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Post by PantherU on Dec 4, 2021 14:11:26 GMT -6
The discussion:
Should the Black and Gold Club include in the proposal a desire for the athletic program to move up out of the Horizon League to a conference that allows us to be more competitive on a national level?
Further: If we decide to recommend the university pursue membership in a stronger conference with our potentially resurgent basketball program, should we recommend pursuing membership in a specific conference?
Further: If we decide to recommend a specific conference, do we recommend they pursue membership in the Missouri Valley Conference or the Atlantic 10 Conference?
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Post by PantherU on Dec 4, 2021 16:32:21 GMT -6
MVC makes a lot more sense as a target, especially right now, and it doesn't look like we're a candidate (even though I'd argue we're a better option than everyone they're talking to except UIC). I'd like to see them just focus on getting their sh&t together Things change quickly. The moment news broke that Loyola will leave the MVC for the A10, that became a more attainable destination for us as a program. - We are a better geographical fit for the A10 than we were before they added Loyola, and with SLU/Loyol/Dayton out on an island one might argue the A10 needs to add a couple members in the Midwest. - As long as Pat Baldwin Sr. is non-renewed and his contract finishes as expected on April 30th, the program will be hiring a new head coach that will hopefully get the program headed in an exciting new direction. This likely wouldn't help us get into the A-10 this fall, but if the program has immediate success in 2022-23 the A-10 member schools may have the foresight to see what Milwaukee could be building into, because...: - For the first time in the history of our entire program, the facilities will actually be the class of the conference. I've looked at the other practice facilities in the $6-$18 million price range and we are getting an absolute steal of a deal regarding cost. Panther Arena is tailor-made for the Atlantic-10 Conference and our practice facility will be the class of the conference (along with Wright State's Setzer Pavilion). As far as I can tell, the OHOW Center and Klotsche Center together will be behind Dayton, Richmond and VCU. From what I can tell, everything else in the A-10 is on par or worse than what we'll have next fall. You have to shoot for the stars. I don't think the fans saying they want to be in the A-10 would hurt us getting to the Valley, but the Valley isn't The Valley anymore and I honestly think the only thing better for us than the A-10 would be if we could somehow pull the best of the midwestern leagues into one new conference. |
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Post by Cactus Panther on Dec 4, 2021 16:52:00 GMT -6
No. As I stated in another thread, stay focused on the main objective - selection criteria for the next head coach. Don't complicate and clutter this. Stay direct and on point. The coach does not play a very significant role regarding conference affiliation change.
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