CrimsonPhantom
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RE: Sunbelt in discussion with U Mass
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05-14-2014 12:24 PM |
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BruceMcF
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RE: Sunbelt in discussion with U Mass
(05-14-2014 11:35 AM)chiefsfan Wrote: EKU President said that. Benson's been stumping for Liberty so much the last couple months that if he changed course and went for UMass, I would be worried that his mind was being controlled by Aliens again.
But if Liberty doesn't have the numbers, and enough of those no votes are solid, then it might be time for a plan B.
So you set the agenda to first vote on possible all-sports invites, and only move on to FB-only invites if no all-sports invite is voted up.
I personally don't think Benson gives such aid and comfort to the opponents of Liberty if he thinks Liberty is close to having the votes to get an invite, but then again I'm not a close Benson-watcher.
(This post was last modified: 05-14-2014 12:32 PM by BruceMcF.)
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05-14-2014 12:25 PM |
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Liberty Fan
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RE: Sunbelt in discussion with U Mass
Quote:Jeremy Fowler @JFowlerCBS · 14m
ICYMI: #UMass calls Sun Belt to spark what Karl Benson calls 'very preliminary' discussion re: potential membership.
Sounds like U Mass made the call. and is weighing all options.
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05-14-2014 12:32 PM |
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buryyourduke
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RE: Sunbelt in discussion with U Mass
(05-14-2014 12:25 PM)BruceMcF Wrote: (05-14-2014 11:35 AM)chiefsfan Wrote: EKU President said that. Benson's been stumping for Liberty so much the last couple months that if he changed course and went for UMass, I would be worried that his mind was being controlled by Aliens again.
But if Liberty doesn't have the numbers, and enough of those no votes are solid, then it might be time for a plan B.
So you set the agenda to first vote on possible all-sports invites, and only move on to FB-only invites if no all-sports invite is voted up.
I personally don't think Benson gives such aid and comfort to the opponents of Liberty if he thinks Liberty is close to having the votes to get an invite, but then again I'm not a close Benson-watcher.
You just hit the nail on the head. The question is Liberty's vote count.
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05-14-2014 12:34 PM |
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Saint3333
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RE: Sunbelt in discussion with U Mass
(05-14-2014 11:27 AM)knucklehead Wrote: So the vote will come down to Liberty or UMass. All this does is confirm that there is another school to bring up to vote alongside Liberty. I still believe there will be more opposition to UMass being on the moon, but who knows at this point.
You seem to be oversimplifying this. There are more than two solutions to this equation. Come June 1st there are going to be some very disappointed Liberty fans.
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05-14-2014 12:36 PM |
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panama
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RE: Sunbelt in discussion with U Mass
There is no equation whereby Liberty is added and there never was.
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05-14-2014 12:40 PM |
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eaglewraith
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RE: Sunbelt in discussion with U Mass
(05-14-2014 11:50 AM)knucklehead Wrote: (05-14-2014 11:40 AM)eaglewraith Wrote: (05-14-2014 11:27 AM)knucklehead Wrote: So the vote will come down to Liberty or UMass. All this does is confirm that there is another school to bring up to vote alongside Liberty. I still believe there will be more opposition to UMass being on the moon, but who knows at this point.
Has there been a report from CBS Sports about Liberty?
These types of reports are what started coming out ahead of us and App being invited last year. I've seen tons of speculation, but no articles like this about Liberty.
For a long time, and even right in the article Quote:The Sun Belt has been looking to fill its final spot by June 1 and has had discussions with several FCS-level schools, including Liberty.
Name dropping is not the same. Please don't take that as me demeaning or downplaying Liberty, but that's just a no-brainer inclusion that the SBC has been talking to several FCS schools as well.
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05-14-2014 12:54 PM |
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Liberty Fan
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RE: Sunbelt in discussion with U Mass
I read the Fowler story and the ... "what Karl Benson calls 'very preliminary' discussion" ... was left out. A few minutes later the story was updated. Then Fowler made a quick follow up tweet stressing it. I'm guessing someone made phone call after it was posted .... ???
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05-14-2014 12:55 PM |
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ManzanoWolf
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RE: Sunbelt in discussion with U Mass
(05-14-2014 11:50 AM)GaSoEagle Wrote: Whatever the Sun Belt leaders decide to do is ok by me but if the championship game deregulation passes (and it is expected to this summer) I don't know if there is such a driving need to add a 12th football school.
Agree . . whatever the Presidents/Chancellors and ADs agree upon is fine with me.
Go SBC !!
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05-14-2014 12:56 PM |
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Tom in Lazybrook
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RE: Sunbelt in discussion with U Mass
Guys, the fact that the expansionist commissioner of the Sun Belt is talking to UMass means little. He's spoken to many teams.
The fact that CBS has chosen to issue a story on that is a bit interesting.
I'm good with sitting at 11. Actually I'm good with telling Idaho..."please use the next 3 years to evaluate your program and determine the proper home for your program. If you wish to stay in the Belt, you should be hosting games in an appropriate facility and performing at a minimally acceptable level in OOC play."
That being said.
Taking UMass isn't the worst thing that could happen. We don't take another FCS moveup. We'll get some OOC basketball games. Also, if we take NMSU for all sports, that would be nice too.
Also, divisions aren't happening in basketball. No need for them.
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05-14-2014 01:00 PM |
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asupatch
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RE: Sunbelt in discussion with U Mass
(05-14-2014 12:34 PM)buryyourduke Wrote: (05-14-2014 12:25 PM)BruceMcF Wrote: (05-14-2014 11:35 AM)chiefsfan Wrote: EKU President said that. Benson's been stumping for Liberty so much the last couple months that if he changed course and went for UMass, I would be worried that his mind was being controlled by Aliens again.
But if Liberty doesn't have the numbers, and enough of those no votes are solid, then it might be time for a plan B.
So you set the agenda to first vote on possible all-sports invites, and only move on to FB-only invites if no all-sports invite is voted up.
I personally don't think Benson gives such aid and comfort to the opponents of Liberty if he thinks Liberty is close to having the votes to get an invite, but then again I'm not a close Benson-watcher.
You just hit the nail on the head. The question is Liberty's vote count.
But if SB schools know UMass is an option it hurts LU's chance of ever getting the votes.
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05-14-2014 01:04 PM |
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UConnHusky
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RE: Sunbelt in discussion with U Mass
As a Boston guy, I just wanted to clarify that visiting teams will NOT necessarily be getting a trip to Boston....
Boston is 94 miles from Amherst, MA for UMass on campus games
Boston is 28 miles from Gillette Stadium for UMass off campus games
To get to Amherst, you fly into Hartford CT's airport (Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks, CT - it is 45 miles from Amherst)
To get to Gillette Stadium, you can either fly into Logan International Airport in Boston or T.F. Green Airport in Providence (they are equidistant to Gillette at about 30 miles away). There is less traffic from T.F. Green to Gillette, so many visiting teams stay in Providence or near Gillette stadium since the hotels are also cheaper outside of Boston.
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05-14-2014 01:06 PM |
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chiefsfan
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RE: Sunbelt in discussion with U Mass
(05-14-2014 01:04 PM)asupatch Wrote: (05-14-2014 12:34 PM)buryyourduke Wrote: (05-14-2014 12:25 PM)BruceMcF Wrote: (05-14-2014 11:35 AM)chiefsfan Wrote: EKU President said that. Benson's been stumping for Liberty so much the last couple months that if he changed course and went for UMass, I would be worried that his mind was being controlled by Aliens again.
But if Liberty doesn't have the numbers, and enough of those no votes are solid, then it might be time for a plan B.
So you set the agenda to first vote on possible all-sports invites, and only move on to FB-only invites if no all-sports invite is voted up.
I personally don't think Benson gives such aid and comfort to the opponents of Liberty if he thinks Liberty is close to having the votes to get an invite, but then again I'm not a close Benson-watcher.
You just hit the nail on the head. The question is Liberty's vote count.
But if SB schools know UMass is an option it hurts LU's chance of ever getting the votes.
Not really. You seem to be thinking that SBC Presidents desperately want 12 teams...but don't want Liberty as that 12th.
I'm not convinced that several of the West schools actually want 12. UMass doesn't suddenly give them an option to save Liberty and make it 12. They don't have to approve either.
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05-14-2014 01:07 PM |
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asupatch
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RE: Sunbelt in discussion with U Mass
(05-14-2014 01:06 PM)UConnHusky Wrote: As a Boston guy, I just wanted to clarify that visiting teams will NOT necessarily be getting a trip to Boston....
Boston is 94 miles from Amherst, MA for UMass on campus games
Boston is 28 miles from Gillette Stadium for UMass off campus games
To get to Amherst, you fly into Hartford CT's airport (Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks, CT - it is 45 miles from Amherst)
To get to Gillette Stadium, you can either fly into Logan International Airport in Boston or T.F. Green Airport in Providence (they are equidistant to Gillette at about 30 miles away). There is less traffic from T.F. Green to Gillette, so many visiting teams stay in Providence or near Gillette stadium since the hotels are also cheaper outside of Boston.
As a visiting fan, if I am going to UMASS I am staying in Boston. So for me it ALWAYS includes a trip there.
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05-14-2014 01:08 PM |
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asupatch
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RE: Sunbelt in discussion with U Mass
(05-14-2014 01:07 PM)chiefsfan Wrote: (05-14-2014 01:04 PM)asupatch Wrote: (05-14-2014 12:34 PM)buryyourduke Wrote: (05-14-2014 12:25 PM)BruceMcF Wrote: (05-14-2014 11:35 AM)chiefsfan Wrote: EKU President said that. Benson's been stumping for Liberty so much the last couple months that if he changed course and went for UMass, I would be worried that his mind was being controlled by Aliens again.
But if Liberty doesn't have the numbers, and enough of those no votes are solid, then it might be time for a plan B.
So you set the agenda to first vote on possible all-sports invites, and only move on to FB-only invites if no all-sports invite is voted up.
I personally don't think Benson gives such aid and comfort to the opponents of Liberty if he thinks Liberty is close to having the votes to get an invite, but then again I'm not a close Benson-watcher.
You just hit the nail on the head. The question is Liberty's vote count.
But if SB schools know UMass is an option it hurts LU's chance of ever getting the votes.
Not really. You seem to be thinking that SBC Presidents desperately want 12 teams...but don't want Liberty as that 12th.
I'm not convinced that several of the West schools actually want 12. UMass doesn't suddenly give them an option to save Liberty and make it 12. They don't have to approve either.
If there were schools on the LU fence that prefer UMASS and they are a legit option, IMO it hurts their odds.
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05-14-2014 01:10 PM |
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chiefsfan
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RE: Sunbelt in discussion with U Mass
(05-14-2014 01:10 PM)asupatch Wrote: (05-14-2014 01:07 PM)chiefsfan Wrote: (05-14-2014 01:04 PM)asupatch Wrote: (05-14-2014 12:34 PM)buryyourduke Wrote: (05-14-2014 12:25 PM)BruceMcF Wrote: But if Liberty doesn't have the numbers, and enough of those no votes are solid, then it might be time for a plan B.
So you set the agenda to first vote on possible all-sports invites, and only move on to FB-only invites if no all-sports invite is voted up.
I personally don't think Benson gives such aid and comfort to the opponents of Liberty if he thinks Liberty is close to having the votes to get an invite, but then again I'm not a close Benson-watcher.
You just hit the nail on the head. The question is Liberty's vote count.
But if SB schools know UMass is an option it hurts LU's chance of ever getting the votes.
Not really. You seem to be thinking that SBC Presidents desperately want 12 teams...but don't want Liberty as that 12th.
I'm not convinced that several of the West schools actually want 12. UMass doesn't suddenly give them an option to save Liberty and make it 12. They don't have to approve either.
If there were schools on the LU fence that prefer UMASS and they are a legit option, IMO it hurts their odds.
I think the ones on the fence on Liberty are far more interested in staying 11. Especially when you could probably get movement in a couple years on a Missouri State/EKU type.
My guess is the League Presidents will vote on whether to go to 12 first. If they decide to do that. They will vote on Liberty first. If that fails. They will then try to vote on UMass.
There is no guarantee either gets the votes.
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05-14-2014 01:14 PM |
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Liberty Fan
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RE: Sunbelt in discussion with U Mass
(05-14-2014 12:55 PM)Liberty Fan Wrote: I read the Fowler story and the ... "what Karl Benson calls 'very preliminary' discussion" ... was left out. A few minutes later the story was updated. Then Fowler made a quick follow up tweet stressing it. I'm guessing someone made phone call after it was posted .... ???
https://twitter.com/Daniel_Malone/status...2252515328
Jeremy Fowler @JFowlerCBS 1m
@Daniel_Malone Had follow-up talk with Benson, who wanted to stress that though, yes, discussions, not that far down road.
(This post was last modified: 05-14-2014 01:26 PM by Liberty Fan.)
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05-14-2014 01:14 PM |
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CajunExpress
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RE: Sunbelt in discussion with U Mass
(05-14-2014 12:10 PM)EdisonDoyle Wrote: IFF the SBC needed another football team, this is a good move for SB West. You don't dilute your voting power and you can tell recruits that they get a trip to Boston once or twice in their careers. And Boston Globe coverage isn't a bad thing.
Boston Globe coverage is meaningless to a recruit in NOLA, Miami, Houston, Fl Panhandle, Dallas Forth Worth, or Atlanta some of our big recruiting platforms. Unlike TooLame they probably do get local press coverage. But that helps them not us.
UMass without basketball is an absolute waste of time. Again if they can come up with five or six home and home games for basketball and bringing NMSU basketball in we got something to discuss.
By the way Liberty currently would bring a pretty nice baseball team to the SBC unlike TooLame who now brings zero to the AAC, no market, no baseball, no basketball, and no football.
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05-14-2014 01:18 PM |
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Tom in Lazybrook
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RE: Sunbelt in discussion with U Mass
(05-14-2014 01:06 PM)UConnHusky Wrote: As a Boston guy, I just wanted to clarify that visiting teams will NOT necessarily be getting a trip to Boston....
Boston is 94 miles from Amherst, MA for UMass on campus games
Boston is 28 miles from Gillette Stadium for UMass off campus games
To get to Amherst, you fly into Hartford CT's airport (Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks, CT - it is 45 miles from Amherst)
To get to Gillette Stadium, you can either fly into Logan International Airport in Boston or T.F. Green Airport in Providence (they are equidistant to Gillette at about 30 miles away). There is less traffic from T.F. Green to Gillette, so many visiting teams stay in Providence or near Gillette stadium since the hotels are also cheaper outside of Boston.
Bradley (Hartford) is your UMass Airport. 94 miles in the Northeast seems a lot longer than it does in the Southeast. Logan is on the far side of Boston from UMass. My guess is that Green (Providence) would be less used for Gillette than Logan because of connection issues.
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05-14-2014 01:24 PM |
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asupatch
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RE: Sunbelt in discussion with U Mass
(05-14-2014 01:14 PM)chiefsfan Wrote: (05-14-2014 01:10 PM)asupatch Wrote: (05-14-2014 01:07 PM)chiefsfan Wrote: (05-14-2014 01:04 PM)asupatch Wrote: (05-14-2014 12:34 PM)buryyourduke Wrote: You just hit the nail on the head. The question is Liberty's vote count.
But if SB schools know UMass is an option it hurts LU's chance of ever getting the votes.
Not really. You seem to be thinking that SBC Presidents desperately want 12 teams...but don't want Liberty as that 12th.
I'm not convinced that several of the West schools actually want 12. UMass doesn't suddenly give them an option to save Liberty and make it 12. They don't have to approve either.
If there were schools on the LU fence that prefer UMASS and they are a legit option, IMO it hurts their odds.
I think the ones on the fence on Liberty are far more interested in staying 11. Especially when you could probably get movement in a couple years on a Missouri State/EKU type.
My guess is the League Presidents will vote on whether to go to 12 first. If they decide to do that. They will vote on Liberty first. If that fails. They will then try to vote on UMass.
There is no guarantee either gets the votes.
I honestly don't feel either has the votes, but if your scenario plays out and say one or two prefer UMASS, why would they give a yes vote to LU knowing UMASS was next to be voted on?
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05-14-2014 01:28 PM |
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