vadis Wrote:  Yes, an AAC school is as likely to get promoted to the P5 (not happening) as it is to get "dropped" (not happening). The threat of massive litigation and setting a bad precedent would prevent it.

If someone did have to go though, I would imagine it would be ECU before Temple.

Tulane was the one add the AAC made that was very CUSA-esque to me. They haven't done anything in basketball and have been middling in football with one of the most underrated coaches in the country that's won at several coaching stops through many coordinators in a long career.

Eh, Tulane is the top academic school in the conference, is located in a very desirable place athletically and has improved on the football field. They have upside potential.

One of 3 G5 AAU schools, right in the footprint, New Orleans location/LA recruiting, new stadium, financially loaded.

University presidents love Tulane.

Tulane were a poor add years ago when the add happened. The AAC got away with one here as Tulane's TV ratings are actually improving and they are 8-2 against other G5 leagues.

WBB was in the NIT, baseball is in the top third, and football are in the middle third. Basketball is not there, but Hunter might help over time.

It could have gone far worse. We could have turned into a Fordham.

It has to be ECU. You’ve got public and private full members in Tampa, Orlando, New Orleans, Houston, Dallas, Tulsa, Memphis, Cincinnati, Philadelphia and ... Greenville, NC. One of these things is different from the other ones. Plus, ECU’s football team has been terrible for years and is at best the sixth best FBS program in state behind the ACC schools and App State, it’s basketball is a joke, and though they fancy themselves a baseball school they have no accomplishments to speak of on the diamond either. It is ironic that Mike Houston spurned Charlotte for ECU because I could easily see Will Healy, if he stays long enough, getting the 49ers to a point where they eclipse ECU in then hierarchy of Old North State FBS football.

(04-06-2021 08:24 AM)SMUstang Wrote:  If the AAC dropped one all sports member they would be left with 10 football teams and 11 basketball teams. That might be the way to go. But who would they drop?

They're currently at 11 FB members (incl. FB-only affiliate Navy) and 11 BB members (incl. non-FB Wichita State). If they drop an all-sports member, that leaves them with 10 FB and 10 BB members.

ECU and Tulsa are probably the least valuable members. Not that they'll actually be evicted or anything, but I'd probably drop ECU if I were in charge and for some reason had to cut one.

Then you have two decent football divisions with the same number of teams:

East: Central Florida, Cincinnati, Memphis, South Florida, Temple
West: Houston, Navy, SMU, Tulane, Tulsa

Basketball is a divisionless 18-game double round robin with Wichita State instead of Navy.

I would be strongly opposed to the AAC dropping any university (it's a moot point because it's not going to happen).

The "least desirable" American member (and I use that term respectfully) when you consider everything — academics, overall brand, football, basketball, baseball, budget, endowment, location/market — is East Carolina. To their credit, even a decent number of ECU fans likely would acknowledge this. But, and as I've noted, ECU brings strong baseball, a medical school, a presence in North Carolina and the potential to be good again in football. I'm happy to have ECU in the AAC.

Tulsa is far better an AAC member than some folks realize: strong men's hoops history, rather academically prestigious, $1 billion-plus endowment, respectable football. Likewise, Tulane brings all types of positives to the table. To contend the American would benefit from not having Tulane and Tulsa is odd.

(04-06-2021 09:06 AM)IWokeUpLikeThis Wrote:  

(04-06-2021 09:01 AM)quo vadis Wrote:  

(04-06-2021 08:52 AM)EigenEagle Wrote:  

(04-06-2021 08:34 AM)quo vadis Wrote:  Yes, an AAC school is as likely to get promoted to the P5 (not happening) as it is to get "dropped" (not happening). The threat of massive litigation and setting a bad precedent would prevent it.

If someone did have to go though, I would imagine it would be ECU before Temple.

Tulane was the one add the AAC made that was very CUSA-esque to me. They haven't done anything in basketball and have been middling in football with one of the most underrated coaches in the country that's won at several coaching stops through many coordinators in a long career.

Eh, Tulane is the top academic school in the conference, is located in a very desirable place athletically and has improved on the football field. They have upside potential.

One of 3 G5 AAU schools, right in the footprint, New Orleans location/LA recruiting, new stadium, financially loaded.

University presidents love Tulane.

Yes. UCF's president at the time, Dr. Hitt, strongly lobbied for Tulane to be invited. He's also a Tulane Alum so I'm sure that helped.

(04-06-2021 11:19 AM)bill dazzle Wrote:  I would be strongly opposed to the AAC dropping any university (it's a moot point because it's not going to happen).

The "least desirable" American member (and I use that term respectfully) when you consider everything — academics, overall brand, football, basketball, baseball, budget, endowment, location/market — is East Carolina. To their credit, even a decent number of ECU fans likely would acknowledge this. But, and as I've noted, ECU brings strong baseball, a medical school, a presence in North Carolina and the potential to be good again in football. I'm happy to have ECU in the AAC.

Tulsa is far better an AAC member than some folks realize: strong men's hoops history, rather academically prestigious, $1 billion-plus endowment, respectable football. Likewise, Tulane brings all types of positives to the table. To contend the American would benefit from not having Tulane and Tulsa is odd.

Sadly, I've yet to see a medical school get invited to a bowl or the NCAAT.

Here’s a wild idea—if the AAC can’t get the 12th member they want, but the NCAA says they need a 12th to keep the CCG, offer Liberty a football only deal that includes 0 tv revenue.

Liberty doesn’t need the money but they want the exposure, so they’d probably take that deal.

Put them
On a 4 yr deal with the option to continue to renew for additional 4 year periods. If things aren’t working out, the Flames can be cut loose.

(04-06-2021 08:24 AM)SMUstang Wrote:  If the AAC dropped one all sports member they would be left with 10 football teams and 11 basketball teams. That might be the way to go. But who would they drop?

Tulsa.

(04-06-2021 02:04 PM)Fighting Muskie Wrote:  Here’s a wild idea—if the AAC can’t get the 12th member they want, but the NCAA says they need a 12th to keep the CCG, offer Liberty a football only deal that includes 0 tv revenue.

Liberty doesn’t need the money but they want the exposure, so they’d probably take that deal.

Put them
On a 4 yr deal with the option to continue to renew for additional 4 year periods. If things aren’t working out, the Flames can be cut loose.

I love this idea.

(04-06-2021 01:31 PM)ken d Wrote:  

(04-06-2021 11:19 AM)bill dazzle Wrote:  I would be strongly opposed to the AAC dropping any university (it's a moot point because it's not going to happen).

The "least desirable" American member (and I use that term respectfully) when you consider everything — academics, overall brand, football, basketball, baseball, budget, endowment, location/market — is East Carolina. To their credit, even a decent number of ECU fans likely would acknowledge this. But, and as I've noted, ECU brings strong baseball, a medical school, a presence in North Carolina and the potential to be good again in football. I'm happy to have ECU in the AAC.

Tulsa is far better an AAC member than some folks realize: strong men's hoops history, rather academically prestigious, $1 billion-plus endowment, respectable football. Likewise, Tulane brings all types of positives to the table. To contend the American would benefit from not having Tulane and Tulsa is odd.

Sadly, I've yet to see a medical school get invited to a bowl or the NCAAT.

If you read Frank the Tank's posts on this board ... you'll know he often notes (and accurately so) "think like a university president."

There are multiple factors (including many that are non-sports related) that make a university and its athletics department desirable to a conference.

(04-06-2021 02:04 PM)Fighting Muskie Wrote:  Here’s a wild idea—if the AAC can’t get the 12th member they want, but the NCAA says they need a 12th to keep the CCG, offer Liberty a football only deal that includes 0 tv revenue.

Liberty doesn’t need the money but they want the exposure, so they’d probably take that deal.

Put them
On a 4 yr deal with the option to continue to renew for additional 4 year periods. If things aren’t working out, the Flames can be cut loose.

That's not only a "wild" idea ... it's also rather intriguing.

(04-06-2021 08:24 AM)SMUstang Wrote:  If the AAC dropped one all sports member they would be left with 10 football teams and 11 basketball teams. That might be the way to go. But who would they drop?

OK, since you brought it up, let's say they do drop a school, say Southern Methodist (when you post such speculation always assume your own school). So for argument sake I'll use SMU as example.

What mechanism exists to drop SMU from the American? Is there an issue of not meeting the charter and byLaws of the conference to claim just cause? Is there an academic scandal of such great magnitude it brings disrespect to the conference? Has something dramatic changed since the school's admission to the American as a full equity partner?

Is there a financial benefit? Is ESPN saying 'drop SMU and we'll give every school more money'?

Is there a competitive advantage of having 10 Football and Basketball schools instead of 11? IS ESPN fine with losing 20 conference basketball games? (Note 11 basketball schools, 20 games means 110 games, 10 schools with 18 games means only 90, a reduction of 22% in inventory.) Does such a move improve the chances of more NCAA tournament bids or of getting into the NY6 access bowl game?

The answer to all the above is a definite NO. You can replace SMU with any school you want and it's still NO. No school in the American is shrinking their athletic budget, none is worse academically than when they joined, and further ESPN is happy with the larger inventory an 11th school provides, so there is no more money.

Frankly the logical move is to stand pat. If the right football only member comes along you take them. (They pitched this to Boise State, who after looking at their Olympic options came back and said, we'll join if you give us full membership, even though we'll have to travel more. The American said no.) But that right member isn't there or isn't interested, so nothing. Dropping a members like SMU (or any other) doesn't improve your situation.