(05-31-2021 08:56 PM)No Bull Wrote:  

(05-31-2021 07:25 PM)johnbragg Wrote:  

(05-31-2021 07:19 PM)ken d Wrote:  

(05-31-2021 06:18 PM)johnbragg Wrote:  

(05-31-2021 05:37 PM)Nerdlinger Wrote:  Name a more likely #12.

There's a bunch that are in that conversation--UMass (flagship, strong basketbsll), ODU, Charlotte' Georgia State, Middle Tennessee (metro areas), Southern Miss (history with a lot of AAC schools), Rice (academics), James Madison(just for the snobbery of turning down the existing CUSA schools).

UAB is on that list. But there's no slam-dunk option on that list.

It's not that there's no slam-dunk option on that list. It's that there's no good option on it. UMass? You can't be serious. How long has it been since they were strong in basketball? Nobody on that list adds more value than it subtracts.

Nevertheless, that's the list. And if the AAC doesn't get a permanent waiver, or pull a rabbit out of a hat and sign Boise STate or BYU or Army as a football-only, they have to take one of those schools, or give up their CCG.

Yes, UMass' last NCAA tournament win is now old enough to rent a car. But it was a Final Four run. (And they're a state flagship.) So they're on the list of schools the AAC considers if they HAVE to take SOMEBODY.

EDIT: Throw in Liberty, I suppose. At least to do an evaluation.

Yes, these schools are not attractive candidates for AAC memberhip. That's why they're not AAC members and Tulane and Tulsa are. These schools were passed over for Tulane and Tulsa. So the cupboard is pretty bare, and it's sawdust soup for dinner.

UAB has good basketball typically and football has been good since the program was revived. Birmingham is a good sized city in a great recruiting area. They have a new stadium going up. UAB really checks all the boxes.

I will always respect Southern Miss. They deserve the call up simply because of their football history, but it will never happen.

And yet UCF hasnt scheduled them since they left CUSA---and dont have them on the schedule for any future years. In fact, other than one game vs Tulane---nobody in the AAC has bothered scheduling them. That doesnt suggest a lot of latent support for a conference reunion with UAB. I think its a time thing. Still too many memories of pathetic UAB in the old 2011 version of CUSA. If UAB keeps winning and starts consistently putting 30-40K in their new stadium....maybe that perception might change.