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Ohio Basketball Topic
Topic: Ohio to the Sun Belt?
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BurritoBuggy4
8/7/2025 7:00 PM
I've seen some articles talking about how Ohio is in preliminary discussions about joining the Sun Belt conference. Maybe nothing comes of it, but what do we think about that and how it would affect the basketball program's recruiting and success?
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OhioCatFan
8/7/2025 7:46 PM
Been discussed extensively in the football forum. Apparently just very preliminary discussions, maybe even informal between the prez and some of her SBC contacts, since Board of Trustee members are apparently in the dark. I don't think we move unless several MAC mates move with us like Miami, Toledo and maybe one of two others. Just my sense of things. No inside information.
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OUcat
8/7/2025 10:27 PM
Perhaps I'm naive, but it seems a few SBC teams moving to the MAC would be more advantageous than several MAC teams going there.

Travel and such especially for Olympic sports is much greater in the SBC than the MAC. What SBC programs really spark your interest???
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SBH
8/8/2025 9:45 AM
Julie Cromer addressed this at length during a recent reception in Athens. She said the most interesting part of this rumor "experience" were the multiple calls that came in very quickly from other schools and more than 1 other conference, all saying, "We never thought Ohio would even consider a move." Apparently Commissioner Steinbrecher was the first call received the next day...
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Ohio69
8/8/2025 10:54 AM
This is all moot unless OU has additional funds to compete in a bigger/better conference. Can't imagine it does.
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SBH
8/8/2025 12:35 PM
This is a case of Ohio pushing the MAC to be a better conference, or else.
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Kevin Finnegan
8/8/2025 12:54 PM
SBH wrote:expand_more
This is a case of Ohio pushing the MAC to be a better conference, or else.
If this is the case, then well done by those involved. This should've been done multiple times over the past decade and a half and if OHIO is able to motivate the MAC by threatening departure, then kudos are due to our president and AD. The MAC has been left in the dust by other conferences and all we seem to hold onto is our stability and proximity. We are not offering a better product or looking to enhance our exposure in a positive light. We remain a novelty product. That's fun for a little while maybe, but I want a team that is looking for legitimacy in the arena. If we aren't looking to move, then we are doing an injustice to the future of the program.
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Deciduous Forest Cat
8/8/2025 2:05 PM
Kevin Finnegan wrote:expand_more
This is a case of Ohio pushing the MAC to be a better conference, or else.
If this is the case, then well done by those involved. This should've been done multiple times over the past decade and a half and if OHIO is able to motivate the MAC by threatening departure, then kudos are due to our president and AD. The MAC has been left in the dust by other conferences and all we seem to hold onto is our stability and proximity. We are not offering a better product or looking to enhance our exposure in a positive light. We remain a novelty product. That's fun for a little while maybe, but I want a team that is looking for legitimacy in the arena. If we aren't looking to move, then we are doing an injustice to the future of the program.
This is a good case of the chicken/egg thing. What are we doing that is so much better than the rest of the MAC that warrants a "step up"? If we snag a marginally better TV deal in a marginally better conference, are the fans going to go nuts and come out and fill the place every single week? and pay a premium for the right to do so? and suddenly start traveling to our now farther-away conference mates, which we barely do with the current driveable distances? I'm not trying to answer the question for you, but it's a legit question and one that should be analyzed without the benefit/hindrance of green specs.
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OUcat
8/9/2025 1:03 PM
Deciduous Forest Cat wrote:expand_more
This is a case of Ohio pushing the MAC to be a better conference, or else.
If this is the case, then well done by those involved. This should've been done multiple times over the past decade and a half and if OHIO is able to motivate the MAC by threatening departure, then kudos are due to our president and AD. The MAC has been left in the dust by other conferences and all we seem to hold onto is our stability and proximity. We are not offering a better product or looking to enhance our exposure in a positive light. We remain a novelty product. That's fun for a little while maybe, but I want a team that is looking for legitimacy in the arena. If we aren't looking to move, then we are doing an injustice to the future of the program.
This is a good case of the chicken/egg thing. What are we doing that is so much better than the rest of the MAC that warrants a "step up"? If we snag a marginally better TV deal in a marginally better conference, are the fans going to go nuts and come out and fill the place every single week? and pay a premium for the right to do so? and suddenly start traveling to our now farther-away conference mates, which we barely do with the current driveable distances? I'm not trying to answer the question for you, but it's a legit question and one that should be analyzed without the benefit/hindrance of green specs.
As you point out this is a question for both sides of the same coin:

Heads, does a move like this impact Ohio's level of competitiveness? Right now the Cats are solidly Top Half of the MAC in both football and basketball - BUT NOT MAC-DOMINANT IN EITHER ONE. Does a move like this put the Cats 1-2 in both sports in the new league.

Tails, is the fan base ready to financially support a move to a new conference, establishing new rivalries, in a league it may or may not dominate in either sport. And is the anticipated increase in media dollars cover or at least offset the new travel costs, particularly for the secondary sports.

Lots to consider.
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cbarber357
8/9/2025 1:29 PM
OUcat wrote:expand_more
This is a case of Ohio pushing the MAC to be a better conference, or else.
If this is the case, then well done by those involved. This should've been done multiple times over the past decade and a half and if OHIO is able to motivate the MAC by threatening departure, then kudos are due to our president and AD. The MAC has been left in the dust by other conferences and all we seem to hold onto is our stability and proximity. We are not offering a better product or looking to enhance our exposure in a positive light. We remain a novelty product. That's fun for a little while maybe, but I want a team that is looking for legitimacy in the arena. If we aren't looking to move, then we are doing an injustice to the future of the program.
This is a good case of the chicken/egg thing. What are we doing that is so much better than the rest of the MAC that warrants a "step up"? If we snag a marginally better TV deal in a marginally better conference, are the fans going to go nuts and come out and fill the place every single week? and pay a premium for the right to do so? and suddenly start traveling to our now farther-away conference mates, which we barely do with the current driveable distances? I'm not trying to answer the question for you, but it's a legit question and one that should be analyzed without the benefit/hindrance of green specs.
As you point out this is a question for both sides of the same coin:

Heads, does a move like this impact Ohio's level of competitiveness? Right now the Cats are solidly Top Half of the MAC in both football and basketball - BUT NOT MAC-DOMINANT IN EITHER ONE. Does a move like this put the Cats 1-2 in both sports in the new league.

Tails, is the fan base ready to financially support a move to a new conference, establishing new rivalries, in a league it may or may not dominate in either sport. And is the anticipated increase in media dollars cover or at least offset the new travel costs, particularly for the secondary sports.

Lots to consider.
I would point out that the Sun Belt comes with an already established rivalry with Marshall.
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OhioCatFan
8/9/2025 2:30 PM
cbarber357 wrote:expand_more
This is a case of Ohio pushing the MAC to be a better conference, or else.
If this is the case, then well done by those involved. This should've been done multiple times over the past decade and a half and if OHIO is able to motivate the MAC by threatening departure, then kudos are due to our president and AD. The MAC has been left in the dust by other conferences and all we seem to hold onto is our stability and proximity. We are not offering a better product or looking to enhance our exposure in a positive light. We remain a novelty product. That's fun for a little while maybe, but I want a team that is looking for legitimacy in the arena. If we aren't looking to move, then we are doing an injustice to the future of the program.
This is a good case of the chicken/egg thing. What are we doing that is so much better than the rest of the MAC that warrants a "step up"? If we snag a marginally better TV deal in a marginally better conference, are the fans going to go nuts and come out and fill the place every single week? and pay a premium for the right to do so? and suddenly start traveling to our now farther-away conference mates, which we barely do with the current driveable distances? I'm not trying to answer the question for you, but it's a legit question and one that should be analyzed without the benefit/hindrance of green specs.
As you point out this is a question for both sides of the same coin:

Heads, does a move like this impact Ohio's level of competitiveness? Right now the Cats are solidly Top Half of the MAC in both football and basketball - BUT NOT MAC-DOMINANT IN EITHER ONE. Does a move like this put the Cats 1-2 in both sports in the new league.

Tails, is the fan base ready to financially support a move to a new conference, establishing new rivalries, in a league it may or may not dominate in either sport. And is the anticipated increase in media dollars cover or at least offset the new travel costs, particularly for the secondary sports.

Lots to consider.
I would point out that the Sun Belt comes with an already established rivalry with Marshall.
And, I think, App State could develop into a rivalry very quickly.
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Andrew Ruck
8/10/2025 2:26 PM
1 rivalry, 1 hopeful rivalry, and a bunch of dumb nonsensical non-compelling matchups. Our conference has 5 longstanding in-state rivals, that collectively are comparable to much of the SBC programs. And 4 more in neighboring states. It's a dumb idea, and it is increasingly sounding like the rumor came out of nowhere not based in reality.

What I wish all this conference shuffling had was an element of kicking teams out, e.g. the Big Ten asks why are we keeping Northwestern around. If that were part of the discussion, I would love to discuss lopping off the 3 directional Michigans and going after Marshall, App St & Western Ky.
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cc-cat
8/10/2025 9:36 PM
OhioCatFan wrote:expand_more
And, I think, App State could develop into a rivalry very quickly.
App State doesn't care and won't care about Ohio.
Last Edited: 8/10/2025 9:36:16 PM by cc-cat
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TWT
8/12/2025 12:03 PM
Andrew Ruck wrote:expand_more
1 rivalry, 1 hopeful rivalry, and a bunch of dumb nonsensical non-compelling matchups. Our conference has 5 longstanding in-state rivals, that collectively are comparable to much of the SBC programs. And 4 more in neighboring states. It's a dumb idea, and it is increasingly sounding like the rumor came out of nowhere not based in reality.

What I wish all this conference shuffling had was an element of kicking teams out, e.g. the Big Ten asks why are we keeping Northwestern around. If that were part of the discussion, I would love to discuss lopping off the 3 directional Michigans and going after Marshall, App St & Western Ky.
In any conference there is benchmarking as it relates to spending in particular and facilities. The idea of Ohio possibly moving into a conference with Marshall and Appalachian State is the spending level would accordingly increase with the move. Spending level justified by the move competing with the new peers. That would open the door to spending more in basketball something the program will need if its going to stay relevant in D1.
Last Edited: 8/12/2025 12:04:05 PM by TWT
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M.D.W.S.T
8/13/2025 4:24 PM
No
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bobcat 2000
8/30/2025 5:46 PM
if OU is considering a conference other than the Mac they should be thinking coneference usa, big east, or american. being in the sun belt wont help the team to get at large bids the way those three conferences could
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OhioCatFan
8/30/2025 8:38 PM
bobcat 2000 wrote:expand_more
if OU is considering a conference other than the Mac they should be thinking coneference usa, big east, or american. being in the sun belt wont help the team to get at large bids the way those three conferences could
C-USA is a has been conference. It would be step down. American Conference seems to be falling apart. You seem not to be keeping current on the shifting landscape.
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bobcat 2000
9/7/2025 3:07 PM
if american and conference usa are in bad shape then thebig east is the way togo.
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IceCat76
9/8/2025 10:34 AM
bobcat 2000 wrote:expand_more
if american and conference usa are in bad shape then thebig east is the way togo.
This Big East doesn't have and never will have football. That conference is a basketball conference.
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OhioCatFan
9/8/2025 2:51 PM
IceCat76 wrote:expand_more
if american and conference usa are in bad shape then thebig east is the way togo.
This Big East doesn't have and never will have football. That conference is a basketball conference.
The Big 12 has only 16 members and needs two more to catch up with the B1G/18. Just saying! ;-)
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cbarber357
9/8/2025 5:12 PM
OhioCatFan wrote:expand_more
if american and conference usa are in bad shape then thebig east is the way togo.
This Big East doesn't have and never will have football. That conference is a basketball conference.
The Big 12 has only 16 members and needs two more to catch up with the B1G/18. Just saying! ;-)
Between Iowa State and WVU we can clearly compete in football…built in regional rivalry with WVU, Cincy, bring in Toledo… who says no?
Last Edited: 9/8/2025 5:12:59 PM by cbarber357
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BillyTheCat
9/8/2025 9:58 PM
bobcat 2000 wrote:expand_more
if american and conference usa are in bad shape then thebig east is the way togo.
From the mind of a well educated football fan.
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TWT
9/8/2025 11:11 PM
cbarber357 wrote:expand_more
if american and conference usa are in bad shape then thebig east is the way togo.
This Big East doesn't have and never will have football. That conference is a basketball conference.
The Big 12 has only 16 members and needs two more to catch up with the B1G/18. Just saying! ;-)
Between Iowa State and WVU we can clearly compete in football…built in regional rivalry with WVU, Cincy, bring in Toledo… who says no?
There was a point in 2021 when it wasn't clear the Big 12 was going to make it and WVU could have ended up left out in the cold. Tires were kicked on a conference featuring WVU, Ohio, UConn, Army, Buffalo and a few others.
Last Edited: 9/8/2025 11:12:14 PM by TWT
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BillyTheCat
9/9/2025 4:46 PM
TWT wrote:expand_more
if american and conference usa are in bad shape then thebig east is the way togo.
This Big East doesn't have and never will have football. That conference is a basketball conference.
The Big 12 has only 16 members and needs two more to catch up with the B1G/18. Just saying! ;-)
Between Iowa State and WVU we can clearly compete in football…built in regional rivalry with WVU, Cincy, bring in Toledo… who says no?
There was a point in 2021 when it wasn't clear the Big 12 was going to make it and WVU could have ended up left out in the cold. Tires were kicked on a conference featuring WVU, Ohio, UConn, Army, Buffalo and a few others.
Curious as to “who” was kicking tires on this conference.
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SBH
9/9/2025 6:03 PM
TWT wrote:expand_more
if american and conference usa are in bad shape then thebig east is the way togo.
This Big East doesn't have and never will have football. That conference is a basketball conference.
The Big 12 has only 16 members and needs two more to catch up with the B1G/18. Just saying! ;-)
Between Iowa State and WVU we can clearly compete in football…built in regional rivalry with WVU, Cincy, bring in Toledo… who says no?
There was a point in 2021 when it wasn't clear the Big 12 was going to make it and WVU could have ended up left out in the cold. Tires were kicked on a conference featuring WVU, Ohio, UConn, Army, Buffalo and a few others.

By who? The sportswriter in Harrisonburg, VA, who broke the Ohio to the Sunbelt story?
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