Bottom of a big conference or top of a middle/lower conference?

[thefish7]

Of course the Catholic 7 thought is was crazy too.

Are you saying the "Catholic 7" leaving the Big East is crazy? It's about the only logical thing I've seen happen since the realignment armageddon began.

[Gary the Gargoyle]

Interesting topic. My thoughts is that we should attempt to move up if possible. At this time, I do not think that the opportunity is there for us for a couple of reasons. Therefore, I think what we need to do is to meet with other schools in the MVC and use this strength in numbers approach to pressure the MVC Commissioner to try to bring in more quality schools to the MVC.

--I will freely admit that I have not kept up with what the MVC is currently doing but interested to hear everyone's feedback on this--

I think it depends on how secondary one considers FCS football to basketball in this league.

[bdhove12]

I understand your thinking. And of course we have not been invited to anything yet. I just look at Boise State in football who for years couldn't wait to get invited to the Mountain West Conference. That was a perfect conference for them. Great geographic rivalries with games close enough that fans could go to some road games. Two years ago they finally get into the MWC.
Then the Big East comes calling and BSU has visions of huge TV dollars. Never mind that there will never be a logical rivalry or that fans can't travel to road games or that the other school sports have to find a different lesser conference. Of course now we see what has happened to the Big East. I am sure BSU has some second thoughts at this point. I mean really? Boise State in an East coast conference. Of course the Catholic 7 thought is was crazy too.
Lets just not sell our souls for money. Lets look at what is a logical fit. That is all I am saying.

You left out the fact that BYU, SDSU, TCU, and Utah all left as well and that the MWC isn't anywhere close to what it once was.

[braveatheart]

You left out the fact that BYU, SDSU, TCU, and Utah all left as well and that the MWC isn't anywhere close to what it once was.

BYU and TCU left before BSU decided to join and SDSU left for the Big East with BSU. Not sure about the timing on Utah. However Nevada and Fresno State came to the MWC and are rivalries from back in the WAC.

[braveatheart]

Are you saying the "Catholic 7" leaving the Big East is crazy? It's about the only logical thing I've seen happen since the realignment armageddon began.

No I am saying the Catholic 7 thought the Big East became a convoluted mess. The C7 leaving makes total sense. BSU joining makes little sense at this point.

[bdhove12]

BYU and TCU left before BSU decided to join and SDSU left for the Big East with BSU. Not sure about the timing on Utah. However Nevada and Fresno State came to the MWC and are rivalries from back in the WAC.

All the departures happened after BSU decided to go the MWC. BSU accepted an invitation to MWC in June 2010. Utah announced they were leaving a couple weeks later, although there departure was pretty much a given at the time. BYU announced their independence in August 2010 and TCU announced they were going to the Big East in November 2010.

Sure, Boise chased the money and doesn't look like it will work at as well as they hoped. But it's not like they are stuck either. Rejoining the MWC seems like the most probable scenerio if this thing with the Big East crumbles. Back to where they started and no worse off then they would have been if they stayed.

[thefish7]

No I am saying the Catholic 7 thought the Big East became a convoluted mess. The C7 leaving makes total sense. BSU joining makes little sense at this point.

Ah got it, and totally agree.

[braveatheart]

All the departures happened after BSU decided to go the MWC. BSU accepted an invitation to MWC in June 2010. Utah announced they were leaving a couple weeks later, although there departure was pretty much a given at the time. BYU announced their independence in August 2010 and TCU announced they were going to the Big East in November 2010.

Sure, Boise chased the money and doesn't look like it will work at as well as they hoped. But it's not like they are stuck either. Rejoining the MWC seems like the most probable scenerio if this thing with the Big East crumbles. Back to where they started and no worse off then they would have been if they stayed.

You are right on the timing. I stand corrected. I was going by memory and my memory is obviously faulty.

To say they are no worse off is just not true. They will have a $5 million buyout if they leave the Big East before July 2013 but $10 million if they leave after. Those numbers could be reduced under certian conditions. But they will also forfeit conference distributions they would have earned if they had stayed.

There were also cost to leave the MWC for the Big East. Here is an article that said the costs could reach $21 million to leave the MWC for the Big East. Not sure what they actually came to.

http://voices.idahostatesman.com/2011/10/20/bmurphy/boise_state_exit_fee_mountain_west_could_be_21_million

To say they are no worse off is incorrect.

Of course BSU is spending state money and Bradley doesn't have that luxury.

[Bravesfan]

I wasn't thrilled about the Valley going after the Dakota schools from the Summit conference, if it ever comes to this. But maybe that's not a bad idea after all as S. Dakota St. shocked #12 New Mexico at the Pit today 70-65! Most BCS schools would have trouble winning there! Talk about a resume builder for SDS as they improve to 10-4. Coach Mo will have his work cut out for him if WIU has any chance of beating this team in the Summit this year!

Also, Wright St. up on Cincinnati 28-22 at the half.