Is This A Mid-Major?

[ChicosBailBonds]

A-10 did have football earlier this decade.  It was founded in 1975 with football members such as Penn State, WVU, Pitt and Rutgers.

The WCC also has Football schools such as BYU

Ditto the Big East, it too had football

The C7, while just getting started, supposedly is going to only have non-footballs schools.  And its intention is to be a "Power Conference" something the A-10and WCC never achieved.

So you are correct but it is assumed the C7 is taking a different road (assumed because all they have done so far is leave the Big East).

The A-10 was founded, however, as a basketball only league.  In fact, it's original name was the ECBL..Eastern Conference Basketball League.  They never sponsored football.  The WCC doesn't sponsor football either...BYU is an independent for football.

[hoyasincebirth]

How does this work for Memphis, Cincy and Uconn?  If they join the C7 for basketball only, where do they play football?  The Big East?  Why would they Big East not demand they include Basketball?  Where do Memphis, Uconn and Cincy play non-revenue sports?  In the C7 or BE?  How does X feel about including Cincy?

In theory I like the idea of taking football schools.  In reality I do not see how it works.  Not possible.

I assume Like temple did they could play their football in the MAC. Temple and the MAC parted amicably and the MAC would gladly take them back and as long as the numbers were even I'm sure they'd take Memphis as well. And frankly Xavier isn't in a position to dictate anything. So if they don't like it too bad. I mean villanova eventually relented and accepted temple so I think they could get along.

But I realize this isn't necessarily realistic, but I know the option is/has been explored. It doesn't look like it's going to happen, but i'm glad they entertained the idea. This isn't about principles, ideals, or emotion. This is about money.

[Tugg Speedman]

I assume Like temple did they could play their football in the MAC. Temple and the MAC parted amicably and the MAC would gladly take them back and as long as the numbers were even I'm sure they'd take Memphis as well. And frankly Xavier isn't in a position to dictate anything. So if they don't like it too bad. I mean villanova eventually relented and accepted temple so I think they could get along.

But I realize this isn't necessarily realistic, but I know the option is/has been explored. It doesn't look like it's going to happen, but i'm glad they entertained the idea. This isn't about principles, ideals, or emotion. This is about money.

Under this scenario they would be subordinating football for a better basketball.  This is opposite of how the world now works.  These schools will burn basketball to get into a better football situation.

[Hards Alumni]

It is not a mid-major conference.  Get a grip.

[lalumiere]

Memphis and Massachusetts would be the most likely options to be members who have football programs.  Here's a few options they both have:


Memphis: 
•   Associate member in football with:
o   Mountain West
o   Conference USA
o   Sun Belt

•   Independent


Massachusetts:
•   Associate member in football with:
o   MAC
o   Conference USA
o   Sun Belt

•   Independent


Massachusetts became an associate member in football with the MAC in 2012.

[Goose]

All I can say is if you need to google who the coach of the school's in conference then it is mid major.

[boyonthedock]

I need to google the coach of most schools in most conferences.

I got to 19 on kenpom before I could not name a coach (oklahoma state). It gets to about 50/50 in schools 20-40.

[Goose]

boyonthedock

Do you think any knowledgeable basketball fans need to google who are coach is?

[keefe]

I need to google the coach of most schools in most conferences.

I got to 19 on kenpom before I could not name a coach (oklahoma state). It gets to about 50/50 in schools 20-40.

OSU has a proud basketball tradition.

Hank Iba invented the Motion Offense - and we all thought it was Bo Ryan.

Leonard Hamilton did not do much at Ok State. I have never understood the acclaim this man has received. He is medicore at best.

Eddie Sutton took 2 schools to the Final 4 and consistently beat Mike Deane for recruits

Travis Ford is there now.

[ATL MU Warrior]

boyonthedock

Do you think any knowledgeable basketball fans need to google who are coach is?

without a doubt.

[ChicosBailBonds]

All I can say is if you need to google who the coach of the school's in conference then it is mid major.

Maybe, but how many people here can name the coach at Georgia?  Auburn?  Clemson?  South Carolina?  Oregon State?  Colorado?  Utah?  Stanford? ETc?  All are high major schools in high major conferences.  Ask people out here on the coast who the coach of Minnesota, Northwestern, Iowa, Penn State, etc and they will have no idea.

[muwarrior69]

The A-10 was founded, however, as a basketball only league.  In fact, it's original name was the ECBL..Eastern Conference Basketball League.  They never sponsored football.  The WCC doesn't sponsor football either...BYU is an independent for football.

This was true for the original Big East as well.

[Goose]

Chico's

Valid point. But, I do believe most fans know the top tier programs and who coaches them. I actually believe Buzz in the next rung down were many fans know of Buzz. We were in a league with a slew of HOF'ers and that helped our program a great deal.

[Tugg Speedman]

Maybe, but how many people here can name the coach at Georgia?  Auburn?  Clemson?  South Carolina?  Oregon State?  Colorado?  Utah?  Stanford? ETc?  All are high major schools in high major conferences.  Ask people out here on the coast who the coach of Minnesota, Northwestern, Iowa, Penn State, etc and they will have no idea.

If they bend a waitress over a table, they know who they are.
(Pitino)

[ChicosBailBonds]

Chico's

Valid point. But, I do believe most fans know the top tier programs and who coaches them. I actually believe Buzz in the next rung down were many fans know of Buzz. We were in a league with a slew of HOF'ers and that helped our program a great deal.

You would be surprised out here how few people know who Buzz Williams is.  I'd say less than 20%.  They have no idea who he is.  UCLA fans, some of them, know he looks like Curley. 

To prove this out, look each year when Buzz is rumored for a job and go to their boards.  How many of those posts start with "I don't know anything about this guy, but I looked at their record and it seems good"...or something along those lines. 

[Goose]

Chico's

Not going to dispute your claim. I would have thought with air time he has received in past couple years that would he would have much higher name recognition. Would think they pick someone people know to be part of the NCAA coverage.