Texas State to PAC 12

[MCMLXXX]

 

[GMG_Dallas]

  On 3/1/2025 at 6:08 AM, NT80 said:

 

He mentions Texas is an important area for several reasons and implies more than one school. 

St. Marys offers another great basketball program along with Gonzaga.   

This may get interesting as we're in the "possible" category now along with UTSA....

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I'd imagine any Texas school would want at least one travel partner but they don't help the conference's basketball prowess any. Neither does UTSA. I can see us filling in that other Texas slot to be a travel partner with TX State while being a perfect fit with the other basketball programs. 

Edited March 5 by GMG_Dallas

[DeepGreen]

Would a UNT move to the new PAC be a step up for UNT?  Travel would be a problem, and personally, I like the AAC just like it is.  As long as the conference keeps the current members.

[greenminer]

  On 3/5/2025 at 3:02 PM, DeepGreen said:

Would a UNT move to the new PAC be a step up for UNT?  Travel would be a problem, and personally, I like the AAC just like it is.  As long as the conference keeps the current members.

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I liked the AAC coming into this new lineup but, man! This has been an uphill battle.

Fighting for our lives to get NCAA bids, playing in questionable bowls.

It's not what I thought it would be.

[NT80]

  On 3/5/2025 at 3:02 PM, DeepGreen said:

Would a UNT move to the new PAC be a step up for UNT?  Travel would be a problem, and personally, I like the AAC just like it is.  As long as the conference keeps the current members.

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PAC will be the best G5 conference overall power-wise, especially with additions of Gonzaga and St. Mary’s in basketball.  

The key will be their media contract valuation, due the end of this month.  Then we can compare $ to $.

The AAC has deadweight in Tulsa, Charlotte, and Rice. 

[keith]

  On 3/5/2025 at 3:02 PM, DeepGreen said:

Would a UNT move to the new PAC be a step up for UNT?  Travel would be a problem, and personally, I like the AAC just like it is.  As long as the conference keeps the current members.

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We currently travel to the east coast (New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, North Carolina, Florida - Army and/or Navy only for FB).  Is that really any worse than traveling to the west coast (California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Utah)?  Also, it's not like we play every game away and don't have any home games.  

The other arguments about going west are late games and the impact on the student-athlete experience.  There are daytime kick-offs too.  One late game or two a season isn't going to kill us.  In terms of the student-athlete experience and if it's really detrimental, then we should start seeing athletes abandon these far-flung conferences that make them travel across the country for more regionally-based conferences and universities.  I mean that would be the true litmus test if it really is bad for the student-athletes.  So far, I haven't seen any defections of consequence.  My guess is they are fine with the experience or at least are willing to suck it up for a few years to play against the best competition they can.  

[Matt from A700]

Bring back the Southwest Conference with the best of the rest from AAC/SBC/MWC.

Us, UTSA, TXST, Memphis, Tulane, ULL in the East. UNLV, Nevada, UTEP, New Mexico, Air Force, and bring Colorado State over when the PAC media deal doesn't amount to anything.

Wichita State, St. Louis, Grand Canyon, and St. Mary's or San Francisco as non-football members.

[DeepGreen]

Why the love for ULL?

[MDH]

  On 3/7/2025 at 1:23 AM, DeepGreen said:

Why the love for ULL?

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Because they effectively raised their brand by dropping the 2nd L, just like TSUSM did this by dropping SM. It's an illusion of quality and power for the current members, some of who are "flagship" universities, or have aspirations to be playing with the likes.

[wardly]

  On 3/5/2025 at 7:40 PM, NT80 said:

PAC will be the best G5 conference overall power-wise, especially with additions of Gonzaga and St. Mary’s in basketball.  

The key will be their media contract valuation, due the end of this month.  Then we can compare $ to $.

The AAC has deadweight in Tulsa, Charlotte, and Rice. 

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Every conference has dead weight. If these 3 were removed then they would be replaced by 3 more, maybe even us.

[Matt from A700]

  On 3/7/2025 at 1:23 AM, DeepGreen said:

Why the love for ULL?

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Regional fit that has some good programs in outdated but sizeable venues.

Also, I think if we have to replace programs in the AAC, we should aim for teams with passionate fanbases, not large TV markets. Those quirky college towns give the league some flavor and personality, something a random conference like The American needs.

[Matt from A700]

  On 3/8/2025 at 9:16 PM, wardly said:

Every conference has dead weight. If these 3 were removed then they would be replaced by 3 more, maybe even us.

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I would take Texas State, James Madison, and Liberty over Rice, Tulsa, and Charlotte in a heartbeat.

[Mean Green 93-98]

  On 3/8/2025 at 9:29 PM, Matt from A700 said:

I would take Texas State, James Madison, and Liberty over Rice, Tulsa, and Charlotte in a heartbeat.

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Man, how things change.  15 or more years ago, that would have sounded like the most bizarre statement ever uttered.  Rice and Tulsa were light years ahead of us, and we dreamed of being in a conference with them.

No doubt James Madison and Liberty have been on a very good trajectory, but would being in a conference with them really excite the masses?

[ADLER]

  On 3/9/2025 at 12:46 AM, Mean Green 93-98 said:

Man, how things change.  15 or more years ago, that would have sounded like the most bizarre statement ever uttered.  Rice and Tulsa were light years ahead of us, and we dreamed of being in a conference with them.

No doubt James Madison and Liberty have been on a very good trajectory, but would being in a conference with them really excite the masses?

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True.

No.

[Old Denton]

  On 3/8/2025 at 9:29 PM, Matt from A700 said:

I would take Texas State, James Madison, and Liberty over Rice, Tulsa, and Charlotte in a heartbeat.

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Tx St is a long historic rival, but the latter 2 have some Flavor-of-the-Week bias (as does UTSA).

[MeanGreenGlory]

I'm all for a move to this new PAC-12.

The basketball would be an improvement and help elevate our most successful program.

The football would be slightly better as well.

[Cooke County Kid]

If it comes with more money then it might be a good thing.

[Pavlovs Eagle]

  On 3/15/2025 at 3:46 AM, MeanGreenGlory said:

I'm all for a move to this new PAC-12.

The basketball would be an improvement and help elevate our most successful program.

The football would be slightly better as well.

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If the Florida AG is correct and the ACC GOR gives ESPN an out in 2027, we need to expect that FSU and Clemson will force their hand with ESPN and get themselves out of that conference, possibly with other players like UNC and NC State. At that point, USF, Memphis, and probably Tulane (provided they continue with a decent football showing the next two seasons) will move to the ACC just because they hate us.

If we aren't already high-tailing it out of the AAC, mark my words: We will be playing Sam Houston and Tarleton State. What's left of the AAC will probably combine with C-USA or even look at a three-way combined super conference with the leftovers of the MWC + AAC + CUSA (Because B10 and SEC will be up to near 20 members each).

Without the three teams from the Carolinas and FSU, the ACC will be a shadow of its former self, but if they manage to keep everyone else in it, it may still retain its perception of a "Power" conference.  

[MeanGreenGlory]

  On 3/16/2025 at 3:59 AM, Pavlovs Eagle said:

If the Florida AG is correct and the ACC GOR gives ESPN an out in 2027, we need to expect that FSU and Clemson will force their hand with ESPN and get themselves out of that conference, possibly with other players like UNC and NC State. At that point, USF, Memphis, and probably Tulane (provided they continue with a decent football showing the next two seasons) will move to the ACC just because they hate us.

If we aren't already high-tailing it out of the AAC, mark my words: We will be playing Sam Houston and Tarleton State. What's left of the AAC will probably combine with C-USA or even look at a three-way combined super conference with the leftovers of the MWC + AAC + CUSA (Because B10 and SEC will be up to near 20 members each).

Without the three teams from the Carolinas and FSU, the ACC will be a shadow of its former self, but if they manage to keep everyone else in it, it may still retain its perception of a "Power" conference.  

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Agree. The AAC is not the long-term safe haven some think it is. The PAC will be more stable over the next decade. 
 

Additionally, we’re not receiving full-conference payouts for a while in the AAC. It’s clear TX is a target for the PAC. Depending on how good of negotiators our leaders are, we could feasibly get more money sooner from the PAC as well. 
 

I’d much rather secure a future playing Boise, Gonzaga, Washington State, St. Mary’s, etc. than risk the more and more likely scenario we end up in an even more watered down CUSA. 

[GMGGWBG]

  On 3/5/2025 at 3:02 PM, DeepGreen said:

Would a UNT move to the new PAC be a step up for UNT?  Travel would be a problem, and personally, I like the AAC just like it is.  As long as the conference keeps the current members.

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I miss CUSA and I'm kinda disappointed with AAC so far.

[GMGGWBG]

Someone online said the sec's slogan refers to their money, It Just Means More.  Teams in the AAC attract good talent.  Talent good enough that it will attract the attention of P5 teams.  AAC teams will be rebuilding every year and not gel in time for non-con which means once they enter conference games, their net rankings will be 100-300 and they will have one to no chances for quad 1 wins.  Maybe the PAC12 would help. 

Almost every player we lost in the portal will make the tournament this year while logging significant minutes as key players on their new teams.  And I am happy for them.  How long before we lose another coach?

Edited Sunday at 02:42 PM by GMGGWBG

[NT80]

  On 3/16/2025 at 2:10 PM, MeanGreenGlory said:

Additionally, we’re not receiving full-conference payouts for a while in the AAC. It’s clear TX is a target for the PAC. Depending on how good of negotiators our leaders are, we could feasibly get more money sooner from the PAC as well. 
I’d much rather secure a future playing Boise, Gonzaga, Washington State, St. Mary’s, etc. than risk the more and more likely scenario we end up in an even more watered down CUSA. 

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If you're asking Jared to be forward thinking, good luck.   I haven't seen anything he has done that says forward thinking.

It takes a real leader/general to take a program and fanbase to higher ground.  Right now we have milk toast.

[keith]

We should be doing everything we can to get into the New PAC before the window closes.  We get squat from the AAC and unfortunately it will likely be a shell of its former self in a 5 years.  Losing SMU hurt.  We don't get to play a local rival in any of our sports.  We got Army as a replacement, but for football only.  Our athletic program resume across the board is good and getting better, we have nice facilities and we have location, location, location on our side.  It's not like we "bring the DFW market," but at least we are in the market.  We are relatively easy to travel to which has to be a plus.  We don't need a travel partner or to pair up with anyone else to make it worth it.  Please, for the future of our athletic program, get it done.

[JimboF]

As a Texas State alumnus (graduate school) and fan, I'd love to see North Texas and Texas State in the new Pac really soon. Texas State has wanted to be a member of the AAC for years, but their exclusion actually makes it much, much easier for them to join the Pac from a financial perspective (lower exit fees). North Texas will have to contend with the expensive AAC exit fees if it chooses to join the Pac too, but perhaps North Texas has a few "deep-pocketed" donors willing to assist with that. Having Texas State and North Texas in the Pac means western members of that conference would be able to travel to Texas and play two conference games (in sports other than football) rather than just one, which makes quite a difference with regard to travel/scheduling. Heck, there's even a small chance that California might get tired of that ACC travel and join the Pac too. I'm eager to see what happens! 

[JimboF]

I should also mention that it seems like the newly configured Pac will be very stable for a long time, maybe even several or more decades. I can't think of any members that will have "wandering eyes." Perhaps just as importantly, based on the geographical locations of most Pac schools, it seems highly unlikely that any of them will get swiped by another conference. Thus, if North Texas and Texas State want the best stability and competition they can get, it definitely seems like the Pac is the way to go. It won't hurt North Texas and Texas State to increase their recruits from California either.