Texas State "heavy favorite" to join Pac-12, LaTech favored to join Sun Belt

[AppStFan1]

Six members only get half shares though so the gap isn’t as wide.

The discussion was about East Carolina so I was thinking of them. Aren't they getting a full share?

[Saint3333]

They are, the CUSA 6 are on half shares.

[AppStFan1]

They are, the CUSA 6 are on half shares.

I thought so. That is why I said 2031-32 academic year because we aren't too worried about the ones they just poached from CUSA. I thought it was interesting we were even asked to talk to ECU but have considered 2028-2030 as the time frame we could start to hear real news on movement.

[spacemonkey]

I think if Memphis leaves it opens up the AAC contract.

I like the football layout as 10 east schools playing each other and 10 west teams playing round robin in football with the champions meeting in the championship game. That championship game should almost always yield the g6 team for the CFP Playoff and should garner big money from a tv partner. Basketball home and away.

This should be a football only relationship so we don't give up the NCAA Basketball for the East Conference and the NCAA Basketball for the west spot.

I would really like to see us as a 10 football, 6 basketball conference (16 Total Olympics). I think this would make a much better basketball home schedule. I still don't understand why we cant get teams to come play us at home in Boone for basketball.

[AppKing21]

I still don't understand why we cant get teams to come play us at home in Boone for basketball.

Because we are not a mid major powerhouse and Boone isn't a recruiting hotbed. If Kerns can get the team to stop being so streaky, then the culture may finally change. We were heading in that direction during COVID.

[311neers]

Is UAB an option to add to the Belt? I guess that would be a “West” school though.
I don’t even know what conference they’re in now, weren’t they in the Belt decades ago? Good new facilities, nice terchiary city, decent athletic programs.

[AppStFan1]

Is UAB an option to add to the Belt? I guess that would be a “West” school though.
I don’t even know what conference they’re in now, weren’t they in the Belt decades ago? Good new facilities, nice terchiary city, decent athletic programs.

They just joined the AAC in 2023 and are getting a half share, I believe. I don't think they would be an option until TV contract is up and not sure they would have interest.

[AppSt94]

Is UAB an option to add to the Belt? I guess that would be a “West” school though.
I don’t even know what conference they’re in now, weren’t they in the Belt decades ago? Good new facilities, nice terchiary city, decent athletic programs.

Fair question but didn’t a third Alabama school isn’t much different than adding a third Louisiana school.

[311neers]

Is UAB an option to add to the Belt? I guess that would be a “West” school though.
I don’t even know what conference they’re in now, weren’t they in the Belt decades ago? Good new facilities, nice terchiary city, decent athletic programs.

Fair question but didn’t a third Alabama school isn’t much different than adding a third Louisiana school.

Agree, but Birmingham is at least a nice city to visit and maybe live. (Maybe we could even get a SBCT host site in Birmingham and not Montgomery/Mens BB) Closer to east schools, better access along i85 and an airport, good facilities, and their basketball program is pretty dang good.

[AppStFan1]

Is UAB an option to add to the Belt? I guess that would be a “West” school though.
I don’t even know what conference they’re in now, weren’t they in the Belt decades ago? Good new facilities, nice terchiary city, decent athletic programs.

Fair question but didn’t a third Alabama school isn’t much different than adding a third Louisiana school.

Agree here. I would rather have them than La Tech but I would put USF, ECU, or Memphis above UAB or La Tech if we had a choice.

[Saint3333]

UAB would be the best add for the conference, even better than ECU although for App ECU would be best.

[Stonewall]

I don’t believe any of the AAC members are in play at this point. The conference would be wise to wait rather than taking the low hanging fruit. My confidence level however is not high.

[AppStFan1]

I don’t believe any of the AAC members are in play at this point. The conference would be wise to wait rather than taking the low hanging fruit. My confidence level however is not high.

Agree here as well. I think the league should just wait. No reason to add anyone right now. The schools who truly would benefit our league as a whole are just not in play right now or we can wait and add them later. No need to rush.

[JTApps1]

I don’t believe any of the AAC members are in play at this point. The conference would be wise to wait rather than taking the low hanging fruit. My confidence level however is not high.

Agree 100%. LT and WKU aren't going anywhere anytime soon. I'm not against either one as I think both would be an even swap for Texas State, but why should we rush into adding someone just to add?

[T-Dog]

Pac-12 just announced it's CBS deal. Their reporters are saying expansion is next, maybe this week.

Per Vannini of The Athletic:

The Sun Belt would likely move quickly and replace Texas State with Louisiana Tech, Western Kentucky or Middle Tennessee from Conference USA, according to a person briefed on the Sun Belt’s thinking.

[AppStFan1]

Pac-12 just announced it's CBS deal. Their reporters are saying expansion is next, maybe this week.

Per Vannini of The Athletic:

The Sun Belt would likely move quickly and replace Texas State with Louisiana Tech, Western Kentucky or Middle Tennessee from Conference USA, according to a person briefed on the Sun Belt’s thinking.

The deal now goes through 2030 I saw. I still don't think we need to add any of those 3 schools.

[Stonewall]

I’m for waiting , but can make a case for MTSU or WKU , none for La Tech.

[JTApps1]

I can't see any reason to add MTSU if the conference insists on adding now. They're another GSU or UNCC despite having more time to prove themselves.

[Stonewall]

Opening up a new tv market without stretching the footprint.

[Saint3333]

Opening up a new tv market without stretching the footprint.

This sounds similar to CUSA 3.0 logic, I've never believed in G5 market share due to location of a program. I'd prefer going after the best on the field/court performer in our footprint, WKU wins over MTSU.