First reaction: UMass to the MAC

[MikeUMA]

Wanted to light this quickly after The Athletic's report. 3 sets of choices. Vote based on your program fandom, closest match.

[InnervisionsUMASS]

Bball first fan here, love the move... needed to go somewhere, so my reaction would be the same regardless of what the conference was.

[DoctorJ]

How many more players will bolt at the end of the year (or next year) as a result?

When do we start in the MAC?

Is it possible that Bam Bam knows something about what is going to happen to the A10? If UMass, Dayton, and VCU leave then it becomes a really mid mid major.

[TheInsider]

I think we start 25/26. Some players may bolt, but with a strong NIL and if we keep paying Frank to stick around it will be ok. The way CBB is these days, no player is a lock to stick around no matter what league we are in. The MAC is solid in a bunch of sports. Its an established league that will help FB. I like it better than CUSA. The A10 is dying in basketball, and for those who think bball will now be irrelevant because its in the MAC, have you been paying attention the past 20 years??

[stevemaz]

Hey maybe we dominate and then move to another league. we should have moved to MAC in 2016.

[DoctorJ]

Hey maybe we dominate and then move to another league. we should have moved to MAC in 2016.

I think this is the actual plan. It has to be. Rust belt would never be a long term solution. AAC is the obvious goal for UMass, I think.

I wonder what strings are attached. Is there a penalty for leaving?

What kind of revenue does being in the MAC offer?

Will the MAC be adding other schools?

[fenway617]

First reaction is this isn't great for basketball. But Twitter people seem to think otherwise so we'll see.

[stevemaz]

Hey maybe we dominate and then move to another league. we should have moved to MAC in 2016.

I think this is the actual plan. It has to be. Rust belt would never be a long term solution. AAC is the obvious goal for UMass, I think.

I wonder what strings are attached. Is there a penalty for leaving?

What kind of revenue does being in the MAC offer?

Will the MAC be adding other schools?

One thing that wouldnt surprise me is MAC adding Dayton, VCU, and Loyola for instance.

[DoctorJ]

Why would they add teams without football?

[stevemaz]

Why would they add teams without football?

I sense something is in the works where the NCAA is going to appease the Power schools by reducing DIV 1 all sports to just the football conferences. So, we may see the best of the rest try to find a way into Div 1.. this includes Big East schools. Further, I still think Big East footbal could make a comeback because of this very reason, especially if ACC starts to teeter. One thing for sure.. mark it down..our chances of making NCAA tournament will be increased in the near future with 64 of 140 or so teams in Div 1 getting bids. The days of 362 schools in D1 are numbered!

[Steve81]

Pretty happy that we are finally leaving the A10. The A10 was good and a lot of memories, but has been sliding and revenue speaking needed to make a move.

[Old Cage]

^^ Maz - With the MAC ranked so low in hoops, why would any of its teams make your 140 cut?

[vanmeter]

In reviewing the sports of each conference:

Mac Has Womens Golf, Womens Volleyball and Womens Gymnastics No womens crew (rowing)

Mac has mens tennis, mens golf and mens wrestling No mens soccer or mens lacrosse (also no hockey but we are staying in hockey east)

I think the biggest issue here is Men's Lacrosse. Hopefully we can get back into the Coastal League (formerly Colonial Athletic Association)

[inthescoop]

Bball fan - HATE it.

That is all..... that is all.

[kdogg8173]

Not really upset about moving to a different conference…if it wasn’t the MAC. Zero interest in any of those teams. For football, it’s easily the least exciting travel schedule possible. The directional schools and Akron in December. No thanks