People wonder why some UC fans hate this conference... Well, this is part of the reason why. When we're spending massive amounts of time and energy arguing about adding schools like Rice, UMass, Marshall, and Northern Illinois...and people are saying crap like "That's an awesome plan!"...it just makes us want to slam our proverbial hands in a door.

The AAC needs to hold fast at the moment. Adding schools just to be adding them does nothing except further the perception that this conference is bush league. Honestly, what does UMass bring to the table? Honestly, what does Marshall bring to the table? Honestly, what does NIU bring to the table. Yeah, UMass is a "flagship" university located in Massachusetts; but nobody in their own state watches them. Yeah, Marshall is located in West Virginia and had a movie made about them a few years ago; but they play second fiddle in a declining state and outside of their FB success (which got them on NCAA probation) a while back and a run against a ridiculous schedule last year, they have little to bring to the table. Yeah, NIU is located in northern Illinois, but Chicago doesn't watch them.

I get that it's the off season. I get that you all are bored. But...NO...just no.

(04-29-2015 11:25 AM)HartfordHusky Wrote:  

(04-29-2015 11:21 AM)bearcatlawjd2 Wrote:  Not against UMass, solid basketball and potential rival for UConn and Temple. Sometimes I believe this conference should expand to the east with UMass and Marshall to provide Cincinnati, UConn, Temple, and ECU closer opponents for all sports. If there is no need division anymore, then the top two teams can for football championship or the league can go to two 7 team divisions if needed.

North: UConn, UMass, Temple, Cincinnati, Marshall, ECU, Navy
South: Memphis, Tulsa, Tulane, Houston, SMU, USF, UCF

I think this version of expansion weakens C-USA and the A-10 while offering up divisions that limit travel and builds geographic rivalries.

This actually makes a lot of sense to me.

Sounds very good and a lot of things are in the works. The indoor practice facility has made it's way through channels and will be happening.

Fan support at Gillette has been poor but great on campus. http://www.masslive.com/umass/index.ssf/...cart_river

We've spent 70 million in the past 3 years for two top notch facilities. The Football Performance Center is very nice. Had the pleasure being up on the patio and in the hospitality room. The new Basketball Champion Center will open this summer.

Things will progress and we are about to turn the corner in Football during our 3rd year being FBS.

The plan is good because it does not give us anything, we have to earn it by meeting milestones and OC stadium expansion.

(04-29-2015 02:56 PM)BearcatJerry Wrote:  People wonder why some UC fans hate this conference... Well, this is part of the reason why. When we're spending massive amounts of time and energy arguing about adding schools like Rice, UMass, Marshall, and Northern Illinois...and people are saying crap like "That's an awesome plan!"...it just makes us want to slam our proverbial hands in a door.

The AAC needs to hold fast at the moment. Adding schools just to be adding them does nothing except further the perception that this conference is bush league. Honestly, what does UMass bring to the table? Honestly, what does Marshall bring to the table? Honestly, what does NIU bring to the table. Yeah, UMass is a "flagship" university located in Massachusetts; but nobody in their own state watches them. Yeah, Marshall is located in West Virginia and had a movie made about them a few years ago; but they play second fiddle in a declining state and outside of their FB success (which got them on NCAA probation) a while back and a run against a ridiculous schedule last year, they have little to bring to the table. Yeah, NIU is located in northern Illinois, but Chicago doesn't watch them.

I get that it's the off season. I get that you all are bored. But...NO...just no.

I agree Jerry, I see no reason to expand. Byu is the only school out there that would change my mind.

(04-29-2015 11:21 AM)bearcatlawjd2 Wrote:  Not against UMass, solid basketball and potential rival for UConn and Temple. Sometimes I believe this conference should expand to the east with UMass and Marshall to provide Cincinnati, UConn, Temple, and ECU closer opponents for all sports. If there is no need division anymore, then the top two teams can for football championship or the league can go to two 7 team divisions if needed.

North: UConn, UMass, Temple, Cincinnati, Marshall, ECU, Navy
South: Memphis, Tulsa, Tulane, Houston, SMU, USF, UCF

I think this version of expansion weakens C-USA and the A-10 while offering up divisions that limit travel and builds geographic rivalries.

I like UMass and their North East precense a lot, but perhaps not enough to want to add them now... We should see if they improve their football stadium and other athletic facilities before the AAC reaches out to them, IMO.

(04-29-2015 01:48 PM)Bull Wrote:  

(04-29-2015 12:30 PM)mtmedlin Wrote:  Umass will end up in CUSA to replace UAB.... and thats honestly where they belong. Its a solid BBall conference and they can compete at that level in football.

NIU is exactly where they should be. Markets are nice but I dont see the AAC ever going after them. They were never mentioned by anyone close to the Big East/AAC when we were formed. If we wanted them, then they would already be a part of us.

The teams that were looked at were Army, Air Force, BYU, Boise St and SDSU... and a few other MWC schools.

Marshal wasnt even brought up except by their own beat writer.

Most logical post in the thread. Reality is reality.

CUSA would be a step down for UMass. It's not a better bball league than the MAC, its not more money, the travel is much longer/more expensive, the demographics are not similar and the academics are way worse.

UMass has till midnight on the day of the last game of the season this year (regular season or bowl if they get one) to accept the MAC's offer to join as a full member, I think they give in right before they turn into a pumpkin. I hope I'm wrong.

(04-29-2015 03:29 PM)goodknightfl Wrote:  

(04-29-2015 02:56 PM)BearcatJerry Wrote:  People wonder why some UC fans hate this conference... Well, this is part of the reason why. When we're spending massive amounts of time and energy arguing about adding schools like Rice, UMass, Marshall, and Northern Illinois...and people are saying crap like "That's an awesome plan!"...it just makes us want to slam our proverbial hands in a door.

The AAC needs to hold fast at the moment. Adding schools just to be adding them does nothing except further the perception that this conference is bush league. Honestly, what does UMass bring to the table? Honestly, what does Marshall bring to the table? Honestly, what does NIU bring to the table. Yeah, UMass is a "flagship" university located in Massachusetts; but nobody in their own state watches them. Yeah, Marshall is located in West Virginia and had a movie made about them a few years ago; but they play second fiddle in a declining state and outside of their FB success (which got them on NCAA probation) a while back and a run against a ridiculous schedule last year, they have little to bring to the table. Yeah, NIU is located in northern Illinois, but Chicago doesn't watch them.

I get that it's the off season. I get that you all are bored. But...NO...just no.

I agree Jerry, I see no reason to expand. Byu is the only school out there that would change my mind.

I agree as well. The league needs to spend all of its time and resources building the brands it has right now. Adding these teams which are in most cases in much worse shape only spreads our resources and limits the amount of time we have to build the 12 we have now. Once the league is performing on all cylinders then maybe you take on a school that is rough around the edges like UMass that has a large market and could add to the profile if cultivated. Solely speaking in regards to athletics here so don't shoot me.

(04-29-2015 02:56 PM)BearcatJerry Wrote:  People wonder why some UC fans hate this conference... Well, this is part of the reason why. When we're spending massive amounts of time and energy arguing about adding schools like Rice, UMass, Marshall, and Northern Illinois...and people are saying crap like "That's an awesome plan!"...it just makes us want to slam our proverbial hands in a door.

I've never heard of someone who bases their fandom on the blithering fools that post ramblens on message boards. By the way, I am a fan of UC baseball.

Part of my issue with the current version of the American is that it is incomplete. We know what happened with the C7 and western expansion but this conference still failed to fill in the gaps from a geographic standpoint, weaken the other G5 conferences, or take a bite out of the major basketball conferences.

Western expansion would have crippled the Mountain West, basketball only members would have hurt the Big East, A-10, Missouri Valley or another multiple bid league, UMass and Marshall would have weakened C-USA and the A-10, while the American gained a foothold in the northeast.

Currently the American is at the top of the G5 football heap with the Mountain West and C-USA. Basketball occupies the same space as the A-10, Big East, WCC, Missouri Valley, and Mountain West. The American can still come up with a viable expansion plan that doesn't hurt it current members.

UMass and Marshall would work to give Cincinnati, Temple, ECU and UConn a conference with geographic opponents. Wichita State, VCU, Dayton, or St. Louis could have added solid basketball that also provided geographic opponents to our members, western expansion could still held produce a best of the rest conference that maximizes dollars. Doing nothing is only a good idea if the rest of the league invests in athletics and the conference has assurances that the next TV deal will be a solid increase.

There is a difference between wanting to add someone NOW... and looking at replacements if we get raided again. Which I hope wont' happen, but may happen... Most of these names we're bandying about today might be at least considered as replacements IF the prime targets (BYU, etc.) decline... but no one in their right mind would add uMass, NIU or Marshall as our 13, 14. No way.

(04-29-2015 04:49 PM)bearcatlawjd2 Wrote:  Part of my issue with the current version of the American is that it is incomplete. We know what happened with the C7 and western expansion but this conference still failed to fill in the gaps from a geographic standpoint, weaken the other G5 conferences, or take a bite out of the major basketball conferences.

Western expansion would have crippled the Mountain West, basketball only members would have hurt the Big East, A-10, Missouri Valley or another multiple bid league, UMass and Marshall would have weakened C-USA and the A-10, while the American gained a foothold in the northeast.

Currently the American is at the top of the G5 football heap with the Mountain West and C-USA. Basketball occupies the same space as the A-10, Big East, WCC, Missouri Valley, and Mountain West. The American can still come up with a viable expansion plan that doesn't hurt it current members.

UMass and Marshall would work to give Cincinnati, Temple, ECU and UConn a conference with geographic opponents. Wichita State, VCU, Dayton, or St. Louis could have added solid basketball that also provided geographic opponents to our members, western expansion could still held produce a best of the rest conference that maximizes dollars. Doing nothing is only a good idea if the rest of the league invests in athletics and the conference has assurances that the next TV deal will be a solid increase.

I coudn't agree more. I think there are proactive things we can do to increase our appeal within the markets of our existing members which would make the conference more viable long-term.

(04-29-2015 02:56 PM)BearcatJerry Wrote:  People wonder why some UC fans hate this conference... Well, this is part of the reason why. When we're spending massive amounts of time and energy arguing about adding schools like Rice, UMass, Marshall, and Northern Illinois...and people are saying crap like "That's an awesome plan!"...it just makes us want to slam our proverbial hands in a door.

The AAC needs to hold fast at the moment. Adding schools just to be adding them does nothing except further the perception that this conference is bush league. Honestly, what does UMass bring to the table? Honestly, what does Marshall bring to the table? Honestly, what does NIU bring to the table. Yeah, UMass is a "flagship" university located in Massachusetts; but nobody in their own state watches them. Yeah, Marshall is located in West Virginia and had a movie made about them a few years ago; but they play second fiddle in a declining state and outside of their FB success (which got them on NCAA probation) a while back and a run against a ridiculous schedule last year, they have little to bring to the table. Yeah, NIU is located in northern Illinois, but Chicago doesn't watch them.

I get that it's the off season. I get that you all are bored. But...NO...just no.

Plus we kick your arse. Hate on

(04-29-2015 03:35 PM)perimeterpost Wrote:  

(04-29-2015 01:48 PM)Bull Wrote:  

(04-29-2015 12:30 PM)mtmedlin Wrote:  Umass will end up in CUSA to replace UAB.... and thats honestly where they belong. Its a solid BBall conference and they can compete at that level in football.

NIU is exactly where they should be. Markets are nice but I dont see the AAC ever going after them. They were never mentioned by anyone close to the Big East/AAC when we were formed. If we wanted them, then they would already be a part of us.

The teams that were looked at were Army, Air Force, BYU, Boise St and SDSU... and a few other MWC schools.

Marshal wasnt even brought up except by their own beat writer.

Most logical post in the thread. Reality is reality.

CUSA would be a step down for UMass. It's not a better bball league than the MAC, its not more money, the travel is much longer/more expensive, the demographics are not similar and the academics are way worse.

UMass has till midnight on the day of the last game of the season this year (regular season or bowl if they get one) to accept the MAC's offer to join as a full member, I think they give in right before they turn into a pumpkin. I hope I'm wrong.

The Mac and CUSA are honestly the same shade of who gives a ****. Its like saying who is the second worst or third worst. I honestly dont care where Umass ends up as long as its not in the AAC.

The ONLY teams that I want are either BYU, in the MWC or Army... and the only reason I want them is because they add value.

My tone has changed on Umass. The last thing we need is a bottom feeder football program with terrible support and facilities. It would be fine if we had 4 top 25 caliber teams. If we are going for a project, odu is much better all around and further south.

(04-29-2015 03:49 PM)PT_american Wrote:  

(04-29-2015 03:29 PM)goodknightfl Wrote:  [quote='BearcatJerry' pid='12019316' dateline='1430337418']
People wonder why some UC fans hate this conference... Well, this is part of the reason why. When we're spending massive amounts of time and energy arguing about adding schools like Rice, UMass, Marshall, and Northern Illinois...and people are saying crap like "That's an awesome plan!"...it just makes us want to slam our proverbial hands in a door.

The AAC needs to hold fast at the moment. Adding schools just to be adding them does nothing except further the perception that this conference is bush league. Honestly, what does UMass bring to the table? Honestly, what does Marshall bring to the table? Honestly, what does NIU bring to the table. Yeah, UMass is a "flagship" university located in Massachusetts; but nobody in their own state watches them. Yeah, Marshall is located in West Virginia and had a movie made about them a few years ago; but they play second fiddle in a declining state and outside of their FB success (which got them on NCAA probation) a while back and a run against a ridiculous schedule last year, they have little to bring to the table. Yeah, NIU is located in northern Illinois, but Chicago doesn't watch them.

I get that it's the off season. I get that you all are bored. But...NO...just no.

I agree Jerry, I see no reason to expand. Byu is the only school out there that would change my mind.

I'm also in agreement. Every time I hear a discussion hailing Marshall or NIU as serious expansion candidates, I can't help but cringe. I think it's to the American's benefit that expansion frenzy is replaced by a period of reasonable stability.

(04-29-2015 05:23 PM)mtmedlin Wrote:  The Mac and CUSA are honestly the same shade of who gives a ****. ..

As is every G5.

(04-29-2015 07:59 PM)perimeterpost Wrote:  

(04-29-2015 05:23 PM)mtmedlin Wrote:  The Mac and CUSA are honestly the same shade of who gives a ****. ..

As is every G5.

Ya, keep believing that. Sorry bud but there is a big difference between the AAC and the MAC. Its why our total income is about 3-4 times that of the MAC... and also why were on tv about 5 times as much.

(04-29-2015 07:59 PM)perimeterpost Wrote:  

(04-29-2015 05:23 PM)mtmedlin Wrote:  The Mac and CUSA are honestly the same shade of who gives a ****. ..

As is every G5.

Only MAC, CUSA, and Sunbelt fans think that.

(04-29-2015 03:29 PM)goodknightfl Wrote:  

(04-29-2015 02:56 PM)BearcatJerry Wrote:  People wonder why some UC fans hate this conference... Well, this is part of the reason why. When we're spending massive amounts of time and energy arguing about adding schools like Rice, UMass, Marshall, and Northern Illinois...and people are saying crap like "That's an awesome plan!"...it just makes us want to slam our proverbial hands in a door.

The AAC needs to hold fast at the moment. Adding schools just to be adding them does nothing except further the perception that this conference is bush league. Honestly, what does UMass bring to the table? Honestly, what does Marshall bring to the table? Honestly, what does NIU bring to the table. Yeah, UMass is a "flagship" university located in Massachusetts; but nobody in their own state watches them. Yeah, Marshall is located in West Virginia and had a movie made about them a few years ago; but they play second fiddle in a declining state and outside of their FB success (which got them on NCAA probation) a while back and a run against a ridiculous schedule last year, they have little to bring to the table. Yeah, NIU is located in northern Illinois, but Chicago doesn't watch them.

I get that it's the off season. I get that you all are bored. But...NO...just no.

I agree Jerry, I see no reason to expand. Byu is the only school out there that would change my mind.

I'd have to say I'm in this camp. BYU plus one out west to balance it at 14.