Southland Expansion

tkalmus · **Joined:** Fri Sep 10, 2010 11:40 pm **Posts:** 1036

Fresno St. Alum wrote:

Senior Reports facebook link has the SLC making a site visit to Houston Baptist

http://www.myfoxhouston.com/dpp/sports/ ... university

I still think its a good move if they add football. Since we all know that SHSU and Lamar are looking to jump to FBS they need to just bite the bullet and take what they can get, HBU and UTPA will strengthen their numbers and allow the conference to remain viable after a defection or two...the only other viable candidate in the area (w/o going into the ranks of D2) is Arkansas-Little Rock who may be getting nervous being the only non-fb school left in the Sun Belt, every other D1 school in the area is in a major conference or the SWAC/MVC/OVC which are better than the SLC.

This would make for great travel partners for the SLC teams...
Oral Roberts and Central Arkansas
SHSU and SFA
Lamar and HBU
A&M CC and UTPA (ironic)
NWSU and McNeese St
SELU and Nicholls St

pf9 · **Joined:** Sat Nov 17, 2007 3:36 am **Posts:** 185

Arkansas-Little Rock is also a possibility.

If they decide that being the only non-FB school in the Sun Belt is not worth their time and that they don't want to play football in the Sun Belt, they can head over to the Southland. They would have a travel partner in Central Arkansas.

To balance things out at 14 (provided HBU and UTPA join), maybe Delta State could move up from Division II?

tkalmus · **Joined:** Fri Sep 10, 2010 11:40 pm **Posts:** 1036

pf9 wrote:

Arkansas-Little Rock is also a possibility.

If they decide that being the only non-FB school in the Sun Belt is not worth their time and that they don't want to play football in the Sun Belt, they can head over to the Southland. They would have a travel partner in Central Arkansas.

To balance things out at 14 (provided HBU and UTPA join), maybe Delta State could move up from Division II?

I still think its a good move if they add football. Since we all know that SHSU and Lamar are looking to jump to FBS they need to just bite the bullet and take what they can get, HBU and UTPA will strengthen their numbers and allow the conference to remain viable after a defection or two...the only other viable candidate in the area (w/o going into the ranks of D2) is Arkansas-Little Rock who may be getting nervous being the only non-fb school left in the Sun Belt, every other D1 school in the area is in a major conference or the SWAC/MVC/OVC which are better than the SLC.

Quinn · **Joined:** Thu Oct 17, 2002 8:05 am **Posts:** 3757

pf9 wrote:

Arkansas-Little Rock is also a possibility.

If they decide that being the only non-FB school in the Sun Belt is not worth their time and that they don't want to play football in the Sun Belt, they can head over to the Southland. They would have a travel partner in Central Arkansas.

To balance things out at 14 (provided HBU and UTPA join), maybe Delta State could move up from Division II?

Where is the money coming from? This is now another thread where you are talking about expansion to 14 or 16 schools. The Southland is one of the worst basketball conferences with little revenue. And you want them to split it MORE ways?

SJSUFan2010 · **Joined:** Mon Dec 06, 2010 7:52 pm **Posts:** 469

Quinn wrote:

pf9 wrote:

Arkansas-Little Rock is also a possibility.

If they decide that being the only non-FB school in the Sun Belt is not worth their time and that they don't want to play football in the Sun Belt, they can head over to the Southland. They would have a travel partner in Central Arkansas.

To balance things out at 14 (provided HBU and UTPA join), maybe Delta State could move up from Division II?

Where is the money coming from? This is now another thread where you are talking about expansion to 14 or 16 schools. The Southland is one of the worst basketball conferences with little revenue. And you want them to split it MORE ways?

Looks like they are going to a maximum of 12 (otherwise there is no reason to visit HBU). I would think the reason they are looking more attractive is the fact that they have been considering adding football. I would also like to see UALR head to the SLC and begin sponsoring football. But as it is, if the Sun Belt will keep them, I doubt they'll leave on their own.

The move to 11 could be happening with the expectation that Lamar is on its way out (oh boy, another trip to Texas for my Spartans). Then they would have a 10 team conference with 7 football members (8 if/when HBU adds football). That's a good size for an FCS conference and gives them room if they ever wanted to expand in the future.

tkalmus · **Joined:** Fri Sep 10, 2010 11:40 pm **Posts:** 1036

What money? Do they have a TV deal? Are you talking about NCAA bball tourney money? Adding schools at that level is mostly for scheduling/travel benefits. Plus adding more teams will only make their champions more prepared for the basketball and baseball tourneys...

Quinn · **Joined:** Thu Oct 17, 2002 8:05 am **Posts:** 3757

tkalmus wrote:

What money? Do they have a TV deal? Are you talking about NCAA bball tourney money? Adding schools at that level is mostly for scheduling/travel benefits. Plus adding more teams will only make their champions more prepared for the basketball and baseball tourneys...

Yes, tourney shares. At this level, it's a very important revenue stream. So the idea of splitting 1 bid with 14 schools, especially when the schools being added are bottom of the barrel. Bad enough when you have to go to the Great West for HBU (due to football hopes). But why would you ever give serious though to 14 when it means having to add Oral Roberts (10), HBU (for #11) and then THREE MORE schools from D2/Great West.

If the Southland is looking to lock up the title of worst basketball conference in the country/least tourney revenue per school (since it's a 1 bid conference), then it would be a good plan.

tkalmus · **Joined:** Fri Sep 10, 2010 11:40 pm **Posts:** 1036

Quinn wrote:

tkalmus wrote:

What money? Do they have a TV deal? Are you talking about NCAA bball tourney money? Adding schools at that level is mostly for scheduling/travel benefits. Plus adding more teams will only make their champions more prepared for the basketball and baseball tourneys...

Yes, tourney shares. At this level, it's a very important revenue stream. So the idea of splitting 1 bid with 14 schools, especially when the schools being added are bottom of the barrel. Bad enough when you have to go to the Great West for HBU (due to football hopes). But why would you ever give serious though to 14 when it means having to add Oral Roberts (10), HBU (for #11) and then THREE MORE schools from D2/Great West.

If the Southland is looking to lock up the title of worst basketball conference in the country/least tourney revenue per school (since it's a 1 bid conference), then it would be a good plan.

I get not wanting to go to 14 now but I was simply talking about them returning to 12 like they were...

HBU and UTPA or UALR make perfect sense to get back to 12, and since we all know Lamar and SHSU are looking to upgrade and schools like SFA or McNeese may also be in the future, getting in touch with some D2 schools that may be interested may not be such a bad thing either...

Quinn · **Joined:** Thu Oct 17, 2002 8:05 am **Posts:** 3757

tkalmus wrote:

Quinn wrote:

tkalmus wrote:

What money? Do they have a TV deal? Are you talking about NCAA bball tourney money? Adding schools at that level is mostly for scheduling/travel benefits. Plus adding more teams will only make their champions more prepared for the basketball and baseball tourneys...

Yes, tourney shares. At this level, it's a very important revenue stream. So the idea of splitting 1 bid with 14 schools, especially when the schools being added are bottom of the barrel. Bad enough when you have to go to the Great West for HBU (due to football hopes). But why would you ever give serious though to 14 when it means having to add Oral Roberts (10), HBU (for #11) and then THREE MORE schools from D2/Great West.

If the Southland is looking to lock up the title of worst basketball conference in the country/least tourney revenue per school (since it's a 1 bid conference), then it would be a good plan.

I get not wanting to go to 14 now but I was simply talking about them returning to 12 like they were...

HBU and UTPA or UALR make perfect sense to get back to 12, and since we all know Lamar and SHSU are looking to upgrade and schools like SFA or McNeese may also be in the future, getting in touch with some D2 schools that may be interested may not be such a bad thing either...

I understand. But you responded to my response which was to a post saying the Southland should go to 14. 12 makes sense, especially since the Southland needs football members.

Fresno St. Alum · **Posted:** Thu Oct 27, 2011 2:53 pm

Right now, if the SLC doesn't lose anyone else(I think Lamar is gone soon) are 8/10. If they invite HBU 9/11. Incarnate Word as #12? ACU? or do they go 9/12 w/ UTPA since they are D-I and don't have to jump through hoops like the D-II LSC schools.

Quinn · **Joined:** Thu Oct 17, 2002 8:05 am **Posts:** 3757

Fresno St. Alum wrote:

Right now, if the SLC doesn't lose anyone else(I think Lamar is gone soon) are 8/10. If they invite HBU 9/11. Incarnate Word as #12? ACU? or do they go 9/12 w/ UTPA since they are D-I and don't have to jump through hoops like the D-II LSC schools.

All would work. Could use a football school as protection against Lamar leaving. Real bad if SHSU left too.

Here's my article from over a year ago on candidates:
http://collegesportsinfo.com/2010/09/30 ... e-options/

tkalmus · **Joined:** Fri Sep 10, 2010 11:40 pm **Posts:** 1036

Fresno St. Alum wrote:

Right now, if the SLC doesn't lose anyone else(I think Lamar is gone soon) are 8/10. If they invite HBU 9/11. Incarnate Word as #12? ACU? or do they go 9/12 w/ UTPA since they are D-I and don't have to jump through hoops like the D-II LSC schools.

I think they should start looking into D2 programs w/ fb but moving from D2 to D1 is such a big commitment that I think they just need to add the low hanging fruit already in D1. HBU seems like the best bet especially if they add fb, UTPA and UALR would also help with the attrition. I agree that Lamar will be gone soon and SHSU will follow and then SFA will start the process of upgrading too, but by that time some D2's will be ready to upgrade and the SLC should be fine.

Quinn · **Joined:** Thu Oct 17, 2002 8:05 am **Posts:** 3757

tkalmus wrote:

Fresno St. Alum wrote:

Right now, if the SLC doesn't lose anyone else(I think Lamar is gone soon) are 8/10. If they invite HBU 9/11. Incarnate Word as #12? ACU? or do they go 9/12 w/ UTPA since they are D-I and don't have to jump through hoops like the D-II LSC schools.

I think they should start looking into D2 programs w/ fb but moving from D2 to D1 is such a big commitment that I think they just need to add the low hanging fruit already in D1. HBU seems like the best bet especially if they add fb, UTPA and UALR would also help with the attrition. I agree that Lamar will be gone soon and SHSU will follow and then SFA will start the process of upgrading too, but by that time some D2's will be ready to upgrade and the SLC should be fine.

No doubt that HBU (with football), UTPA and UALR would all be great additions. UALR in that they are a good fit, coming from what might be considered a better conference. Fit in GREAT with UCA. As for HBU and UTPA, love them too as they are both exactly in the Southland backyard. Assuming Lamar leaves, and with ORU in, you'd have a very comfortable 12. Especially noting that 4 schools would have left the conference, so it would be a nice bounce back.

Kim Jong Skillz · **Posted:** Thu Oct 27, 2011 6:46 pm

http://www.tulsaworld.com/sportsextra/O ... UTLIN18038

anonymous donors donation helped speed along ORU's switch to SLC.

tkalmus · **Joined:** Fri Sep 10, 2010 11:40 pm **Posts:** 1036

Kim Jong Skillz wrote:

http://www.tulsaworld.com/sportsextra/ORU/article.aspx?subjectid=95&articleid=20111026_95_B1_CUTLIN18038

anonymous donors donation helped speed along ORU's switch to SLC.

Good post KJS! Thanks

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