I certainly don't mind.  What I don't get is, if he has no sway in games, why post that the "MAC will be well represented"?  Also, I'd like to know what the criteria are that they use to select teams.  My hunch is that TV market or potential TV viewership is involved.  Otherwise, why show UT-Arlington at SD State?  

I just want the MAC to be accountable for something. If Jeremy Guy or the MAC Commissioner have no say in such things, then what exactly are we getting for our money? If this conference is to improve, it needs to have people that have influence. You would hope that they would build relationships via the football contract that they could use to benefit basketball.

I also don't agree with his logic that 1 to 3 is improvement. First, I don't count ESPN3 as a nationally televised broadcast. In a couple of years, we may look at it that way. All MAC games are on MAC-Sports.com which in theory means it's in EVERY home. By his logic, does that count as being nationally televised? I certainly wouldn't count them that way. Second, the real question is did the MAC get what it deserved. Maybe the MAC only deserved 1 TV game in 2011. This year, it deserved 3 and got 2.   

Agreed

I got a good chuckle out of that response. Sounds more like an ESPN3 salesman than someone who works for the MAC. 

My issue is the "well represented" line. The MAC is not well represented on TV.

But Manny needs to rein it in. I think he posts here.

Three counterpoints: 

1) People like Jeremy on Twitter get crap like this all the time.  It's always wise to select your words carefully though, and some of those comments seemed more emotional than though out.

2) Akron is not "leaps and bounds" the best program.  Maybe in the last 2-3 years.  Do you think they are THAT much better than OU or Kent over the last five years?  If so, why?

3)  We're kidding ourselves if we believe this selection is based on merit. Instead, I say it's based on potential TV viewership.  Buffalo has greater viewership power than does OUr Bobcat Nation.


Edit:  I'll add, I love Bracketbuster Saturday, or what it used to be.  It used to be about GOOD mid-major basketball.  It seems to have become more about bigger mid-major basketball TV markets now.

I'm fairly sure you didn't mean it as such, but your post sounds like a compliment.

I don't buy the thought that ESPN3 is no different than our webcasts.  All we have to do is compare hits at ESPN.com versus OhioBobcats.com to put an end to that discussion.  It is no different to you and I, but in terms of exposure and the term "national TV"...it is entirely different.

What's ironic is that nobody cares one bit when we're playing a completely unappealing football schedule, yet ESPN flubs one, leaving us with UNC-Ashville, and all hell breaks loose.

Cue the "But, LOVE, your logic is flawed...." in 1....2....3....

It's not. We were 9-4 in football and got rewarded with an awful trip to Idaho (I know, I know all 40 of you had a great time) to play Utah State (I know, I know - they almost beat Auburn). We are 16-4 in basketball and we got rewarded with an almost equally bad situation. I'm not sure what the difference is.

Until we want to step up and play some quality opponents either here, there, or anywhere - I think we have to accept the reality of these matchups manufactured by a 3rd party. If I'm sitting at ESPN, I'm looking at our wins and saying "Yeah, that's nice, but who have they actually played or beaten that REALLY matters right now?" - The answer is maybe Louisville. Maybe. We just haven't played anyone to enhance our resume, regardless of what the RPI says.

I'm not taking anything away from our season so far. All of us know that the UNI, Oakland, etc road wins were special. Unfortunately, those teams aren't all that attractive right now either, which is taking some luster off the 'Cats. I realize it more then ever these days, when you have a chance to turn out the lights on a team like Louisville, you better damn well do it. That's why I was so unbelievably angry immediately following that game. I look at the non-conference games in terms of their March meaning. Not just as singular games prior to the MAC Slate.

Jeremy Guy is a turd. That goes without saying. He's just a lackey at the MAC Office. I don't really fault the MAC or ESPN on this one. As much as it pains me, I think we have to look in the mirror. Instead of NC A&T, Morgan State, Kennesaw, Portland, etc - couldn't we have upgraded just a little bit and still accomplished the same thing?

It's the same thing in football. If you want to make a living off New Mexico State, Idaho, Louisiana Lafayette, etc etc (And most of you do) - then we need to accept that we're never going to amount to anything more then an early December, Tuesday Night, Bowl Team. I'd like to be more then that, just like I'd like to be one of the teams in the marquee Murray/Saint Marys game, but I know I'm in the minority.

I disagree.  Nobody seeks out ESPN3 unless they are already looking for a specific game.  It's not something you just come across flipping around the dial.  Heck, it's not even easy to find on the ESPN site.  It's not listed in the paper in the TV listings.  The amount of extra exposure we get is extermely limited at best.  The one nice thing is that our game is listed in the notable Bracket Busters games but that's it. 

Edit: I guess I should have read the whole thread before replying. AthensBlock and athena made the same point.

Psst, check Murray State and St. Mary's schedules.  Whiff

I don't think AthensBlock, athena, or even you addressed what I was talking about.  I never said ESPN3 is as good or even close to ESPN2 or ESPNU, which is all you guys seem to be arguing.  Of course being on actually television is infenitely better. 

I was just commenting on you and TT's comments that the ESPN3 game is no different than any other home game because of the ohiobobcats.com webcasts.  I disagree.  ESPN3 may not be terribly visible or bring in many casual viewers, but they do more than ohiobobcats.com.  You go to ESPN and click on basketball scores as the game is going on and the score is complemented by a "Watch!" link to watch the game.  If we are talking "national exposure"...that is far from the same thing as the link that all of us diehard Bobcat fans follow for a normal home game webcast.