Would You Be In Favor Of Replacing Denver With Oral Roberts ?

NT03 · March 12, 2011

According to the Sunbelt's associate director we are going to stay at 11 teams once Denver leaves. Nothing planned , but nothing ruled out. I'd be in favor of adding a good program who is relatively close and could fit in the West division. ORU usually has a pretty good RPI in hoops also has a strong baseball program

Hilltopper2k · March 12, 2011

No.

This is a one bid league for now. Why add one more team fighting for that one bid?

I think we would be better served to add incentives for Sunbelt teams and coaches to win non conference games.

Edited March 12, 2011 by Hilltopper2k

Mean Green 93-98 · March 12, 2011

They'd be good for the Belt from a basketball perspective. But I'm very reluctant to add any non-football schools. That's one reason I was kind of glad to see Denver go.

gruu · March 12, 2011

Hell No.

Mean Green Matt · March 12, 2011

Just a few years ago we had 5 non-football schools. WKU (moved to FBS), USA (started football), UNO (went bankrupt and dropped), Denver (moving to WAC). That leaves only UALR. I still think we need to drop UALR, but it would have to potential to be a PR nightmare if they did not already have a new home lined up. We would then be an all-sports conference sitting at 10 football and 10 basketball. That would be the optimal outcome in my opinion, but I doubt it ever happens.

wardly · March 12, 2011

Just a few years ago we had 5 non-football schools. WKU (moved to FBS), USA (started football), UNO (went bankrupt and dropped), Denver (moving to WAC). That leaves only UALR. I still think we need to drop UALR, but it would have to potential to be a PR nightmare if they did not already have a new home lined up. We would then be an all-sports conference sitting at 10 football and 10 basketball. That would be the optimal outcome in my opinion, but I doubt it ever happens.

i agree. however, if we were to add a basketball only school i would vote for uta. they are building a new arena,have a good baseball program, and would give us a natural rival, something we have never had.

Mean Green Matt · March 12, 2011

i agree. however, if we were to add a basketball only school i would vote for uta. they are building a new arena,have a good baseball program, and would give us a natural rival, something we have never had.

I wonder if they would accept.

NM Green · March 12, 2011

I think we have a winner:)

I like the idea of UTA for hoops only.

No to ORU. Let's leave that 12th spot open and available for NMSU or La Tech and have them bring their entire portfolio.

GMG

CMJ · March 12, 2011

Let's goto a full 20 game home and home with no divisions once Denver leaves. I'd dig that.

Edited March 12, 2011 by CMJ

untbowler · March 12, 2011

maybe not ORU but would take Missouri State in a heartbeat, adds solid team to Basketball and they could bump to 1A football.

drex · March 12, 2011

Missouri State has been approached in the past, but are holding firm to play FCS football. Football is not a big thing in Springfield. In fact, Missouri is really not a very hot state for football. If you look at Mizzou roster you will find a lot of Illinois and Texas guys. Missouri State football attendance is poor...we played them back in the 90's.

GrandGreen · March 13, 2011

Just a few years ago we had 5 non-football schools. WKU (moved to FBS), USA (started football), UNO (went bankrupt and dropped), Denver (moving to WAC). That leaves only UALR. I still think we need to drop UALR, but it would have to potential to be a PR nightmare if they did not already have a new home lined up. We would then be an all-sports conference sitting at 10 football and 10 basketball. That would be the optimal outcome in my opinion, but I doubt it ever happens.

Disregarding the fact that UALR is a senior member of the conference and isn't going anywhere unless they want to, why? Not picking on you, but this is a continuous topic on most Belt boards, what difference does it make? Do people think this gives non-football playing members an advantage in other sports, make scheduling harder, provide better competition, etc? No one is concerned that other schools don't play all the others sports. I do think it would work better with a balanced number, so I wouldn't be against adding another non-football member.

Mean Green Matt · March 13, 2011

Disregarding the fact that UALR is a senior member of the conference and isn't going anywhere unless they want to, why? Not picking on you, but this is a continuous topic on most Belt boards, what difference does it make? Do people think this gives non-football playing members an advantage in other sports, make scheduling harder, provide better competition, etc? No one is concerned that other schools don't play all the others sports. I do think it would work better with a balanced number, so I wouldn't be against adding another non-football member.

I think it makes for a better, more solid conference to have all football members. Of course you can argue that lots of Big East schools don't have football, but those are a different level of basketball program than UALR. Now that all of the other non-football schools have either left or added a program, I personally think UALR should be asked to make a decision about adding football, and if they choose not to, they should be given an opportunity to search for a new conference home. That is just my opinion, and I understand there would be some issues to deal with. How long UALR has been in the conference is really a non-issue for me personally.

Denia Park Pedro · March 13, 2011

I don't get the idea that having all members playing football makes the conference better. How would that work? If ORU would add value to SBC basketball and be reasonably competative in the other sports they field, there's no reason why we shouldn't send feelers out to them.

As for UALR, don't you think talk about giving them the boot sounds a little like sour grapes coming from us right now?

MCMLXXX · March 13, 2011

I like the idea of UTA for hoops only.

GMG

I think UTA would be a good choice with their new facility. We already play them and it could develop into a good rivalry, draw a good crowd, and increase SBC media exposure in the metroplex.

Mean Green Matt · March 13, 2011

I don't get the idea that having all members playing football makes the conference better. How would that work? If ORU would add value to SBC basketball and be reasonably competative in the other sports they field, there's no reason why we shouldn't send feelers out to them.
As for UALR, don't you think talk about giving them the boot sounds a little like sour grapes coming from us right now?

I suppose it could be interpreted that way, but the loss has nothing to do with wanting all football playing schools. It is just a personal preference. I understand it is sort of cut throat, but cut throat scenarios come up in conference realignment discussion all the time. In a thread on the Sun Belt board a scenario where ULM gets the boot and La. Tech gets added was discussed. I'm not saying Wright Waters should give UALR the boot tomorrow in real life, just that if I were in charge I would be nudging UALR to get football or leave. Once again, personal preference.