If Idaho gets a MWC invite...............

[Wildcat Ryan]

And takes all thier sports to the Mtn West, who do you think would take thier spot in the Big Sky?

This is a hypothetical question, especially since Idaho may get a football only invite to the Sun Belt. New Mexico State is most likely getting either a CUSA or Sun Belt invite.

The question is who would the Big Sky go after and who would you prefer they went after if Idaho is able to find an all sports home?

teams in the west available

Seattle
Cal State Bakersfield
Utah Valley


Each team has a case, Seattle has been the better Basketball team than the other 2 + instate rivalry with Eastern, Cal State Bakersfield would be the perfect travel partner/instate rival for Sac State, and Utah Valley is Smack dab in the geographic footprint, and would also bring another instate rivalry in Utah.


From the travel partner standpoint, Bakersfield or Utah Valley makes the most sense

Travel Partners with CSBU

Montana / Montana State
Weber State / Idaho State
North Dakota / Northern Colorado
Southern Utah / Northern Arizona
Portland State / Eastern Washington
Sacramento State / Cal St Bako

With Seattle the travel partners would probably look like this

Montana / Montana State
Eastern Wash / Seattle
Portland State / Idaho State
Sacramento State / N. Arizona
Weber State / S. Utah
N. Daktota / N. Colorado

With UVU

Montana / Montana St
Eastern Wash / Portland State
Sac State / N. Arizona
Utah Valley / SUU
Weber State / Idaho State
N. Dakota / N. Colorado


What do other Sky fans think?

[dbackjon]

None of the above

[SuperHornet]

None of the above

Speaking for myself only, I say NO to Bako. I'd rather try to get Pueblo....

[89Hen]

Rollins College

[Wildcat Ryan]

The one thing Utah Valley has said is that they WOULD start a football program if a conference would give them a home, that is why i think they would be the front runners for the pick. The chance that a California school would or even could start a football program is practically slim to none, and Seattle is a small Private school who in all reality would fit better in the WCC but I dont think Gonzaga wants them there. My money is on Utah Valley

[SDHornet]

Travel Partners with CSBU

Montana / Montana State
Weber State / Idaho State
North Dakota / Northern Colorado
Southern Utah / Northern Arizona
Portland State / Eastern Washington
Sacramento State / Cal St Bako

I like the Bako idea but not sure it would be a good fit. The travel wouldn't be that great either as that is a long boring bus ride from Sac to Bako.

With Seattle the travel partners would probably look like this

Montana / Montana State
Eastern Wash / Seattle
Portland State / Idaho State
Sacramento State / N. Arizona
Weber State / S. Utah
N. Daktota / N. Colorado

Portland would probably be our travel partner, WSU would remain ISU's and NAU and SUU would be partners. I like the Seattle add.

With UVU

Montana / Montana St
Eastern Wash / Portland State
Sac State / N. Arizona
Utah Valley / SUU
Weber State / Idaho State
N. Dakota / N. Colorado


What do other Sky fans think?

No thanks on UVU. We have plenty of Utah members already, at least the others expand into markets where the BSC doesn't already have a presence.

And I agree that none should be added, but if we had to then Seattle is atop my list. This of course is assuming if Idalol left.

[Mvemjsunpx]

No thanks on UVU. We have plenty of Utah members already, at least the others expand into markets where the BSC doesn't already have a presence.

UVU has a sizable basketball arena, though, unlike some schools.

And I agree that none should be added, but if we had to then Seattle is atop my list. This of course is assuming if Idalol left.

I don't think Seattle would ever be added. A small, private Catholic school doesn't fit at all in the Big Sky.

[SuperHornet]

This is all for naught anyway. I don't think there's ANY way the MWC stoops that low.

I'll guarantee you that Mines will be in the Sky before Idalol goes to the MWC....

[SJHornet]

I think Idaho is about to be tossed a bone and invited to the Sun Belt as a football only member. No way they get into the MWC unless they get shredded to bits by the Big East who may be struggling to survive themselves. Thompson made it clear he would look towards Texas and the Southwest if the MWC was to expand again. He also pretty much said Idaho was the last school they would consider.

I like Bake, and I have a feeling we may be havin conclversations about them and UVU in the not too distant future if the WAC continues to implode.

[Mvemjsunpx]

I think Idaho is about to be tossed a bone and invited to the Sun Belt as a football only member.

OK, why on Earth would the Sun Belt do that? Because their travel budgets aren't high enough?

I would think the Sun Belt would be more likely to do something crazy and add Murray State or Tennessee Tech than add Idaho. Even those teams have bigger stadium capacity than the Vandals.


Who knows, though? A lot of these conferences seem to be acting desperate & stupid at the moment.

[Wildcat Ryan]

If Idaho does get invited to join the Sun Belt as a Football only member, then I am sure they would stay in the BSC for basketball, however if the MWC gets desperate enough and invites Idaho, Idaho will move thier entire sports programs to the MWC.

The Question is who would take thier spot...........if any?

Who other than the 3 I have listed would be looked at?

[SuperHornet]

If Idaho does get invited to join the Sun Belt as a Football only member, then I am sure they would stay in the BSC for basketball, however if the MWC gets desperate enough and invites Idaho, Idaho will move thier entire sports programs to the MWC.

The Question is who would take thier spot...........if any?

Who other than the 3 I have listed would be looked at?

Anyone bother to ask Pueblo about moving up?

[SJHornet]

I think Idaho is about to be tossed a bone and invited to the Sun Belt as a football only member.

OK, why on Earth would the Sun Belt do that? Because their travel budgets aren't high enough?

I would think the Sun Belt would be more likely to do something crazy and add Murray State or Tennessee Tech than add Idaho. Even those teams have bigger stadium capacity than the Vandals.


Who knows, though? A lot of these conferences seem to be acting desperate & stupid at the moment.

Sun Belt just lost Middle Tennessee State, FAU and it is rumored Western Kentucky is close to leaving. NMSU and Idaho were both recently mentioned by Karl Benson as targets. They are already established in the FBS and would be able to replace the departing members immediately. An FCS move up would take a few years. Plus, both are desperate and wouldn't require major demands for membership, and both were Sun Belt members before. Benson is also very familiar with both institutions from his WAC days.

I also believe Georgia Southern is on the SBC wish list.

[Fresno St. Alum]

Travel Partners with CSBU

Montana / Montana State
Weber State / Idaho State
North Dakota / Northern Colorado
Southern Utah / Northern Arizona
Portland State / Eastern Washington
Sacramento State / Cal St Bako

I like the Bako idea but not sure it would be a good fit. The travel wouldn't be that great either as that is a long boring bus ride from Sac to Bako.

With Seattle the travel partners would probably look like this

Montana / Montana State
Eastern Wash / Seattle
Portland State / Idaho State
Sacramento State / N. Arizona
Weber State / S. Utah
N. Daktota / N. Colorado

Portland would probably be our travel partner, WSU would remain ISU's and NAU and SUU would be partners. I like the Seattle add.

With UVU

Montana / Montana St
Eastern Wash / Portland State
Sac State / N. Arizona
Utah Valley / SUU
Weber State / Idaho State
N. Dakota / N. Colorado


What do other Sky fans think?

No thanks on UVU. We have plenty of Utah members already, at least the others expand into markets where the BSC doesn't already have a presence.

And I agree that none should be added, but if we had to then Seattle is atop my list. This of course is assuming if Idalol left.

That is the 5 hour drive down the 99 that splits the gaping vagina that is the San Joaquin Valley

[SDHornet]

No thanks on UVU. We have plenty of Utah members already, at least the others expand into markets where the BSC doesn't already have a presence.

UVU has a sizable basketball arena, though, unlike some schools.

And I agree that none should be added, but if we had to then Seattle is atop my list. This of course is assuming if Idalol left.

I don't think Seattle would ever be added. A small, private Catholic school doesn't fit at all in the Big Sky.

Idalol doesn't have a huge arena, so obviously that isn't a prerequisite (thank God).

[Mvemjsunpx]

OK, why on Earth would the Sun Belt do that? Because their travel budgets aren't high enough?

I would think the Sun Belt would be more likely to do something crazy and add Murray State or Tennessee Tech than add Idaho. Even those teams have bigger stadium capacity than the Vandals.


Who knows, though? A lot of these conferences seem to be acting desperate & stupid at the moment.

Sun Belt just lost Middle Tennessee State, FAU and it is rumored Western Kentucky is close to leaving. NMSU and Idaho were both recently mentioned by Karl Benson as targets. They are already established in the FBS and would be able to replace the departing members immediately. An FCS move up would take a few years. Plus, both are desperate and wouldn't require major demands for membership, and both were Sun Belt members before. Benson is also very familiar with both institutions from his WAC days.

I also believe Georgia Southern is on the SBC wish list.

I think you're forgetting the Sun Belt is already adding Texas State & Georgia State, so that still keeps them at 9 members (or 8 if WKU leaves).

I guess Benson could try to add NMSU &/or Idaho, but I can't imagine the other schools in the league would like that too much (& that could accelerate them out the door, too, for those that are exploring)—especially if only one becomes available. Georgia Southern makes far more sense than either of those two.

[SJHornet]

Sun Belt just lost Middle Tennessee State, FAU and it is rumored Western Kentucky is close to leaving. NMSU and Idaho were both recently mentioned by Karl Benson as targets. They are already established in the FBS and would be able to replace the departing members immediately. An FCS move up would take a few years. Plus, both are desperate and wouldn't require major demands for membership, and both were Sun Belt members before. Benson is also very familiar with both institutions from his WAC days.

I also believe Georgia Southern is on the SBC wish list.

I think you're forgetting the Sun Belt is already adding Texas State & Georgia State, so that still keeps them at 9 members (or 8 if WKU leaves).

I guess Benson could try to add NMSU &/or Idaho, but I can't imagine the other schools in the league would like that too much (& that could accelerate them out the door, too, for those that are exploring)—especially if only one becomes available. Georgia Southern makes far more sense than either of those two.

No, I'm not forgetting Georgia State or Texas State. Texas State is already rumored to be on the MWC short list for expansion. Many feel Texas State will jump at the chance, and may try to push the issue. The Sun Belt is also exploring the possibility of adding more schools in Texas and Louisiana. NMSU is in that neighborhood, and If the Sun Belt creates a western footprint, idaho travel isn't that bad. Lamar is rumored to be in contact with Benson, I imagine Sam Houston, SFA and others could also be in play.

I have another theory as to why Benson and the Belt would consider Idaho and NMSU. This isn't based on facts, just theory. If the Big East finds a way to pry away more schools from the MWC for a western division, the MWC will be crippled. Air Force, UNLV, Fresno and New Mexico's names are continually thrown out there. Even SJSU has been discussed, albeit vaguely. If the MWC finds itself in a position much like the WAC, the Sun Belt could pounce and snatch up the remaining schools. Having a pre-existing western presence could help reel in the schools, IF the MWC is compromised.

Benson could also be reacting to the changing environment. He is probably still reeling after what happened to him and the WAC. He probably wants to bolster the lineup before he gets completely picked apart.