Spanky2 said:
Well, Kem, you seem to think this realignment will somehow improve a weak conference, even by adding additional weak sisters. Please explain why you take this position. Oh, by the way, I’m well aware of the financial plight of UM. Since you are a chemist, you likely don’t realize when you are in a weak position, it’s time to take an aggressive posture. Muster?
Larry, you are defensively misinterpreting my posting entirely. I have been a harsh critic of the BSC and its decisions. I particularly dislike its current state and hope for change. I'm posting what I have heard and what I believe to be the most likely moves from today's ugly situation, recognizing the powers at be have a different set of objectives than you or I. I would love to have Montana be in a position to move into the MWC with many of its old Skyline Conference members of 60 years ago, but be realistic in the probability of this happening in the foreseeable future. UM doesn't want it and the MWC doesn't want it.
I do believe, however, that the split would be an improvement over the status quo and I have given the reasons:
1. Reduced travel expense
2. Focus on regional rivalries (close enough for fans to travel and play them every year)
3. Balanced schedules (every member plays the same conf. schedule)
4. OOC scheduling with the partner FCS conf. (home and homes without cash outlays)
These are not trivial advantages and outweigh the expansion dilution you criticize. But also not trivial are the remaining hurdles, an autobid for the new conf. and convincing NMSU to join.