(10-08-2021 02:45 PM)esayem Wrote:  

(10-08-2021 12:57 PM)ken d Wrote:  

(10-06-2021 12:35 PM)bill dazzle Wrote:  

(10-06-2021 09:26 AM)UpStreamRedTeam Wrote:  

(10-05-2021 08:50 PM)bill dazzle Wrote:  If I'm UMass, there is absolutely no way I want to have all sports in the MAC, and there are many reasons for this. The MAC is a fine league, very stable and with lots of solid rivalries and history. But UMass basketball works well in the A10.

Does UMass basketball work well in the A-10? They have only on tournament appearance this century, and if you take out their run from 92-98 during Calipari’s time (plus the two years after he left) UMass hasn’t been to the tournament since 1962. Calipari’s run was so good I think it clouds our entire perception of UMass basketball.

I suppose it works well, specifically, for travel, rivalries and fan interest. I could be wrong.

As a Memphis fan, I would be fine with the AAC adding UMass because the Minutemen hoops program offers a solid history and UMass is a "basketball school." I'm in the minority compared to most AAC fans.

Bill, I think a lot of people make the mistake of assuming that because UMass sucks at football they must be a "basketball school". They are not. Dr. J is not coming back and neither is Camby. Take those few years out of their history and UMass has just been mediocre at best. I don't know what sport they're good at, but it's not hoops.

There really isn't any FBS conference that should be interested in the Minutemen. They are lucky to have gotten in to the A-10 before anyone realized how little they bring to the table.

I’m pretty sure they were good back in the day outside of the 80’s. You have to consider the tournament was smaller and UConn was probably the best in their conference.

I grew up in the northeast, and followed college sports, including hoops, avidly since the 50's. Until Dr. J arrived on the scene I would never have known they had a D-I basketball program. But I didn't say they were awful - just mediocre.

(10-08-2021 01:10 PM)Bull_In_Exile Wrote:  

(10-06-2021 09:50 AM)Kit-Cat Wrote:  MAC would be smarter to try to get a scheduling agreement going in FB with the MWC to have the Top 4 teams play each other, then try to invite the AAC/SBC into the rotation. That might up the TV value for all 4 conferences like this PAC/B1G/ACC alliance is trying to do.

I don't think you could do "top 4" but an all out top 10 with the SBC would be interesting. Even better if they get to 12..

Have the MAC host one year (in September / Early October) and the SBC host the next year (In Late October / November). So every team in the conference knows they will have a "road/home" game TBA on the same week and the conferences can take care of the logistics ahead of time.

For the bottom two MAC teams grab a couple of independents and make the same deal with them (UConn/UMass)

Wouldn't having just the Top 4 from say the MWC, SBC, MAC play to maximize playoff seeding for the winners make more sense than to have all of the conference teams play against each other?

The PAC/AAC/B1G are looking at a full rotation to fill seats. Different consideration.

(10-08-2021 03:03 PM)Kit-Cat Wrote:  ... The PAC/AAC/B1G are looking at a full rotation to fill seats. Different consideration.

They may well be looking at a full rotation because while the leading schools will attract a bigger audience and the trailing schools a smaller one, the total audience is bigger when two leading schools have one competitive game and a two trailing schools have one competitive game.

(10-08-2021 12:19 PM)UConnHusky Wrote:  UMass and UConn are psychologically intertwined again now in football. While I can't complain about UConn's independent schedules, it will only be a success if UConn can recruit and win against some of the P5 opponents on those schedules. As has been said in this thread on UMass, recruiting as an independent can be hard due to no conference championship game and no bowl tie-ins. Losing seasons with no bowl eligibility won't get butts in the seats just because we are playing more P5 teams. We flat out need to win more. UConn does have some advantages over some other independents (P5 level facilities, brand recognition, and a national linear TV deal), but only time will tell if this was a wise idea.

Part of me thinks that UConn and UMass should eventually join forces and push themselves as a football only pair to the MAC if independence isn't kind to them. They are still fairly close to the MAC footprint and the slight bit of extra difference won't matter as olympic sports aren't in play, just football. The MAC gets two flagship/land grant state universities and access to the New England-NYC television markets. UConn and UMass get a stable home where they could play for something. Also, MAC membership would allow them to improve and, I believe, thrive. Are MAC schools as sexy on the schedule as some of the P5s that UConn gets to play at home? No. But if playing competitive football is the endgame, then it makes some sense.

This is what I think. Playing in the MAC would help both programs. Recruits want to play for a conference championship, bowls, to make an all conference team. The MAC gets two state flagships an expanded footprint and a lot more eyeballs and nobody’s basketball is affected.

(10-08-2021 03:03 PM)Kit-Cat Wrote:  

(10-08-2021 01:10 PM)Bull_In_Exile Wrote:  

(10-06-2021 09:50 AM)Kit-Cat Wrote:  MAC would be smarter to try to get a scheduling agreement going in FB with the MWC to have the Top 4 teams play each other, then try to invite the AAC/SBC into the rotation. That might up the TV value for all 4 conferences like this PAC/B1G/ACC alliance is trying to do.

I don't think you could do "top 4" but an all out top 10 with the SBC would be interesting. Even better if they get to 12..

Have the MAC host one year (in September / Early October) and the SBC host the next year (In Late October / November). So every team in the conference knows they will have a "road/home" game TBA on the same week and the conferences can take care of the logistics ahead of time.

For the bottom two MAC teams grab a couple of independents and make the same deal with them (UConn/UMass)

Wouldn't having just the Top 4 from say the MWC, SBC, MAC play to maximize playoff seeding for the winners make more sense than to have all of the conference teams play against each other?

The PAC/AAC/B1G are looking at a full rotation to fill seats. Different consideration.

The problem is you don't know who the "top 4" are going to be so how do you schedule the entire season around that with a set limit of games.

(10-08-2021 02:47 PM)esayem Wrote:  

(10-08-2021 12:05 PM)ccd494 Wrote:  

(10-07-2021 02:32 PM)No Bull Wrote:  UMass just needs to be sustainable in football. If they could average 25k and play .500 football they would be drawing interest or at least be in the realignment discussion.

UMass is not going to average 25k in football unless and until they are a top ten program. Until then, no one is going to give a ****.

Take it from the Maine fan!

Really?? I will admit ccd has some pretty good ideas when it comes to hockey, but as far as football is concerned, all he does is criticize FBS and praise FCS.

(10-08-2021 05:12 PM)No Bull Wrote:  This is what I think. Playing in the MAC would help both programs. Recruits want to play for a conference championship, bowls, to make an all conference team. The MAC gets two state flagships an expanded footprint and a lot more eyeballs and nobody’s basketball is affected.

People say that, but UConn's recruiting bottomed out in the AAC and Edsall supposedly had a decent (for UConn) recruiting class going in his first real recruiting cycle as an independent (before he got effectively fired, of course). I think it's got a lot more to do with the actual coaching staff and facilities - and UConn has pretty good facilities - than anything else. Gotta get this next hire right.

That being said, I'd be fine with a theoretical affiliateship with the MAC, but only if CBS declines to extend UConn's TV deal. Guaranteed TV slots matter, and getting favorable kickoff times matter. Those mid-week nights games don't present a good picture of the program with an empty stadium in the November cold.

(10-08-2021 08:40 PM)Bogg Wrote:  

(10-08-2021 05:12 PM)No Bull Wrote:  This is what I think. Playing in the MAC would help both programs. Recruits want to play for a conference championship, bowls, to make an all conference team. The MAC gets two state flagships an expanded footprint and a lot more eyeballs and nobody’s basketball is affected.

People say that, but UConn's recruiting bottomed out in the AAC and Edsall supposedly had a decent (for UConn) recruiting class going in his first real recruiting cycle as an independent (before he got effectively fired, of course). I think it's got a lot more to do with the actual coaching staff and facilities - and UConn has pretty good facilities - than anything else. Gotta get this next hire right.

That being said, I'd be fine with a theoretical affiliateship with the MAC, but only if CBS declines to extend UConn's TV deal. Guaranteed TV slots matter, and getting favorable kickoff times matter. Those mid-week nights games don't present a good picture of the program with an empty stadium in the November cold.

I'm watching Charlotte at FIU and the stadium is empty on a Friday night for a school with half its alumni within a 10 mile square radius.

With UConn's stadium in Hartford there shouldn't be an excuse.

(10-08-2021 09:05 PM)Kit-Cat Wrote:  

(10-08-2021 08:40 PM)Bogg Wrote:  

(10-08-2021 05:12 PM)No Bull Wrote:  This is what I think. Playing in the MAC would help both programs. Recruits want to play for a conference championship, bowls, to make an all conference team. The MAC gets two state flagships an expanded footprint and a lot more eyeballs and nobody’s basketball is affected.

People say that, but UConn's recruiting bottomed out in the AAC and Edsall supposedly had a decent (for UConn) recruiting class going in his first real recruiting cycle as an independent (before he got effectively fired, of course). I think it's got a lot more to do with the actual coaching staff and facilities - and UConn has pretty good facilities - than anything else. Gotta get this next hire right.

That being said, I'd be fine with a theoretical affiliateship with the MAC, but only if CBS declines to extend UConn's TV deal. Guaranteed TV slots matter, and getting favorable kickoff times matter. Those mid-week nights games don't present a good picture of the program with an empty stadium in the November cold.

I'm watching Charlotte at FIU and the stadium is empty on a Friday night for a school with half its alumni within a 10 mile square radius.

With UConn's stadium in Hartford there shouldn't be an excuse.

People don't want to sit in 20 degree wind at 9:30 at night when they have to be to work tomorrow. There's years worth of evidence that attendance at the MACtion games is poor. Ideally you're playing all Saturday daytime kicks. Maybe one Saturday night game and/or one Friday night game.

Why a school in Miami can't get people to on an-campus stadium
in October on a Friday night is a different issue.

(10-08-2021 09:10 PM)Bogg Wrote:  

(10-08-2021 09:05 PM)Kit-Cat Wrote:  

(10-08-2021 08:40 PM)Bogg Wrote:  

(10-08-2021 05:12 PM)No Bull Wrote:  This is what I think. Playing in the MAC would help both programs. Recruits want to play for a conference championship, bowls, to make an all conference team. The MAC gets two state flagships an expanded footprint and a lot more eyeballs and nobody’s basketball is affected.

People say that, but UConn's recruiting bottomed out in the AAC and Edsall supposedly had a decent (for UConn) recruiting class going in his first real recruiting cycle as an independent (before he got effectively fired, of course). I think it's got a lot more to do with the actual coaching staff and facilities - and UConn has pretty good facilities - than anything else. Gotta get this next hire right.

That being said, I'd be fine with a theoretical affiliateship with the MAC, but only if CBS declines to extend UConn's TV deal. Guaranteed TV slots matter, and getting favorable kickoff times matter. Those mid-week nights games don't present a good picture of the program with an empty stadium in the November cold.

I'm watching Charlotte at FIU and the stadium is empty on a Friday night for a school with half its alumni within a 10 mile square radius.

With UConn's stadium in Hartford there shouldn't be an excuse.

People don't want to sit in 20 degree wind at 9:30 at night when they have to be to work tomorrow. There's years worth of evidence that attendance at the MACtion games is poor. Ideally you're playing all Saturday daytime kicks. Maybe one Saturday night game and/or one Friday night game.

Why a school in Miami can't get people to on an-campus stadium
in October on a Friday night is a different issue.

Its odd when remote college towns across college football struggle to get fans in midweek but still can get 50-75% of the base out yet FIU has all the fans they need right there and can't draw anything.

It has to do with campus pride.

(10-08-2021 06:41 PM)Bull_In_Exile Wrote:  

(10-08-2021 03:03 PM)Kit-Cat Wrote:  

(10-08-2021 01:10 PM)Bull_In_Exile Wrote:  

(10-06-2021 09:50 AM)Kit-Cat Wrote:  MAC would be smarter to try to get a scheduling agreement going in FB with the MWC to have the Top 4 teams play each other, then try to invite the AAC/SBC into the rotation. That might up the TV value for all 4 conferences like this PAC/B1G/ACC alliance is trying to do.

I don't think you could do "top 4" but an all out top 10 with the SBC would be interesting. Even better if they get to 12..

Have the MAC host one year (in September / Early October) and the SBC host the next year (In Late October / November). So every team in the conference knows they will have a "road/home" game TBA on the same week and the conferences can take care of the logistics ahead of time.

For the bottom two MAC teams grab a couple of independents and make the same deal with them (UConn/UMass)

Wouldn't having just the Top 4 from say the MWC, SBC, MAC play to maximize playoff seeding for the winners make more sense than to have all of the conference teams play against each other?

The PAC/AAC/B1G are looking at a full rotation to fill seats. Different consideration.

The problem is you don't know who the "top 4" are going to be so how do you schedule the entire season around that with a set limit of games.

You do it from records of the prior year so you'll generally have the cream of the crop in the conference.

(10-08-2021 09:24 PM)Kit-Cat Wrote:  

(10-08-2021 09:10 PM)Bogg Wrote:  

(10-08-2021 09:05 PM)Kit-Cat Wrote:  

(10-08-2021 08:40 PM)Bogg Wrote:  

(10-08-2021 05:12 PM)No Bull Wrote:  This is what I think. Playing in the MAC would help both programs. Recruits want to play for a conference championship, bowls, to make an all conference team. The MAC gets two state flagships an expanded footprint and a lot more eyeballs and nobody’s basketball is affected.

People say that, but UConn's recruiting bottomed out in the AAC and Edsall supposedly had a decent (for UConn) recruiting class going in his first real recruiting cycle as an independent (before he got effectively fired, of course). I think it's got a lot more to do with the actual coaching staff and facilities - and UConn has pretty good facilities - than anything else. Gotta get this next hire right.

That being said, I'd be fine with a theoretical affiliateship with the MAC, but only if CBS declines to extend UConn's TV deal. Guaranteed TV slots matter, and getting favorable kickoff times matter. Those mid-week nights games don't present a good picture of the program with an empty stadium in the November cold.

I'm watching Charlotte at FIU and the stadium is empty on a Friday night for a school with half its alumni within a 10 mile square radius.

With UConn's stadium in Hartford there shouldn't be an excuse.

People don't want to sit in 20 degree wind at 9:30 at night when they have to be to work tomorrow. There's years worth of evidence that attendance at the MACtion games is poor. Ideally you're playing all Saturday daytime kicks. Maybe one Saturday night game and/or one Friday night game.

Why a school in Miami can't get people to on an-campus stadium
in October on a Friday night is a different issue.

Its odd when remote college towns across college football struggle to get fans in midweek but still can get 50-75% of the base out yet FIU has all the fans they need right there and can't draw anything.

It has to do with campus pride.

I mean....sure? It's Friday night, this is a separate issue.

(10-08-2021 05:12 PM)No Bull Wrote:  

(10-08-2021 12:19 PM)UConnHusky Wrote:  UMass and UConn are psychologically intertwined again now in football. While I can't complain about UConn's independent schedules, it will only be a success if UConn can recruit and win against some of the P5 opponents on those schedules. As has been said in this thread on UMass, recruiting as an independent can be hard due to no conference championship game and no bowl tie-ins. Losing seasons with no bowl eligibility won't get butts in the seats just because we are playing more P5 teams. We flat out need to win more. UConn does have some advantages over some other independents (P5 level facilities, brand recognition, and a national linear TV deal), but only time will tell if this was a wise idea.

Part of me thinks that UConn and UMass should eventually join forces and push themselves as a football only pair to the MAC if independence isn't kind to them. They are still fairly close to the MAC footprint and the slight bit of extra difference won't matter as olympic sports aren't in play, just football. The MAC gets two flagship/land grant state universities and access to the New England-NYC television markets. UConn and UMass get a stable home where they could play for something. Also, MAC membership would allow them to improve and, I believe, thrive. Are MAC schools as sexy on the schedule as some of the P5s that UConn gets to play at home? No. But if playing competitive football is the endgame, then it makes some sense.

This is what I think. Playing in the MAC would help both programs. Recruits want to play for a conference championship, bowls, to make an all conference team. The MAC gets two state flagships an expanded footprint and a lot more eyeballs and nobody’s basketball is affected.

This opinion is based on the idea the MAC would significantly more money with UMass/UConn and for a variety of reasons that isn't so.

1) The marketplace for a well situated G5 is around $40 million per year. The MWC has the right now and soon the other G5's will match, even CUSA though it will take more time to restore the credibility. If this is the case expanding doesn't make sense.

2) The MAC is a G5 conference in FB and will get all the access and money the other G5s are going to get. The problem is more in basketball where the MAC doesn't have the rep of the MVC or A10. Adding UMass/UConn doesn't help the conference in basketball as much as a WKU addition would because if not at the top they would be close to it every year.

3) UMass & UConn are terrible in FB. UMass was terrible in the MAC already so why run it back?

The move the MAC should be making is to try and counter the MVC with some basketball only additions.

Milwaukee
Il-Chicago
Il State
SLU

16 in basketball and bigger/badder than what the MVC can be moving forward.

(10-08-2021 08:40 PM)Bogg Wrote:  

(10-08-2021 05:12 PM)No Bull Wrote:  This is what I think. Playing in the MAC would help both programs. Recruits want to play for a conference championship, bowls, to make an all conference team. The MAC gets two state flagships an expanded footprint and a lot more eyeballs and nobody’s basketball is affected.

People say that, but UConn's recruiting bottomed out in the AAC and Edsall supposedly had a decent (for UConn) recruiting class going in his first real recruiting cycle as an independent (before he got effectively fired, of course). I think it's got a lot more to do with the actual coaching staff and facilities - and UConn has pretty good facilities - than anything else. Gotta get this next hire right.

That being said, I'd be fine with a theoretical affiliateship with the MAC, but only if CBS declines to extend UConn's TV deal. Guaranteed TV slots matter, and getting favorable kickoff times matter. Those mid-week nights games don't present a good picture of the program with an empty stadium in the November cold.

Bogg, I agree with you. I guess my MAC comment is more based on the geography than the reality. The kickoff times in the MAC are rough and night games up north are frigid and brutal affairs. Unless that conference was fortunate enough to move to a normal slate of Saturday kickoffs, it would be hard to justify moving there as the realities of attendance and perception are tough. We should probably tough out Indy life and see if an eastern football only FBS conference can be born at some point.

(10-08-2021 10:08 PM)Kit-Cat Wrote:  

(10-08-2021 05:12 PM)No Bull Wrote:  

(10-08-2021 12:19 PM)UConnHusky Wrote:  UMass and UConn are psychologically intertwined again now in football. While I can't complain about UConn's independent schedules, it will only be a success if UConn can recruit and win against some of the P5 opponents on those schedules. As has been said in this thread on UMass, recruiting as an independent can be hard due to no conference championship game and no bowl tie-ins. Losing seasons with no bowl eligibility won't get butts in the seats just because we are playing more P5 teams. We flat out need to win more. UConn does have some advantages over some other independents (P5 level facilities, brand recognition, and a national linear TV deal), but only time will tell if this was a wise idea.

Part of me thinks that UConn and UMass should eventually join forces and push themselves as a football only pair to the MAC if independence isn't kind to them. They are still fairly close to the MAC footprint and the slight bit of extra difference won't matter as olympic sports aren't in play, just football. The MAC gets two flagship/land grant state universities and access to the New England-NYC television markets. UConn and UMass get a stable home where they could play for something. Also, MAC membership would allow them to improve and, I believe, thrive. Are MAC schools as sexy on the schedule as some of the P5s that UConn gets to play at home? No. But if playing competitive football is the endgame, then it makes some sense.

This is what I think. Playing in the MAC would help both programs. Recruits want to play for a conference championship, bowls, to make an all conference team. The MAC gets two state flagships an expanded footprint and a lot more eyeballs and nobody’s basketball is affected.

This opinion is based on the idea the MAC would significantly more money with UMass/UConn and for a variety of reasons that isn't so.

1) The marketplace for a well situated G5 is around $40 million per year. The MWC has the right now and soon the other G5's will match, even CUSA though it will take more time to restore the credibility. If this is the case expanding doesn't make sense.

2) The MAC is a G5 conference in FB and will get all the access and money the other G5s are going to get. The problem is more in basketball where the MAC doesn't have the rep of the MVC or A10. Adding UMass/UConn doesn't help the conference in basketball as much as a WKU addition would because if not at the top they would be close to it every year.

3) UMass & UConn are terrible in FB. UMass was terrible in the MAC already so why run it back?

The move the MAC should be making is to try and counter the MVC with some basketball only additions.

Milwaukee
Il-Chicago
Il State
SLU

16 in basketball and bigger/badder than what the MVC can be moving forward.

Saint Louis is not leaving the A10 for the MAC, IMO. That would be like East Carolina deciding to join the MAC. Just not going to happen.

UW-Milwaukee might jump on this, but I have my doubts on UIC and Ill.State. IMO for what you are suggesting, the MAC needs to go after basketball teams in the Horizon, which is roughly the equivalent of the MAC.

(10-09-2021 01:03 AM)DawgNBama Wrote:  

(10-08-2021 10:08 PM)Kit-Cat Wrote:  

(10-08-2021 05:12 PM)No Bull Wrote:  

(10-08-2021 12:19 PM)UConnHusky Wrote:  UMass and UConn are psychologically intertwined again now in football. While I can't complain about UConn's independent schedules, it will only be a success if UConn can recruit and win against some of the P5 opponents on those schedules. As has been said in this thread on UMass, recruiting as an independent can be hard due to no conference championship game and no bowl tie-ins. Losing seasons with no bowl eligibility won't get butts in the seats just because we are playing more P5 teams. We flat out need to win more. UConn does have some advantages over some other independents (P5 level facilities, brand recognition, and a national linear TV deal), but only time will tell if this was a wise idea.

Part of me thinks that UConn and UMass should eventually join forces and push themselves as a football only pair to the MAC if independence isn't kind to them. They are still fairly close to the MAC footprint and the slight bit of extra difference won't matter as olympic sports aren't in play, just football. The MAC gets two flagship/land grant state universities and access to the New England-NYC television markets. UConn and UMass get a stable home where they could play for something. Also, MAC membership would allow them to improve and, I believe, thrive. Are MAC schools as sexy on the schedule as some of the P5s that UConn gets to play at home? No. But if playing competitive football is the endgame, then it makes some sense.

This is what I think. Playing in the MAC would help both programs. Recruits want to play for a conference championship, bowls, to make an all conference team. The MAC gets two state flagships an expanded footprint and a lot more eyeballs and nobody’s basketball is affected.

This opinion is based on the idea the MAC would significantly more money with UMass/UConn and for a variety of reasons that isn't so.

1) The marketplace for a well situated G5 is around $40 million per year. The MWC has the right now and soon the other G5's will match, even CUSA though it will take more time to restore the credibility. If this is the case expanding doesn't make sense.

2) The MAC is a G5 conference in FB and will get all the access and money the other G5s are going to get. The problem is more in basketball where the MAC doesn't have the rep of the MVC or A10. Adding UMass/UConn doesn't help the conference in basketball as much as a WKU addition would because if not at the top they would be close to it every year.

3) UMass & UConn are terrible in FB. UMass was terrible in the MAC already so why run it back?

The move the MAC should be making is to try and counter the MVC with some basketball only additions.

Milwaukee
Il-Chicago
Il State
SLU

16 in basketball and bigger/badder than what the MVC can be moving forward.

Saint Louis is not leaving the A10 for the MAC, IMO. That would be like East Carolina deciding to join the MAC. Just not going to happen.

UW-Milwaukee might jump on this, but I have my doubts on UIC and Ill.State. IMO for what you are suggesting, the MAC needs to go after basketball teams in the Horizon, which is roughly the equivalent of the MAC.

You would have together in one conference:

Milwaukee
IL Chicago
Northern IL
IL State
SLU

Is this a greater arrangement locally than what these programs have in their individual conferences.

As to joining the MAC, SLU has inquired before. MAC doesn't have a big exit fee like other conferences so if SLU can get into the BE it shouldn't be a problem. It wouldn't be the MVC which they hate but something different.

The MAC would then be at 16 while it would knock the Horizon/MVC down to 10 making the MAC the most important mid major basketball conference in Illinois.

(10-08-2021 09:10 PM)Bogg Wrote:  Why a school in Miami can't get people to on an-campus stadium in October on a Friday night is a different issue.

There's a fair few things to do in Miami on a Friday night.

Don't see MAC landing Saint Louis. UIC and UW-Milwaukee? Sure, they're gettable I guess, but I'm not sure they're bringing that much to the table for the MAC. Ill St they could get, but I'd bet the primary draw for them would be getting into an FBS conference to move their football up at some point. If the goal is just to add some decent basketball schools and put a little dent in the MVC then the MAC would probably just be better off going to 14 all-sports with Illinois State and Missouri State.

(10-09-2021 09:13 AM)Bogg Wrote:  Don't see MAC landing Saint Louis. UIC and UW-Milwaukee? Sure, they're gettable I guess, but I'm not sure they're bringing that much to the table for the MAC. Ill St they could get, but I'd bet the primary draw for them would be getting into an FBS conference to move their football up at some point. If the goal is just to add some decent basketball schools and put a little dent in the MVC then the MAC would probably just be better off going to 14 all-sports with Illinois State and Missouri State.

Basketball only so you don't have to split the CFP money.

Offer them a FBS upgrade at a later date.

The MAC is fine at 12 teams. Well like the idea of a FBS home, just don't see how it would be financially beneficial to the MAC. UMass needs a conference home as the years of Independence, average recruiting ratings in the 100's and always being a young team as upper class men leave for a bowl or a chance of a conference championship in the final year/s sucks fo us. We need it, but we are so weak, the only possibility is FB North Dakota State to balance our weakness and give the west teams a desirable team to offset us. UConn fans are new and think Indy is a good thing. Liberty has money, which helps along with making the right HC choices.