(09-13-2021 03:27 AM)pvk75 Wrote: The thread is entitled "It's getting desperate at UConn." So of course the posts turned to proposing all kinds of solutions to UConn's problem.
When the subject of the MAC was brought up, the theme seemed to be get football in and use some bball games to grease the deal. How many was the mathematical gymnastics to make it work (i.e., sound good to the MAC, not UConn). Offer enough and UConn's (and UMass's) problem is solved.
Just noting that the last time a similar opportunity arose. Many MAC sports fans might think the whole thing was a mistake, but that sentiment is not the same as evidence that MAC Presidents have the same idea. Objectively, the primary problem was that it took too long for UMass to transition and the ACC moved rapidly enough that a return to the raided Big East opened up for Temple.
And those problems are avoided if the pair join at the same time.
Quote: I simply took the opposite tack, not an assault on your post.
Though noting your idea of not assaulting my post seemed to be to refer to the whole idea of the MAC trying to accomplish what it tried and failed to accomplish previously as b******t.
Quote: The MAC hasn't played revolving membership games for a few years now, and as a result (IMO) is the most stable of the G5 conferences. That may be an asset now, at least temporarily. If it wants/needs/can expand its footprint, it can try to make the moves. It can also wait for the current dust to settle, while the other conferences tumble around the Bingo numbers barrel. It does not need to be a catch basin for UConn or anyone else. Been there, done that.
And the MAC was still the most stable of the Go5 conferences during the Temple/UMass period. Since the mistake of accepting footloose Marshall again, none of the other moves in the 21st century has caused the slightest wobble for the MAC core membership.
Quote: Why the MAC? Because it did it before? Not much of a reason, IMO. But that is simply my opinion. None of us will make the decisions.
For all the same reasons as before. For the schools that were looking for the Eastern exposure, they are still looking. For the Western division schools aiming to get an annual FB game in NE Ohio, they would still get it. For the schools looking to play more often on Saturdays in November, when four games weekly are required for #MACtion, by expanding the weekly inventory from 5/6 to 6/7, they get it. For the more basketball oriented schools, regular games against A10 schools seemed to be, previously, the sweetener that sealed the deal.
Quote: BTW, I'm fairly sure the MAC is the only G5 that did not join the crowd with a formal statement on all the conference moves. Head down, eyes forward.
They are the conference that has the least need to worry about the aftershocks of the OK/TX move, so public brave words to comfort shaky member institution administrations re not really necessary. Only the kind of commentators who happily run with unfounded speculation as the basis for imagining realignment excitement, like KittKat, would be imagining that the MAC is likely to be involved in those aftershocks.
Quote: (BTW #2: I haven't checked all 12 MAC schools' future FB schedules, but NIU already has a home-and-home with UMass in 2024 and 2026).
At least it's not UConn.