Arizona State will not be joining the Big Ten

[Critical Thinker]

1. The NCHC doesn't want us...why does everyone think an odd number of teams would be so tough for them?

I'm not so sure about this. When the Nachos first circled the wagons as a knee jerk reaction to the B1G, we weren't included because at the time, our future was uncertain and we had an administration that didn't fully support the program. Times have changed, and we're certainly in a better position to compete in college hockey. An odd number of teams isn't a huge issue, but certainly better when making schedules. Plus we have the mythical "Full D1 Member" status that "brings something to the NCAA table" or some such nonsense that supposedly made ASU valuable.

2. We can't afford the NCHC...you're talking about extra flights that would just piss away money. The return in attendance and revenue wouldn't come close to covering that expense.

I agree. Should the phones start ringing here, I hope whoever answers tells the Nachos to go take a long walk off a short pier.

3. We can't compete in that conference...we would go right back to being a bottom 2 or 3 team every year. There aren't many breathers in that conference schedule...We can hardly handle LSSU, Huntsville and Bemidji

Debatable. If we play our best hockey? We're NCAAs bound. If we give the effort we gave this season? Might as well book our tee times for March now.

[pdt1081]

1. The NCHC doesn't want us...why does everyone think an odd number of teams would be so tough for them?

2. We can't afford the NCHC...you're talking about extra flights that would just piss away money. The return in attendance and revenue wouldn't come close to covering that expense.

3. We can't compete in that conference...we would go right back to being a bottom 2 or 3 team every year. There aren't many breathers in that conference schedule...We can hardly handle LSSU, Huntsville and Bemidji.

I didn't say the NCHC wanted us. I said Miami and Western wanted us.

When there's an odd number of teams in a league, there's always one team idle (concerning league play). While it's not an exactly a huge issue, it gets hard to schedule late season non-conference games. It also means one team finishes their regular season play before the final weekend. It erases some excitement knowing there's nothing that team can do to improve their standing that weekend. Every team wants something to play for heading into the playoffs.

As for not being able to compete, you're FOS. This team can compete in any conference, and be successful, as long as they actually play every game and the officiating is consistent. Neither happened this last season.

[rood]

Would trips to Arizona and two schools in Colorado really be that much more expensive than trips to Alabama and two schools in Alaska? When you swap out those long trips to Tech and Northern for day trips to Kalamazoo and Miami?

[jbakerifm]

Would trips to Arizona and two schools in Colorado really be that much more expensive than trips to Alabama and two schools in Alaska? When you swap out those long trips to Tech and Northern for day trips to Kalamazoo and Miami?

Yes, it would be more expensive, because the Alaska schools pay for most of our expenses to go up there. If I recall correctly UAH kicks in some for the trips down there too.

[Schadenfreude]

So, if there is an opportunity to join the NCHC, would BGSU take it?

Should BGSU take it?

[pdt1081]

Would trips to Arizona and two schools in Colorado really be that much more expensive than trips to Alabama and two schools in Alaska? When you swap out those long trips to Tech and Northern for day trips to Kalamazoo and Miami?

Arizona and Colorado are flights. Airplanes are extremely expensive. Alaska does kick in some travel costs, which are anywhere from 1/2 to 3/4 the actual cost. Alabama is basically the same distance as Northern and Tech. It's a long trip, but not that big of a deal for BG. I believe Bemidji is actually a lot longer trip to make.

[pdt1081]

So, if there is an opportunity to join the NCHC, would BGSU take it?

Should BGSU take it?

Miami's president told president Mazey that joining the NCHC was "the worst mistake they've ever made." I truly hope if they come calling they are greeted with a "thanks, but no thanks." Blasi didn't even have the professional courtesy to give Bergeron a heads up when the league was formed. Sure, BG should be in a league with Miami and Western, just not that league.

[bgbill]

http://tinyurl.com/zwfxhud

ASU head coach on going D1. Refreshingly candid.

[Schadenfreude]

Miami's president told president Mazey that joining the NCHC was "the worst mistake they've ever made."

Wow.

[pdt1081]

Miami's president told president Mazey that joining the NCHC was "the worst mistake they've ever made."

Wow.

A sold out arena. 6 bus trips and one 1/2 paid for plane trip (worst case) every year vs plane trips to Colorado (x2) and North Dakota (no compensation), and bus trips to Nebraska and St Cloud, added to 3/4 full arena at best.

There's a reason Miami and Western want BG in the league. There's a bigger reason BG doesn't want to be in that league.

[apollo]

Miami's president told president Mazey that joining the NCHC was "the worst mistake they've ever made."

Wow.

A sold out arena. 6 bus trips and one 1/2 paid for plane trip (worst case) every year vs plane trips to Colorado (x2) and North Dakota (no compensation), and bus trips to Nebraska and St Cloud, added to 3/4 full arena at best.

There's a reason Miami and Western want BG in the league. There's a bigger reason BG doesn't want to be in that league.

That reason is BG isn't good enough to win in that league...just be happy being competitive in the conference we are in.

[footballguy51]

Miami's president told president Mazey that joining the NCHC was "the worst mistake they've ever made."

Wow.

A sold out arena. 6 bus trips and one 1/2 paid for plane trip (worst case) every year vs plane trips to Colorado (x2) and North Dakota (no compensation), and bus trips to Nebraska and St Cloud, added to 3/4 full arena at best.

There's a reason Miami and Western want BG in the league. There's a bigger reason BG doesn't want to be in that league.

That reason is BG isn't good enough to win in that league...just be happy being competitive in the conference we are in.

I wouldn't want us in the NCHC. The WCHA has a bunch of teams nobody knows, and the NCHC is just as bad. That's why i said we should try to get in with the B1G if we want out of the WCHA.

[Schadenfreude]

Miami's president told president Mazey that joining the NCHC was "the worst mistake they've ever made."

Wow.

A sold out arena. 6 bus trips and one 1/2 paid for plane trip (worst case) every year vs plane trips to Colorado (x2) and North Dakota (no compensation), and bus trips to Nebraska and St Cloud, added to 3/4 full arena at best.

There's a reason Miami and Western want BG in the league. There's a bigger reason BG doesn't want to be in that league.

Is this true? Do we know that BGSU would pass on an invitation to the NCHC in the current environment?

I wouldn't want us in the NCHC. The WCHA has a bunch of teams nobody knows, and the NCHC is just as bad. That's why i said we should try to get in with the B1G if we want out of the WCHA.

We also should try to win a football national title , too.

Given our realistic options, perhaps the best course is to bide our time, and try to lure Miami and Western Michigan out of the NCHC into a new CCHA, one that includes some Western New York schools. If Miami's president is anywhere near as sour on the NCHC as pt1081 is saying, maybe the other MAC schools can be pried loose.

[Falcon Fanatic]

I believe Jim Elsasser is the acting athletic director until they hire Kingston's replacement. I'm sure Bergeron has made his preferences known to the administration and all homework would be done.

Kit Hughes has been filling in for some meetings.

Kit Hughes and Lauren Ashman (the two Senior Associate Directors) are splitting the duties.

[factman]

I believe Jim Elsasser is the acting athletic director until they hire Kingston's replacement. I'm sure Bergeron has made his preferences known to the administration and all homework would be done.

Jim Elsasser is NOT the acting athletic director, nor should he EVER be considered as the athletic director at the D-1 level!