The CUSA schools are not pleased with the future media distributions, conference leadership, and now the expensive scheduling alliance with the WAC. This seems to have pushed three, MTSU, WKU, and FIU to want to look elsewhere,

All three would fit well into the Sun Belt map, would solidify the SBC footprint in needed states and would deliver valuable new market exposure.


Like BBLB, the Sun Belt footprint looks like a jigsaw puzzle with a couple of pieces gone.

Fix it. Now is the opportunity. If not these three, who else?

I think the Sun Belt is happy where we’re at.

Unless the status quo changes (ie AAC money dries up), I don’t see it expanding any time soon. If that does happen I think people would be more inclined to want an ECU, Memphis, Tulane, UAB, etc. before going after former Sun Belt members.

That footprint is already solid, and with the exception of the MAC, its divisions are the most compact and logical in the FBS. The SBC doesn't need to do anything now, and unless AAC schools like ECU want to join there really isn't anyone who makes that league better.

Nah

(03-06-2023 05:41 PM)Adler Wrote:  The CUSA schools are not pleased with the future media distributions, conference leadership, and now the expensive scheduling alliance with the WAC. This seems to have pushed three, MTSU, WKU, and FIU to want to look elsewhere,

All three would fit well into the Sun Belt map, would solidify the SBC footprint in needed states and would deliver valuable new market exposure.


Like BBLB, the Sun Belt footprint looks like a jigsaw puzzle with a couple of pieces gone.

Fix it. Now is the opportunity. If not these three, who else?

From the jigsaw puzzle factor, WKU and MTSU (both former members fit) but really no reason to expand. Each division is a logical grouping that expansion makes worse.

Still a one-bid basketball conference, more mouths to feed.


Note on the map Texas State is misplaced by about 250 miles = it would be off this map

(03-06-2023 05:41 PM)Adler Wrote:  and now the expensive scheduling alliance with the WAC. This seems to have pushed three, MTSU, WKU, and FIU to want to look elsewhere,

You think that 3 of the returning 5 schools were surprised to hear about this partnership? Reckon CUSA just sprung it on them?

(03-06-2023 05:41 PM)Adler Wrote:  The CUSA schools are not pleased with the future media distributions, conference leadership, and now the expensive scheduling alliance with the WAC. This seems to have pushed three, MTSU, WKU, and FIU to want to look elsewhere,

All three would fit well into the Sun Belt map, would solidify the SBC footprint in needed states and would deliver valuable new market exposure.


Like BBLB, the Sun Belt footprint looks like a jigsaw puzzle with a couple of pieces gone.

Fix it. Now is the opportunity. If not these three, who else?

I still think that MTSU is hoping Memphis accepts an invite somewhere so they can take their spot in the AAC. Would the Sun Belt schools accept FIU and WKU back after leaving? The schools that were there when they left still might hold a grudge against them and vote against letting them in.
WKU would probably accept a MAC invite as soon as it was offered, though don’t know how much difference between what they make now and what they’d potentially make in the MAC would be. The other question would be is who would the MAC bring in to make things even?

(03-06-2023 06:03 PM)inutech Wrote:  

(03-06-2023 05:41 PM)Adler Wrote:  and now the expensive scheduling alliance with the WAC. This seems to have pushed three, MTSU, WKU, and FIU to want to look elsewhere,

You think that 3 of the returning 5 schools were surprised to hear about this partnership? Reckon CUSA just sprung it on them?

What scheduling alliance with the WAC?

OP is baloney.

NO SOURCE.

The SBC's current setup is perfect. In the unlikely event that someone leaves, I could see WKU becoming a candidate.

(03-06-2023 06:08 PM)dbackjon Wrote:  

(03-06-2023 06:03 PM)inutech Wrote:  

(03-06-2023 05:41 PM)Adler Wrote:  and now the expensive scheduling alliance with the WAC. This seems to have pushed three, MTSU, WKU, and FIU to want to look elsewhere,

You think that 3 of the returning 5 schools were surprised to hear about this partnership? Reckon CUSA just sprung it on them?

What scheduling alliance with the WAC?

https://fansided.com/2023/03/02/c-usa-wa...-alliance/

(03-06-2023 06:13 PM)UVA_guy81 Wrote:  

(03-06-2023 06:08 PM)dbackjon Wrote:  

(03-06-2023 06:03 PM)inutech Wrote:  

(03-06-2023 05:41 PM)Adler Wrote:  and now the expensive scheduling alliance with the WAC. This seems to have pushed three, MTSU, WKU, and FIU to want to look elsewhere,

You think that 3 of the returning 5 schools were surprised to hear about this partnership? Reckon CUSA just sprung it on them?

What scheduling alliance with the WAC?

https://fansided.com/2023/03/02/c-usa-wa...-alliance/

Oh - Basketball. Actually a good move. Both are decent mid-range basketball conferences and can supply some quality OOC match-ups.

I would very much like WKU in the SBC. Not at the expense of any current member. So I guess my wants won't really hurt me.

The football October midweek games are more of a reason to complain than the WAC basketball scheduling agreement. We're a conference of misfit toys, we don't need anymore reasons for local and regional fans not to come to home games.

(03-06-2023 06:12 PM)Yosef181 Wrote:  The SBC's current setup is perfect. In the unlikely event that someone leaves, I could see WKU becoming a candidate.

It's not quite perfect. But adding these three schools wouldn't help it.

What you'd want is two more in the east and two more in the west.

That way you've full on met the regional goal (and just exist as a media rights negotiating entity that also stages a 2 team championship tournament at the end of the season).

#regional

(03-06-2023 06:19 PM)LUOrange Wrote:  The football October midweek games are more of a reason to complain than the WAC basketball scheduling agreement. We're a conference of misfit toys, we don't need anymore reasons for local and regional fans not to come to home games.

Yep. The October thing is a travesty. The WAC deal is fine. I probably wouldn't like it if I pulled for FIU, but it's easy to justify. And it's possible that when we see all the details it's even less offensive from a travel stand-point.

...I wouldn't be surprised if the MAC thing might get going again for WKU and MTSU... OR, as it seemed to be rumored a few months back (prior to the full tilt PAC saga controlling the realignment scuttlebutt) that WKU and UMASS might be MAC bound...

I concur the SBC is pretty cool as-is, and should make for great Fun Belt times ahead!

Why would anyone be upset over the WAC scheduling alliance? It's one of the smartest things CUSA has done and there aren't many. Sun Belt did the same thing with the MAC. I'd actually slightly prefer the WAC as a scheduling partner vs. the MAC.

I would argue Missouri state before those schools.

(03-06-2023 06:28 PM)inutech Wrote:  

(03-06-2023 06:12 PM)Yosef181 Wrote:  The SBC's current setup is perfect. In the unlikely event that someone leaves, I could see WKU becoming a candidate.

It's not quite perfect. But adding these three schools wouldn't help it.

What you'd want is two more in the east and two more in the west.

That way you've full on met the regional goal (and just exist as a media rights negotiating entity that also stages a 2 team championship tournament at the end of the season).

#regional

No, that's not what we want. We've already met the regional goal.