|
|
Post by Pounce Needs Pals on May 25, 2017 17:57:06 GMT -6
|
|
|
|
Post by Pounce Needs Pals on May 26, 2017 13:03:26 GMT -6
|
|
|
|
Post by PantherU on May 26, 2017 15:18:27 GMT -6
The ideal scenario is to add teams that raise the level of the basketball league to that of a Top 10 conference in the country. |
|
|
|
Post by Pounce Needs Pals on May 26, 2017 16:16:46 GMT -6
Maybe he should have said realistic scenario. There is no teams to add to make that happen. The remaining 9 need to make that happen.
|
|
|
|
Post by PantherU on May 27, 2017 15:30:54 GMT -6
Maybe he should have said realistic scenario. There is no teams to add to make that happen. The remaining 9 need to make that happen. Partly, yes. Robert Morris will happen, probably next offseason, and they will make the conference better at basketball. The more I think about it, the more I like the idea of GCU and NMSU. They wouldn't be permanent additions - not by any stretch - but they're running the hollowed-out husk that is the WAC. Plus, the sports that would travel out there - baseball, softball, etc. - are already traveling in that direction for much of their season. I'm sure the Horizon League could load their home schedules up in the early months. |
|
|
|
Post by Pounce Needs Pals on May 28, 2017 18:02:16 GMT -6
I'm torn. GCU and NMST are 9 hours apart.
|
|
|
|
Post by striker14 on May 28, 2017 18:25:00 GMT -6
Anyone think 11 with a double round robin would be nice? It would cut down on some of the need to schedule D2 schools in the OOC portion of the season.
|
|
|
|
Post by mkehoops on May 28, 2017 20:24:57 GMT -6
I'm torn. GCU and NMST are 9 hours apart. It's closer to 5 &1/2 hours. About 390 miles. Still not a quick trip but not brutal. I'm all in on GCU. Biggest upside of all the programs "available". Beautiful facilities with great attendance. Plus lots of flight options from MKE and a nice alumni presence in the Phoenix area. |
|
|
|
Post by PantherU on May 29, 2017 9:02:22 GMT -6
Phoenix is really easy to fly into. CactusPanther is gonna be really happy if GCU gets in the Horizon League. NMSU is in Las Cruces, which seems like the middle of nowhere but their campus is actually a 50-minute drive from the El Paso airport.
BigDWSU and Commissioner have convinced me. This is a smart move, even in the interim, especially if we go to 14 teams. If we add Robert Morris and those two, the basketball will be back in the 12-14 RPI range even if most HL programs don't improve. If we do improve, and other HL programs improve, then the HL could be flirting with 10th in the RPI.
|
|
|
|
Post by Pounce Needs Pals on May 29, 2017 11:45:52 GMT -6
We have seen in the past 13 years or so, Milwaukee, Cleveland State, Wright State, UIC and Detroit have been much better as they have been as a program. If those programs get back to form, with new programs coming in, there is no reason why the Horizon League can't be around 11th to 14th in the RPI every season.
|
|
|
|
Post by PantherU on May 30, 2017 16:48:24 GMT -6
We have seen in the past 13 years or so, Milwaukee, Cleveland State, Wright State, UIC and Detroit have been much better as they have been as a program. If those programs get back to form, with new programs coming in, there is no reason why the Horizon League can't be around 11th to 14th in the RPI every season. Depending on the new programs, the Horizon League could be as high as 8th in great years. If done right, we can certainly make Valpo regret its decision. |
|
|
|
Post by uwmfansince1997 on May 31, 2017 7:58:54 GMT -6
The greatest thing that happened to Indiana bball recruiting was the debacle of U of I's bball program. Once they were put on probation for 3 yr and the coaching carousel, Universities like Butler, Purdue and Valpo benefited ever since.
|
|
|
|
Post by Cactus Panther on May 31, 2017 15:00:10 GMT -6
I would be ecstatic, PantherU. Just imagine, Panthers' basketball vs GCU in Phoenix during late February at about the same time Panthers baseball opens the Brewers spring training slate. Pre-game parties at my house for anyone making the road trip! Mrs. CactusPanther and I would proudly wear the black and gold during conference games at GCU Arena.
I work at Maryvale Baseball Park during spring training and am surprised by good turnouts of UWM alumni at two separate alumni gatherings there - one in February and one in March.
Unfortunately, I would also be shocked if GCU would go to the Horizon League. GCU's oft stated goal is to make the NCAA tournament. Now that they are finally eligible, the easiest route to get there is by competing in the WAC. Once GCU gets on the bracket sheet, which will probably be within the next couple of seasons, they will try to accomplish their other off stated goal - being consistent a top 25 program. I think they realize the best way to do that would be to get into the WCC. Currently, it does not appear that the WCC wants to expand, but that could change after evidence of continued upward progress by GCU. There is also the possibility of BYU or Gonzaga leaving the WCC to open a spot for GCU.
A lot of programs have the same goals as GCU and I may be over-stating it's potential for near-term mens basketball success, but they have the financial resources (see Jerry Colangelo and the progress the athletic department made in the last few years) to do so much more than most other mid-majors can.
But what do I know? Perhaps the already weak WAC falls apart and GCU and NMSU desperately need a conference like the HL, even if only as a stepping stone for a couple years. It would have to be a matter of good timing. These teams would not only raise the HL conference profile, but existing HL conference members would learn a lot from them, which in turn would make the existing conference programs stronger. How sweet would that be?
It is hard to get any news and info regarding GCU's conference ambitions. Heck, there is not even an active fan forum. If I hear anything noteworthy in the next several months, I will share it on this board.
|
|
|
|
Post by Cactus Panther on Jun 2, 2017 10:41:22 GMT -6
That did not take long. See the "Conference Re-Shuffling" thread under "Other Teams", where I posted some interesting new comments from Phoenix media about GCU and conference changes.
|
|
|
|
Post by Pounce Needs Pals on Jun 21, 2017 13:11:07 GMT -6
|
|
