Conference Realignment

[ZooMass84]

https://youtu.be/2rZkfYLq7WY

Perhaps the MAC, but can see CUSA has a stronger east coast presence with Delaware, Liberty, Kennesaw Atlanta-Georgia, and FIU.
The smoke, only CUSA was speculated after reporting UMass is ready for an all sports move. In the past it was FB Only.
Be thrilled to finally have a football home and the major sports unified under one conference banner.

Might happen still

[Sheck]

C-USA fanbase reaction is tepid at best to adding us. "Too far away, bad football, mediocre basketball" are the main objections. Obviously the fans don't make these decisions, but thought that was interesting.

I do agree that C-USA with Delaware in there would be an ok fit. We'll have to get used to seeing different opponents in basketball but I think the change of scenery can help the hoops program too.

[Upstate10]

CUSA is a better basketball league than the A10 as long as NMSU, Liberty and WKU are around

[stevemaz]

CUSA is a better basketball league than the A10 as long as NMSU, Liberty and WKU are around

It is not, hence my suggestion that they raid the 4 best schools in the A10.

[TheInsider]

Depends on the metric.. but most had CUSA as a better league in 2022.. it's basically a toss up though since they were all like one is 7 and the other is 8

[dennisdent]

Sorry but the CUSA may be the only option but UMass has nothing in common with any of the present schools-- athletically or academically. FIU/SFU/JSU/MTSU/Liberty/LA Tech makes me want to throw up. At least NMSU/UTEP/WKU are basketball schools. Can UMass football compete and win against those CUSA schools--yes.

[minutefanjsf]

Sorry but the CUSA may be the only option but UMass has nothing in common with any of the present schools-- athletically or academically. FIU/SFU/JSU/MTSU/Liberty/LA Tech makes me want to throw up. At least NMSU/UTEP/WKU are basketball schools. Can UMass football compete and win against those CUSA schools--yes.

UMass belongs in a P5 league if we are looking at peer institutions. The issue is we are 40 years or more behind in spending on athletics. With no regional conferences any longer, none of the G5 conferences come close to matching UMass. We have a great hockey team and tradition rich Lacrosse for both men and women and have fantastic eras in many other sports, including hoops, softball, etc. it really sucks that we missed the train.

[stevemaz]

Sorry but the CUSA may be the only option but UMass has nothing in common with any of the present schools-- athletically or academically. FIU/SFU/JSU/MTSU/Liberty/LA Tech makes me want to throw up. At least NMSU/UTEP/WKU are basketball schools. Can UMass football compete and win against those CUSA schools--yes.

UMass belongs in a P5 league if we are looking at peer institutions. The issue is we are 40 years or more behind in spending on athletics. With no regional conferences any longer, none of the G5 conferences come close to matching UMass. We have a great hockey team and tradition rich Lacrosse for both men and women and have fantastic eras in many other sports, including hoops, softball, etc. it really sucks that we missed the train.

Obvously, we belong in the Big Ten

[shizzle787]

Join CUSA with Delaware. The league is only one step down in basketball from the A-10. Playing smaller schools is a con, but if you are that worried about your football situation, CUSA seems like the least bad option.

[dennisdent]

Interesting article on Idaho's football program:

https://www.extrapointsmb.com/p/fyi-ida ... wesome-now

I would much rather play UNH/Maine/URI and for championships in football, than getting our ass kicked for money and than playing the likes of FIU/MTSU/JSU. Of course I would rather be an FBS program but something needs to change, either way.

[Steve81]

Join CUSA with Delaware. The league is only one step down in basketball from the A-10. Playing smaller schools is a con, but if you are that worried about your football situation, CUSA seems like the least bad option.

Can not believe that I'm agree with shizzle. Do like the number of east coast teams from Miami, Atlanta, etc and view some of the teams as our friends in the A10 as LaSalle and other small schools. Respect our AD, Ryan Bamford even thou we had differences. Will be thrilled to leave the A10. There are basketball schools in CUSA and the bottom of the MAC is terrible. Can see how our AD made the investment in basketball with the Frank Martin hire and unwillingness to join the MAC. One other thing that I notice is the number of CUSA fans on the cnsbbs compared to the MAC. Not even close. The south is growing and expect good things as the younger programs develop. Will be align with our AD if he can make the speculation in this video happen.

https://youtu.be/2rZkfYLq7WY

[Crank]

To those that think C-USA is a near or better basketball league, you need to remember that the league just lost their top three programs (FAU, N. Texas, UAB) along with others to the AAC in the most recent conference shuffle. Liberty, Jacksonville State, Sam Houston State, New Mexico State and Kennesaw State aren't gonna remotely replace the losses, especially Final Four participant FAU.

That said, it may be our only option to escape independence, but I can't say that group of schools excites me as "rivals".

[Steve81]

To those that think C-USA is a near or better basketball league, you need to remember that the league just lost their top three programs (FAU, N. Texas, UAB) along with others to the AAC in the most recent conference shuffle. Liberty, Jacksonville State, Sam Houston State, New Mexico State and Kennesaw State aren't gonna remotely replace the losses, especially Final Four participant FAU.

That said, it may be our only option to escape independence, but I can't say that group of schools excites me as "rivals".

Like UMass, some of their traditional basketball schools are down, but Western Kentucky, New Mexico State and MTSU have been basketball schools. Even UTEP with Barbee was good in basketball. We'd be choosing better basketball over the very bad bottom of the MAC. CUSA has a better basketball than the MAC, not the A10. Thou before the last schools left, it was better than the A10.

[Crank]

C-USA was better than the A-10 in 2023 (via NET rank) but not in any of the prior years in which the NET was in use. 2022: A10 9, CUSA 13; 2021 A10 9, CUSA 12; 2020 A10 8, CUSA 15; 2019 A10 10, CUSA 13. I'd say 2023 was an aberration due to FAU's final 4 run.

Adding Sam Houston, Kennesaw, etc.. isn't going to bring that number up. The A10 certainly isn't what it used to be, but it is historically (and likely in the future) significantly above CUSA as a basketball league. If we are invited and choose to move there it should be with recognition that it is a big step down in basketball competition.

[Steve81]

C-USA was better than the A-10 in 2023 (via NET rank) but not in any of the prior years in which the NET was in use. 2022: A10 9, CUSA 13; 2021 A10 9, CUSA 12; 2020 A10 8, CUSA 15; 2019 A10 10, CUSA 13. I'd say 2023 was an aberration due to FAU's final 4 run.

Adding Sam Houston, Kennesaw, etc.. isn't going to bring that number up. The A10 certainly isn't what it used to be, but it is historically (and likely in the future) significantly above CUSA as a basketball league. If we are invited and choose to move there it should be with recognition that it is a big step down in basketball competition.

Crank, this is the best option for UMass, The football program has not had a conference for 8 years and you are grumbling about it be a step down for basketball. The A10 does not pay the bills. Men's basketball, even with A10 distribution lost over 3 MILLION Dollars in 2022. CUSA is better than the MAC. It also protects the lacrosse programs, especially women's. Time for us to get a full share of College Football Playoff share. We can compete right away in CUSA. Many of those programs have gone to the AAC. Hmmm, do you really expect a perfect scenario? Time to make steps for a better future.