Interesting article from SI w/ UNI mention

[06panther10]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/201...age/index.html

Stewart Mandel suggests that the best mid-majors over the course of the last 8 years (UNI included) should form a new conference.

• Memphis*
Median RPI rating: 17.5
NCAA appearances: 6 (one Final Four, two Elite Eights, one Sweet 16)
Arena capacity: 18,119

• Southern Illinois
Median RPI: 27
NCAA appearances: 4 (one Sweet 16)
Arena capacity: 9,628

• Xavier
Median RPI: 28.5
NCAA appearances: 7 (two Elite Eights, two Sweet 16s)
Arena capacity: 10,250

• Butler
Median RPI: 30
NCAA appearances: 5 (two Final Fours, one Sweet 16)
Arena capacity: 11,043

• Creighton
Median RPI: 45
NCAA appearances: 2
Arena capacity: 17,272

• VCU
Median RPI: 54
NCAA appearances: 4 (one Final Four)
Arena capacity: 7,500

• Northern Iowa
Median RPI: 59
NCAA appearances: 5 (one Sweet 16)
Arena capacity: 7,018

• Dayton
Median RPI: 62
NCAA appearances: 2
Arena capacity: 13,455

• George Mason
Median RPI: 71
NCAA appearances: 3 (one Final Four)
Arena capacity: 10,000

• Richmond**
Median RPI: 124.5
NCAA appearances: 3 (one Sweet 16)
Arena capacity: 9,071

Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/201...#ixzz1I6oNgb5I

[UNI4Life]

Re: Interesting article from SI w/ UNI mention

The Wichita State fans heads will start to explode in 3.....2.....1....

[williebat]

Re: Interesting article from SI w/ UNI mention

that would be an awesome conference. Every game would be big time. Add WSU and cleveland state.

[pantherfan4ever]

Re: Interesting article from SI w/ UNI mention

won't happen but I do love the idea!

[orangetennis]

Re: Interesting article from SI w/ UNI mention

video game stuff...

[Marc Wigim]

Re: Interesting article from SI w/ UNI mention

that would be an awesome conference. Every game would be big time. Add WSU and cleveland state.

HA! That's exactly what i said!

[ceaser150]

Re: Interesting article from SI w/ UNI mention

The Colonial teams should really look into doing something. The bottom half of that league is just brutal every year. Although, that could play to their advantage. It helps them get multiple bids because those bottom teams are easy wins, whereas the balance in the Valley hurts our chances at multiple bids.

[Silent Earl]

Re: Interesting article from SI w/ UNI mention

Currently 5-6 of those teams make the NCAA each year. If they were to combine into a single conference that would drop to 1-2. The money conference schools would still never play any of those teams in the non-conference and so the conference would still be considered weak and undeserving of multiple bids. It would be maybe the 4th strongest conference in the country in reality, but would not be recognized as such by the media and would gradually become just another mid-major. None of the 6 money conferences are going to give up their spots on the prestige ladder, phony as it may be. The only way it could work is if such a conference could secure a big money tv contract, and it couldn't.

[Hail Our Panthers]

Re: Interesting article from SI w/ UNI mention

Currently 5-6 of those teams make the NCAA each year. If they were to combine into a single conference that would drop to 1-2. The money conference schools would still never play any of those teams in the non-conference and so the conference would still be considered weak and undeserving of multiple bids. It would be maybe the 4th strongest conference in the country in reality, but would not be recognized as such by the media and would gradually become just another mid-major. None of the 6 money conferences are going to give up their spots on the prestige ladder, phony as it may be. The only way it could work is if such a conference could secure a big money tv contract, and it couldn't.

Yeah I don't know if this would happen immediately, but over time the league would balance out. There's a reason these teams are good every year...they have quality coaches and administrators. I think you're right..it would be around the 4-7th best conference year in and year out.

[BCPanther]

Re: Interesting article from SI w/ UNI mention

I would move into that league tomorrow if you swap out SIU for WSU...

[D Panther]

Re: Interesting article from SI w/ UNI mention

This is a very intersting concept. Let me throw this out too. As soon as Texas decides they are too big for the Big XII, the league will break up. It will leave Kansas, Kansas State, Iowa State, Missouri without a conference. Basketball is more important than footbaqll at these schools. Imagine The Major League Conference adding these 4. I know it will never happen, but it would be interesting.

[cydave]

Re: Interesting article from SI w/ UNI mention

This is a very intersting concept. Let me throw this out too. As soon as Texas decides they are too big for the Big XII, the league will break up. It will leave Kansas, Kansas State, Iowa State, Missouri without a conference. Basketball is more important than footbaqll at these schools. Imagine The Major League Conference adding these 4. I know it will never happen, but it would be interesting.

Those schools may do better in Basketball on the national scale, but football has been and will always be more important. It's what drives the athletic department.
We all saw how important basketball was when the conference realignments took place. Football comes first, and at a very distant second is Basketball.

[D Panther]

Re: Interesting article from SI w/ UNI mention

They do get to share the BCS pot, but historically speaking basketball in number 1. When you think about athletic reputation of either Kansas school, it is all about basketball. Historically these schools have been anything but football powers. Kansas was a 1 year wonder a couple of seasons ago and Missouri has had some recent sucess, but in the long term it is about basketball.

[cydave]

Re: Interesting article from SI w/ UNI mention

They do get to share the BCS pot, but historically speaking basketball in number 1. When you think about athletic reputation of either Kansas school, it is all about basketball. Historically these schools have been anything but football powers. Kansas was a 1 year wonder a couple of seasons ago and Missouri has had some recent sucess, but in the long term it is about basketball.

Are you talking money? Or, only reputation?

[casbern]

Re: Interesting article from SI w/ UNI mention

Another interesting article (although it's ESPN) with a UNI mention. Talks about the upcoming UNI v. ISU game and gives a break down. Honestly, I'm not sure they gave us a fair shake. I think they are basing too much of their opinion of our team off of last year's suck-fest at Jack Trice. Article can be found here.