umainealum

In the latest RPI rankings, Bryant is ranked #107, they are 13-4 & at the top of the NEC with a 6-0 conference record. They are located within the conference footprint, they are competitive in the league's premier sport (hoops), bring added membership for our AQ in baseball & field hockey and appear to have solid academics (I readily admit I don't know much other than what I have read about their academic rep).

I honestly cannot see a negative in getting this done ASAP.

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UMaine - the epitome of mediocrity

Proud supporter of an AMERICA EAST team that made a coaching change...

Binghamtonswag

They're a good add not a great add. Ideally the AE would probably want to add a mid sized state school but there don't appear to be any great options. If I was AE commish I'd probably push to add Bryant while leaving one spot open just in case

UVM Hoop Cat

Nah, let's wait until the MAAC adds them first.

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"Let's win this game for all the small schools that never had a chance to get here"
- Hoosiers,
& UVM mens basketball NCAA's 2005

umainealum

I know...I'm really concerned that something like that happens and it's gonna leave us left out in the cold.

__________________
UMaine - the epitome of mediocrity

Proud supporter of an AMERICA EAST team that made a coaching change...

Ryguy2779

Why exactly would Bryant jump to the AE from the NEC, when it's a parellel jump at best? What could the AE possibly offer that's so much better?

Who knows what happens in this college basketball relocation climate, but I have trouble seeing why Bryant ditches the NEC after they accepted the Bulldogs bid to transition from D-II.

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Ryan
Pioneer Pride/Big Apple Buckets
Twitter: @pioneer_pride

UVMFan2007

Do they have lacrosse? Hate to say it, but basketball is not AE's "premier sport." Lacrosse is where this conference is most competitive and where the conference office feels we can make the most noise...as much as it pains me to write this, it's the truth.


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uvm4life20

Academics. Does AE have a better lacrosse than NEC?

goBing

But no one cares about Lacrosse. If we base this conference on something that no one (when I say no one I say most people) cares about this conference will never move forward. Basketball and Football are the only sports that people follow in masses.

Rhett1

The AEC is better than the NEC because the overall institutional quality is better. If you asked any administrator in the northeast which conference they'd rather be associated with, they'd look at the list of schools in each conference, then quickly pick the AEC. It would be unanimous. It is not close.

The idea that a transient RPI bump, between 2 one bid conferences, would fool anyone who's job actually depended on it is ridiculous.

UVMFan2007

It's the fastest growing sport in this country, so I'd have to disagree with that assessment. I don't give a crap about it either, but it's the only sport this conference has any prayer of winning an NCAA Championship in anytime soon.


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Zonid

I wonder if the Commish's office feels Delaware, Towson and / or Rhode Island (long shot?) may be in play once the A10 and CAA are raided....

littlemanwithpants

Never mind

Rhett1

That seems like an unrealistic longshot, but that's the only rational explanation for why the conference has delayed expansion for so long.

Rhett1

The AEC took over the EISA? Sweet! I don't know how I feel about adding UMPI as an associate member, but I'm pretty stoked about Harvard and BC coming aboard.

Unless, you know, the AEC still doesn't sponsor skiing...

littlemanwithpants

Just realized as soon as I replied