(10-24-2021 08:59 AM)The Cats Wrote:  I do think that both UNCW and William & Mary would be very nice additions to the SoCon. I'd like to see the SoCon return to divisions in basketball, and UNCW would be a very good addition to the SoCon for baseball.

I actually thought about William and Mary after I posted. I know football is at nine teams now and ten for basketball. If UNCW and William and Mary joined the SoCon, there would be ten in football and twelve in basketball. William and Mary is a school we've had a pretty good rivalry in basketball. Or, UNCW and Campbell would do the same thing, with Campbell being in a better location than William and Mary, far better baseball and better growth potential.

I also have no idea about Elon rejoining. But if they did, the SoCon could bring on UNCW, William and Mary, Elon and Campbell. That would put 14 in basketball to easily go to two divisions and twelve in football.

Here is a CAA conference N/S split that might fly. 14 schools for full membership and football. We have 9 full when JMU leaves and 11 in football. So we need to add 3 additional schools with football that aren't already in the CAA and two more schools for full membership that are either already in CAA football or are non-football schools.

Full membership:

South - CofC, UNCW, Elon, William and Mary, Campbell(new, football), VMI(new, football), Wofford(new, football)

North - Drexel, Hofstra, NU, Towson, Delaware, Stony Brook(already CAA football), UMBC(non football).

CAA football

South - W&M, Elon, Richmond, Towson, Campbell(full football), VMI(full football), Wofford(full football)
North - Delaware, Albany, Stony Brook, Villanova, Rhode Island, Maine, New Hampshire

This is the best CAA scenario I could come up with for a N/S CAA division setup. It keeps football and basketball strong and brings in good baseball as well. Campbell, Wofford and VMI all step up to a stronger football conference, stay in a strong basketball conference, help with CAA baseball, and stay in a tight geographical area.

This would allow for a basketball conference schedule to include the top 3 teams from each division from the previous year, going home and home against the other division to improve RPI for a 10 school in conference schedule. Then the conference tournament could include the top 5 from each division, leaving the bottom two from each conference out of the tournament, giving another boost to the final rpi's before the NCAA tournament and incentive to finish top 5.

(10-25-2021 06:09 AM)82hawk Wrote:  Here is a CAA conference N/S split that might fly. 14 schools for full membership and football. We have 9 full when JMU leaves and 11 in football. So we need to add 3 additional schools with football that aren't already in the CAA and two more schools for full membership that are either already in CAA football or are non-football schools.

Full membership:

South - CofC, UNCW, Elon, William and Mary, Campbell(new, football), VMI(new, football), Wofford(new, football)

North - Drexel, Hofstra, NU, Towson, Delaware, Stony Brook(already CAA football), UMBC(non football).

CAA football

South - W&M, Elon, Richmond, Towson, Campbell(full football), VMI(full football), Wofford(full football)
North - Delaware, Albany, Stony Brook, Villanova, Rhode Island, Maine, New Hampshire

This is the best CAA scenario I could come up with for a N/S CAA division setup. It keeps football and basketball strong and brings in good baseball as well. Campbell, Wofford and VMI all step up to a stronger football conference, stay in a strong basketball conference, help with CAA baseball, and stay in a tight geographical area.

This would allow for a basketball conference schedule to include the top 3 teams from each division from the previous year, going home and home against the other division to improve RPI for a 10 school in conference schedule. Then the conference tournament could include the top 5 from each division, leaving the bottom two from each conference out of the tournament, giving another boost to the final rpi's before the NCAA tournament and incentive to finish top 5.

I just don't see any SoCon schools interested in the CAA

The SoCon stock has never been better

My realistic CAA candidates include

Big South Schools- The CAA is still an upgrade to a Bug South school wanting to put more emphasis on athletics

UMBC - A major geographic outlier in the AEast. CAA travel for them would be close to perfect

Monmouth - They need a more permanent football home. The may be willing to join the CAA for all sports to obtain that

Not Realistic Candiates-
SoCon Schools - Since the formation of the ACC, there has never been a better time to be in the SoCon

Stony Brook/Albany - Why increase travel when you have a permanent football home

UNCW will most likely stay in the CAA as long as Bass is the AD and it will continue on the downward spiral we have seen for the last 15 years or longer . There is no reason to think otherwise and all of the scenarios posted on here are better than what exists now but I doubt the CAA has any interest in a N/S conference . The schools mentioned would be wise to do some research on how the CAA is managed on a day to day basis . Lack of vision and planning are the most glaring characteristics of the CAA and the Bass era at UNCW . It is simply way past time to move on from both IMO .
I did hear a rumor about a new scoreboard for baseball but I will believe when I see it and if it does happen it will be done on the cheap .

The CAA is not going to move forward by just replacing JMU. There will either be a major overhaul going to a N/S division setup or it will disband.

The SoCon can woof all it wants, but CAA football will still be superior even if JMU moves on. And as far as basketball, Wofford just lost their coach to a CAA school and UNCG, which was really bad until the last five years just lost their coach as well. CAA basketball and football are far better suited for long term success than the SoCon. The FLO experiment will end soon, and we'll hop on the ESPN bandwagon like everyone else.

VMI, Wofford and Campbell are the best new invites with FCS football out there that are also decent in basketball and baseball. And Stony Brook is already in CAA football and would move to s stronger basketball conference by joining the CAA.

The regional division setup makes it all work, and allows for easy expansion.

(10-25-2021 08:30 AM)82hawk Wrote:  The CAA is not going to move forward by just replacing JMU. There will either be a major overhaul going to a N/S division setup or it will disband.

The SoCon can woof all it wants, but CAA football will still be superior even if JMU moves on. And as far as basketball, Wofford just lost their coach to a CAA school and UNCG, which was really bad until the last five years just lost their coach as well. CAA basketball and football are far better suited for long term success than the SoCon. The FLO experiment will end soon, and we'll hop on the ESPN bandwagon like everyone else.

VMI, Wofford and Campbell are the best new invites with FCS football out there that are also decent in basketball and baseball. And Stony Brook is already in CAA football and would move to s stronger basketball conference by joining the CAA.

The regional division setup makes it all work, and allows for easy expansion.

Except everything you just mentioned above requires leadership with a vision at the top of the conference. We both know that it doesn't exist right now sadly.

(10-25-2021 08:39 AM)Seahawkhoops Wrote:  

(10-25-2021 08:30 AM)82hawk Wrote:  The CAA is not going to move forward by just replacing JMU. There will either be a major overhaul going to a N/S division setup or it will disband.

The SoCon can woof all it wants, but CAA football will still be superior even if JMU moves on. And as far as basketball, Wofford just lost their coach to a CAA school and UNCG, which was really bad until the last five years just lost their coach as well. CAA basketball and football are far better suited for long term success than the SoCon. The FLO experiment will end soon, and we'll hop on the ESPN bandwagon like everyone else.

VMI, Wofford and Campbell are the best new invites with FCS football out there that are also decent in basketball and baseball. And Stony Brook is already in CAA football and would move to s stronger basketball conference by joining the CAA.

The regional division setup makes it all work, and allows for easy expansion.

Except everything you just mentioned above requires leadership with a vision at the top of the conference. We both know that it doesn't exist right now sadly.

At this point there is no choice. They will be forced to have some vision, and quick, or the CAA will disband and all the schools will move elsewhere. I've heard there are expansion discussions so it shows there is some leadership. And although I didn't like the interview with Queens college, it shows there is some activity on that front.

If we wanted a conference for basketball only, here are the non football schools from Florida to Virginia:

FGCU 12,683 Fort Meyers FL
N. Florida 16,372 Jacksonville FL
CofC 11,200 Charleston SC
Winthrop 6,160 Rock Hill SC
UNCW 14,071 Wilmington NC
UNCG 18,502 Greensboro NC
UNC Asheville 3,644 Asheville NC
High Point 4,500 High Point NC
Radford 9,370 Radford VA

(10-25-2021 11:15 AM)82hawk Wrote:  If we wanted a conference for basketball only, here are the non football schools from Florida to Virginia:

FGCU 12,683 Fort Meyers FL
N. Florida 16,372 Jacksonville FL
CofC 11,200 Charleston SC
Winthrop 6,160 Rock Hill SC
UNCW 14,071 Wilmington NC
UNCG 18,502 Greensboro NC
UNC Asheville 3,644 Asheville NC
High Point 4,500 High Point NC
Radford 9,370 Radford VA

Also fitting the profile:
Jacksonville
Stetson
USC Upstate
Longwood

Florida 4 - FGCU, Stetson, Jacksonville, N Florida

Eastern 5 - CoC, UNCW, UNCG, High Point, Longwood

Western 4 - Winthrop, USC Upstate, UNC Ashville, Radford

(10-25-2021 08:30 AM)82hawk Wrote:  The CAA is not going to move forward by just replacing JMU. There will either be a major overhaul going to a N/S division setup or it will disband.

I think that you hit it on the head with this statement. Too many schools left in the CAA with different profiles and too geographically separated with no revenue to offset travel.

I think that Delaware is the school to watch now...they are the only one standing between a CAA still existing....and its total demise.

(10-25-2021 01:49 PM)mainejeff Wrote:  

(10-25-2021 08:30 AM)82hawk Wrote:  The CAA is not going to move forward by just replacing JMU. There will either be a major overhaul going to a N/S division setup or it will disband.

I think that you hit it on the head with this statement. Too many schools left in the CAA with different profiles and too geographically separated with no revenue to offset travel.

I think that Delaware is the school to watch now...they are the only one standing between a CAA still existing....and its total demise.

Do they have any intention of going FBS now or has that ever been the plan? If not, than there is no better spot for them than the CAA. If they want to go FBS, CUSA could grease the skids nicely with all the exit fees in hand.

In truth there has never been a better time to not be in the CAA-in any form . At it's best the CAA had no direction and no leadership but did have some schools in a proximity that made it work . They all left for the most part and UNCW is stuck in no mans land, in a pathetic shell of a conference . UNCW owes nothing to the CAA and the same with COC .

(10-25-2021 01:59 PM)82hawk Wrote:  

(10-25-2021 01:49 PM)mainejeff Wrote:  

(10-25-2021 08:30 AM)82hawk Wrote:  The CAA is not going to move forward by just replacing JMU. There will either be a major overhaul going to a N/S division setup or it will disband.

I think that you hit it on the head with this statement. Too many schools left in the CAA with different profiles and too geographically separated with no revenue to offset travel.

I think that Delaware is the school to watch now...they are the only one standing between a CAA still existing....and its total demise.

Do they have any intention of going FBS now or has that ever been the plan? If not, than there is no better spot for them than the CAA. If they want to go FBS, CUSA could grease the skids nicely with all the exit fees in hand.

Good question. You are right, CUSA is going to be desperate to survive and flush with exit fee $$.

https://www.delawareonline.com/story/spo...527216002/

All of which begs another question: Does Delaware also need to take a long, hard look at moving up to FBS.

Darn right it does, especially taking into account the drastic fall off in attendance over the past 10 years and the fact Delaware now has top-notch facilities, including the indoor practice setting at the Delaware Field House, the new Whitney Athletic Center’s modern offerings and Delaware Stadium’s improvements, which would have to be enhanced more.

Surely, UD athletic administrators are closely monitoring the rapidly evolving landscape to see how and where the Blue Hens best fit. That might, most likely, be where they are now. But considering how many of their peers have made, or may make, the leap to FBS, Delaware must consider it, also.

(10-25-2021 08:01 AM)jumpinmullet Wrote:  UNCW will most likely stay in the CAA as long as Bass is the AD and it will continue on the downward spiral we have seen for the last 15 years or longer . There is no reason to think otherwise and all of the scenarios posted on here are better than what exists now but I doubt the CAA has any interest in a N/S conference . The schools mentioned would be wise to do some research on how the CAA is managed on a day to day basis . Lack of vision and planning are the most glaring characteristics of the CAA and the Bass era at UNCW . It is simply way past time to move on from both IMO .
I did hear a rumor about a new scoreboard for baseball but I will believe when I see it and if it does happen it will be done on the cheap .

We get it. You don’t like Jimmy Bass.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

I've been saying for years UNCG would be a great addition to the CAA. If Monmouth or Fairfield are being looked at with UNCG, that may be enough to form divisions. A basketball only school in UNCG and bringing on Monmouth for football keeps us at 10 full members and 12 football members, and there are several football conferences with divisions that have 12 schools. I'm not sure how that would look in basketball and other sports if there are only 10 teams, maybe somebody knows how that would look.

This seems to be setting up a lot like the last expansion when non football CofC was added along with football school Elon. Looks like they are creating a "NoCon" football conference with Monmouth instead of moving south.

Football

South - Elon, William and Mary, Richmond, Delaware, Villanova, Towson
North - Albany, Stony Brook, Maine, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Monmouth

Other sports(If we stay at 10)

South - CofC, UNCW, Elon, UNCG, William and Mary
North - Delaware, Drexel, Hofstra, NU, Towson


"Monmouth and Fairfield are viewed as potential CAA members for a north division, with Greensboro a potential member in the south."

https://richmond.com/sports/college/jame...user-share

(10-25-2021 09:10 PM)B_Hawk06 Wrote:  

(10-25-2021 08:01 AM)jumpinmullet Wrote:  UNCW will most likely stay in the CAA as long as Bass is the AD and it will continue on the downward spiral we have seen for the last 15 years or longer . There is no reason to think otherwise and all of the scenarios posted on here are better than what exists now but I doubt the CAA has any interest in a N/S conference . The schools mentioned would be wise to do some research on how the CAA is managed on a day to day basis . Lack of vision and planning are the most glaring characteristics of the CAA and the Bass era at UNCW . It is simply way past time to move on from both IMO .
I did hear a rumor about a new scoreboard for baseball but I will believe when I see it and if it does happen it will be done on the cheap .

We get it. You don’t like Jimmy Bass.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

I am just not sure what the guy does that helps UNCW in any significant way . New conference and new a AD could be a great deal for the future of UNCW athletics .

(10-26-2021 10:58 AM)jumpinmullet Wrote:  

(10-25-2021 09:10 PM)B_Hawk06 Wrote:  

(10-25-2021 08:01 AM)jumpinmullet Wrote:  UNCW will most likely stay in the CAA as long as Bass is the AD and it will continue on the downward spiral we have seen for the last 15 years or longer . There is no reason to think otherwise and all of the scenarios posted on here are better than what exists now but I doubt the CAA has any interest in a N/S conference . The schools mentioned would be wise to do some research on how the CAA is managed on a day to day basis . Lack of vision and planning are the most glaring characteristics of the CAA and the Bass era at UNCW . It is simply way past time to move on from both IMO .
I did hear a rumor about a new scoreboard for baseball but I will believe when I see it and if it does happen it will be done on the cheap .

We get it. You don’t like Jimmy Bass.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

I am just not sure what the guy does that helps UNCW in any significant way . New conference and new a AD could be a great deal for the future of UNCW athletics .

Agreed.

Let's see if the CAA can convince UNCG. I don't think this happens if UNCG isn't on board

Fairfield is already in the CAA for Lacrosse even though their home conference the MAAC sponsors Lacrosse, so they would likely be very interested

Monmouth wants to get in the CAA for football, so they would be very interested

I don't see UNCW and CoC voting yes without UNCG signing off, and that is going to be the hardest part imo.

I feel like once again the Southern schools are giving way more than they are getting as Towson will be sent South if this goes down.

Not sure why UNCG would even consider leaving the SoCon for the CAA,it makes no sense on any level for them . The CAA is on fumes right now and the SoCon is about as stable as you can get for a mid major conference . It would be a really good move for the CAA and an equally bad move for UNCG . Someone please tell me why UNCG would join the CAA ?