Spider17
Starter
Who else could we realistically do the challenge with? Only other conference that will be as good that I think will entertain the thought will be the new Pac-12
2025-2026 - NET, Rankings, Polls, Awards
- Thread starter Section9_RowD
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MVC would be a fine conference challenge partner. Would else would we get? Mooney's favorite Big East won't do it. MWC as it stands at the moment would be a great one and we already had them lined up before it fell apart with COVID, so I don't know where the lack of interest for revisiting it is coming from. Maybe things have a revival chance once they all move to the new Pac-12? WCC would be ok, but Gonzaga is out the door after this season and the geography and name recognition aren't ideal. American? They are not a deep conference and things drop off badly for the bottom half.
Spiders4ever
Bench player
AAC, New Pac 12. Maybe even the Big East. Aside from a couple of teams they seem to be backing up to A10 level
Urmite
Bench player
6th?
Section9_RowD
Starter
Sorry yeah I used to be a math major but can't count very well anymore
corrected
No way Big East would do it. They're a significant step above the A-10.
American and MVC are on par, MVC might even be a little better top to bottom right now.
Future Pac-12 would be solid, but again, it's basically a rebranded MWC that we haven't been able to get revived for some reason so it feels unlikely to me.
Eight Legger
Bench player
Should have done one with the current PAC-12. Everyone plays Wazzu and Oregon State, see how it we all do.
97spiderfan
Bench player
You do it with the Mountain West. The Mountain West and A-10 are the two pre-imminent non P5 conference out there. MWC has 7 teams in the Top 100 of the NET and A-10 has 8. This should be the top priority of the new commissioner.
I would also try to do similar to the ole bracketbusters set up for mid majors. Do it February, match the best teams up with one another to provide everyone with a chance for a signature win, announce the game in January once you know who those teams are. Right now, that would give us with a match-up against 23's other favorite team, San Diego State.
I would also try to do similar to the ole bracketbusters set up for mid majors. Do it February, match the best teams up with one another to provide everyone with a chance for a signature win, announce the game in January once you know who those teams are. Right now, that would give us with a match-up against 23's other favorite team, San Diego State.
Most of the best MWC programs are leaving for the Pac-12 next year. So what you really want is a deal with the Pac-12, but they're only going to have 9 members with only 5 of those being excellent to very solid...Gonzaga, Boise, Colorado State, SDSU, and Utah State. Oregon State, Washington State, Fresno, and Texas State aren't much to write home about.
Heard on the broadcast that Southern Illinois is a 3 yr agreement so UR has already baked in a MVC opponent for 2 more years. UR seems to be able to get games with MVC teams with regularity, so I would rather have a challenge versus a different conference.
97spiderfan
Bench player
Thanks SF. Let's go get one with Pac 12 or whatever they are going to call themselves next year. Top 9 A-10 get a game if you are 10 or below, no game for these teams, be better next year.
Current NET rankings for top 9 A-10 vs 2026 Pac-12:
A-10
29. SLU
62. VCU
64. Mason
77. GW
79. Dayton
80. UR
96. Davidson
98. Bona
103. URI
Pac-12
3. Gonzaga
30. Utah State
39. Boise State
54. Colorado State
83. San Diego State
171. Fresno State
189. Washington State
199. Oregon State
277. Texas State
So yeah, some matchups we'd be really happy about in there, but once you get beyond the top 5, you're looking at Q3/Q4 games for the rest of the A-10 teams that even get to participate.
MVC doesn't have the depth of the A-10 either, but Bradley and Drake are least giving you a little bit more than the likes of Fresno and Wazzu (though admittedly still Q3 games).
MVC
55. Belmont
82. Murray State
87. Illinois State
88. UNI
123. Southern Illinois
138. Bradley
156. Drake
187. Indiana State
213. UIC
224. Valpo
290. Evansville
A-10
29. SLU
62. VCU
64. Mason
77. GW
79. Dayton
80. UR
96. Davidson
98. Bona
103. URI
Pac-12
3. Gonzaga
30. Utah State
39. Boise State
54. Colorado State
83. San Diego State
171. Fresno State
189. Washington State
199. Oregon State
277. Texas State
So yeah, some matchups we'd be really happy about in there, but once you get beyond the top 5, you're looking at Q3/Q4 games for the rest of the A-10 teams that even get to participate.
MVC doesn't have the depth of the A-10 either, but Bradley and Drake are least giving you a little bit more than the likes of Fresno and Wazzu (though admittedly still Q3 games).
MVC
55. Belmont
82. Murray State
87. Illinois State
88. UNI
123. Southern Illinois
138. Bradley
156. Drake
187. Indiana State
213. UIC
224. Valpo
290. Evansville
Section9_RowD
Starter
The 1 AP point keeps rotating - now with SLU - thx to David J from Dayton paper
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Thanks for the comparisons. Neither seems appealing to me and seems like most A10 teams are getting these types of games on their own.
Section9_RowD
Starter
Up to 6 in A10 Talk pool - not sure how anyone could vote us below GW
Urmite
Bench player
99-86 over WM vs 90-86 ?
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