First reaction: UMass to the MAC

[GOODY]

Stuck in the middle ! MAC basketball won’t attract the better players ! But hopefully Frank can get a few ! Better for football! Can’t go to big east for BB And we’re not going ti the Acc etc so what other choices ???

[Uminuteman]

This could really really really suck...

Somehow I fail to see how a UMass vs Akron rivalry could even scratch the surface of Mass vs Temple.

This appears to really blow. BUT, if we can get to the big dance four times per decade this way, people will adjust to it.

AND... if we are regularly getting into the dance, we will end up in the AAC within a decade - I think.

Then it will have become worth it.

When was the last time we played Temple? That was a rivalry but is not anymore. One scuffle of the court between players (or coaches) and a rivalry is born.

[TheInsider]

Basketball was given the keys to the future of UMass Athletics back when we first left the MAC and drive us towards the AAC. It failed miserably.

[LS71]

The more I think about it the less this move appeals to me.

Instead of shooting for the stars UMass has decided to settle for the middle.

[debache]

I am not happy about this turn of events, I am not excited about playing any of the teams in the MAC. We are going down in competition, season ticket holder since 1987, next year just might be the last.

[e_parade]

The more I think about it the less this move appeals to me.

Instead of shooting for the stars UMass has decided to settle for the middle.

Before we were shooting for the stars by putting a bunch of explosives on the ground and yelling at them to take us up.

Now we're taking the time to build a rocket first.

[natwam2547]

As a Umass basketball fan first, I voted that I don't like the move. But I'm also a realist and understand why they are doing it. Football rules. You don't have to like it, but it's where the $ is and Umass is pot committed to making it work so they have to do what is in the best interest there, even at the expense of basketball.

I'm sentimental for the 90's just like everyone else is on here, but like people have stated, the A-10 aint what it used to be. Sure, it's ranked 8th and the MAC is ranked 24th, but if both are 1 bid leagues, does it really matter? Sure, Richmond, Loyola or others could win the tournament and Dayton would get the at-large whereas in the MAC if Akron doesn't win the tournament, they probably don't get an at-large. That's probably the only discernable difference right now. In 2014, the A-10 was a 6 bid league. Times have changed. If you aren't a power conference, you're pretty much all the same at this point.

I don't think this leads to a mass exodus of players. If the NIL $ is there and they like playing for Frank, this won't change much. Aside from RJ and Noah and Wildens, most of our players who leave usually transfer down anyway. DD is in the Sun Belt, TJ is in the MAAC, Javohn is in the Southland, Sy is in the....MAC! East is in the SEC but after a stop in the MVC. I also don't think Frank first heard about this in the news yesterday. I'm pretty sure he was at least prepped on the opportunity ahead of time, or was even briefed about it when he was hired. Lets be real here. He's still getting a good salary. I don't think he bolts after next year to avoid playing in the MAC. Now, if he's tried it out for a few years and it's not working out, maybe in 4-5 years he's gone. But you could say that for being in the A-10 too.

Not for nothing, but the MAC conference tournament has been one of the most exiting ones in recent years and the league winner has done relatively well in the tournament in some years.

2021 Ohio made it to the round of 32
2019 Buffalo with Nate Oats was a 6 seed and made it to the round of 32
2018 Buffalo made it to the round of 32
2012 Ohio made it to the sweet 16 and lost in OT to UNC

I am sad that we are losing the rivalries we've built with teams in the A-10 over the years. But Temple and Xavier bolted when they had better opportunities. Butler was in the A-10 for just 1 year. If you go back to the 90's, WVU, Virginia Tech, and Rutgers left for better opportunities.

Nothing makes sense anymore. CAL and Stanford are in the ATLANTIC coast conference. Washington, Oregon, USC and UCLA are in the Big 10. It just is what it is and Umass is adapting to what they think is best suited for their future. I don't like it, but I get it.

[devildawg3010]

I am bball fan first and from a bball perspective this is a disappointment. I've read a lot of good post commenting on what the future of the NCAA, sports, conferences, etc... I truly do not know anything about any of this. I do know the college sports landscape has changed drastically since COVID and is continuing to change. The PAC 12 was a $100+ million dollar conference that folded up overnight. Now USC sports have to travel to Penn State to play a softball game. College football just like the NFL is top dog and for us not to be in a conference made zero sense.

If this is better for UMass as a whole then I cannot be greedy.

I like that the MAC consists of public schools. I never understood how UMass was always getting its ass beat against these tiny rich private schools. To me it felt we didn't belong.

Until this happens, I'm looking forward to how we finish this year and next season. Go UMass.

[bmc24]

Horrible move for Umass men’s basketball

[Juice Stand]

Natwam and DevilDawg, great posts. I thoroughly agree with your takes.

[bmc24]

Martin will be gone, all the talent he brings in… gone. This is a damn shame.

[eldonabe]

The Ugliest girl at the dance finally got a date.

[LS71]

The more I think about it the less this move appeals to me.

Instead of shooting for the stars UMass has decided to settle for the middle.

Before we were shooting for the stars by putting a bunch of explosives on the ground and yelling at them to take us up.

Now we're taking the time to build a rocket first.

I guess...but that rocket should have been built by now.

Maybe this is an 'any port in storm; situation as the landscape of college, or has it become semi-pro, sports continues to evolve. I hope that's what this is...one step back in order to take two steps forward once the dust settles. I can't imagine this leading to an increase in ticket sales.

At least hockey will continue to play at the highest level in its quest for another national championship. That and road games are easier to attend.

[inthescoop]

The funny part is that we made this change for the football program and in the poll out of 74 votes, only 7 of the votes start with "I'm a football person". A classic less than 10% of the voters.

[e_parade]

The more I think about it the less this move appeals to me.

Instead of shooting for the stars UMass has decided to settle for the middle.

Before we were shooting for the stars by putting a bunch of explosives on the ground and yelling at them to take us up.

Now we're taking the time to build a rocket first.

I guess...but that rocket should have been built by now.

Maybe this is an 'any port in storm; situation as the landscape of college, or has it become semi-pro, sports continues to evolve. I hope that's what this is...one step back in order to take two steps forward once the dust settles. I can't imagine this leading to an increase in ticket sales.

At least hockey will continue to play at the highest level in its quest for another national championship. That and road games are easier to attend.

Should have been, but hasn't been.