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New MWC Possibility:

Well it’s basically official as of this morning that N. Illinois Football is joining. I say the MTN West should stay put for now. Perfect number for both sports and the TV Money split will be higher. Let’s see what Utep does with the Quadruple or more income boost! Hopefully donors like the Hunts keep donating to help Utep get to the next level. I know many don’t believe in Walden, but I believe we will see dividends as early as next year and the true pay off the year after of his recruiting efforts! I know the shine has worn off a little after the announcement, but be happy Miner Fans we are where most of us wanted for be albeit a watered down version.

MWC Football:
UTEP, UNM, SJSU, Nevada, UNLV, Wyoming, Air Force, Hawaii, N. Illinois

MWC Basketball:
UTEP, UNM, SJSU, Nevada, UNLV, Wyoming, Air Force, Hawaii, GCU, UC Davis
It's clearly a watered down MWC, but it's not the C-USA, which has never been a good fit. My hope is that we hear more news about additional gifts like the Hunt Family Foundation. It's been a long time since we've seen a strong commitment by major donors publicly. Heck, we had trouble drumming up enough support for a proper training table. Let's hope those days are in the rear-view mirror.

New MWC Possibility:

Well it’s basically official as of this morning that N. Illinois Football is joining. I say the MTN West should stay put for now. Perfect number for both sports and the TV Money split will be higher. Let’s see what Utep does with the Quadruple or more income boost! Hopefully donors like the Hunts keep donating to help Utep get to the next level. I know many don’t believe in Walden, but I believe we will see dividends as early as next year and the true pay off the year after of his recruiting efforts! I know the shine has worn off a little after the announcement, but be happy Miner Fans we are where most of us wanted for be albeit a watered down version.

MWC Football:
UTEP, UNM, SJSU, Nevada, UNLV, Wyoming, Air Force, Hawaii, N. Illinois

MWC Basketball:
UTEP, UNM, SJSU, Nevada, UNLV, Wyoming, Air Force, Hawaii, GCU, UC Davis

Early Season Observations

I'm not a voracious Digs reader so apologies if others have made the same observations or comments.

1) David Terrell really, really, really needs to step up. I thought he was a slasher/distributor and would develop his ball handling and shooter, boy was I off. He has made 5 3FG in 42 career games, yes that's a made 3 every 8 games, and is a career 21% 3FG% shooter, even Kevin Henderson is like "damn". He has 76 TO's and 76 Assists in his career, a 1:1 A/TO ratio - not great and he has averaged 1.7 boards his career, not anything spectacular for a 6-4 guard. He is shooting a paltry 35.7% from FT line this year. If I'm an opposing coach, I stay off him 5 feet, dare him to shoot or just foul if he tries to drive.
2) Why does Hebb get 10.7 minutes a game? Cant those minutes go to Bynum or Barnes instead. I am sure those 2 guys can absorb an extra 5 minutes a game each. and will those guys get you more than 1.6 points in 10 minutes? Absolutely. Hebb has taken 1 3FG all year and can't get his own shot. If you split his minutes and amongst those 2 plus Thomas and you are way ahead. We don't have the All-CUSA good guy or hustle award, its about wins and that's it.
3) The 2 headed monster of Kalu/Hamilton is getting 30 minutes a game and delivering 10.1 points and 7.6 boards - that's not bad, if that was a single player, that would be very respectable. Never thought our big guys would NOT be a liability this season and Terrell would.
It's been mentioned before since Terrell won the conference freshman of the year award. Hopefully he continues to improve.

Also the matter of Hebb needing to be benched and Jones needing to play more. Jones was stunted by Golding early last year. Good to see that he still has a positive attitude and he is making the most of his minutes.

Golding's poor recruiting of bigs and his constant use of a gimmick defense that puts them out of position really hurts the team bad at times, but it is what it is. Just imagine this team with one good athletic big over the past 1.5 seasons.

OT: College Football 2024🏈🏟

What a damn insult to college coaching staff who work hard to make sure their players work in the classroom and graduate. La Tech is not only a filthy cheap shot, injury faking, under performing flatulence smelling program and obviously don't care aboul them graduating, but now they get rewarded with a bowl game?! Seriously NCAA?!!
You do know that UTEP's is solidly at 119 only a few places better. If UTEP had 5 wins would they be considered the same?

New MWC Possibility:

Is A10 better than MWC ? Loyola only playing in like 3 ESPN 2 games this season . I'm sure MWC could get better TV deal for them than that. With Northern Illinois joining and if they join in basketball later. Would give Northern Illinois a travel partner.
How would it give N. Illinois a travel partner Fili can you answer that for us??? N. Illinois is coming in as a Football Member only!

New MWC Possibility:

UC Davis has a large student population and is an academically prestigious institution. That doesn’t matter to you and I, but it does to school presidents.

They also have football, which none of those other schools you mentioned have. Even though they aren’t moving up at the moment, doesn’t mean it won’t happen.
That makes sense if they add football one day.
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New MWC Possibility:

I also think that’s ideal. I’ve been good with all the moves except for UC Davis Basketball. I don’t think that’s was the best choice Basketball wise and didn’t really get it. Better choices for basketball…. St. Mary’s (probably) no interest from their side though, San Francisco, Santa Clara, UC Santa Barbara, Long Beach, Seattle, etc…
UC Davis has a large student population and is an academically prestigious institution. That doesn’t matter to you and I, but it does to school presidents.

They also have football, which none of those other schools you mentioned have. Even though they aren’t moving up at the moment, doesn’t mean it won’t happen.
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New MWC Possibility:

I also think that’s ideal. I’ve been good with all the moves except for UC Davis Basketball. I don’t think that’s was the best choice Basketball wise and didn’t really get it. Better choices for basketball…. St. Mary’s (probably) no interest from their side though, San Francisco, Santa Clara, UC Santa Barbara, Long Beach, Seattle, etc…
You should be happy the UC Davis is there as they can join UTEP at the bottom. As it stands all the rest of the teams are better.

I would think that the other teams in the MWC would be saying the same thing about UTEP joining as they have not exactly been powerful in football or basketball for the last few years.
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New MWC Possibility:

Where is it now? 10 basketball and 9 football assuming NIU jumps? I hope it stays there. 18 game hoops and 8 game football round robin.
I also think that’s ideal. I’ve been good with all the moves except for UC Davis Basketball. I don’t think that’s was the best choice Basketball wise and didn’t really get it. Better choices for basketball…. St. Mary’s (probably) no interest from their side though, San Francisco, Santa Clara, UC Santa Barbara, Long Beach, Seattle, etc…
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