http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2013 ... cart_river

Looks like we will play both NMSU and Idaho home and away in bball as the SBC will play 20 conference games, no divisional play.

Eight conference games in football.

hapapp wrote:http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2013 ... cart_river

Looks like we will play both NMSU and Idaho home and away in bball as the SBC will play 20 conference games, no divisional play.

Eight conference games in football.

Idaho and NMSU are football-only members.

UT-Arlington and Arkansas-Little Rock play basketball in the Sunbelt. These 2 schools bring the Sunbelt to 11 teams in basketball since Idaho and NM State are football-only.

appst89 wrote:

hapapp wrote:http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2013 ... cart_river

Looks like we will play both NMSU and Idaho home and away in bball as the SBC will play 20 conference games, no divisional play.

Eight conference games in football.

Idaho and NMSU are football-only members.

Brain Fart!

20 conference games is a lot, no D2 games should be mandated if we are doing that. Look for a lot of local games in all sports. Wouldn't be surprised if we see multiple home and homes with SoCon, OVC, etc. teams in basketball.

I'm pretty sure the rule for Sun Belt members is that you can have one sub-D1 opponent and can apply for a waiver to play a second. The SoCon rule is two and three.

Just glad the SB did not add a 12th football school that everyone would not agree upon.

GoApps70 wrote:
Just glad the SB did not add a 12th football school that everyone would not agree upon.

I agree. No need for a rash decision just to get to 12.

Waiting on Missouri St to get ready?

Arkansas State head BB coach tweeted that the SBC will expand just waiting on the right candidate. It does sound like we are waiting for JMU or MSU. Either one would be good but it would be an easy drive for Red Wolf fans to go to Springfield.

OsageJ wrote:Arkansas State head BB coach tweeted that the SBC will expand just waiting on the right candidate. It does sound like we are waiting for JMU or MSU. Either one would be good but it would be an easy drive for Red Wolf fans to go to Springfield.

We'll see ya, Liberty.

In my opinion, the Sun Belt is starting to look somewhat desperate for members. We're going to wait another year for JMU or MoState to possibly join. Neither school has given us a "Yes, we will join in a year," but both seem hesitant to join, especially JMU. On top of that, should we add another Alabama school with Jax State? There are other schools we should/could look into, maybe some even within our own state, or within Tennessee. I'm just not sure I see the final goal that the leadership is going for.

James Madison, Missouri State and Jacksonville State are the only schools who should get serious consideration, IMO.

8993 wrote:In my opinion, the Sun Belt is starting to look somewhat desperate for members. We're going to wait another year for JMU or MoState to possibly join. Neither school has given us a "Yes, we will join in a year," but both seem hesitant to join, especially JMU. On top of that, should we add another Alabama school with Jax State? There are other schools we should/could look into, maybe some even within our own state, or within Tennessee. I'm just not sure I see the final goal that the leadership is going for.

Wondering who you would target within our own state? Tennessee as well. Who would you want from there? Chattanooga said they were not interested at this time, for instance.

The Sun Belt is pretty limited on additions at this point. There isn't a 'home run' out there in my opinion. Maybe JMU, but I'm not sure I see them joining.

8993 wrote:In my opinion, the Sun Belt is starting to look somewhat desperate for members. We're going to wait another year for JMU or MoState to possibly join. Neither school has given us a "Yes, we will join in a year," but both seem hesitant to join, especially JMU. On top of that, should we add another Alabama school with Jax State? There are other schools we should/could look into, maybe some even within our own state, or within Tennessee. I'm just not sure I see the final goal that the leadership is going for.

I believe JMU is waiting for some results from their study. It will not be done until this fall but from what I've read, the Dukes should have some info in June or July that could help them to start the decision making process. JMU probably also understands that their only competition is Mizz St.

The Alabama schools don't want JSU, no one wants Liberty and most of the west schools will band together to keep the Southland schools from jumping. JMU also wants to hold off for that CAA b-ball money that they won't get if they announce a move to the Belt before July. Also guessing they are holding out hope, very similar to our fan base and admin, for a CUSA invite. A line up with Marshall, UNCC, ODU, UAB, WKU and MTSU probably sounds better than the east division of the Belt.

JMU's fan base resides in the mid Atlantic which makes joining a southern based conference a tough pill to swallow. I truly hope JMU joins the Sun Belt and gives us another rival and the ability to have a conference championship. If they decline, Mizz St seems to be the only other possible candidate most of the programs can agree on and the 2nd best behind the Dukes IMO.

JMU is also waiting for a $2.5 million payout from the CAA from basketball tournament shares, which will be paid on July 1, and which they would not get if they announced a move.

Here is a report on the SBC meetings:

http://www.sunbeltsports.org/SPORTS/Men ... eting.aspx

8993 wrote:In my opinion, the Sun Belt is starting to look somewhat desperate for members. We're going to wait another year for JMU or MoState to possibly join. Neither school has given us a "Yes, we will join in a year," but both seem hesitant to join, especially JMU. On top of that, should we add another Alabama school with Jax State? There are other schools we should/could look into, maybe some even within our own state, or within Tennessee. I'm just not sure I see the final goal that the leadership is going for.

How is waiting for the two best schools being desperate? If both JMU and Mo State turn down an offer there will still be Liberty and Jax State to fall back to. Nobody in Tenn or NC is ready to move up at this point.

I believe JMU will end up joining once they have their CAA money in hand. It looks like CUSA is staying at 14, and there is no evidence that the MAC will invite them. Their AD's comments about options are almost word for word what Cobb was saying a year ago.

Adding anyone to get to 12 would have been bad, good move. Would have been a good move to hold off adding Idaho and NMSU though, 9 football would have been enough.

http://www.newsadvance.com/sports/liber ... f6878.html

This article from the Lynchburg paper sure makes it sound like the conference is waiting on either JMU or Mo State. Benson even mentions the need to find a basketball program that will improve the SBC product on the court.

I do feel for the LU fans who desperately want to find an FBS home. Though, I prefer the conference to wait to see what develops with JMU or Mo State. I have no doubt that a 12th team will be added at some point and I don't think we can completely rule out Liberty if neither JMU or Mo State step up to the plate. Let's hope they do.