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Topic: Are we heading for a bifurcated MAC?

Topic: Are we heading for a bifurcated MAC?

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OhioCatFan
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Member Since: 12/20/2004
Location: Athens, OH
Post Count: 15,661

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Are we heading for a bifurcated MAC?

Posted: 4/10/2026 11:20:35 AM

Below is a post from MACBBS.

Post: #125RE: MAC MBB Coaching Vacancies

Just posting an informational article that concerns the MAC.

https://herosports.com/cbb-john-groce-bi...eeze-ksks/

Portion fron the article above:

"Groce is stepping into a very winnable conference at a school that appears willing to invest at a higher level than many of its peers. Meanwhile, in the MAC, there is a growing sense that a line is forming between programs that are doubling down on men’s basketball and those that are not. As one MAC head coach put it, “There is a distinct line forming of those competing and those not in our league.”

That last line has left me wondering at our current rate where we will end up in this bifurcated MAC. At the moment we are in the top five or six, but unless we ante up and start putting the resources into the program like Miami, WMU and Toledo are reported to be doing, we could be in the initial phases of a decline into MAC obvilion. I don't want that to happen. As alumni we need to step up and try to help our athletic program. I'm not in a position to make a "transformative gift," but I can up my contributions, but there needs to be some coordination from the AD's office to facilitate increased giving for athletics on a board scale among alumni. I know the general rule in fundraising is to go after the big gifts first, but I think this situation may require a more grassroots approach.

Also, if we are truly heading toward a bifurcated MAC, this brings up questions of realignment. Should the top schools leave and setup a new conference with some other schools? Or, should the top schools attempt to drop the others from the conference? Or, will the low-level schools drop out of their own accord when they just can't compete? Tangentially related is that another poster on the MACBSS speculated that one reason Groce left for Charleston was speculation that he knew the next governor was planning to renew calls for the absorption of Akron by KSU.

Just some hot stove league (or for basketball should it be icebox league) fodder for discussion.

The only BLSS Certified Hypocrite on BA

"It is better to be an optimist and be proven a fool than to be a pessimist and be proven right."

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FJC31
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Member Since: 3/31/2022
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RE: Are we heading for a bifurcated MAC?

Posted: 4/10/2026 11:48:58 AM

Considering it was reported that Miami, Toledo, and ourselves made a move on the SBC last year, I think it's inevitable that the MAC has a shakeup in the future.

We know Sac State and UMass are both short term additions for football purposes. Might as well shop yourself around if you're near the top of the conference.

giacomo
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Member Since: 11/20/2007
Post Count: 2,754

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RE: Are we heading for a bifurcated MAC?

Posted: 4/10/2026 11:49:34 AM

We are where we are because of escalating coaching salaries. The players understandably want to be compensated when their coach is making millions. UNC's new head coach is making 8.25M and they had to buy out Hubert Davis for millions. I understand. The NCAA and member institutions don't want to have players be employees and all that goes with it. Let them figure it out and they will not get a nickle from me. MAC schools and some fans may aspire to compete with the top of the P5 and good luck with that.

GoCats105
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Location: Seattle, WA
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RE: Are we heading for a bifurcated MAC?

Posted: 4/10/2026 12:29:32 PM

Quick question: how is this any different than what has happened in the past? There has always been a distinct line between those that care more about basketball than others, and it shows in the results. The real question would be are there any other schools looking to pull an NIU, where they focus so much more on football that they're willing to play in different conferences for football vs. everything else.

Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame
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Member Since: 7/30/2010
Post Count: 4,638

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RE: Are we heading for a bifurcated MAC?

Posted: 4/10/2026 1:36:25 PM

GoCats105 wrote:

Quick question: how is this any different than what has happened in the past? There has always been a distinct line between those that care more about basketball than others, and it shows in the results. The real question would be are there any other schools looking to pull an NIU, where they focus so much more on football that they're willing to play in different conferences for football vs. everything else.

I think it's that the cost has increased. And it's done so for both basketball and football. Football comes with a TV deal that at least creates a carrot dangling a path to more revenue; basketball doesn't really. So I think the thesis here is that some schools are choosing to basically ignore basketball altogether while others increase spend. That widens the gap if the top's spending even more and the bottom even less.

Ohio69
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Member Since: 12/20/2004
Post Count: 3,123

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RE: Are we heading for a bifurcated MAC?

Posted: 4/10/2026 1:59:40 PM

Mid Majors should focus on basektball. Football will still bring in revenue. Just play two away P5 Games for $ every year.

Then spend the money on basketball. Conference championships and trips to the NCAA will build a brand and regional/national recognition way more than the Scooter's Coffee Frisco Bowl.

Can somebody hit a pull up jumper for me?.....

Victory
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Member Since: 3/10/2012
Post Count: 2,517

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RE: Are we heading for a bifurcated MAC?

Posted: 4/10/2026 6:55:59 PM

OhioCatFan wrote:

Below is a post from MACBBS.
Post: #125RE: MAC MBB Coaching Vacancies Just posting an informational article that concerns the MAC. https://herosports.com/cbb-john-groce-bi...eeze-ksks / Portion fron the article above: "Groce is stepping into a very winnable conference at a school that appears willing to invest at a higher level than many of its peers. Meanwhile, in the MAC, there is a growing sense that a line is forming between programs that are doubling down on men’s basketball and those that are not. As one MAC head coach put it, “There is a distinct line forming of those competing and those not in our league.”
That last line has left me wondering at our current rate where we will end up in this bifurcated MAC. At the moment we are in the top five or six, but unless we ante up and start putting the resources into the program like Miami, WMU and Toledo are reported to be doing, we could be in the initial phases of a decline into MAC obvilion. I don't want that to happen. As alumni we need to step up and try to help our athletic program. I'm not in a position to make a "transformative gift," but I can up my contributions, but there needs to be some coordination from the AD's office to facilitate increased giving for athletics on a board scale among alumni. I know the general rule in fundraising is to go after the big gifts first, but I think this situation may require a more grassroots approach.

Also, if we are truly heading toward a bifurcated MAC, this brings up questions of realignment. Should the top schools leave and setup a new conference with some other schools? Or, should the top schools attempt to drop the others from the conference? Or, will the low-level schools drop out of their own accord when they just can't compete? Tangentially related is that another poster on the MACBSS speculated that one reason Groce left for Charleston was speculation that he knew the next governor was planning to renew calls for the absorption of Akron by KSU.

Just some hot stove league (or for basketball should it be icebox league) fodder for discussion.

This really just makes the MAC normal. The absurd parity for 30+ years where the MAC was usually rated in the range of MVC and WCC because it had no bad teams rather than a top 40 team or two and the stability where nobody jumped ship made the MAC the oddball.

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