TheAsianSensation wrote:If doing this, the A-10 and MWC are exactly the two conferences we should be partnering with. Many conferences have quality #1 teams. Very few have quality 2 through 5 teams.
Partnering with the two conferences closest to breaching the Power 7 is an obvious strategy. Don't overthink it; don't associate with lesser conferences. This is one tactic we can use to put the league on the right side of the perceived mid-major dividing line.
The WCC can't be part of it. First, Gonzaga will refuse, and the rest of the league is just too marginal. I don't trust St Mary's long-term.
The other option of the scheduling manipulation like they do in CUSA or the Fun Belt....sure, the MVC can do it. Just gotta sacrifice round robin. I'm sure everyone would be on board with that.
Lots of truth in this post. The WCC without Gonzaga falls into the MAC\CAA\CUSA tier in a good year and the Summit\WAC\Sun Belt tier during a bad year. CUSA can be a good partner if the programs that are currently strong remain strong and programs like UTEP UAB Southern Miss and Charlotte can recover just as the WCC can be if San Diego proves its turnaround was for real the likes of San Francisco and Loyola-Marymount show some consistency and Lorenzo Romar can resurrect Pepperdine. But that's asking a lot in both cases. Realignment can also be a beneficial force for conferences like the WCC and the MVC should the university presidents ever get the appetite to pursue expansion. Of course that sword cuts both ways.
The dream scenario would be to get the Big East or the AAC to partner with us, but they don't need us to garner multiple bids so that's unlikely to happen.
