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Post by bison137 on Nov 2, 2020 12:00:34 GMT -5
In this crazy world with nothing better to talk about than improbable hypotheticals, here's a random thought: For non football sports, adding southernmost W&M could actually decrease travel. As mentioned elsewhere, if this somehow did happen, the Patriot League would probably add another northern school to keep the number even (see Loyola/BU) That would make 12. Most conferences, when they get to that magic number, go to two divisions of 6. Home and home in your own division and only playing the other division once. Instead of the basketball teams heading south of the Mason-Dixon line three times a year, they would only go twice. Not likely, if for no other reason than Army and Navy kind of like their home and homes. But, hey - At some point this week, I am supposed to get my first look at the hoops freshmen in some sort of exhibition against Assumption, but this is 2020, so that's not happening anstill play each other twice in the regular seasond my mind is wandering to fill the void I like your thinking. Why stop at 12. You would have 7 obvious southern and 4 obvious northern schools. I would try to add 3 northern schools from the likes of Northeastern, Fordham, Fairfield, UVM, Marist, Bryant. As far as Army and Navy, who is to say they can't play each other twice in a season? Only one game, designated before the season starts, would count as a league game. Same applies to anyone else who wants to play a school twice from the other division like HC and Bucknell. From an HC standpoint, it reduces travel and possibly brings some old rivals into the mix. why would you want to dramatically reduce the chances of Holy Cross, or any other school, winning a championship. Less chance of making it to the Big Dance etc. personally I would like to see the league go back to eight teams.
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Post by trimster on Nov 2, 2020 12:32:41 GMT -5
Money, travel, missed class time. BTW, if the league returned to 8, who would you cut. In terms of what I just noted, wouldn't the obvious choices be the 2 New England teams.
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Post by nycrusader2010 on Nov 2, 2020 13:10:08 GMT -5
If the Patriot League is to expand, it needs to be a football-playing full-time member.
Problem is that if expansion becomes necessary (which it will be if any full-time football member leaves), there's no one out there that:
a) wants to join
AND
b) has the academic clout that other members are looking for in a Patriot League school
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Post by timholycross on Nov 3, 2020 6:36:24 GMT -5
I agree- football should be 8 teams. Or 6. The last game of the year shouldn't be a bye for someone. Only way that is agreeable to me is if one of the schools had a long time archrival that wasn't in the league that they wanted to keep playing.
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Post by purplehaze on Nov 6, 2020 12:26:20 GMT -5
Now a complete walk-back of the cuts:
William & Mary is reversing an earlier decision to cut three men's sports and will support the programs through at least the 2021-22 academic year while developing a financial plan to keep them sustainable.
The announcement completes a complete pivot from a Sept. 3 announcement that the men's sports and four women's sports would be cut because of COVID-19-related financial shortfalls. The university later announced the women's sports were being reinstated on Oct. 19.
The university also is pledging to complete a gender equity review by this spring and demonstrate its Title IX compliance during the 2022-23 academic year. The original announcement of the cuts, by then-athletic director Samantha Huge, led to her and the university agreeing to part ways on Oct. 6. The men's sports -- gymnastics, swimming and track and field -- will continue as Division I programs through at least the 2021-22 academic year, the school said.
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Post by nycrusader2010 on Nov 8, 2020 11:23:24 GMT -5
I agree- football should be 8 teams. Or 6. The last game of the year shouldn't be a bye for someone. Only way that is agreeable to me is if one of the schools had a long time archrival that wasn't in the league that they wanted to keep playing. Since we can play FBS teams now, Army has often taken advantage of playing the PL team on bye that particular week. Helps them fill an indy schedule and get a late season cupcake. I always hated the rotating end of season bye, which gets passed between everyone except Lafayette and Lehigh.
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Post by rgs318 on Nov 8, 2020 11:39:49 GMT -5
You and me both...
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Post by longsuffering on Nov 8, 2020 14:22:00 GMT -5
I like your thinking. Why stop at 12. You would have 7 obvious southern and 4 obvious northern schools. I would try to add 3 northern schools from the likes of Northeastern, Fordham, Fairfield, UVM, Marist, Bryant. As far as Army and Navy, who is to say they can't play each other twice in a season? Only one game, designated before the season starts, would count as a league game. Same applies to anyone else who wants to play a school twice from the other division like HC and Bucknell. From an HC standpoint, it reduces travel and possibly brings some old rivals into the mix. why would you want to dramatically reduce the chances of Holy Cross, or any other school, winning a championship. Less chance of making it to the Big Dance etc. personally I would like to see the league go back to eight teams. Which two schools would you cut? Would you prioritize geography, seniority of league membership or any other metrics?
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