American Athletic Conference

[pie n eye]

While the Big East is obviously the dream, I am not sure how joining the AAC would hurt our 0.1% chance of getting into the Big East. Butler was only in the A10 for a brief period of time before joining the Big East. I think one could potentially argue, if anything, joining the AAC might increase our chances of the Big East being interested; getting to prove ourselves in a better conference, increasing the exposure of our program, etc.

All points to ponder here on THE sports station, KFH.

[Jhook89]

Last few days at work have been incredibly stressful. Reached my boiling point, so I went outside to blow off some steam. Pull up shockernet to find out this info! I don't think I have ever gone from being as upset as I was to this happy in my entire life!! Amazing news! I really hope it pans out.

[Aargh]

The #bigeast doesn't care for public schools and has a strong preference for Jesuit schools. WSU doesn't fit in with that league's philosophies in any way, shape, or form. Getting an invite there is only remotely more likely than getting an invite from the B12.

[1972Shocker]

Let's hope this has legs. (Cue @WstateU:). Would be exciting if it happens.

[Aargh]

Let's hope this has legs. (Cue @WstateU). Would be exciting if it happens.

While we wait for WStateU

[JayPak]

The #bigeast doesn't care for public schools and has a strong preference for Jesuit schools. WSU doesn't fit in with that league's philosophies in any way, shape, or form. Getting an invite there is only remotely more likely than getting an invite from the B12.

Well, you certainly won't get into the #BIGEAST if you don't respect the capitalization! LOL
On a serious note, congratulations! Your fanbase deserves this. In addition to basketball, think what a great fit the AAC would be for your baseball program. Some great soccer programs there too if you want to start a futbol team.
Have fun leaving Carbondale and Terre Haute behind when you start taking road trips to New Orleans, Memphis, Houston, etc.

[MoValley John]

The #bigeast doesn't care for public schools and has a strong preference for Jesuit schools. WSU doesn't fit in with that league's philosophies in any way, shape, or form. Getting an invite there is only remotely more likely than getting an invite from the B12.

I don't believe there is a strong preference for Jesuits, there just happens to be four. Of the four, Creighton and Xavier were additions, so the original core was not heavy in Jesuits, just Georgetown and Marquette. Seton Hall is a diocesan school, Providence is Dominican, DePaul is Vincentian, as is St John's, Villanova is Augustine and Butler is private.

I'm not even sure the Big East would be against public schools, either, but they will not bend to public schools. Adding a public school or two would change little, but they arent ever adding four. I think more than anything, they don't have a problem with the public schools, they just aren't going to let the public schools dominate decisions ever again.
O

[MoValley John]

I went to a small Benedictine school.

[XManCometh]

Let's hope this has legs. (Cue @WstateU:). Would be exciting if it happens.

It'd be exciting until the Big 12 decides to expand again and takes away Houston, SMU, Cincy and UCF.

Then we're back to being in the MVC again and it's us, UCONN and Memphis (Maybe Temple) alone with a bunch of scrub teams.

Let's hope the AAC can somehow slide into the Power 5 conferences and make it a Power 6. Houston, UCF and Navy retaining their levels as a football schools would help that immensely.

[Heinro]

It'd be exciting until the Big 12 decides to expand again and takes away Houston, SMU, Cincy and UCF.

Then we're back to being in the MVC again and it's us, UCONN and Memphis (Maybe Temple) alone with a bunch of scrub teams.

Let's hope the AAC can somehow slide into the Power 5 conferences and make it a Power 6. Houston, UCF and Navy retaining their levels as a football schools would help that immensely.

Even if that happens, and that is a crazy scenario, UCONN, Memphis, Temple and Tulsa is vastly superior to our current situation. UNI is in about the same territory as Temple and Tulsa and that is all we have.

[Heinro]

I don't believe there is a strong preference for Jesuits, there just happens to be four. Of the four, Creighton and Xavier were additions, so the original core was not heavy in Jesuits, just Georgetown and Marquette. Seton Hall is a diocesan school, Providence is Dominican, DePaul is Vincentian, as is St John's, Villanova is Augustine and Butler is private.

I'm not even sure the Big East would be against public schools, either, but they will not bend to public schools. Adding a public school or two would change little, but they arent ever adding four. I think more than anything, they don't have a problem with the public schools, they just aren't going to let the public schools dominate decisions ever again.
O

I sincerely hope that you are right. The Big East is the dream. Creighton basically won the lottery.

[pogo]

I would much prefer to travel to the south for road trips in the winter and spring than head north. But thats just me.

[Shocker-maniac]

I would much prefer to travel to the south for road trips in the winter and spring than head north. But thats just me.

That is just you . . .



Plus thousands of you Shocker friends. :good:

[Stickboy46]

I would much prefer to travel to the south for road trips in the winter and spring than head north. But thats just me.

Plus.. Flights into major hubs are much more affordable.

[1972Shocker]

It'd be exciting until the Big 12 decides to expand again and takes away Houston, SMU, Cincy and UCF.

Then we're back to being in the MVC again and it's us, UCONN and Memphis alone with a bunch of scrub teams.

Let's hope the AAC can somehow slide into the Power 5 conferences and make it a Power 6. Houston, UCF and Navy retaining their levels as a football schools would help that immensely.

Good points. Need to evaluate the risks as well as tthe rewards. Certainly not without risk. Obviously, something to factor in into the overall calculation. Probably why Dr. Bardo was wanting to see what the Big 12 was going to do so he could see where the chips were going to fall. Unfortunatley, the waters do remain murky in that respect.

I guess the Big 12 could just as easily be the prey as the predator.