(04-09-2017 06:10 AM)Hokie Mark Wrote:  

(04-09-2017 01:05 AM)Kaplony Wrote:  The original lineup of CUSA, the one with Louisville, Cincy, Memphis, etc. was a major basketball conference.

UNC-Charlotte was pretty good, too.

C-USA has had so many transformations, it's easy to forget who was in it, when. But the version frequently called "1.0" which existed from 1995-2005 was very strong. Since then, of course, a different story...

CUSA founding members:

Louisville 1995-2005
Cincinnati 1995-2005
Memphis 1995-2013
DePaul 1995-2005
Marquette 1995-2005
USF 1995-2003
St Louis 1995-2005
Charlotte 1995-2005
Southern Miss 1995-present
UAB 1995-present
Tulane 1995-2014

Others pre 2005
Houston 1996-2013
ECU 1997-2001
Army 1998-2005
TCU 2001-2005

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conference_USA

UAB is still in C-USA, and UNCC (Charlotte) came back.

(04-11-2017 01:54 AM)DawgNBama Wrote:  UAB is still in C-USA, and UNCC (Charlotte) came back.

Correct, sorry, they were a non football member until 1999 before becoming full members.

This is what AAC should do:

Army/Virginia Commonwealth
Navy/Wichita State
Air Force/Dayton
Connecticut
Temple
Cincinnati
Memphis
East Carolina
Central Florida
South Florida
Tulane
Tulsa
Southern Methodist
Houston

(04-11-2017 11:51 AM)Wilkie01 Wrote:  This is what AAC should do:

Army/Virginia Commonwealth
Navy/Wichita State
Air Force/Dayton
Connecticut
Temple
Cincinnati
Memphis
East Carolina
Central Florida
South Florida
Tulane
Tulsa
Southern Methodist
Houston

HALF BREED

(04-09-2017 09:38 AM)Lenvillecards Wrote:  CUSA founding members:

Louisville 1995-2005
Cincinnati 1995-2005
Memphis 1995-2013
DePaul 1995-2005
Marquette 1995-2005
USF 1995-2003 (non-football), 2004-2005 (all sports)
St Louis 1995-2005
Charlotte 1995-2005
Southern Miss 1995-present
UAB 1995-present
Tulane 1995-2014
Houston 1996-2013

Others pre 2005
ECU 1997-2001 (football only), 2002- 2014 (all sports)
Army 1998-2005 (football only)
TCU 2001-2005

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conference_USA

FIFY

(04-07-2017 11:58 PM)Lenvillecards Wrote:  I think the top half of the BE & AAC are pretty equal but I think the bottom half gives the BE the advantage. Wichita State is a great add for the AAC, strengthening the conference overall. The AAC would be wise to find a way to add BYU.

AAC basketball now has legitimate EAST and WEST regions that will help develop rivalries. Further western expansion is possible and would tip the scales - BYU, Zags, SDSU, Boise, UNLV, and Air Force.

That is four new basketball brands, 3 of which average over 10K in basketball attendance (BYU, SDSU, UNLV). SDSU and Boise almost made the jump to the AAC, but couldn't find a good Olympic sports solution. Gonzaga and BYU are looking for greener pastures. With Zags, BYU, and SDSU, they could likely invite any MWC school they want to join the AAC WEST division.

WEST: Gonzaga, BYU, SDSU, UNLV, Boise St., Air Force
CENTRAL: Wichita, Tulsa, SMU, Houston, Memphis, Tulane
EAST: UConn, Temple, Cincinnati, ECU, UCF, USF

Each region has legitimate basketball brands and NCAA bid contenders. That is a 5-6 bid league, with the upside of 8 or more bids.

Football drives the bus, so Boise St., Air Force, SDSU, and UNLV are added as all sports members to the WEST football division; Memphis and Tulane move to the EAST.

The AAC affiliates with independent BYU football for some OOC games and the bowl lineup. On that note, the AAC football would also be wise to affiliate with independent Army and Hawaii for OOC games and the bowl lineup. Those institutions would add value to the media contract and Hawaii brings flexibility, in terms of the 13th game and Week 0 exemptions and also the late kickoff time slot.

In terms of a new media deal, Boise, SDSU, and Air Force hold 70% or more of the MWC's contract value; likewise, Gonzaga and BYU hold 70% or more of the WCC's contract value. Just taking current contract values and moving most of the MWC and WCC value to the AAC, everyone's payday improves. But, the value escalates by merging the top football and basketball brands into a nationwide conference. An American TV network might even make sense (FWIW, BYUTV has state-of-art facilities and an available license waiting to be used).

(04-12-2017 10:23 AM)YNot Wrote:  

(04-07-2017 11:58 PM)Lenvillecards Wrote:  I think the top half of the BE & AAC are pretty equal but I think the bottom half gives the BE the advantage. Wichita State is a great add for the AAC, strengthening the conference overall. The AAC would be wise to find a way to add BYU.

AAC basketball now has legitimate EAST and WEST regions that will help develop rivalries. Further western expansion is possible and would tip the scales - BYU, Zags, SDSU, Boise, UNLV, and Air Force.

That is four new basketball brands, 3 of which average over 10K in basketball attendance (BYU, SDSU, UNLV). SDSU and Boise almost made the jump to the AAC, but couldn't find a good Olympic sports solution. Gonzaga and BYU are looking for greener pastures. With Zags, BYU, and SDSU, they could likely invite any MWC school they want to join the AAC WEST division.

WEST: Gonzaga, BYU, SDSU, UNLV, Boise St., Air Force
CENTRAL: Wichita, Tulsa, SMU, Houston, Memphis, Tulane
EAST: UConn, Temple, Cincinnati, ECU, UCF, USF

Each region has legitimate basketball brands and NCAA bid contenders. That is a 5-6 bid league, with the upside of 8 or more bids.

Football drives the bus, so Boise St., Air Force, SDSU, and UNLV are added as all sports members to the WEST football division; Memphis and Tulane move to the EAST.

The AAC affiliates with independent BYU football for some OOC games and the bowl lineup. On that note, the AAC football would also be wise to affiliate with independent Army and Hawaii for OOC games and the bowl lineup. Those institutions would add value to the media contract and Hawaii brings flexibility, in terms of the 13th game and Week 0 exemptions and also the late kickoff time slot.

In terms of a new media deal, Boise, SDSU, and Air Force hold 70% or more of the MWC's contract value; likewise, Gonzaga and BYU hold 70% or more of the WCC's contract value. Just taking current contract values and moving most of the MWC and WCC value to the AAC, everyone's payday improves. But, the value escalates by merging the top football and basketball brands into a nationwide conference. An American TV network might even make sense (FWIW, BYUTV has state-of-art facilities and an available license waiting to be used).

You forgot to include Navy.

Multiple divisions aren't allowed in football currently but 18 in an east & west would probably be needed with this widespread conference. I don't know if I would go with 18 though, to many mouths to feed. It's an interesting proposal.

Football divisions:
West
BYU (football only)
AF (football only)
Boise (football only)
SD State
UNLV
Houston
SMU
Tulsa


East
Cincinnati
Memphis
UCONN
UCF
USF
Temple
ECU
NAVY (football only)

To make room for Boise you could give Tulane the boot. Navy/AF would be a permanent crossover. Play 7 division games & then either 1 or 2 against the other division.

Basketball divisions:
West
Gonzaga (non football)
Wichita State (non football)
UNLV
SD State
Houston
SMU
Tulsa

East
Cincinnati
Memphis
UCONN
UCF
USF
Temple
ECU

Play 12 division games & then either 7 against the other division for 19 or play 1 rotating team from the other division H/H for 20.

That's 18 members spread out over football & basketball. 16 total in football with 4 being football only. 14 in basketball with 2 non football members. 12 full members & 6 partial.

If Wichita had football then you could balance the football divisions with Tulane but the basketball divisions wouldn't be equal.

I doubt that this will happen but the AAC would be a stronger football & basketball conference.

(04-12-2017 11:26 AM)Lenvillecards Wrote:  

(04-12-2017 10:23 AM)YNot Wrote:  AAC basketball now has legitimate EAST and WEST regions that will help develop rivalries. Further western expansion is possible and would tip the scales - BYU, Zags, SDSU, Boise, UNLV, and Air Force.

That is four new basketball brands, 3 of which average over 10K in basketball attendance (BYU, SDSU, UNLV). SDSU and Boise almost made the jump to the AAC, but couldn't find a good Olympic sports solution. Gonzaga and BYU are looking for greener pastures. With Zags, BYU, and SDSU, they could likely invite any MWC school they want to join the AAC WEST division.

WEST: Gonzaga, BYU, SDSU, UNLV, Boise St., Air Force
CENTRAL: Wichita, Tulsa, SMU, Houston, Memphis, Tulane
EAST: UConn, Temple, Cincinnati, ECU, UCF, USF

Each region has legitimate basketball brands and NCAA bid contenders. That is a 5-6 bid league, with the upside of 8 or more bids.

Football drives the bus, so Boise St., Air Force, SDSU, and UNLV are added as all sports members to the WEST football division; Memphis and Tulane move to the EAST.

The AAC affiliates with independent BYU football for some OOC games and the bowl lineup. On that note, the AAC football would also be wise to affiliate with independent Army and Hawaii for OOC games and the bowl lineup. Those institutions would add value to the media contract and Hawaii brings flexibility, in terms of the 13th game and Week 0 exemptions and also the late kickoff time slot.

In terms of a new media deal, Boise, SDSU, and Air Force hold 70% or more of the MWC's contract value; likewise, Gonzaga and BYU hold 70% or more of the WCC's contract value. Just taking current contract values and moving most of the MWC and WCC value to the AAC, everyone's payday improves. But, the value escalates by merging the top football and basketball brands into a nationwide conference. An American TV network might even make sense (FWIW, BYUTV has state-of-art facilities and an available license waiting to be used).

You forgot to include Navy.

Multiple divisions aren't allowed in football currently but 18 in an east & west would probably be needed with this widespread conference. I don't know if I would go with 18 though, to many mouths to feed. It's an interesting proposal.

Football divisions:
West
BYU (football only)
AF (football only)
Boise (football only)
SD State
UNLV
Houston
SMU
Tulsa


East
Cincinnati
Memphis
UCONN
UCF
USF
Temple
ECU
NAVY (football only)

To make room for Boise you could give Tulane the boot. Navy/AF would be a permanent crossover. Play 7 division games & then either 1 or 2 against the other division.

Basketball divisions:
West
Gonzaga (non football)
Wichita State (non football)
UNLV
SD State
Houston
SMU
Tulsa

East
Cincinnati
Memphis
UCONN
UCF
USF
Temple
ECU

Play 12 division games & then either 7 against the other division for 19 or play 1 rotating team from the other division H/H for 20.

That's 18 members spread out over football & basketball. 16 total in football with 4 being football only. 14 in basketball with 2 non football members. 12 full members & 6 partial.

If Wichita had football then you could balance the football divisions with Tulane but the basketball divisions wouldn't be equal.

I doubt that this will happen but the AAC would be a stronger football & basketball conference.

I didn't forget Navy. BYU would be an Olympic sports member and football affiliate - like Notre Dame and the ACC. The four new football members would bring the AAC to 16. The new football members would be added to the WEST (with Navy) and Memphis and Tulane move to the EAST.

EAST: UConn, Temple, Cincinnati, ECU, UCF, USF, Memphis, Tulane
WEST: SDSU, UNLV, Boise St., AFA, Navy, SMU, Houston, Tulsa

*If desired, the AAC could switch Navy and Tulane every couple of years. In that case, Navy and AFA would be a locked cross-division game.

If the CCG gets full deregulation, the AAC could break into multiple scheduling divisions or just have a certain number of annual rivals and then rotate through the conference. Then, matchup the top 2 for the CCG - ie, no division play and no division winners.

FWIW, back in 2012 the AAC (then, still called the Big East) had Boise St. and SDSU in the fold and was considering Army, Air Force, and BYU invitations to go to 16 teams. This was before Tulsa, Tulane and ECU were added and Louisville and Rutgers were still part of the party. The following article states that the most popular divisional structure was this:

Red Division: Louisville, South Florida, Connecticut, San Diego State, SMU, Navy, Memphis.

Division: Cincinnati, Central Florida, Rutgers, Boise State, Houston, Temple, 14th team.

2012 Article - Big East divided on 14th member

The AAC additions outlined above would make it a borderline power conference for basketball, with the additions of Gonzaga, SDSU, BYU, and UNLV.

In football, it would not be a power conference, because it would lack a true football king. However, the majority of AAC football teams would be just as good as most low to average P5 teams in terms of on-field product, attendance, and ability to deliver TV ratings.

Basically, the AAC plus the best MWC and WCC schools has significant synergies that could help these schools improve their lot in major college athletics in ways not achievable without each other.