Try to move to Sunbelt. Our budget is mid pack, our footbal division would be Appy, Ga Southern, Coastal Caro, Troy and Ga State. Our basketball rating would lift the overall conference rating, home basketball schedules would be better, money games would be doubled and expansion of stadium would be less costly because the infrastructure is already in place. If SunBelt would take us, make the move.

Some high level guesswork going on here:

https://www.cbssports.com/college-footba...alignment/

As for the Sunbelt, it could be damaged in all this. I believe at least App State will be gone, at least to CUSA even if a lateral move., Geography would encourage it, especially if JMU moves up to that league. And then Ga Southern, Coastal Carolina, and GA State could be eying geography if enough schools leave CUSA. So there’s some guesswork for you.

(09-17-2021 04:21 PM)Buc66 Wrote:  Some high level guesswork going on here:

https://www.cbssports.com/college-footba...alignment/

As for the Sunbelt, it could be damaged in all this. I believe at least App State will be gone, at least to CUSA even if a lateral move., Geography would encourage it, especially if JMU moves up to that league. And then Ga Southern, Coastal Carolina, and GA State could be eying geography if enough schools leave CUSA. So there’s some guesswork for you.

And, look who is about to get caught holding the proverbial bag geographically and otherwise — East Carolina.

Austin Peay to the AUSN

(09-17-2021 02:31 PM)Buc76 Wrote:  Try to move to Sunbelt. Our budget is mid pack, our footbal division would be Appy, Ga Southern, Coastal Caro, Troy and Ga State. Our basketball rating would lift the overall conference rating, home basketball schedules would be better, money games would be doubled and expansion of stadium would be less costly because the infrastructure is already in place. If SunBelt would take us, make the move.

76' I agree, our ETSU can and should strive to compete with these Sunbelt institutions in football, plus would add some nice geographical match-ups that would absolutely get the fan base jacked at William B Greene. 15,000 wouldn't be a problem imo. We would definitely be a welcome boost to the league's basketball clout.

66' if Appy does bolt for "bigger" pastures I can't think of a better institution than us to fill the Void geographically, and many other ways. I think we would be a marked improvement to the Sunbelt in many (maybe even most) other sports besides football. Let the campaigning begin and hopefully already has by Carter, Noland, Sander and Co.

Go Bucs

(09-18-2021 08:15 AM)BaseballPops Wrote:  

(09-17-2021 02:31 PM)Buc76 Wrote:  Try to move to Sunbelt. Our budget is mid pack, our footbal division would be Appy, Ga Southern, Coastal Caro, Troy and Ga State. Our basketball rating would lift the overall conference rating, home basketball schedules would be better, money games would be doubled and expansion of stadium would be less costly because the infrastructure is already in place. If SunBelt would take us, make the move.

76' I agree, our ETSU can and should strive to compete with these Sunbelt institutions in football, plus would add some nice geographical match-ups that would absolutely get the fan base jacked at William B Greene. 15,000 wouldn't be a problem imo. We would definitely be a welcome boost to the league's basketball clout.

66' if Appy does bolt for "bigger" pastures I can't think of a better institution than us to fill the Void geographically, and many other ways. I think we would be a marked improvement to the Sunbelt in many (maybe even most) other sports besides football. Let the campaigning begin and hopefully already has by Carter, Noland, Sander and Co.

Go Bucs

If App State does go to CUSA, my money would be on GA Southern, Coastal Carolina, and GA State joining them - a package deal.

(09-17-2021 04:21 PM)Buc66 Wrote:  Some high level guesswork going on here:

https://www.cbssports.com/college-footba...alignment/

As for the Sunbelt, it could be damaged in all this. I believe at least App State will be gone, at least to CUSA even if a lateral move., Geography would encourage it, especially if JMU moves up to that league. And then Ga Southern, Coastal Carolina, and GA State could be eying geography if enough schools leave CUSA. So there’s some guesswork for you.

If App leaves the Sun Belt, they're not going to Conference USA. CUSA isn't what it was 15 years ago, and the leadership is really lackluster. If anything, I would expect the Sun Belt to poach a couple of CUSA schools.

Boise State and SDSU aren't joining the American, either. I'm a bit surprised the Colorado schools are interested in the American, I don't really think it's a huge competitive upgrade overall, but it does at least help the conference build a profile outside the territory of other conferences if they get both CSU and Air Force. Add UTSA and a UAB or UNT and it could kind of work as more of a heartland-focused league like they've been trying to build.

Once the new P5 landscape sucks up all the money and TV contracts, why would anyone outside of those 5 conferences want to play BCS football? Let's face it, for the average fan, they only care about the P5. Seems like good money chasing bad. Follow the money.

Follow what money?

(09-17-2021 02:31 PM)Buc76 Wrote:  Try to move to Sunbelt. Our budget is mid pack, our footbal division would be Appy, Ga Southern, Coastal Caro, Troy and Ga State. Our basketball rating would lift the overall conference rating, home basketball schedules would be better, money games would be doubled and expansion of stadium would be less costly because the infrastructure is already in place. If SunBelt would take us, make the move.

I would prefer the SunBelt before CUSA for the football for the reasons you mention. But are we ready for a heavy dose of Ga Southern, App St and Coastal?

Just for kicks I checked warrennolan.com to see last year's conference RPI for basketball.

9. SoCon (even with the Citadel, Samford and Western Carolina's poor RPI)
12. CUSA
15. SunBelt

That's why I was thinking if the SoCon could get a Murray St and Belmont, it would be one heck of a BB league.

(09-19-2021 07:02 PM)etsuBucsFan1988 Wrote:  

(09-17-2021 02:31 PM)Buc76 Wrote:  Try to move to Sunbelt. Our budget is mid pack, our footbal division would be Appy, Ga Southern, Coastal Caro, Troy and Ga State. Our basketball rating would lift the overall conference rating, home basketball schedules would be better, money games would be doubled and expansion of stadium would be less costly because the infrastructure is already in place. If SunBelt would take us, make the move.

I would prefer the SunBelt before CUSA for the football for the reasons you mention. But are we ready for a heavy dose of Ga Southern, App St and Coastal?

Just for kicks I checked warrennolan.com to see last year's conference RPI for basketball.

9. SoCon (even with the Citadel, Samford and Western Carolina's poor RPI)
12. CUSA
15. SunBelt

That's why I was thinking if the SoCon could get a Murray St and Belmont, it would be one heck of a BB league.

Could see the Missouri Valley going after both of those teams.

Possibly. But where would Murray play football?

ETSU rejoined the SoCon because it was the easiest and most fan recognizable conference to enter.

Many of our peers have left ETSU behind and more will do so in the very near future.

The SoCon is what it is, a mid, mid major conference made up of small private, military and a four public universities. Three totally different types of universities most with very little chance of meaningful growth. The Socon has fallen behind several other mid-major conferences in football and in facilities. Basketball is barely stable, losing its top coaches and many players being poached by more prestigious schools. A trend with the transfer portal that may get worse.

Even with an addition of a couple of schools, probably basketball oriented, SoCon still will be a one bid basketball league, in football, a two bid league while other mid major conferences are getting 3, 4 and 5 bids in football. Is this the vision for ETSU Athletics and their supporters.

We all know who the schools are that have moved on to greener pastures. We know there are other schools ready and looking to move their programs to a higher level. ETSU joined the SoCon while other members left and have greatly improved their universities in Academics, Athletics and overall growth.

ETSU got left behind the last time the Conference landscape had a major change. It's happening again. Will ETSU try to make a move this time or is ETSU satisfied to fight with all the other mid majors for the leftover crumbs.

I'm not trying to be critical. ETSU has come a long way since Dr Noland and his staff arrived. Major improvements have been made in all areas. It's very evident that ETSU can be amongst the best. I, for one, want ETSU to continue to progress in all areas. I think ETSU has gone as far as the SoCon take it.

What is the vision for ETSU Athletics?

I'm not trying to be critical. ETSU has come a long way since Dr Noland and his staff arrived. Major improvements have been made in all areas. It's very evident that ETSU can be amongst the best. I, for one, want ETSU to continue to progress in all areas. I think ETSU has gone as far as the SoCon take it.

You nailed it 76'. Agree with everything you said.

(09-22-2021 09:27 PM)BaseballPops Wrote:  I'm not trying to be critical. ETSU has come a long way since Dr Noland and his staff arrived. Major improvements have been made in all areas. It's very evident that ETSU can be amongst the best. I, for one, want ETSU to continue to progress in all areas. I think ETSU has gone as far as the SoCon take it.

You nailed it 76'. Agree with everything you said.

Yes, 76’ has described the reality of the situation. It all comes down to money. At last check, and someone else pointed this out, our athletic budget is not that far from several Sunbelt schools. Of those peer schools that have moved up in the last number of years, App State is the only standout on my radar. Before the pandemic, not many were playing football before 15,000+ actual people in seats. These budgets are heavily subsidized as they are still not making enough money to cover their expenses. So, does ETSU go down that road to play Arkansas State instead of UTC, ULM instead of Furman, Troy instead of Western Carolina, because the average fan does not dig into this current ridiculous NCAA classification structure, and I don’t believe old rivals App State and Ga Southern will be there after this round of realignment to play on a regular basis again. And, these FBS bowl games for these lost in the shuffle schools are actually embarrassing at times. Yea — my dream is a new regional conference of regional universities including ETSU. But, that’s not in the cards unless there’s a massive reorganization of the whole NCAA or whatever system in order to deal with continued increasing costs. Ok, just rambling.

AAC


https://theathletic.com/news/aac-expects...WWGKQXqLy9

Belmont expected to join Missouri Valley

Would imagine Murray State is not far behind. Valley wanted to go to 12 when they brought Valparaiso in but couldn't find a dance partner for MSU. Would keep the public/private balance the MVC is obsessed with.

(09-24-2021 11:06 AM)Mister Consistency Wrote:  Belmont expected to join Missouri Valley
M
Would imagine Murray State is not far behind. Valley wanted to go to 12 when they brought Valparaiso in but couldn't find a dance partner for MSU. Would keep the public/private balance the MVC is obsessed with.

And Murray could join that ASUN football group.

Although it isn't in the ideal geographical location for us but ETSU jumping into The Valley along with Belmont, Murray and one other would really make that league about as stacked a basketball league one could find this side of the P5's.

The football (if we are to stay FCS)is off the charts in as well. We could do a lot worse, and I mean a lot. As mentioned earlier if we are looking to move up a rung in football the Sunbelt would be my choice.

One thing is starting to come into clear focus. We need to be proactive and ready to act if/when the opportunity presents itself. Things are moving at alarming speeds.

(09-18-2021 11:12 PM)Buc76 Wrote:  Follow what money?

Sunbelt and Conference USA schools get approximately $500,000 per year in TV revenue including all sports. American Athletic conference schools each get $7 million, ACC schools get $26.6 million, and SEC schools get $68 million each. Once the P5s grow their membership and renegotiate TV deals, the remaining money left for the BCS non-P5 schools will be even more minuscule.

Why spend tens of millions to chase a couple hundred thousand? That is the evolving landscape. It has changed and is not what it use to be. I don't like it, but it is what it is.