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Topic: NIU appears gone . . .
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OhioCatFan
1/4/2025 9:25 PM
colobobcat66 wrote:expand_more
They’re gone in 2026.

I don’t care how much people on here say that’s good , I’m not buying it. It will hurt the MAC.

Is this based on inside information, or just your own speculation? You make it sound definitive.
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colobobcat66
1/4/2025 9:47 PM
OhioCatFan wrote:expand_more
They’re gone in 2026.

I don’t care how much people on here say that’s good , I’m not buying it. It will hurt the MAC.

Is this based on inside information, or just your own speculation? You make it sound definitive.
Of course it is the absolute truth, just like most of the other stuff thrown out by all the insiders. LOL
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OhioCatFan
1/4/2025 11:14 PM
colobobcat66 wrote:expand_more
They’re gone in 2026.

I don’t care how much people on here say that’s good , I’m not buying it. It will hurt the MAC.



Is this based on inside information, or just your own speculation? You make it sound definitive.


Of course it is the absolute truth, just like most of the other stuff thrown out by all the insiders. LOL

So, you’re just another internet BS guy, not one of the vaunted inside sources guys that we have on this board? Unless, I guess, we are talking about Marshall. There, I’m sure, your inside sources are impeccable.
Last Edited: 1/5/2025 1:03:39 PM by OhioCatFan
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GoCats105
1/4/2025 11:30 PM
BillyTheCat wrote:expand_more
They’re gone in 2026.

I don’t care how much people on here say that’s good , I’m not buying it. It will hurt the MAC.
What do you think they brought to the table that isn't easily, and better replicated by UMASS?
That’s a whole different issue, but I’ll take the bait - a real football team with a tradition of winning. UMASS may eventually be that team, but easily replicate?

How many times, in this season have we heard-ND was beaten by NIU of the MAC? Does that add value?
I mean... they're a fine football team, with minimal support, that has won 2 of their last 9 bowl games and has two 10 win seasons over the last 12 years. They did get a huge win against ND. I haven't stopped applauding them for it. Even when they lost 4 of the next 6.

Does people trying to roast ND for losing to a bad NIU team add value...? Enough to weep when they leave? I submit that it does not. But occasionally the MAC is mentioned, so maybe there is some dollar value added to the mocking.

Now do basketball.. where the UMASS program is in a different library let alone same page.

UMass will likely never be all that good at football, the prize here is basketball.
I’m asking a serious question, because I don’t know, but when was UMass last relevant in basketball?
Since they went to the Final 4 with Cal and Camby in the mid 90s, they've had only 7 20 win seasons and only 3 NCAA Tournament appearances. Two of those were immediately following that Final 4 so basically they've been to one NCAA Tournament in what, 30 years? But they play in the A-10 so that means they're amazing.
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Clown Ohio Fan
1/5/2025 10:42 PM
GoCats105 wrote:expand_more
They’re gone in 2026.

I don’t care how much people on here say that’s good , I’m not buying it. It will hurt the MAC.
What do you think they brought to the table that isn't easily, and better replicated by UMASS?
That’s a whole different issue, but I’ll take the bait - a real football team with a tradition of winning. UMASS may eventually be that team, but easily replicate?

How many times, in this season have we heard-ND was beaten by NIU of the MAC? Does that add value?
I mean... they're a fine football team, with minimal support, that has won 2 of their last 9 bowl games and has two 10 win seasons over the last 12 years. They did get a huge win against ND. I haven't stopped applauding them for it. Even when they lost 4 of the next 6.

Does people trying to roast ND for losing to a bad NIU team add value...? Enough to weep when they leave? I submit that it does not. But occasionally the MAC is mentioned, so maybe there is some dollar value added to the mocking.

Now do basketball.. where the UMASS program is in a different library let alone same page.

UMass will likely never be all that good at football, the prize here is basketball.
I’m asking a serious question, because I don’t know, but when was UMass last relevant in basketball?
Since they went to the Final 4 with Cal and Camby in the mid 90s, they've had only 7 20 win seasons and only 3 NCAA Tournament appearances. Two of those were immediately following that Final 4 so basically they've been to one NCAA Tournament in what, 30 years? But they play in the A-10 so that means they're amazing.
The Atlantic 10 is a much more difficult league to win in than the MAC. With the resources UMass has, they will be successful and an upgrade for MAC basketball.
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Clown Ohio Fan
1/5/2025 10:47 PM
colobobcat66 wrote:expand_more
They’re gone in 2026.

I don’t care how much people on here say that’s good , I’m not buying it. It will hurt the MAC.
No one is saying it's a great thing for the MAC. We're saying that it's not as big of a loss as what several people are saying.

NIU was near the bottom of the MAC in attendance, they struggle with their budget, they're awful in basketball and poor in other important metrics.

Sure, they have a solid football program but it'd be a much bigger deal if Toledo decided to leave.

The MWC approached Toledo and the Rockets didn't seriously consider moving. I actually have some inside information on what went down. UMass doesn't equate to what NIU is from a football perspective but on the field success hasn't really impacted the MAC's decisions. The league is happy with several other things UMass brings to the table including their athletics budget, NIL capabilities, academic rankings, and basketball tradition even if you have to go back a while to their glory days.
Last Edited: 1/5/2025 10:49:41 PM by Clown Ohio Fan
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GoCats105
1/6/2025 12:15 AM
FormerMember wrote:expand_more
They’re gone in 2026.

I don’t care how much people on here say that’s good , I’m not buying it. It will hurt the MAC.
What do you think they brought to the table that isn't easily, and better replicated by UMASS?
That’s a whole different issue, but I’ll take the bait - a real football team with a tradition of winning. UMASS may eventually be that team, but easily replicate?

How many times, in this season have we heard-ND was beaten by NIU of the MAC? Does that add value?
I mean... they're a fine football team, with minimal support, that has won 2 of their last 9 bowl games and has two 10 win seasons over the last 12 years. They did get a huge win against ND. I haven't stopped applauding them for it. Even when they lost 4 of the next 6.

Does people trying to roast ND for losing to a bad NIU team add value...? Enough to weep when they leave? I submit that it does not. But occasionally the MAC is mentioned, so maybe there is some dollar value added to the mocking.

Now do basketball.. where the UMASS program is in a different library let alone same page.

UMass will likely never be all that good at football, the prize here is basketball.
I’m asking a serious question, because I don’t know, but when was UMass last relevant in basketball?
Since they went to the Final 4 with Cal and Camby in the mid 90s, they've had only 7 20 win seasons and only 3 NCAA Tournament appearances. Two of those were immediately following that Final 4 so basically they've been to one NCAA Tournament in what, 30 years? But they play in the A-10 so that means they're amazing.
The Atlantic 10 is a much more difficult league to win in than the MAC. With the resources UMass has, they will be successful and an upgrade for MAC basketball.
In a lot of years the A10 was getting 3-4 teams in the tournament so its not like they even had to be the best team to get in. They were mediocre, I don't know why people defend that. Nobody disputes the A10 was a better basketball league, but UMass hasnt done squat in a long time. And it's not like like things magically got better once the big dog (Xavier) left.
Last Edited: 1/6/2025 12:16:12 AM by GoCats105
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Cleveburg Bri
1/6/2025 5:40 AM
GoCats105 wrote:expand_more
They’re gone in 2026.

I don’t care how much people on here say that’s good , I’m not buying it. It will hurt the MAC.
What do you think they brought to the table that isn't easily, and better replicated by UMASS?
That’s a whole different issue, but I’ll take the bait - a real football team with a tradition of winning. UMASS may eventually be that team, but easily replicate?

How many times, in this season have we heard-ND was beaten by NIU of the MAC? Does that add value?
I mean... they're a fine football team, with minimal support, that has won 2 of their last 9 bowl games and has two 10 win seasons over the last 12 years. They did get a huge win against ND. I haven't stopped applauding them for it. Even when they lost 4 of the next 6.

Does people trying to roast ND for losing to a bad NIU team add value...? Enough to weep when they leave? I submit that it does not. But occasionally the MAC is mentioned, so maybe there is some dollar value added to the mocking.

Now do basketball.. where the UMASS program is in a different library let alone same page.

UMass will likely never be all that good at football, the prize here is basketball.
I’m asking a serious question, because I don’t know, but when was UMass last relevant in basketball?
Since they went to the Final 4 with Cal and Camby in the mid 90s, they've had only 7 20 win seasons and only 3 NCAA Tournament appearances. Two of those were immediately following that Final 4 so basically they've been to one NCAA Tournament in what, 30 years? But they play in the A-10 so that means they're amazing.
The Atlantic 10 is a much more difficult league to win in than the MAC. With the resources UMass has, they will be successful and an upgrade for MAC basketball.
In a lot of years the A10 was getting 3-4 teams in the tournament so its not like they even had to be the best team to get in. They were mediocre, I don't know why people defend that. Nobody disputes the A10 was a better basketball league, but UMass hasnt done squat in a long time. And it's not like like things magically got better once the big dog (Xavier) left.
If the numbers I've seen are accurate, UMASS' bball budget is somewhere around 30% higher than Ohio's and well more than double NIU's. They'll be fine in the MAC. Money kinda matters.
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Andrew Ruck
1/6/2025 10:40 AM
Did we confirm the MAC held to not allowing them to stay in non-football? Did they secure a home for their non-football sports before making this decision?

This departure would sort of bother me but there are our westernmost member and only of the central, so I kind of like lopping them off. I also like sticking with the number 12. I know these are remedial things but I am a simple minded man.
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stout76
1/6/2025 12:37 PM
Does anyone know what their exit fee would be, and what happens to that money?
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GoCats105
1/6/2025 12:43 PM
Andrew Ruck wrote:expand_more
Did we confirm the MAC held to not allowing them to stay in non-football? Did they secure a home for their non-football sports before making this decision?

This departure would sort of bother me but there are our westernmost member and only of the central, so I kind of like lopping them off. I also like sticking with the number 12. I know these are remedial things but I am a simple minded man.
There haven't been definitive decisions, but NIU has already stated they're looking into the MVC, OVC and Horizon for landing spots for their other sports. I think the writing is kind of on the wall from the MAC that they can't stay here.
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GoCats105
1/6/2025 12:48 PM
stout76 wrote:expand_more
Does anyone know what their exit fee would be, and what happens to that money?
A long time ago, the exit fee was $2.5 Million and required a two year notice from the school leaving, but the MAC charged Temple $6 Million when they left and they only had a football team. If I were to guess, I'd say NIU leaving is going to cost somewhere between those two numbers. Presumably that money would go to the conference and be split amongst the schools.
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IceCat76
1/6/2025 4:03 PM
Cleveburg Bri wrote:expand_more
They’re gone in 2026.

I don’t care how much people on here say that’s good , I’m not buying it. It will hurt the MAC.
What do you think they brought to the table that isn't easily, and better replicated by UMASS?
That’s a whole different issue, but I’ll take the bait - a real football team with a tradition of winning. UMASS may eventually be that team, but easily replicate?

How many times, in this season have we heard-ND was beaten by NIU of the MAC? Does that add value?
I mean... they're a fine football team, with minimal support, that has won 2 of their last 9 bowl games and has two 10 win seasons over the last 12 years. They did get a huge win against ND. I haven't stopped applauding them for it. Even when they lost 4 of the next 6.

Does people trying to roast ND for losing to a bad NIU team add value...? Enough to weep when they leave? I submit that it does not. But occasionally the MAC is mentioned, so maybe there is some dollar value added to the mocking.

Now do basketball.. where the UMASS program is in a different library let alone same page.

UMass will likely never be all that good at football, the prize here is basketball.
I’m asking a serious question, because I don’t know, but when was UMass last relevant in basketball?
Since they went to the Final 4 with Cal and Camby in the mid 90s, they've had only 7 20 win seasons and only 3 NCAA Tournament appearances. Two of those were immediately following that Final 4 so basically they've been to one NCAA Tournament in what, 30 years? But they play in the A-10 so that means they're amazing.
The Atlantic 10 is a much more difficult league to win in than the MAC. With the resources UMass has, they will be successful and an upgrade for MAC basketball.
In a lot of years the A10 was getting 3-4 teams in the tournament so its not like they even had to be the best team to get in. They were mediocre, I don't know why people defend that. Nobody disputes the A10 was a better basketball league, but UMass hasnt done squat in a long time. And it's not like like things magically got better once the big dog (Xavier) left.
If the numbers I've seen are accurate, UMASS' bball budget is somewhere around 30% higher than Ohio's and well more than double NIU's. They'll be fine in the MAC. Money kinda matters.
UMass is on the hook for Frank Martin's salary that will probably be the highest in the MAC. A lot of that 30% you talk about is going there. In 2023 he made $1.33M and last June he got a raise and an extension to 2028. I think when the A-10 luster wears off UMass will be a middle of the pack team in the MAC.
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Kevin Finnegan
1/7/2025 5:13 PM
Official...
https://www.espn.com/college-sports/story/_/id/43324617/n...
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CatsUp
1/7/2025 5:57 PM
Kevin Finnegan wrote:expand_more
Personally, unless we allow them to remain for other sports, this is pretty much a ho-hum for me. If we allow them in for those, then I’ll be upset. I think the conference should be either all in or all out. Their pursuit of “the other side of the fence” has always been in their DNA. It’s just been lying dormant. Bye !
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Pete Chouteau
1/7/2025 6:52 PM
Dead to me.
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GoCats105
1/7/2025 7:53 PM
CatsUp wrote:expand_more
Official...
https://www.espn.com/college-sports/story/_/id/43324617/n...
Personally, unless we allow them to remain for other sports, this is pretty much a ho-hum for me. If we allow them in for those, then I’ll be upset. I think the conference should be either all in or all out. Their pursuit of “the other side of the fence” has always been in their DNA. It’s just been lying dormant. Bye !
They gave UMass the ultimatum of all-in or out so I'm not sure why they'd keep NIU for non-football sports.
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CatsUp
1/7/2025 7:58 PM
GoCats105 wrote:expand_more
Official...
https://www.espn.com/college-sports/story/_/id/43324617/n...
Personally, unless we allow them to remain for other sports, this is pretty much a ho-hum for me. If we allow them in for those, then I’ll be upset. I think the conference should be either all in or all out. Their pursuit of “the other side of the fence” has always been in their DNA. It’s just been lying dormant. Bye !
They gave UMass the ultimatum of all-in or out so I'm not sure why they'd keep NIU for non-football sports.
Hope you are correct.
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ts1227
1/7/2025 8:37 PM
GoCats105 wrote:expand_more
Official...
https://www.espn.com/college-sports/story/_/id/43324617/n...
Personally, unless we allow them to remain for other sports, this is pretty much a ho-hum for me. If we allow them in for those, then I’ll be upset. I think the conference should be either all in or all out. Their pursuit of “the other side of the fence” has always been in their DNA. It’s just been lying dormant. Bye !
They gave UMass the ultimatum of all-in or out so I'm not sure why they'd keep NIU for non-football sports.
If they’re lucky, the MAC may let them hold on as an affiliate for the couple of sports that their TBD basketball-centric replacement conference doesn’t field (like wrestling), but I doubt the MAC is going to be that gracious.
Last Edited: 1/7/2025 8:38:31 PM by ts1227
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IceCat76
1/8/2025 9:35 AM
It's official. If I'm the MAC they're out out.

https://www.espn.com/college-sports/story/_/id/43324617/n...
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Deciduous Forest Cat
1/8/2025 10:00 AM
IceCat76 wrote:expand_more
It's official. If I'm the MAC they're out out.

https://www.espn.com/college-sports/story/_/id/43324617/n...
So what happens with next year's schedule? I don't think NIU should be eligible for MAC title consideration or MAC bowl tie-ins in 2025.
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greencat
1/8/2025 10:16 AM
WKU is a five hour drive from Athens. NIU is a seven hour drive.

Time to add the Hilltoppers in all sports.
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M.D.W.S.T
1/8/2025 11:12 AM
greencat wrote:expand_more
WKU is a five hour drive from Athens. NIU is a seven hour drive.

Time to add the Hilltoppers in all sports.
We've been floating them for years. Something is keeping them out, and I don't think it's Steinbrecher.

I presume he's approached it since MTSU's denial, but I wonder if they have since the NIL has taken hold? WKU would make a lot of sense for them from a regional and travel perspective. They're pretty far south into Kentucky making them just as close to Georgia as they are Ohio, but traveling out to Texas, NMU, FIU etc makes Toledo, BG, Kent palatable.

CUSA is pretty close to the MAC in terms of money and tv dollars. Coach salaries are also pretty comparable. Talent wise, I think the MAC has a solid leg up recently, though I'm sure CUSA folks would try to disagree, despite the beatings by OU and Buffalo.

Who knows these days. I think it makes a lot of sense for them, outside of just dollars.
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VilleCat
1/8/2025 12:27 PM
As I ponder the future of the MAC, I cannot help but think of reasonable expansion possibilities. I think the below is possible and would make sense geographically, academically, financially and competitively.

MAC East
Ohio
UCONN
UMASS
Buffalo
Kent
Akron
Marshall
Miami

MAC West
WMU
EMU
CMU
Toledo
Ball St.
BG
WKU
MTSU

Probably wishful thinking since UCONN is not leaving the big east in basketball but I was bored at work and wanted to share.
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IceCat76
1/8/2025 1:02 PM
VilleCat wrote:expand_more
As I ponder the future of the MAC, I cannot help but think of reasonable expansion possibilities. I think the below is possible and would make sense geographically, academically, financially and competitively.

MAC East
Ohio
UCONN
UMASS
Buffalo
Kent
Akron
Marshall
Miami

MAC West
WMU
EMU
CMU
Toledo
Ball St.
BG
WKU
MTSU

Probably wishful thinking since UCONN is not leaving the big east in basketball but I was bored at work and wanted to share.
I'd say you're right about UConn. They're never leaving the Big East except to join the ACC. I would take Marshall only to balance out the numbers.
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