Bobcat Attack - Ohio Basketball - MAC to eliminate divisions in basketball, move to 20 game schedule

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Topic: MAC to eliminate divisions in basketball, move to 20 game schedule

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OhioBobcat

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Posted: 5/12/2020 11:30 PM

shabamon wrote:expand_more

I mean if the motivation of the move is to save money, I don't see how eliminating divisions affect anything. The only effect they had in basketball was in scheduling and travel. Now that's gone. I like playing our biggest rivalries twice a year, and wouldn't want to have a basketball season where we play Northern Illinois twice and Miami only once, for instance.

You're thinking more into this than you need to. It's not about a "motivation to save money" or anything along those lines whatsoever. The reason they were eliminated is very simple, it's because they were unnecessary. Division in hoops became meaningless. They served zero purpose. Period. Every country in the nation realized and agreed with it and eliminated them years ago. The MAC finally, after years of having them for no reason, did the same. For a period in time the MAC rewarded division winners a bye to Cleveland. At least then they served some sort of purpose. But because the East was always so much better overall than the West, that was done away with, so the top 4 got byes regardless of division - thus making the divisions completely meaningless. For example, you could be first in the MAC West, but actually be 7th overall in the MAC. Since there are no divisional championship formats in basketball like football, they did away with them. The MAC was just way behind the times in doing so. As for wanting to play your rival twice a year like Ohio vs Miami, sure, who wouldn't? But what about teams like BG and Toledo who are rivals - but were in different divisions? Sometimes they only played once a year simply because the divisions existed. So it certainly didn't work for them. The lone game vs one MAC teams will actually now be cut down in numbers since the conference schedule will increase from 18 to 20 games. And as someone else posted, I'd also rather just do the full conference allotment and do 22 games with a round robin. The MAC used to do that when it only had 10 teams and it was fantastic!

The Optimist

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Posted: 5/13/2020 12:25 AM

Buckeye to Bobcat wrote:expand_more

shabamon wrote:expand_more

The conference schedule is already book-ended by winter and spring breaks for most schools. I'd hate for the 20 game schedule to result in more conference games played between Christmas and New Years. It would be a great move for the conference to pick a week maybe in early December to play two of the 20 games. I'm sure those who are able to go to games would be far more interested in seeing a conference game in December over Coppin State or Campbell.

Felt like I said this in another thread by making them potentially Saturday games during football season......gee what a coincidence ;)

I hate to hijack this thread, but from the MAC's standpoint wouldn't "MACtion" be ideally situated if no fans are allowed and it's purely TV games next season? Sh!t, I would think P5 teams might go "mid-week" if that's the case... To the MAC's credit, "MACtion" actually has some brand-name recognition! I'd sue the sh!t out of the B!G if they try to play a mid-week game in front of an empty stadium in November!

I've seen crazier things happen.

The Optimist

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Posted: 5/13/2020 12:52 AM

cc-cat wrote:expand_more

Jeff McKinney wrote:expand_more

The Optimist wrote:expand_more

Tom Valentino wrote:expand_more

20 games is a weird number for a 12-team league. I guess this means we will play 9 teams twice and 2 teams once?

(Conspiracy theory: We are losing a team)

Exactly my thoughts.

or two programs combine

I'd hate every part about it. Losing a rival would SUCK for this program (and I would feel TERRIBLE for THAT program)

I've seen crazier things happen.

Jeff McKinney

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Posted: 5/13/2020 1:17 AM

I noticed that the press release mentioned "following FBS rules". Does that indicate that there is no chance that football will drop to FCS?

The Optimist

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Posted: 5/13/2020 1:21 AM

Jeff McKinney wrote:expand_more

I noticed that the press release mentioned "following FBS rules". Does that indicate that there is no chance that football will drop to FCS?

Interesting. From the NCAA's standpoint, this entire situation doesn't play well for them... Not sure how they'll handle it.

I've seen crazier things happen.

Bobcat1996

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Posted: 5/13/2020 8:29 AM

Permitting 12 teams to participate in the MAC tourney was ridiculous. I realize the Bobcats won in 2010 as a #9 seed, but allowing everyone to play is little league. I would go a step further and reward the regular season winner. Allow them to host a 3 or 4 team tournament. If it is a three team tourney, then the top seed gets a bye. To be the best team over a 20 game stretch should equate to something. Anybody can get hot for three games. As it stands now, the regular season winner gets to hang a banner. Wow, big deal! Playing 20 regular season games should determine a true champ, not some #8 seed getting hot for three games.

ShoreCat

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Posted: 5/13/2020 8:45 AM

What I've seen in the non-Sports world is that Covid is giving an out for companies to make decisions that were already in the works, just like the MAC is doing now. Telecommuting, downsizing, work-space sharing, etc. These ideas that may have had obstacles before, are now moving forward full speed ahead under the cover that "Covid is making us do this".

I will miss being able to social distance at Sprenger stadium in Avon watching the MAC tournament. It was a lot of fun to play hooky from work and watch some baseball.

Last Edited: 5/13/2020 8:46:35 AM by ShoreCat

rpbobcat

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Posted: 5/13/2020 9:14 AM

Could someone please post a link to the actual press release.

I found a bunch of news reports.
But they all say pretty much the same thing.

I haven't been able to fine the actual press release.

Ted Thompson

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Posted: 5/13/2020 9:29 AM

rpbobcat wrote:expand_more

Could someone please post a link to the actual press release.

I found a bunch of news reports.
But they all say pretty much the same thing.

I haven't been able to fine the actual press release.

I don't think there is an official release. Just an interview with WTOL’s Jordan Strack.

https://www.wtol.com/article/sports/major-changes-coming-to-mid-american-conference/512-0e4f0d45-546b-432f-89a1-67a5a6d8fe3c

Follow Ohio Football recruiting on the BobcatAttack.com football recruiting database.

UpSan Bobcat

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Posted: 5/13/2020 9:46 AM

Another change not specifically mentioned by WTOL but confirmed by Hustle Belt is that the MAC volleyball tournament will be just four teams. Baseball and softball will have 30-game MAC schedules, which would be three-game series against each team. Both sports have 11 teams. (No Buffalo for baseball, no Eastern Michigan for softball).

spongeBOB CATpants

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Posted: 5/13/2020 10:35 AM

BayCat wrote:expand_more

Ohio would have 2 less championships rings if there wasn't a conference tournament. Finished as the 4th seed in 2015 and the 5th seed in 2017.

Couldn't they have at least kicked around the idea of a 4 team tournament?

rpbobcat

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Posted: 5/13/2020 10:42 AM

Ted Thompson wrote:expand_more

I don't think there is an official release. Just an interview with WTOL’s Jordan Strack.
https://www.wtol.com/article/sports/major-changes-coming-...

The interview is what I saw.

Seemed a bit unusual that,for something this significant,the MAC didn't put out an official statement.

Last Edited: 5/13/2020 10:43:16 AM by rpbobcat

Deciduous Forest Cat

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Posted: 5/13/2020 10:43 AM

FearLeon wrote:expand_more

Would two extra conference games eliminate games against against schools like Wilberforce and Heidelberg forever? That is a win in my book.

No. since those are the easy ones to schedule, it's more likely to eliminate the money games.

OUcats82

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Posted: 5/13/2020 4:12 PM

GoCats105 wrote:expand_more

Tom Valentino wrote:expand_more

20 games is a weird number for a 12-team league. I guess this means we will play 9 teams twice and 2 teams once?

Let's just hope they don't follow the SEC football model where you literally won't play a home/home with another school for like a decade.

Tennessee will host Texas A&M in 2023 for the first time as a SEC Member.

They joined the conference in 2012.

Ohio-The State University

FearLeon

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Posted: 5/13/2020 5:27 PM

Deciduous Forest Cat wrote:expand_more

FearLeon wrote:expand_more

Would two extra conference games eliminate games against against schools like Wilberforce and Heidelberg forever? That is a win in my book.

No. since those are the easy ones to schedule, it's more likely to eliminate the money games.

That sucks.

#BleedGreen #TrentIsGOAT #NoMissesAllowed #NoOtherTeamInAmericaFlexesLikeOhio #11Months

BillyTheCat

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Posted: 5/13/2020 5:48 PM

FearLeon wrote:expand_more

Deciduous Forest Cat wrote:expand_more

FearLeon wrote:expand_more

Would two extra conference games eliminate games against against schools like Wilberforce and Heidelberg forever? That is a win in my book.

No. since those are the easy ones to schedule, it's more likely to eliminate the money games.

That sucks.

Disagree, money games will be attributed to budget.

OhioBobcat

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Posted: 5/13/2020 6:03 PM

Bobcat1996 wrote:expand_more

I agree with your point about the regular season winner. To me, THAT is exactly what determines who the best team in the conference is. Not whichever team wins 3 games in Cleveland. That's what I used to love about the Ivy League before they changed and went to a small conference tournament a couple years ago. The Ivy League's regular season games were extremely important. They still are since the tournament format is small, but not like it used to be. Look, I get why we have the conference tournaments, and they are exciting at times. But for mid-major leagues like the MAC that only get one bid (the conference tournament winner), it essentially makes the regular season meaningless as far as NCAA Tournament hopes go. In the previous format, you could literally go 0-30 overall, 0-18 in the MAC, then win 4 games in the MAC Tournament and go dancing. To be that's sums up the flaw with one-bid league tournaments in a nutshell. IMO - the conference tournaments are best suited for the power conferences. Because they're sending multiple teams in already, and their conference tournaments can either help or hurt bubble teams, and essentially be a showcase for the team that wins. But the other 4-8 teams that didn't are still going dancing anyway. The MAC Tournament has none of that value, you either win it or you don't go dancing. I'd much, much rather see an 18-22 game regular season team be crowned than to see team X, Y or Z win 3 games to go dancing. It's way harder to showcase and separate yourself over 18-22 games than it is in 3 in Cleveland. Most teams every year can string together 3 consecutive wins at some point in a season. I just hate the value that's given when a team does it in Cleveland over what teams did for an entire regular season.

OhioBobcat

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Posted: 5/13/2020 6:04 PM

BayCat wrote:expand_more

I have thought the same thing. To me, it's seems like this has given many companies and organizations a platform to do what has been sitting on the back burner.

OUVan

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Posted: 5/13/2020 6:33 PM

OhioBobcat wrote:expand_more

I would agree if the regular season was a true round-robin schedule. Personally, I love the conference tourneys for many reasons, not least is that every team and fanbase can stay connected until the end of the season. Would there have been any reason for us to follow the Bobcats in February without it?

Jeff McKinney

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Posted: 5/13/2020 11:43 PM

OhioBobcat, what you're overlooking is that the MAC basketball tournament has been the most successful event held by the conference. It's fun, and has been a huge success. I'd hate to see it eliminated.

UpSan Bobcat

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Posted: 5/14/2020 9:09 AM

Jeff McKinney wrote:expand_more

It is, but I wonder how it does financially. Even if it loses a little money, though, I'd think it's worth it for the exposure and the fan experience.

OU_Country

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Posted: 5/14/2020 11:04 AM

FearLeon wrote:expand_more

Would two extra conference games eliminate games against against schools like Wilberforce and Heidelberg forever? That is a win in my book.

If so, I agree with you. For the directional Michigan schools though, I doubt it.

FearLeon

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Posted: 5/14/2020 11:06 AM

OU_Country wrote:expand_more

FearLeon wrote:expand_more

Would two extra conference games eliminate games against against schools like Wilberforce and Heidelberg forever? That is a win in my book.

If so, I agree with you. For the directional Michigan schools though, I doubt it.

Yes..no doubt the directional Michigan schools will continue to schedule four Division II games.

#BleedGreen #TrentIsGOAT #NoMissesAllowed #NoOtherTeamInAmericaFlexesLikeOhio #11Months

OU_Country

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Posted: 5/14/2020 11:06 AM

cc-cat wrote:expand_more

Jeff McKinney wrote:expand_more

The Optimist wrote:expand_more

Tom Valentino wrote:expand_more

20 games is a weird number for a 12-team league. I guess this means we will play 9 teams twice and 2 teams once?

(Conspiracy theory: We are losing a team)

Exactly my thoughts.

or two programs combine

The combination of two programs, just because of the rumor of who they are, wouldn't be good for the MAC. Depending on which team was lost, it could be addition by subtraction.

Bobcat1996

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Posted: 5/14/2020 1:56 PM

JeffM, I don't see the MAC basketball tourney getting eliminated, but it doesn't always produce the true champ. Sure fans enjoy going to an NBA venue to watch the games. In baseball and softball at least every league school will be scheduled to play each other over a 30 game stretch. As OhioBobcat mentioned, over the course of an 18 or 20 game MAC season, the regular season hoops champ is more worthy than a team getting hot for a three game stretch in March. Why put effort into winning the regular season if it doesn't amount to anything? May as well play every team once and then for budget purposes, schedule money games at Xavier, UC, Kentucky, Ohio State and Louisville.

Last Edited: 5/14/2020 1:58:45 PM by Bobcat1996