Conference Question

[AnotherEagleFan]

CUSA is most likely going to say good bye to UCF and ECU in two years as they are most likely going to the Big East. I don't see a big shake up in CUSA other then filling those 2 spots.

Your opinions on how that plays out... Will UNT be included? Will SMU and UNT play in the same conference?

[Green Lantern]

CUSA is most likely going to say good bye to UCF and ECU in two years as they are most likely going to the Big East. I don't see a big shake up in CUSA other then filling those 2 spots.

Your opinions on how that plays out... Will UNT be included? Will SMU and UNT play in the same conference?

Where have you seen anything about UCF and ECU to the Big East? I thought that was mostly rumors. Has there been any recent developments that I might have missed?

Edited November 2, 2007 by Green Lantern

[Censored by Laurie]

Is it because those are predominantly black schools?

Whoops...wrong thread

[Guest GrayEagleOne]

I've heard that both have been talking to the Big East but I believe that each initiated the contact. I doubt that will happen unless the Big East decides to divide itself between those that play football at the 1A level and those who don't. They have 16 schools in the Big East and I don't think that they'll add to that number. Included in that total is Notre Dame, a Big East member for everything but football. Even if they decided to divide into two conferences, would Notre Dame be happy with basketball and its other sports in a conference with Seton Hall, St. John's, Providence, et al?

I think that they are the two most qualified for the Big East if such a split should occur but those odds are slim to none.

Also if that did happen, do you think that Marshall would be content to sit there in a non-BCS conference with their nearest opponent 600 miles away? They'd likely consider returning to the MAC and CUSA might well be satisfied to be a 9-team conference.

[MeanGreen61]

I've heard that both have been talking to the Big East but I believe that each initiated the contact. I doubt that will happen unless the Big East decides to divide itself between those that play football at the 1A level and those who don't. They have 16 schools in the Big East and I don't think that they'll add to that number. Included in that total is Notre Dame, a Big East member for everything but football. Even if they decided to divide into two conferences, would Notre Dame be happy with basketball and its other sports in a conference with Seton Hall, St. John's, Providence, et al?

I think that they are the two most qualified for the Big East if such a split should occur but those odds are slim to none.

Also if that did happen, do you think that Marshall would be content to sit there in a non-BCS conference with their nearest opponent 600 miles away? They'd likely consider returning to the MAC and CUSA might well be satisfied to be a 9-team conference.

East Carolina has been openly begging the Big East for admission.

[greenminer]

I must have missed the part where the Big East was going to expand.

[NT80]

The Big East has 16 members in basketball and 8 in football. They would love 9 in football, ie Notre Dame, but that won't happen. Neither will adding another outside program until someone in basketball leaves or non-football schools split off.

Ever heard of UCF or ECU in basketball? Neither has anyone in the Big East. It may be Memphis that gets a first look if expansion starts from CUSA, and a travel partner for Louisville.

Any openings in CUSA would be welcome news for UNT, but we must get our attendance up, new stadium started, and football ducks in a row.

[AnotherEagleFan]

Big East football and Big East basketball are 2 totally different animals that are currently fighting. Football wants to go to 10 Members but basketball does not want to expand. They will most likely have to expand football to keep their automatic bid in the BCS. Backetball does not care about the BCS (except for the 8 football schools).

I agree that it can be Memphis because of their basketball team but their football program has always struggled. Market share and location gives the nod to ECU and UCF. BTW who ever heard of USF?

But I would still like to know about UNT being in the same conference with SMU... Will it ever happen?

[gksmith]

I think a big question is "will SMU vote FOR NT to join the conference?"

Wasn't SMU one of the biggest blockades in the 1970s when NTSU wanted to join the SWC?

Personally, I would love to be part of the C-USA. There are a lot more bowl opportunities, thus more opportunities for money.

[UNT_playmaker]

Why would NORTH TEXAS be included in any talks to be in included in CUSA

We had a real chance to be included but we blew it because our facilities were not up to par with other schools

They told us to prepare for another chance and we still are not up to par with our facilites, and adding new programs

Trust me, Troy and Arkansas State look very good to CUSA right now to be new members of that conference, especially Troy

Troy will be the number one candidate to be included in any CUSA-East vacancy.

[MCMLXXX]

Why would NORTH TEXAS be included in any talks to be in included in CUSA

We had a real chance to be included but we blew it because our facilities were not up to par with other schools

They told us to prepare for another chance and we still are not up to par with our facilites, and adding new programs

Trust me, Troy and Arkansas State look very good to CUSA right now to be new members of that conference, especially Troy

Troy will be the number one candidate to be included in any CUSA-East vacancy.

Facilities have improved and will continue to do so. Troy certainly looks like they have a good chance, but if they add a school west of the Mississippi I am confident that we are in a better position than ASU or LT.

[rcade]

Is it because those are predominantly black schools?

UCF isn't predominantly black. Are you thinking of FAMU?

[GrandGreen]

Why does everyone assume Troy is a leading candidate for moving up in conference affiliation? It is located in a small market area, has questionable academic standards for athletes, is a relatively small school and it's other sports are not all exactly top notch. Troy should be complimented for their football team but I don't think the other conferences are going be that interested. Both the MUTs and WKU should be much more appealing candidates for conferences that want to expand in the East.

Edited November 4, 2007 by GrandGreen

[NT80]

Why does everyone assume Troy is a leading candidate for moving up in conference affiliation? It is located in a small market area, has questionable academic standards for athletes, is a relatively small school and it's other sports are not all exactly top notch. Troy should be complimented for their football team but I don't think the other conferences are going be that interested. Both the MUTs and WKU should be much more appealing candidates for conferences that want to expand in the East.

Agree. Troy is not the easiest place to get to by plane. A town of only about 20,000. Troy basketball and facilities? Besides football, which is up right now, what else is there?