Conference Realignment

[Crank]

It may very well be the best option-I just don't agree with trying to add some false shine to it by overstating the quality of CUSA basketball.

[TheInsider]

I mean.. it's no different than A10 basketball right now

[Quann]

I mean.. it's no different than A10 basketball right now

Big difference is we still at least have some intact regional rivalries in the A-10. We'd have zero in Conference USA.

[Crank]

Just as a data point, per KenPom (which I don’t have a ton of preseason faith in so take it for what it’s worth), the A10 has 5 teams ranked in the top 100 and 8 teams in the top 150 (69, 70, 75, 86, 89, 104, 115 and 126) while CUSA has just 1 in the top 100 and 3 in the top 150 (76, 116 and 140). Neither is setting the world on fire, but still a significant difference.

[Sheck]

I mean.. it's no different than A10 basketball right now

Big difference is we still at least have some intact regional rivalries in the A-10. We'd have zero in Conference USA.

I mean we all hate Liberty so that's a rivalry right there.

[Steve81]

Just as a data point, per KenPom (which I don’t have a ton of preseason faith in so take it for what it’s worth), the A10 has 5 teams ranked in the top 100 and 8 teams in the top 150 (69, 70, 75, 86, 89, 104, 115 and 126) while CUSA has just 1 in the top 100 and 3 in the top 150 (76, 116 and 140). Neither is setting the world on fire, but still a significant difference.

Is the A10 propelling us forward? The basketball team has not propelled us to the Old Big East or the new one. You have had 8 years to make a difference and all I see is over 3M loss wthl men's basketball, and a current net rating of #203. Football needs a home and been patient way too long. Both programs can prosper in CUSA. At least 5 teams had good basketball runs and we can be the 6th. You can stand in your corner bitching about how it's not as good, or help our teams make a difference in CUSA.

[Crank]

Not what I'm saying at all but thanks for the attack

[InnervisionsUMASS]

Not what I'm saying at all but thanks for the attack

That's S.O.P. for Steve these days.

[Juice Stand]

I come here to read about the football program, but this friggin guy, damn Steve81, we get it. Your point has been made, you've shouted it from the mountain tops for all to hear, and trust me, we've heard you. Typically when a broken record is playing, people turn it off and throw it out. Some people will agree with you, some will disagree with you, but at some point could you propel the conversation forward instead of beating this dead horse into a pulp? You really make it very difficult to visit the football side of this website.

[Steve81]

I come here to read about the football program, but this friggin guy, damn Steve81, we get it. Your point has been made, you've shouted it from the mountain tops for all to hear, and trust me, we've heard you. Typically when a broken record is playing, people turn it off and throw it out. Some people will agree with you, some will disagree with you, but at some point could you propel the conversation forward instead of beating this dead horse into a pulp? You really make it very difficult to visit the football side of this website.

Look, a half dozen guys come over here and routinely shit on the football program and then Crank goes on for several posts that the A10 is better than CUSA. I get that as well. but when he keep going.. well.. make no apologies.

[TheInsider]

Welcome to college athletics.. getting football into a conference is far more important that basketball going to maybe a slightly (maybe) lower bball conference..

[DanaDingle3]

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.

Things are changing quickly. Teams from "lower" conferences have moved "up" to the A10 -- GMU, VCU, Davidson, etc., and have competitively surpassed UMass, while A10 teams like Temple, Xavier, and Charlotte have moved up from the A10, leaving UMass in the dust. The league is losing steam and will continue to do so.

CUSA will help with short-term football viability and provide a potential stepping stone if revenue sports shape up. I'm a hoops first guy, and I'd be ok w CUSA, AAC or Sunbelt.

[eldonabe]

Just as a data point, per KenPom (which I don’t have a ton of preseason faith in so take it for what it’s worth), the A10 has 5 teams ranked in the top 100 and 8 teams in the top 150 (69, 70, 75, 86, 89, 104, 115 and 126) while CUSA has just 1 in the top 100 and 3 in the top 150 (76, 116 and 140). Neither is setting the world on fire, but still a significant difference.

I like KenPom too, but it is not really reliable until the OOC is complete. His number crunching is all based on last years numbers at this point.

After New Years it is a great source to handicap games if you like to wager on stuff like that.

[Crank]

I come here to read about the football program, but this friggin guy, damn Steve81, we get it. Your point has been made, you've shouted it from the mountain tops for all to hear, and trust me, we've heard you. Typically when a broken record is playing, people turn it off and throw it out. Some people will agree with you, some will disagree with you, but at some point could you propel the conversation forward instead of beating this dead horse into a pulp? You really make it very difficult to visit the football side of this website.

Look, a half dozen guys come over here and routinely shit on the football program and then Crank goes on for several posts that the A10 is better than CUSA. I get that as well. but when he keep going.. well.. make no apologies.

Wow, that's rich coming from you

[Crank]

Just as a data point, per KenPom (which I don’t have a ton of preseason faith in so take it for what it’s worth), the A10 has 5 teams ranked in the top 100 and 8 teams in the top 150 (69, 70, 75, 86, 89, 104, 115 and 126) while CUSA has just 1 in the top 100 and 3 in the top 150 (76, 116 and 140). Neither is setting the world on fire, but still a significant difference.

I like KenPom too, but it is not really reliable until the OOC is complete. His number crunching is all based on last years numbers at this point.

After New Years it is a great source to handicap games if you like to wager on stuff like that.

I agree that it isn't reliable preseason, but he must be doing something other than using last year's numbers. He's got Loyola-Chicago at #75 and 3rd in the A10 and they were abysmal last year.