Loyola Leaving for A-10

[BCPanther]

We aren't the big ten, markets do not matter at the mid major level. None of the leagues are getting tv contracts. Get the best basketball programs possible and build a brand around that. We will have zero identity and massive travel budgets if these changes go through. Stupidity at its finest.

This is in no way about TV markets, though adding Bally Sports South and Bally Sports Southwest is going to be a nice addition. It's about getting to where people are located, we can't sit here in a part of the country that isn't growing and just hope that enrollment is magically going to happen. The Metroplex, Nashville and Kansas City are growing like crazy right now and the university presidents are, rightly, wanting to grow that way.

If a couple of extra cheap commercial flights into an airport that is a major hub for two different airlines is blowing up your travel budget, you should probably be re-evaluating if you can afford to be in this league and I say that as a fan of the school with the worst AD and administration in Division I.

[squirrel]

We aren't the big ten, markets do not matter at the mid major level. None of the leagues are getting tv contracts. Get the best basketball programs possible and build a brand around that. We will have zero identity and massive travel budgets if these changes go through. Stupidity at its finest.

This is in no way about TV markets, though adding Bally Sports South and Bally Sports Southwest is going to be a nice addition. It's about getting to where people are located, we can't sit here in a part of the country that isn't growing and just hope that enrollment is magically going to happen. The Metroplex, Nashville and Kansas City are growing like crazy right now and the university presidents are, rightly, wanting to grow that way.

If a couple of extra cheap commercial flights into an airport that is a major hub for two different airlines is blowing up your travel budget, you should probably be re-evaluating if you can afford to be in this league and I say that as a fan of the school with the worst AD and administration in Division I.

Ding ding ding. . .

The "Sun Belt" while commonly understood to be the south, really is basically the Mid-Atlantic down to Florida, across the bible belt and Texas, into the SW and up through the Mountains and Idaho. It's where America is moving and growing. That's where the prospective students are. And that's where the emerging markets are.

If you look at the reclassifying schools, I would guess probably 80-85% of the schools moving into DI the last 20 years are from the Sun Belt as outlined above.

[IWokeUpLikeThis]

Not sure if this was posted but this account did a good job of breaking down the Belmont add a few weeks ago. He has another video here with good stuff:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SxhxPkOwNY

This video is A+++ with the alumni/student distribution maps and charts. The graphics visually demonstrate just how important Chicago is to a bunch of the MVC schools. DFW is surprisingly high for alumni consistency across the MVC as well.

[unipanther99]

That video was very helpful. That dude should have a job in the conference office.

[SalukiWorld]

We aren't the big ten, markets do not matter at the mid major level. None of the leagues are getting tv contracts. Get the best basketball programs possible and build a brand around that. We will have zero identity and massive travel budgets if these changes go through. Stupidity at its finest.

This is in no way about TV markets, though adding Bally Sports South and Bally Sports Southwest is going to be a nice addition. It's about getting to where people are located, we can't sit here in a part of the country that isn't growing and just hope that enrollment is magically going to happen. The Metroplex, Nashville and Kansas City are growing like crazy right now and the university presidents are, rightly, wanting to grow that way.

If a couple of extra cheap commercial flights into an airport that is a major hub for two different airlines is blowing up your travel budget, you should probably be re-evaluating if you can afford to be in this league and I say that as a fan of the school with the worst AD and administration in Division I.

Matters for a potential CBS/ESPN deal down the line. Losing Wichita/Omaha was a blow and losing Chicago is a blow too. You want to make sure you keep those deals. Having the Arch Madness Championship on National CBS is a godsend to the Valley.

[TOPSTRAIGHT]

Beware-- FOURTEEN TEAM conferences have lots of room for several basement dwellers. These b'ment dwellers are an anchor for the group above them and are a constant pain in the "bottom". This has a negative effect on conf. ranking, # of bids, and lowers your bracket seed. Speaking from experience in C-USA.

If you must go above ten--- STOP at TWELVE.

[BCPanther]

We aren't the big ten, markets do not matter at the mid major level. None of the leagues are getting tv contracts. Get the best basketball programs possible and build a brand around that. We will have zero identity and massive travel budgets if these changes go through. Stupidity at its finest.

This is in no way about TV markets, though adding Bally Sports South and Bally Sports Southwest is going to be a nice addition. It's about getting to where people are located, we can't sit here in a part of the country that isn't growing and just hope that enrollment is magically going to happen. The Metroplex, Nashville and Kansas City are growing like crazy right now and the university presidents are, rightly, wanting to grow that way.

If a couple of extra cheap commercial flights into an airport that is a major hub for two different airlines is blowing up your travel budget, you should probably be re-evaluating if you can afford to be in this league and I say that as a fan of the school with the worst AD and administration in Division I.

Matters for a potential CBS/ESPN deal down the line. Losing Wichita/Omaha was a blow and losing Chicago is a blow too. You want to make sure you keep those deals. Having the Arch Madness Championship on National CBS is a godsend to the Valley.

The title game will have been on CBS for 17 years at the end of this deal. It's not going anywhere.

[jackwagon]

Serious question- How many kids in Forth Worth Texas are coming to Evansville or Peoria for this magical enrollment boom you speak of?? Like how does adding them benefit our existing schools enrollment issues?

If we are truly worried about markets that have realistic student populations to reach, then here's what we do. You need to add UIC and Northern Kentucky to secure Chicago and Cincinnati. I could live with those adds because they either play basketball at a high level now or in UIC's case they have the endowment to do so in the future with investment. You add Murray St due to their high level of commitment to athletics and the fanbase they bring. Then for the 4th you either go after Omaha or Milwaukee to secure a new market in the Midwest. This is all if you are so concerned about markets and influencing enrollments.

If I'm in charge I realize that in 2021 mid major athletics really don't have much pull for incoming college students and their decision on schools. Instead, I'm focused on what athletic departments best fit my vision for becoming the premier basketball mid major league in the nation. The only school that fits at the moment is Murray St. Add them and swing for the fences with a school in the Midwest that has potential in UIC and call it a day. 14 is to many mouths to feed as a mid major league anyhow.

[Chuck_A]

Matt Brown believes that Arlington, Murray and UIC are locks and will be invited right after the first of the year.

Battle to the death between Omaha and Kansas City for the 14th spot with Omaha having a slight edge because the facilities are ready.

Do you have the link to that article? I've seen where it's been said the presentations are Dec 19, but not when the schools would be invited, although that would be common sense.

[BCPanther]

Matt Brown believes that Arlington, Murray and UIC are locks and will be invited right after the first of the year.

Battle to the death between Omaha and Kansas City for the 14th spot with Omaha having a slight edge because the facilities are ready.

Do you have the link to that article? I've seen where it's been said the presentations are Dec 19, but not when the schools would be invited, although that would be common sense.

It's behind his paywall.

Google 'Extra Points'