OT: UMass to MAC

[Vuce]

What were the options. They don’t have a prized BB program and the football hasn’t really taken off. They were literally in a similar but weaker spot across all sports except for Hockey.

The MAC gives them a home and something to build upon. There is something to be said for stability. Maybe they can get there crap together and compete for MAC championships. Buffalo isn’t a bad rival either.

They had no good options. This one was another awful option. No one in Amherst will care about the MAC. In UMass best year in football, UConn beat them twice and they drew between 10K and 15K fans at home. It'll be worse in the MAC once any novelty (for whatever that is worth) wears off. People arent showing up for the "big" football game vs Buffalo.......or Toledo, Bowling Green, West East Central North or South Michigan either. And basketball at UMass which was getting marginally better and drawing larger crowds is now decimated. The MAC is a dumpster fire in hoops - it's been a one bid league for the last 25 years. Essentially what they are doing is sacrificing basketball for football. Neither sport will make any waves and no one in western Mass will give a crud about them. UMass is solely a hockey school now.

 

[Rufus]

Speaking of the MAC, the defending football champion Ohio Bobcats scheduled up in the non-conference.........two B1G teams and one Big 12 team....

@ Rutgers
vs. West Virginia
@ Ohio State

Also playing top MAC contenders in conference play.......Mountain West-bound Northern Illinois and rival Miami.

A solid schedule.

2025 Ohio Football Schedule | FBSchedules.com

View the 2025 Ohio Football Schedule at FBSchedules.com. The Bobcats football schedule includes opponents, date, time, and TV.

fbschedules.com

 

[Kolumbo]

What were the options. They don’t have a prized BB program and the football hasn’t really taken off. They were literally in a similar but weaker spot across all sports except for Hockey.

The MAC gives them a home and something to build upon. There is something to be said for stability. Maybe they can get there crap together and compete for MAC championships. Buffalo isn’t a bad rival either.

Lot's of positives by playing in the MAC. They'll be playing a lot of games in Ohio and Michigan which will help recruiting if kids think they have a chance to portal to the Big 10. UMass can sell mid-west kids on the opportunity to be 1 hour from the Basketball Capital of the World. UMass instantly has fans from 11 other similar programs interested in what is going on in Amherst and I'd imagine there are quite a few MAC alumni in the Northeast. Granted it's not the Big 10 level interest but it's something. Get something positive going while the seeds of change continue to be fertilized by bs

https://csnbbs.com/thread-1010814.html

 

[Vuce]

Attendance at football games will not change with whatever MAC alumni are in the northeast and basketball attendance will get worse

 

[WrenchFan69]

I think the MAC was the right move. Independent football wasn't working - at least they're trying something. And the A10 quickly became the most overrated, bloated conference in the country. Frankly UMass has a good chance to win the MAC in basketball somewhat regularly and put together some tournament appearances again. If it doesn't work out, there's always America East where they can go back to playing local rivals and peers.

 

[Vuce]

I think the MAC was the right move. Independent football wasn't working - at least they're trying something. And the A10 quickly became the most overrated, bloated conference in the country. Frankly UMass has a good chance to win the MAC in basketball somewhat regularly and put together some tournament appearances again. If it doesn't work out, there's always America East where they can go back to playing local rivals and peers.

It was the right move for the football program but fans won't care about multi Michigan directional schools and this finishes off their basketball program for good. The MAC is legit one of the worst hoops conferences in the country.

 

[Waquoit]

We're lucky that our FB team didn't kill our basketball program the way UMass' has killed theirs. It tried!

 

[Kolumbo]

It was the right move for the football program but fans won't care about multi Michigan directional schools and this finishes off their basketball program for good. The MAC is legit one of the worst hoops conferences in the country.

Last year UMass football lost to MAC teams and Power programs. The MAC is about as good a landing spot as any for football. I don't know what other kind of schedule UMass fans would want where the games are entertaining and competitive. At least try to improve in a G5 conference and become a candidate for a better G5 conference.

Basketball, MAC was ranked 16 out of 31.

RealTimeRPI.com Men's College Basketball Rating Percentage Index (RPI) Ratings - A leading sports ratings and resources community on the Internet

RealTimeRPI.com: RPI, RPI Rankings, college basketball rpi, Real Time NCAA College Basketball and Sports Ratings - the most accurate independent analysis of the NCAA college basketball Rating Percentage Index (RPI)

realtimerpi.com

 

[Bongo Fury]

I went to an employee appreciation at a BB game against GW and they had food and drinks set up behind one of the baskets. It was a weeknight game and it wasn’t very well attended in the stands. I don’t think they are giving up much leaving the A-10 except memories and I respect MAC football.

 

[UConnJim]

It was the right move for the football program but fans won't care about multi Michigan directional schools and this finishes off their basketball program for good. The MAC is legit one of the worst hoops conferences in the country.

UMass has played one NCAA Tournament game in 26 years so I don't see how the A10 was helping their basketball.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

The move to the MAC was entirely to allow them to continue as an FBS football program.

My guess is that they are banking on the possibility that down the road having football at an FBS level will be better for all sports than not having football at that level (or at all).

 

[Vuce]

Last year UMass football lost to MAC teams and Power programs. The MAC is about as good a landing spot as any for football. I don't know what other kind of schedule UMass fans would want where the games are entertaining and competitive. At least try to improve in a G5 conference and become a candidate for a better G5 conference.

Basketball, MAC was ranked 16 out of 31.

RealTimeRPI.com Men's College Basketball Rating Percentage Index (RPI) Ratings - A leading sports ratings and resources community on the Internet

RealTimeRPI.com: RPI, RPI Rankings, college basketball rpi, Real Time NCAA College Basketball and Sports Ratings - the most accurate independent analysis of the NCAA college basketball Rating Percentage Index (RPI)

realtimerpi.com

UMass football fans are few and they will be much fewer playing the MAC. They played very entertaining football in the late 90s when they won the National Championship and drew in the range of 15,000. They will draw a decent amount less playing schools no one cares about in the MAC.

Also, the MAC was rated 23rd in NET which is what the NCAA uses - the A10 was rated 7th. For as marginal a conference as the A10 has become compared to what it used to be, it is worlds better than the dumpster fire that is the MAC in basketball.

 

[Vuce]

UMass has played one NCAA Tournament game in 26 years so I don't see how the A10 was helping their basketball.

That's because of the coaching hires. The A10 has consistently been a top 10 league in NET. However much the A10 helped UMass in hoops, the MAC will help it much much less

 

[Vuce]

I went to an employee appreciation at a BB game against GW and they had food and drinks set up behind one of the baskets. It was a weeknight game and it wasn’t very well attended in the stands. I don’t think they are giving up much leaving the A-10 except memories and I respect MAC football.

whatever the attendance was at that game, cut it in half for MAC games. Honestly they will not need to play in the capacity 9,500 Mullins Center anymore. Going back to The Cage would make way more sense which has a capacity of 4,000 - the 1500 or so fans they will draw for MAC opponents no one cares about will make it a better home court environment. I know 5 different season ticket holders that arent renewing and will just get single game tickets for next to nothing if they want to go. The ticket office at UMass has called then begging for them to renew but they are out.

 

[Kolumbo]

UMass football fans are few and they will be much fewer playing the MAC. They played very entertaining football in the late 90s when they won the National Championship and drew in the range of 15,000. They will draw a decent amount less playing schools no one cares about in the MAC.

Also, the MAC was rated 23rd in NET which is what the NCAA uses - the A10 was rated 7th. For as marginal a conference as the A10 has become compared to what it used to be, it is worlds better than the dumpster fire that is the MAC in basketball.

You may be right and the only reason I care at all about UMass is because it would be nice to have a close regional rival, someday. We disagree. I think playing against regular competition and for a conference championship will do a lot more for the program and attendance than remaining an independent and losing to all comers. Last thing I want for UConn is to remain independent because it is a losing proposition long term. Maybe UMass Soccer and Lax end up in a better situation with the move too.

 

[Vuce]

You may be right and the only reason I care at all about UMass is because it would be nice to have a close regional rival, someday. We disagree. I think playing against regular competition and for a conference championship will do a lot more for the program and attendance than remaining an independent and losing to all comers. Last thing I want for UConn is to remain independent because it is a losing proposition long term. Maybe UMass Soccer and Lax end up in a better situation with the move too.

I'm not even factoring UConn into any of this - the schools are in way different places now and have been for a long time. I'm simply commenting on UMass because I've lived in western MA my whole life, been to many, many football and hoops games in Amherst, and know a ton of die hard UMass fans. When I am hearing from them that they are definitely giving up their season tickets in both sports that says a lot because the casual fans aren't going to jump in and replace them for MAC competition. I dont know enough about the MAC to say if Olympic sports will benefit or not at UMass but I do know that they don't move the needle at all so it's a moot point.

 

[UConnJim]

I'm not even factoring UConn into any of this - the schools are in way different places now and have been for a long time. I'm simply commenting on UMass because I've lived in western MA my whole life, been to many, many football and hoops games in Amherst, and know a ton of die hard UMass fans. When I am hearing from them that they are definitely giving up their season tickets in both sports that says a lot because the casual fans aren't going to jump in and replace them for MAC competition. I dont know enough about the MAC to say if Olympic sports will benefit or not at UMass but I do know that they don't move the needle at all so it's a moot point.

If UMass wins in basketball or football, people will show up for the games. In football, they weren't winning and in basketball, they struggled as well. How is moving to the MAC a risk when they haven't been winning and there is limited fan support?

 

[Kolumbo]

I have no idea what the plans are for UMass Men's soccer and lacrosse but they can probably upgrade by leaving the A-10. Perhaps even join the Big East Here are the standings for A-10 Lax

Richmond
High Point
UMass
Saint Joseph's
Hobart
St. Bonaventure

 

[Vuce]

If UMass wins in basketball or football, people will show up for the games. In football, they weren't winning and in basketball, they struggled as well. How is moving to the MAC a risk when they haven't been winning and there is limited fan support?

Not just win, they will need to win very big against those opponents for fans to care and show up in numbers that will register. It's not so much a risk as it is them waving the white flag that they've truly given up and accepted their lot in life as a low mid major program. They are toast

 

[Bongo Fury]

I believe the change was driven by the new chancellor who is into competitive sports and in particular football. Former chancellor, wouldn’t say didn’t care but low priority. They will generate greater revenue with the move.

 

[huskymedic]

I have no idea what the plans are for UMass Men's soccer and lacrosse but they can probably upgrade by leaving the A-10. Perhaps even join the Big East Here are the standings for A-10 Lax

Richmond
High Point
UMass
Saint Joseph's
Hobart
St. Bonaventure

MSOC is headed to the Summitt and MLax is staying in the A-10 as affiliate member.

 

[Waquoit]

I will never forgive UMass for that "UConn is scared to play us" slander but I never wished things would get so low that they self-exile to the MAC. I was good with one NCAA Tournament game in 26 years.

 

[Kolumbo]

I'm not even factoring UConn into any of this - the schools are in way different places now and have been for a long time. I'm simply commenting on UMass because I've lived in western MA my whole life, been to many, many football and hoops games in Amherst, and know a ton of die hard UMass fans. When I am hearing from them that they are definitely giving up their season tickets in both sports that says a lot because the casual fans aren't going to jump in and replace them for MAC competition. I dont know enough about the MAC to say if Olympic sports will benefit or not at UMass but I do know that they don't move the needle at all so it's a moot point.

So your die-hard fan friends are throwing in the towel because they don't want to watch UMass play MAC programs even though UMass has been playing MAC programs for a long time. If UMass starts winning hopefully the casual fans do show up to support the program. It's not like they're going to drive to boston so support the other floundering program.

Not just win, they will need to win very big against those opponents for fans to care and show up in numbers that will register. It's not so much a risk as it is them waving the white flag that they've truly given up and accepted their lot in life as a low mid major program. They are toast

Sometimes you just have to accept things for what they are

 

[Kolumbo]

MSOC is headed to the Summitt and MLax is staying in the A-10 as affiliate member.

That's odd. I figured UMass Soccer might go to the Missouri Valley Conference with Bowling Green and Western Michigan. Nothern Illinois is moving sports to the Horizon League. And Akron Soccer is in the Big East.

 

[Vuce]

So your die-hard fan friends are throwing in the towel because they don't want to watch UMass play MAC programs even though UMass has been playing MAC programs for a long time. If UMass starts winning hopefully the casual fans do show up to support the program. It's not like they're going to drive to boston so support the other floundering program.


Sometimes you just have to accept things for what they are

Or, if you are fans, you don't have to accept things for what they are, which is why my buddies are not renewing football and hoops. Not sure if you realize that college football in the northeast has never been huge compared to other areas of the country. UMass made this move for football and there simply aren't that many football centric fans in the base (we see it with our own UConn fan base). Their rationale is that they won't support the programs with season tickets and donations and don't care at this point what happens and can go to a game here and there. And as I said before, UMass will need to win really big and dominate for casual fans to show up - otherwise their attendance and support will be less than it is now.