Basketball Conference Rankings

[WILDCATFAN]

I've thought quite a bit about EverettGriz's stated position on belonging to a competitive conference over the years. Certainly, I agree... but how is this quandry approached pragmatically? Too late, I think, for Montana to be invited to the Mountain West. The best match would be a conference similar to the Summit (smaller FBS schools, yet very competitive in men's and women's basketball).

The best (trying to remain pragmatic, here) option would be a new 8-team regional conference of schools that would sport FBS football programs (y'know... schools that have FBS capable facilities) and offer the full range of sports (and facilities, y'know...) to make that move. Montana, I believe, is currently well-suited to make that move across the board.

Create it in some form of the original Skyline Conference... perhaps call it the Continental Divide Conference. So, any votes for eight charter members?

I can think of: New Mexico State, Idaho, Montana, Montana State, and... ummm. ? (Weber State has no football facility. Idaho State might qualify in terms of facilities, but... North Dakota seems a decent fit, but is regionally better suited to the Summit. And the California schools make tough travel locations).

Oh well...

Yet you have Idaho in your selection……who's football Stadium is SMALLER than Weber's. just an FYI. Weber's stadium is also larger than Idaho State's so Im still trying to figure out where that one came from Not only that but Weber just built a brand new indoor football practice facility, aside from lack of fan support, Weber State would be a better choice than most Big Sky schools. Not that I want Weber in the FBS, what's so wonderful about playing in a meaningless bowl game?

On campus Facilities, Weber's Stewart Stadium is the 4th largest Football stadium in the Big Sky. at 17,500

WILDCATFAN: I admit I made my assumptions regarding Weber State football from my own view of the WSU facilities on Big Sky Tv. Obviously, that's not the best way to make an assesment of WSU football. However, my other assumption came from regular reading of the Wildcat basketball forums over the past 3-4 years, where the comments made regarding Wildcat football are overwhelmingly negative, if not derogatory (from your own board members!). My thoughts regarding a "move up" are purely speculative. But I DO think the Wildcat and Grizzly hoops teams would compete very well in a larger D1 hoops conference.

It's all good, it's no secret that Wildcat football has been "less than stellar" over the past few years, but I do believe that coach Hill has this team on the right track. Fan base is what hurts us the most, but win and they will come

I also agree with what you said about UM and Weber hoops, that it would be beneficial to both schools to get a better basketball conference, but the Mountain West won't take Weber and I'm pretty sure Utah State would fight that all day long. I think Weber for now is right where they belong, and I would prefer Weber stay FCS. I'm not an FBS football fan.

 

[Grisly Fan]

As WCF said, Weber State does indeed have a football stadium. It isn't huge and the purple running track around it does it no favor but nestled against a mountain I think it is easily the second most scenic place to watch football in the BSC. Only one place has a river and mountains and a place where the fans can nearly touch the playing surface -- but second place is pretty good.

 

[mtgrizrule]

As WCF said, Weber State does indeed have a football stadium. It isn't huge and the purple running track around it does it no favor but nestled against a mountain I think it is easily the second most scenic place to watch football in the BSC. Only one place has a river and mountains and a place where the fans can nearly touch the playing surface -- but second place is pretty good.

It's a shame that the likes of Weber State and Portland State don't have fan support in football. I really respect Weber State's basketball team under Rahe. When we are talking about a move, I always want to have Weber State involved in a discussion. I just can't justify it without fan support in football though. Weber State would certainly be a nice school to move up with, if they could consistently draw 12k plus for football per game.

In my opinion, if they want more respect and consideration, their fans have to make an effort to support their football program. Maybe it would help if Weber State could schedule home games more strategically to minimize impact of competing against Utah, Utah State, and BYU.

 

[WILDCATFAN]

As WCF said, Weber State does indeed have a football stadium. It isn't huge and the purple running track around it does it no favor but nestled against a mountain I think it is easily the second most scenic place to watch football in the BSC. Only one place has a river and mountains and a place where the fans can nearly touch the playing surface -- but second place is pretty good.

It's a shame that the likes of Weber State and Portland State don't have fan support in football. I really respect Weber State's basketball team under Rahe. When we are talking about a move, I always want to have Weber State involved in a discussion. I just can't justify it without fan support in football though. Weber State would certainly be a nice school to move up with, if they could consistently draw 12k plus for football per game.

In my opinion, if they want more respect and consideration, their fans have to make an effort to support their football program. Maybe it would help if Weber State could schedule home games more strategically to minimize impact of competing against Utah, Utah State, and BYU.

Weber State just doesn't have the history in football, winning and being in Conf championship races year in and year out, but it always seemed like every time Weber had a decent season with high hopes for the next season the team the next year would get worse instead. However I do believe that Hill has this Weber team on the right track, Hill can recruit. Weber State who had one only two games each of the previous 3 seasons won 6 this last year and came a field goal away from 7 and a possible playoff berth. I believe Weber is on the right track.

 

[WILDCATFAN]

As WCF said, Weber State does indeed have a football stadium. It isn't huge and the purple running track around it does it no favor but nestled against a mountain I think it is easily the second most scenic place to watch football in the BSC. Only one place has a river and mountains and a place where the fans can nearly touch the playing surface -- but second place is pretty good.

It's a shame that the likes of Weber State and Portland State don't have fan support in football. I really respect Weber State's basketball team under Rahe. When we are talking about a move, I always want to have Weber State involved in a discussion. I just can't justify it without fan support in football though. Weber State would certainly be a nice school to move up with, if they could consistently draw 12k plus for football per game.

In my opinion, if they want more respect and consideration, their fans have to make an effort to support their football program. Maybe it would help if Weber State could schedule home games more strategically to minimize impact of competing against Utah, Utah State, and BYU.

Weber State just doesn't have the history in football, winning and being in Conf championship races year in and year out is the only way to fix it. but it always seemed like every time Weber had a decent season with high hopes for the next season the team the next year would get worse instead. However I do believe that Hill has this Weber team on the right track, Hill can recruit. Weber State who had one only two games each of the previous 3 seasons won 6 this last year and came a field goal away from 7 and a possible playoff berth. I believe Weber is on the right track.

 

[Ursa Major]

Boy, oh boy!!!! It sure is GREEEEEEAAAT to be a member of the proud conference that is the bsc. I just cannot tell you how thrilling it is to be surrounded by 8 teams with RPIs under 300!!! I'm just busting at the seams with pride. Busting, I tell you.





Get us the eff OUT of this joke of a conference.

Basically UM needs to make the decision to move up on the football side and you would see a huge benefit on the Basketball side.

Hey, at least we have the Big Sky tourney in Reno now... :roll:

I agree that the U of M should move up (Mountain West!) but I think the football program should stay where it is, at least for a while. The FCS is very competitive, with an actual playoff, and some would argue the top tier programs in the FCS are better the many of the lower end FBS schools. The most the Griz could hope for in the FBS is some random bowl game that ends with .com and has a kickoff at 1:00pm on a Thursday on ESPN Deportes...

As opposed to a "national" championship played at a soccer stadium which kicked off before most of the west coast was even awake?

Yes please.

This is true!! I woke up at the end of the first quarter. It isn't fair to a drinking man to start a national championship game at 9:00 AM on the West Coast.

 

[Spanky]

The BOR focus is on Engstrom's raise and bonus. The school will continue to be a member of the Big Sky Conference for years to come.

 

[weberwildcat]

And to think things are only to get worse...

Weber doesn't even travel to Missoula. What is wrong with this conference? And the there is reno. Wow. It's going go get much worse. Adding unc, und and suu wasn't the cherry on top. We don't know what it will be yet.

Getting the regular season title means nothing. Getting 4th place is just as good as u get a bye too. As well this year weber fans were wondering if they should even get season tkts. We can't even get d1 ooc home games.

If I remember correctly we used to be 14-18 range as a conf.

Reno will be a huge blunder.

 

[EverettGriz]

What is wrong with this conference?

How much time do you have?

 

[griznative24]

Basically UM needs to make the decision to move up on the football side and you would see a huge benefit on the Basketball side.

Hey, at least we have the Big Sky tourney in Reno now... :roll:

I agree that the U of M should move up (Mountain West!) but I think the football program should stay where it is, at least for a while. The FCS is very competitive, with an actual playoff, and some would argue the top tier programs in the FCS are better the many of the lower end FBS schools. The most the Griz could hope for in the FBS is some random bowl game that ends with .com and has a kickoff at 1:00pm on a Thursday on ESPN Deportes...

As opposed to a "national" championship played at a soccer stadium which kicked off before most of the west coast was even awake?

Yes please.

This is true!! I woke up at the end of the first quarter. It isn't fair to a drinking man to start a national championship game at 9:00 AM on the West Coast.

Haha I will agree, way too early, but irish coffee isn't that bad! I just don't know if I could get excited for some random bowl featuring the 7-5 Griz vs. some other FBS school that probably doesn't deserve to be in the postseason. The FCS is questionable, and the gap is widening between good and awful, but do you think Griz football would actually win in the FBS? Looking at how this administration is running the school into the ground, I do not see the Griz having much success...

 

[Paytonlives]

Its been in the works for many years...

The top 64 to 90 will break off and be FBS, the next group is where the Griz will be with the likes of Utah, Utah State, Nevada, UNLV, etc...

 

[sacstateman]

Utah will be in the FBS...

 

[Ursa Major]

I agree that the U of M should move up (Mountain West!) but I think the football program should stay where it is, at least for a while. The FCS is very competitive, with an actual playoff, and some would argue the top tier programs in the FCS are better the many of the lower end FBS schools. The most the Griz could hope for in the FBS is some random bowl game that ends with .com and has a kickoff at 1:00pm on a Thursday on ESPN Deportes...

As opposed to a "national" championship played at a soccer stadium which kicked off before most of the west coast was even awake?

Yes please.

This is true!! I woke up at the end of the first quarter. It isn't fair to a drinking man to start a national championship game at 9:00 AM on the West Coast.

Haha I will agree, way too early, but irish coffee isn't that bad! I just don't know if I could get excited for some random bowl featuring the 7-5 Griz vs. some other FBS school that probably doesn't deserve to be in the postseason. The FCS is questionable, and the gap is widening between good and awful, but do you think Griz football would actually win in the FBS? Looking at how this administration is running the school into the ground, I do not see the Griz having much success...

Fair or unfair you are often defined by the company you keep. I believe we would get better athletes in all sports if we were in the MWC. Even if we joined the WCC for olympic sports our recruiting would be much improved. For football, FBS & FCS makes a difference. Other than blind students or those that have lost their sense of smell, why would anyone choose Laramie over Missoula? Not a lot of kids dreaming of growing up to compete in the BSC.

 

[griznative24]

As opposed to a "national" championship played at a soccer stadium which kicked off before most of the west coast was even awake?

Yes please.

This is true!! I woke up at the end of the first quarter. It isn't fair to a drinking man to start a national championship game at 9:00 AM on the West Coast.

Haha I will agree, way too early, but irish coffee isn't that bad! I just don't know if I could get excited for some random bowl featuring the 7-5 Griz vs. some other FBS school that probably doesn't deserve to be in the postseason. The FCS is questionable, and the gap is widening between good and awful, but do you think Griz football would actually win in the FBS? Looking at how this administration is running the school into the ground, I do not see the Griz having much success...

Fair or unfair you are often defined by the company you keep. I believe we would get better athletes in all sports if we were in the MWC. Even if we joined the WCC for olympic sports our recruiting would be much improved. For football, FBS & FCS makes a difference. Other than blind students or those that have lost their sense of smell, why would anyone choose Laramie over Missoula? Not a lot of kids dreaming of growing up to compete in the BSC.

Not many grow up with dreams of a BSC championship. But I do think that kids are willing to sacrifice a low end FBS school that will never win anything to go to a school on a lower platform (FCS), but that has a much better chance to win. I want to reiterate that I am not objecting a move up in conference, I think for all other sports it makes a ton of sense, but moving up to the FBS in football could be a major mistake.

 

[EverettGriz]

In theory I agree, 24. However the two concerns with that plan is that football is where the revenue comes from, and the BSC is so poorly run and Montana is such an outlier in the conference that it makes little sense to stay.

 

[griznative24]

In theory I agree, 24. However the two concerns with that plan is that football is where the revenue comes from, and the BSC is so poorly run and Montana is such an outlier in the conference that it makes little sense to stay.

True. It will be interesting to see what happens. It kinda sucks that both the university and the conference are getting worse.