(10-28-2023 08:20 PM)army56mike Wrote:  Y’all gotta admit, though not a homerun, a UMass & UDel add for CUSA would be a solid double. And if it’s paired with an EKU & Missouri St. add at the same time, it could be legged into a triple. I’d take that for CUSA. We’d be full up, have lots of product for TV, and both increase the CUSA footprint and the core cluster of the conference.

Invite UMass-UDel-EKU-MoSt right now! Strike while the iron is hot, to lukewarm.

We don't gotta admit that!

Be more like hitting into a double play. But on purpose.

(10-29-2023 07:52 PM)inutech Wrote:  

(10-28-2023 08:20 PM)army56mike Wrote:  Y’all gotta admit, though not a homerun, a UMass & UDel add for CUSA would be a solid double. And if it’s paired with an EKU & Missouri St. add at the same time, it could be legged into a triple. I’d take that for CUSA. We’d be full up, have lots of product for TV, and both increase the CUSA footprint and the core cluster of the conference.

Invite UMass-UDel-EKU-MoSt right now! Strike while the iron is hot, to lukewarm.

We don't gotta admit that!

Be more like hitting into a double play. But on purpose.

Inutech's point has some validity--BUT the question (by some) is:

WHAT would You do?

Add no one is an easy answer--but do you have an alternative?

(10-29-2023 08:18 PM)TOPSTRAIGHT Wrote:  

(10-29-2023 07:52 PM)inutech Wrote:  

(10-28-2023 08:20 PM)army56mike Wrote:  Y’all gotta admit, though not a homerun, a UMass & UDel add for CUSA would be a solid double. And if it’s paired with an EKU & Missouri St. add at the same time, it could be legged into a triple. I’d take that for CUSA. We’d be full up, have lots of product for TV, and both increase the CUSA footprint and the core cluster of the conference.

Invite UMass-UDel-EKU-MoSt right now! Strike while the iron is hot, to lukewarm.

We don't gotta admit that!

Be more like hitting into a double play. But on purpose.

Inutech's point has some validity--BUT the question (by some) is:

WHAT would You do?

Add no one is an easy answer--but do you have an alternative?

I have yet to see a better one.

Choosing not to make a poor decision is still a choice.

League leaders have a goal--publicly stated-- of going to twelve.

(10-29-2023 09:49 PM)TOPSTRAIGHT Wrote:  League leaders have a goal--publicly stated-- of going to twelve.

Yes, we will likely have 12 in the not too distant future. Delaware and UMass really need to be in the MAC though. Good schools but poor fit geographically for CUSA. 12 should result in divisions for non revenue sports.

(10-29-2023 09:57 PM)MinerInWisconsin Wrote:  

(10-29-2023 09:49 PM)TOPSTRAIGHT Wrote:  League leaders have a goal--publicly stated-- of going to twelve.

Yes, we will likely have 12 in the not too distant future. Delaware and UMass really need to be in the MAC though. Good schools but poor fit geographically for CUSA. 12 should result in divisions for non revenue sports.

MinerInWisconsin>>> Hypothetically--- How about Delaware and Missouri St.?

And you are on track about divisional or purposeful scheduling for less travel if you have 12 schools--this would address some of the "geographical fit" and cost issues.

(10-29-2023 09:49 PM)TOPSTRAIGHT Wrote:  League leaders have a goal--publicly stated-- of going to twelve.

Meh.

I bet they had a goal of not losing 9 members in two years, too

Even if they are determined to add two more maybe we are talking about a 15 year plan or something.

The goal should be to make the best of things. Right now I cannot see how that would involve any more schools.

(10-30-2023 12:09 AM)inutech Wrote:  

(10-29-2023 09:49 PM)TOPSTRAIGHT Wrote:  League leaders have a goal--publicly stated-- of going to twelve.

Meh.

I bet they had a goal of not losing 9 members in two years, too

Even if they are determined to add two more maybe we are talking about a 15 year plan or something.

The goal should be to make the best of things. Right now I cannot see how that would involve any more schools.

15 years? Come on, man.

I don’t see why the MAC wants UMASS and Delaware. They are a compact G5 league. Buffalo is the only one really out of the footprint.

(10-30-2023 01:45 AM)TOPSTRAIGHT Wrote:  

(10-30-2023 12:09 AM)inutech Wrote:  

(10-29-2023 09:49 PM)TOPSTRAIGHT Wrote:  League leaders have a goal--publicly stated-- of going to twelve.

Meh.

I bet they had a goal of not losing 9 members in two years, too

Even if they are determined to add two more maybe we are talking about a 15 year plan or something.

The goal should be to make the best of things. Right now I cannot see how that would involve any more schools.

15 years? Come on, man.

20?

School presidents have to think long term.

(10-30-2023 06:38 AM)inutech Wrote:  

(10-30-2023 01:45 AM)TOPSTRAIGHT Wrote:  

(10-30-2023 12:09 AM)inutech Wrote:  

(10-29-2023 09:49 PM)TOPSTRAIGHT Wrote:  League leaders have a goal--publicly stated-- of going to twelve.

Meh.

I bet they had a goal of not losing 9 members in two years, too

Even if they are determined to add two more maybe we are talking about a 15 year plan or something.

The goal should be to make the best of things. Right now I cannot see how that would involve any more schools.

15 years? Come on, man.

20?

School presidents have to think long term.

To plan for students who aren’t even born yet.

(10-29-2023 07:08 PM)TOPSTRAIGHT Wrote:  Looking at UMASS FB objectively... They have improved. Still weak--but heading in the right direction.

Defeated NMSU in Las Cruces

Defeated ARMY at West Point

Lost by 2 at EMU

Lost to New Mexico by 3 in O.T.

Believe Don Brown has the team moving and perfect guy. All he wants to do is bring UMass football back. From the start of FBS, we played a P5 heavy ooc schedule and has not stopped. Next season, we play #1 Georgia, Mississippi State, and Missouri on campus.

We finally play a good FCS team next week and finish at Liberty and home for UConn.

The big change is our new Chancellor likes football and traveled to Army. Hence, the first time we dropped fb only and were willing to make an all sports move. Our AD likes bb and was trying to stay in the A10, and now, with the move favors, CUSA.

Sent from my SM-G990U using CSNbbs mobile app

(10-29-2023 07:52 PM)inutech Wrote:  

(10-28-2023 08:20 PM)army56mike Wrote:  Y’all gotta admit, though not a homerun, a UMass & UDel add for CUSA would be a solid double. And if it’s paired with an EKU & Missouri St. add at the same time, it could be legged into a triple. I’d take that for CUSA. We’d be full up, have lots of product for TV, and both increase the CUSA footprint and the core cluster of the conference.

Invite UMass-UDel-EKU-MoSt right now! Strike while the iron is hot, to lukewarm.

We don't gotta admit that!

Be more like hitting into a double play. But on purpose.

We can't hit and we can't field. But what can we do?
We can get on base.

Good to have some UMASS posters here.

Question-- How do your BB boosters feel about this??

Seems like they would be VERY against the move.

Geography problem. Teams travel time/missed classes and cost?

Airport access--how far, etc.?

Would Delaware coming along make ANY difference???

(10-30-2023 03:52 AM)AssKickingChicken Wrote:  I don’t see why the MAC wants UMASS and Delaware. They are a compact G5 league. Buffalo is the only one really out of the footprint.

I pose this question. Why would UDel or UMass want the MAC?

Like you pointed out, minus Buffalo, they are a compact conference in the rust belt. It covers four cold weather states. The MAC really doesn’t generate any excitement, publicity, fan support, interest or nice weather. As far as I know it’s, like us, not a very competitive conference. And all the MAC teams seem like the exact same team, same profile, directional midwest st. MAC is old and unchanged.

CUSA at least offers more national coverage, as you get exposure in the southwest, southeast, and east coast. I think you get a little more media money and there is a chance that goes up with the addition of these two teams. CUSA is new, fresh, just exploring its potential.

(10-30-2023 07:22 PM)TOPSTRAIGHT Wrote:  Good to have some UMASS posters here.

Question-- How do your BB boosters feel about this??

Seems like they would be VERY against the move.

Geography problem. Teams travel time/missed classes and cost?

Airport access--how far, etc.?

Would Delaware coming along make ANY difference???

Thanks!

A few years ago the basketball boosters would have been very much against a move but there's less opposition now. C-USA is arguably as good as the A10 in hoops now. There's also speculation that VCU, Dayton, and Saint Louis could leave which would make staying in the A10 even less attractive.

Travel is a bit of a concern but A10 has a lot of plane trips and missed class time as well. The way conference realignment is going across the board geography matters less and less. It's all about having access to the revenue that playing in an FBS conference provides.

Bradley Airport in Windsor Locks, CT is the closest. About 45 miles away.

Delaware coming along would help. Academically I think we're aligned very well with them and they're somewhat of a travel partner. Some history with them in football when we were FCS as well.

I know we're going to be an outlier even with Delaware in there but hoping the size of the school and the athletic budget would make us worth adding.

(10-30-2023 08:19 PM)sheck Wrote:  

(10-30-2023 07:22 PM)TOPSTRAIGHT Wrote:  Good to have some UMASS posters here.

Question-- How do your BB boosters feel about this??

Seems like they would be VERY against the move.

Geography problem. Teams travel time/missed classes and cost?

Airport access--how far, etc.?

Would Delaware coming along make ANY difference???

Thanks!

A few years ago the basketball boosters would have been very much against a move but there's less opposition now. C-USA is arguably as good as the A10 in hoops now. There's also speculation that VCU, Dayton, and Saint Louis could leave which would make staying in the A10 even less attractive.

Travel is a bit of a concern but A10 has a lot of plane trips and missed class time as well. The way conference realignment is going across the board geography matters less and less. It's all about having access to the revenue that playing in an FBS conference provides.

Bradley Airport in Windsor Locks, CT is the closest. About 45 miles away.

Delaware coming along would help. Academically I think we're aligned very well with them and they're somewhat of a travel partner. Some history with them in football when we were FCS as well.

I know we're going to be an outlier even with Delaware in there but hoping the size of the school and the athletic budget would make us worth adding.

Thanks Sheck. Will add most teams charter into Westover AFB in Chicopee. Some have charted into Westfield AFB, both near Springfield and 30 minutes to UMass. As far as visiting teams, most fly into Bradley or Logan. Some Toledo fans say flights were cheaper for them into Logan. UMass is 70 miles west of Boston.

We'll be playing at Liberty 11/18. Be interesting if there are any comments.

(10-30-2023 08:19 PM)sheck Wrote:  

(10-30-2023 07:22 PM)TOPSTRAIGHT Wrote:  Good to have some UMASS posters here.

Question-- How do your BB boosters feel about this??

Seems like they would be VERY against the move.

Geography problem. Teams travel time/missed classes and cost?

Airport access--how far, etc.?

Would Delaware coming along make ANY difference???

Thanks!

A few years ago the basketball boosters would have been very much against a move but there's less opposition now. C-USA is arguably as good as the A10 in hoops now. There's also speculation that VCU, Dayton, and Saint Louis could leave which would make staying in the A10 even less attractive.

Travel is a bit of a concern but A10 has a lot of plane trips and missed class time as well. The way conference realignment is going across the board geography matters less and less. It's all about having access to the revenue that playing in an FBS conference provides.

Bradley Airport in Windsor Locks, CT is the closest. About 45 miles away.

Delaware coming along would help. Academically I think we're aligned very well with them and they're somewhat of a travel partner. Some history with them in football when we were FCS as well.

I know we're going to be an outlier even with Delaware in there but hoping the size of the school and the athletic budget would make us worth adding.

If this happens, outliers may out number the rest eventually. FIU, UTEP, NMSU and UMass would all be in that category. 2300 mile drive from El Paso to Amherst. A rivalry in the making.

If this doesn't happen then nevermind.

Saw this on X
Adam Breneman @AdamBreneman81
Thoughts on @UMassFootball after calling the Army game on Saturday:

- Steve Casula put a really good plan together. Great job using shifts and motions.

- Lynch-Adams is elite. He has so many good traits, most impressive of which is his contact balance.

- Phommachanh was efficient and took care of the football. Having a great QB is so important in a rebuild -- and when he's healthy, UMass has one.

- Billy Wooden is a great player. Was cool to see him make back to back plays to end the game.

- You could tell post game how much this win meant to the players and Don Brown. Brown was emotional in @TinaCervasio's post game interview. Players were celebrating and hugging their coaches. This one was big.

- Now UMass HAS to take this momentum and keep building & getting better. Can't take a step back. This has been the spot that has hurt UMass for years. Now that you won 2, have to win 3 and build momentum. Opportunities multiply as they are seized!

- Now is the time to get in a conference. WHATEVER it takes. UMass football needs to be in a conference. CUSA, MAC, AAC, Sun Belt... doesn't matter. Need a conference home. Take all sports if they have to and leave the A10. I know Ryan Bamford is working tirelessly to make it happen.

From X, not only was our Chancellor at the Army game, so was UMass President, Marty Meehan.