MWC - conference on the decline

[LeMoyne00]

The Mountain West was a 5-bid conference last march... All their conference realignment had already taken place by then too... I'm not sure that is it. They graduated a lot of seniors after last year, programs weren't as good, they got 2 in the tourney this year and one into the sweet 16. It's not like they are a waste land.

That said, I think TV is key and the Mountain West's television contract just sucks on CBS Sports Network. The American definitely has one of the best basketball contracts in regards to coverage with every conference controlled game on ABC, CBS, ESPN, ESPN 2, or ESPN U. That raises the awareness of lesser programs allowing them to bring in a good coach and be able to recruit easier.

If the Big East and FS1 can figure out how to sell basketball on the network - that will be a force too! We basically have full run of the station with the PAC if we can build the ratings with a better ad campaign,

[stever20]

What's happening to the MWC is what is gonna happen to the AAC IMO although to a lesser extent. Next year, the AAC will not have Louisville and add Tulane, ECU and Tulsa. Over the next 3-4 years, their basketball will start to degrade. Recruits from UCONN/Cincy will not want to be traveling to Texas, Carolinas, Oklahoma, Louisiana to play crap basketball.

Totally disagree. UConn/Cincy/Memphis/Temple are light years ahead of anything historically in the MWC. Tulsa just made the tourney this year. If any blue blood program had what SMU has coming back next year and coming in, they would be mentioned as a national title contender. Also, AAC recruits a lot better than the MWC(right now MWC with 2 top 150 recruits for 2015, and both are at New Mexico- who's coach may leave for USF).

You honestly think the AAC will be better 3-4 years from now than this year?????

I don't know about better, but at least as good. It's not a guarantee at all that they will slip. Also you keep on forgetting they will be losing Rutgers which helps them out.

[Jet915]

The Mountain West was a 5-bid conference last march... All their conference realignment had already taken place by then too... I'm not sure that is it. They graduated a lot of seniors after last year, programs weren't as good, they got 2 in the tourney this year and one into the sweet 16. It's not like they are a waste land.

That said, I think TV is key and the Mountain West's television contract just sucks on CBS Sports Network. The American definitely has one of the best basketball contracts in regards to coverage with every conference controlled game on ABC, CBS, ESPN, ESPN 2, or ESPN U. That raises the awareness of lesser programs allowing them to bring in a good coach and be able to recruit easier.

If the Big East and FS1 can figure out how to sell basketball on the network - that will be a force too! We basically have full run of the station with the PAC if we can build the ratings with a better ad campaign,

The majority of AAC games are on ESPNU, ESPNEWS and CBS Sports Network.

[stever20]

The Mountain West was a 5-bid conference last march... All their conference realignment had already taken place by then too... I'm not sure that is it. They graduated a lot of seniors after last year, programs weren't as good, they got 2 in the tourney this year and one into the sweet 16. It's not like they are a waste land.

That said, I think TV is key and the Mountain West's television contract just sucks on CBS Sports Network. The American definitely has one of the best basketball contracts in regards to coverage with every conference controlled game on ABC, CBS, ESPN, ESPN 2, or ESPN U. That raises the awareness of lesser programs allowing them to bring in a good coach and be able to recruit easier.

If the Big East and FS1 can figure out how to sell basketball on the network - that will be a force too! We basically have full run of the station with the PAC if we can build the ratings with a better ad campaign,

The majority of AAC games are on ESPNU, ESPNEWS and CBS Sports Network.

The AAC's broadcast package blows the MWC away big time. Had I think 65 of their conference games on one of the ESPN networks or CBS network. I think MWC had maybe 10 games on ESPN networks this winter- with a lot of those late at night of course.

[stever20]

Also look at the coaches coming into the AAC. Houston may be getting Kelvin Sampson. USF may poach either the guy from UNLV or New Mexico. Quality hires. AAC like it or not isn't going anywhere.

[HoosierPal]

Rice is staying at UNLV. He has a loaded recruiting class. I believe the MWC will remain healthy.

[BEhomer]

Also look at the coaches coming into the AAC. Houston may be getting Kelvin Sampson. USF may poach either the guy from UNLV or New Mexico. Quality hires. AAC like it or not isn't going anywhere.

the problem with AAC is the fact that their top programs uconn and cincy are just buying time waiting for a big 5 invite. you ask their fan bases and they will openly admit they'd rather not be a part of AAC's future. hard to build rivalries and unity among members when your top programs have one foot out the door.

BE is the league where every team seems happy to be a part of. AAC is the league some of its own members can't wait to get out. that's just a fact.

[Sactowndog]

What's happening to the MWC is what is gonna happen to the AAC IMO although to a lesser extent. Next year, the AAC will not have Louisville and add Tulane, ECU and Tulsa. Over the next 3-4 years, their basketball will start to degrade. Recruits from UCONN/Cincy will not want to be traveling to Texas, Carolinas, Oklahoma, Louisiana to play crap basketball.

Totally disagree. UConn/Cincy/Memphis/Temple are light years ahead of anything historically in the MWC. Tulsa just made the tourney this year. If any blue blood program had what SMU has coming back next year and coming in, they would be mentioned as a national title contender. Also, AAC recruits a lot better than the MWC(right now MWC with 2 top 150 recruits for 2015, and both are at New Mexico- who's coach may leave for USF).

You honestly think the AAC will be better 3-4 years from now than this year?????

Yes because they have a solid core and will likely add a Wichita State or VCU to pair with Navy. It is a down year for the MWC but at least they had a team in the sweet 16. They have a good young coach at Fresno who had to deal with a lot of stuff over the past year and the team still played well.

SDSU and New Mexico are in good shape. UNLV needs a bench coach to help Rice coach a game. Lastly Eustachy at C-State is a good coach. They won't ever be a power league but they will be a solid 2-3 bid league year in and year out. They could help themselves by grabbing Wichita State to balance Hawaii but they are too football focused.

It seems the Big East fans should be worrying about themselves. Clearly both the A-10 and the AAC were better leagues this year with more teams in the dance and teams going farther. Everyone wants to keep this small homogenous conference and the result is you will be the WCC of the east and irrelevant in 5 years. Could you do something about it? Sure but you are making the same mistake the MWC made when they were doing well. They stayed small and greedy and it cost them. The big east is doing the same.

[Boyee]

The Mountain West is on the decline because they lost TCU (Big 12), BYU (West Coast & football independent) and Utah (Pacific-12) and added two WAC schools (San Jose State and Utah State) because they though they lost Boise State and San Diego State for football to the Big East.