UWM needs to be in a different conference

[Deleted]

Hi everyone. I am a new member and a proud UWM alumnus from 2003 and a current Grad student. I realize this maybe premature but the only way UWM will ever be able to compete at the level we all want is to get into a tougher conference. The end result will be more exposure and better recruiting of players and quality coaches. I know are success is short lived at this point, however if we continue to have strong success for the next 3-4 years, this certainly has to become a consideration.
A perfect example would be the football program at Florida State before Bobby Bowden got there. They were garbage and had next to no exposure. Now FSU will forever be a household name. It's not crazy to shoot for the stars and get bigger, the problem is finding enough believers.

[pnthr30]

And exactly what conference do you want UWM to affiliate themselves with?

[Deleted]

That's a great question, that i don't honestly have the answer to right now. This may be a complete long shot, but many people are always asking who can the Big Ten get as a twelfth team. I know a football team would be the biggest stipulation in getting into the BT but I know UWM has a club team and maybe some day it could become Division 3 caliber and move up. I know that this would take time.
But if anyone thinks this program which is beginning to blossom can survive in the horizon league, you are solely mistaken. Ex:Butler from a few years ago. They were a solid mid major. They lost excellent coaches and with that went recruits thus they program has suffered.

[mcdadenets50]

jpanther03 said:

This may be a complete long shot, but many people are always asking who can the Big Ten get as a twelfth team.

It's statements like these (hinting that UWM has a shot to join the Big 10) that keep getting us ridiculed around the conference. Please, it's not going to happen.

[Big D]

The Big Ten?

Are you serious? I hate to say it, but you will never, ever be part of the Big Ten. Believe it or not, unless a new midwest power conference is formed, you are likely already in the best conference. Instead of wanting to get out, we need the rest of the teams to pick it up...UIC included, as they really fell off last year. But Butler needs to improve and YSU should've never been added. I think the next two years, the conference may start improving. Loyola's getting better, UIC and UWM are bringing in good recruits, Detroit is going to have a great team, Butler and YSU can get no worse, and CSU and GB have been improving.

Every other conference that would even consider you would either be a lateral move or a conference in which you do not fit geographically, making travel expenses not worth the switch. Also, you'd have no true rival, whereas now you have schools in Chicago, Detroit, Green Bay.....

Keep in mind that you have a hyphen in your name....and while I think that's the dumbest reason to look down on a program, the media does it every day. The Big Ten will never have a hyphen school in their conference.

[uwmpanther]

bigd said:

The Big Ten?

Instead of wanting to get out, we need the rest of the teams to pick it up...

BIG D is right on the money. The best thing for UWM to happen is a stronger conference that has each year 2-3 teams in the running for NCAA at-large considerations.

[pnthr30]

Good post Big D - very well put (even though it is coming from a UIC fan haha ).

Jpanther03 - this topic has been discussed at great length in the past..........I don't know where the exact posts are located, but if you search a little bit, I am sure you can turn a few threads up. Maybe they will shed some light/insight into why the HL is pretty much the best we are going to do (at least for the foreseeable future), unless there are some dramatic and unexpected changes that take place at UWM or on a national level.

And on a side note, welcome to the board - enjoy! ;D

[Deleted]

I may be naive and idealistic to think UWM could be in a tougher conference, but don't tell me what we need are other Horizon teams to pick it up and have 2-3 teams challenge every year for an NCAA at-large berth because that really isn't going to happen. Our conference gets 0000000 respect from people outside our region and that's why everyone makes such a big deal when we go into the NCAA's and knock someone off.
I can handle being a bit idelaistic, but for those of you who think the Horizon is going to have 2-3 teams challenging for at-large selections every year, then your just as naive as me.
Sorry, but the truth hurts.

[Deleted]

I didn't realize that this topic has been talked about at great length on these boards before. As a new member I apologize to all you veteran loyal posters.

[pnthr30]

The HL has, in fact, had 3 team in the NCAA tournament in recent history. So, it isn't really a stretch to hope for other teams to pick it up/challenge and knock on the "at-large" door, especially since the trend it so give solid mid-majors the nod.

[pnthr30]

jpanther03 said:

I didn't realize that this topic has been talked about at great length on these boards before. As a new member I apologize to all you veteran loyal posters.

No problem, its all good. I was just letting you know that there were some posts out there on the same topic. Glad you found the board and are contributing. ;D

[Deleted]

I agree that it has happened. My only argument is that it will not happen on a consistent level. On a side note, I guarantee you that in those years were we have had more than one team in the NCAA's a few of the power conferences have had down years which allowed for more than one of our team's entrance into the dance. We can't hope for this year in and year out.

[uwmpanther]

jpanther03 said:

I Our conference gets 0000000 respect from people outside our region and that's why everyone makes such a big deal when we go into the NCAA's .

I'm not so sure about the "No Respect" thing. The Horizon League had a down year in 04/05, nevertheless UWM got rewarded with a 12 seed, a higher seed that most pundits had expected prior to selection Sunday. In 2003, Butler claimed an at-large bid, and both UWM and Butler were seeded 12th that year. This is evidence of at least some respect given to the Horizon.

[Big D]

jpanther03 said:

I agree that it has happened. My only argument is that it will not happen on a consistent level.

Such is the life of mid-major basketball. The major conferences will likely always dominate, sending the majority of the teams to the postseason....the teams in our conference just have to play as best as they can so that we can grab some of those last couple spots.

I have a question for you....would you rather be UWM in the HL, with a chance to go the postseason every year, or would you rather be Northwestern in the B10, where they have never been to the postseason?

I take UWM's position any day. Although a move to the B10 is never possible for you guys, I wouldn't want to be there anyway, as you'd be the whipping boy for years....postseason would be a dream like it is for Northwestern. Schools like ours (UWM, UIC, WSU, UWGB) just do not have the financial resources to compete in that type of conference....

Your best bet is staying put.

[rq756]

I still think tha A-10 could be a step up. Though, I am a bit perplexed by Temple's move to the MAC. I guess they had to come up with some place to play football after being bounced from the Big East.

If UWM does revive football, which could be a good idea, they'd be a prime candidate to join the MAC, which gets a little more respect than the Horizon.

While I hate to laugh off the hopes of joining the Big Ten, I think there's a standing invite to ND if their national tv contract is ever not picked up. I also don't see why UWM would be more attractive than Miami(OH) or Kent St.---the whole state of Ohio--far more populous than Wisconsin has but one Big Ten school.

I don't think being the step-sister of a larger instate school is necessarily the kiss of death. Michigan State was added in the 50's, or thereabouts, when Michigan was a power and they were nothing special.

Just some random thoughts.