Yes, return of the MAC for football but all other sports were A10 still. This move will include all sports.Isn't this a return to the MAC (at least for football)?
Huge Minus. You are going from a conference that gets 1-2 at large bids a year to one that has not got an at large bid in 25 years.Seems like a positive step, although is this a plus or minus for basketball?
That's what I thought.Huge Minus. You are going from a conference that gets 1-2 at large bids a year to one that has not got an at large bid in 25 years.
As a somewhat proud Zip alum, I approve this message.How can a possible trip to March Madness compare to getting your heads kicked in by Akron on a Tuesday night in October, brought to you by ESPN2?
Where would you have them go?Seems like a strange fit for UMass to play all their games in the Great Lakes region. What's the logic here?
Football can't survive being an independent for a long time.Seems like a strange fit for UMass to play all their games in the Great Lakes region. What's the logic here?
UVM doesn't have the financial resources to compete in the A-10. From what I've heard, College of Charleston has had it's eyes on the A10. They're not happy with the CAA.Does this leave the A-10 to poach a school from a smaller conference? Would UVM fit in the A-10? Their men’s Bball team has dominated the America East over the past ~10 years.
America East perhaps? Could develop rivalry with UML if that’s allowed by the Umass bylawsI note that MAC doesn't have men's ice hockey, lacrosse or soccer. They can probably stay in Hockey East but will need to affiliate with other conferences for the other two sports.
Where would you have them go?
From The Athletic story:
UMass’ move leaves UConn as the last completely independent FBS program.
And what about every other sport?Football can't survive being an independent for a long time.
They'll stay in Hockey East for sure. MLAX could go to Big East. MLAX has Denver, Marquette, and Georgetown who are all good to very good programs but there's only 6 or 7 members total.I note that MAC doesn't have men's ice hockey, lacrosse or soccer. They can probably stay in Hockey East but will need to affiliate with other conferences for the other two sports.
Again, what would you have had them do? If there wasn't an offer on the table to join the MAC or CUSA in a football-only capacity, what would your solution to this have been?And what about every other sport?
Football drives the realignment bus at the FBS level so UMass needed to get into a league. If it wasn't the MAC, it was going to be the C-USA which will have teams spread from Delaware to Florida on the East Coast, Kentucky/Tennessee/Texas/Louisiana in the South/SW, and even into New Mexico. Believe me, if you had to pick between the two leagues picking the MAC is a much better choice.And what about every other sport?
Drop down to FCS since they’re not that good and rejoin the Coastal Athletic (left in 2012) for football and join the America East/Hockey East for the others to be with UNH and Maine for everything.(and would be with Albany and UVM for almost everything)Again, what would you have had them do? If there wasn't an offer on the table to join the MAC or CUSA in a football-only capacity, what would your solution to this have been?
I agree. The viable choices were to join an FBS conference or drop football entirely. FCS is like 90% of the cost at 5% of the benefit.Again, what would you have had them do? If there wasn't an offer on the table to join the MAC or CUSA in a football-only capacity, what would your solution to this have been?
UMass leaving puts the A-10 at 14 schools. I don't think they'll feel obligated to add someone else, although I'm always wrong when I say that.Does this leave the A-10 to poach a school from a smaller conference? Would UVM fit in the A-10? Their men’s Bball team has dominated the America East over the past ~10 years.
I think that's a very safe assumption.I take it joining the American wasn't an option?
I don't follow UMass sports at all, so I didn't know if their brand was that bad. Guess so.I think that's a very safe assumption.
Yes, for sure. The NET for the MAC is 24th (one behind the MAAC, 3 behind America East); the A10 is 8th. The other league that was considered, CUSA, is 15th.Huge Minus. You are going from a conference that gets 1-2 at large bids a year to one that has not got an at large bid in 25 years.
Edit - Might as well title it UMass gives up on Basketball for Football Dreams.
Not affected. The only league that's got hockey is the Big 10 (plus Notre Dame). All the other hockey leagues are hockey only.What abouthockey ?
View: https://twitter.com/kylerowland/status/1762199702789816574?Sources: There continues to be mutual interest between the MAC and Western Kentucky.
They've been to the tourney once this century, they aren't giving anything up in basketballHuge Minus. You are going from a conference that gets 1-2 at large bids a year to one that has not got an at large bid in 25 years.
Edit - Might as well title it UMass gives up on Basketball for Football Dreams.
CAA has too many football schools to accept another one without an exit. 15 schools is quite enough.Drop down to FCS since they’re not that good and rejoin the Coastal Athletic (left in 2012) for football and join the America East/Hockey East for the others to be with UNH and Maine for everything.(and would be with Albany and UVM for almost everything)
Go 16 and make 2 divisions (or even 4)? not sure why 15 is a better number than 16CAA has too many football schools to accept another one without an exit. 15 schools is quite enough.
It’s not. I wish it were smaller.Go 16 and make 2 divisions (or even 4)? not sure why 15 is a better number than 16
Bryant agreed to join before Delaware left.Kind of surprised they replaced Delaware with Bryant to keep it 15.
Something tells me UVM is perfectly happy dominating America East and getting that auto bid almost every year. They've got a nice thing going.UVM doesn't have the financial resources to compete in the A-10. From what I've heard, College of Charleston has had it's eyes on the A10. They're not happy with the CAA.
That and they just don't have the money to compete in the A-10.Something tells me UVM is perfectly happy dominating America East and getting that auto bid almost every year. They've got a nice thing going.