The unofficial online home for fans of the UAB Blazers. Part of Collegiate Sports Nation (CSN).

(01-21-2015 12:06 PM)ATTALLABLAZE Wrote:  You don't know what you don't know jay.

Oh yeah I forgot to read my car tag... but conversely he don't know what I do know...

We will not be "placed" into another conference. We will have to ASK and then be INVITED. I don't know if there is enough "evidence" in SACS' view to convict the system BOT of interference, but I doubt other conferences will be so easily played. They are not likely to want to invite a school that can't be trusted to keep its word since it is so manifestly governed by "foreign" authorities (60 miles west of campus).

In the past, UAB had the aura of national respect for Gene Bartow to gain an open door for conference affiliations. This is the first time UAB may have to make such a move without him. Will Dr Ray Watts' reputation be a suitable replacement? I don't think so.

How many "independents" are there among basketball only schools? I would think it would not be a problem in the fall when most schools play OOC games, but in Jan., Feb. and early March those schools play nearly all games "in conference". Getting decent RPI games then might be VERY difficult, especially getting any "at home". Playing nearly every game on the road in those months is not a recipe for getting into "The dance".

Is this a public meeting? Just curious if the media will be allowed inside. Would love to hear exactly what Watts is saying to the other presidents.

UAB-Rhode Island..boy that just send chills of excitment up my spine.
Need to Protest Ray everywhere he goes...speaking events, walmart, bathroom


FIRE RAY NOW!

I would guess the media would have to be included in the meetings. No way would they be able to get the inside scoop without having access to the discussions.

Get ready cause here it comes:

UAB
North Florida
Lipscomb
FGCU
Northern Kentucky
USC Upstate
Jacksonville
Stetson
Kennesaw State

The irony in all of this is Watts who killed football must defend UAB remaining in CUSA. How much energy, passion, reasoning will Watts put in a presentation to the CUSA Presidents. The CUSA Presidents who have the some of the same football issues UAB had but are still funding the sports Watts killed. What does it say to the Presidents that Watts would be the person to request that UAB be permitted to stay in CUSA.
Do they find him arrogant and uninformed, uncaring, and not really into UAB football. Do they find him disingenuous ( a kind word for liar/fraud ) or do they relate as administrators that have to make difficult decisions. Do the Presidents ask Watts straight forward, if the reexamination of the Carr report comes back favoring the return of football will he reinstate football at UAB.
How do Watts answer that question.

(01-21-2015 01:20 PM)TNBLAZERS Wrote:  UAB-Rhode Island..boy that just send chills of excitment up my spine.
Need to Protest Ray everywhere he goes...speaking events, walmart, bathroom


FIRE RAY NOW!

If it doesn't you don't know basketball. I would much rather play Rhode Island than utsa. The a-10 currently has eleven teams in the top 175, including 7 in the top 100 and 3 in the top 50. If we joined the a-10 it would definitely be a step up in basketball.

I want watts gone as much as the next guy, but if our consolation to getting kicked out of CUSA is moving to the a-10, I'm good with that part. That being said, it ain't happening.

The A-10 would be a great basketball league, but we would be on an island. Our "neighbors" would be St Louis, Dayton, and Davidson.

(01-21-2015 01:51 PM)UABGrad Wrote:  Get ready cause here it comes:

UAB
North Florida
Lipscomb
FGCU
Northern Kentucky
USC Upstate
Jacksonville
Stetson
Kennesaw State

That won't happen. [knock on wood]

UAB and Jacksonville were both in the Sun Belt from '79 to '91.

It seems impossible to believe now, but the Dolphins actually made it to the NCAA Championship Game against UCLA in 1970. They lost but it was sort-of close (80-69).

(01-21-2015 02:46 PM)Native Georgian Wrote:  

(01-21-2015 01:51 PM)UABGrad Wrote:  Get ready cause here it comes:

UAB
North Florida
Lipscomb
FGCU
Northern Kentucky
USC Upstate
Jacksonville
Stetson
Kennesaw State

That won't happen. [knock on wood]

UAB and Jacksonville were both in the Sun Belt from '79 to '91.

It seems impossible to believe now, but the Dolphins actually made it to the NCAA Championship Game against UCLA in 1970. They lost but it was sort-of close (80-69).

Artis Gilmore

Just found out that we're hosting the meetings this weekend. I'm going to find out where the meetings are located on campus, bring my #FreeUAB sign and give Watts a piece of my mind.

This is right where the BOT / Watts wants us. They would rather us be DIII truth be known.

(01-21-2015 03:31 PM)FAUAEPi Wrote:  Just found out that we're hosting the meetings this weekend. I'm going to find out where the meetings are located on campus, bring my #FreeUAB sign and give Watt's a piece of my mind.

Give him this.

Make his knuckles bleed.

(01-21-2015 12:54 PM)BAMANBLAZERFAN Wrote:  How many "independents" are there among basketball only schools?

I think NJIT is the only one. I only remember because they beat Michigan, though.

That said, I'm really hoping a stay is granted long enough to reinstate all the teams. I could see us throwing us out, and I could see some sort of time frame established for us to retain the eliminated sports but I can't imagine they'd just allow us to remain in the conference without football.

More than that, Dr. Watts burned all the good faith he probably had by not informing anyone and throwing out those lines about UAB's relationship with the conference. He goes there trying to make a case to be a basketball only school and he gets laughed out, and he goes in there talking about the recently formed committee and he's chastised for not doing as much to begin with. I still think he anticipated this much and wants us to fall out of the conference as part of his vision.

I'm struggling to find where the meetings are located. If anybody is able to find the EXACT location of the conferences, please share! I'm pretty big with Twitter, so I'll live update what happens when I meet Watts and what's going on at the meetings if I can. Give me a follow @JWhidden3. If not, I love having discussions with other conference mates.
#FreeUAB

(01-21-2015 03:31 PM)FAUAEPi Wrote:  Just found out that we're hosting the meetings this weekend. I'm going to find out where the meetings are located on campus, bring my #FreeUAB sign and give Watts a piece of my mind.

Awesome! Hope they'll let you in the room.

(01-21-2015 03:49 PM)FAUAEPi Wrote:  I'm struggling to find where the meetings are located. If anybody is able to find the EXACT location of the conferences, please share! I'm pretty big with Twitter, so I'll live update what happens when I meet Watts and what's going on at the meetings if I can. Give me a follow @JWhidden3. If not, I love having discussions with other conference mates.
#FreeUAB

Video of anything Watts says would be priceless.

At the Athletics Task Force today, I heard them say they will ask the C-USA Presidents & Commissioner next week to delay any decision regarding UAB's membership until after they can finalize their Athletic Review report (no later than April 2nd - hopefully earlier).

Messina says he has held numerous committee/board positions in C-USA & been recommended to a lot of them at the NCAA level. He also says he spoke to the C-USA Commissioner last week. He is not currently on the roster to go next week but basically asked the group going to let him go.