Is Utah State basketball a good fill in when the MWC loses SDSU?

[Oregon Lobo]

This article seems to suggest that USU will only get better from being in the MWC--and they will help keep the conference's high basketball profile.

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/sports/...ntain.html.csp

[Oregon Lobo]

And ESPN's take...

http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebaske...es-move-to-mwc

[MRLobo]

I think Utah St isn't quite as good as SDSU but should be a top 100 RPI type team from year to year. I can see Fresno and/or Neveda filling the hole that SDSU leaves. Fresno is already bringing in some good talent with their new coach and Neveda consistently brings in some good talent. They just have to keep some of these top players they bring in for a few years. With UNM, UNLV, Utah St, CSU, UNR and Fresno the MWC has a chance to remain and maybe even be a stronger basketball conference than the past. TCU wasn't a loss in basketball, SDSU and BYU were losses but I think the incoming teams can take their place.

[UNM Class of 1972]

In the past I would have said they are a horrible choice. Now choices for expansion are limited. I would rather have U?T?EP or another CUSA team. Logan is another Laramie and we do not need another yee haw school like Wyoming in the MWC. That said the pickins are slim.

[loboaddict]

Up until a few years ago, Utah St. was conistently better or as good as SDSU. SDSU has stepped it up under Fisher recently. Will they keep it up in an inferior conference and when Fisher retires??

I do think that Nevada, Utah St. and Fresno St. combined are a slight upgrade over SDSU, Boise St., and TCU combined in basketball. Of course, football's another story.

[COLOLOBO]

In the past I would have said they are a horrible choice. Now choices for expansion are limited. I would rather have U?T?EP or another CUSA team. Logan is another Laramie and we do not need another yee haw school like Wyoming in the MWC. That said the pickins are slim.

Now that is funny using "yee haw school" when trying to defend UTEP for entrance into the MWC! Isn't UTEP the optima of "YEE HAW"!

[Simpster]

I know what the perception of Utah State is, but they have a pretty consistent basketball program and a football program on the rise. Is everyone aware that they went 7-6 last year and have a good chance of bettering that this year? That's a lot more than we can say about the UNM football program...

[MRLobo]

I know what the perception of Utah State is, but they have a pretty consistent basketball program and a football program on the rise. Is everyone aware that they went 7-6 last year and have a good chance of bettering that this year? That's a lot more than we can say about the UNM football program...

They do bring a good basketball program and solid football program. I think the big knock is they are a small market and don't add any recruiting value.

[NMStorm]

Utah State replaces BYU. Nevada will replace SDSU. While SDSU is "good" right now, they have zero historical strength and when Fish is gone they may not be able to replace him with a coach that will keep them where they are at now.

[UNM Class of 1972]

Now that is funny using "yee haw school" when trying to defend UTEP for entrance into the MWC! Isn't UTEP the optima of "YEE HAW"!

I am basically comparing the El Paso market to Logan who does not have a market unless you consider them in the SLC market and they are a firm #3 choice in that market.

[JRI]

Now that is funny using "yee haw school" when trying to defend UTEP for entrance into the MWC! Isn't UTEP the optima of "YEE HAW"!

UTEP has over 2 million metropolitan area if you include Juarez. El Paso only is approaching a million. So UTEP does not equal Laramie, not even close.

[COLOLOBO]

Give me WYO compared to a city where bullets from Mexico hit the court house now that is "Yee Haw"!

[NMStorm]

Give me WYO compared to a city where bullets from Mexico hit the court house now that is "Yee Haw"!

If you're talking about a place to live or visit then no doubt. But Hell Pisshole as a good tv market, no doubting that.

[Mark]

I'll tell you this. I was sitting with former UTAH coach, Ray Giacoltti (sp) and he told me the loudest building (other than the Pit) was Utah St. He told me its crazy insane. It won't be a cake walk.

[GiJoeRay]

I'll tell you this. I was sitting with former UTAH coach, Ray Giacoltti (sp) and he told me the loudest building (other than the Pit) was Utah St. He told me its crazy insane. It won't be a cake walk.

The Spectrum is pretty legit.

[red_rise]

Utah State is actually a really good replacement for SDSU... They have a history of winning and they have dominated the WAC recently. Their recruiting will get better, they have a good coach and the Spectrum is an amazing arena to play in... Besides we get the originators of the show aka USU student section, which are hard core fans but not the we hate on everyone personalities.

[msalgado]

Its not like we have a ton of amazing programs waiting to get into the MWC anyway.

[AceAndTwo]

Its not like we have a ton of amazing programs waiting to get into the MWC anyway.

Right now we are at the mercy of the BE. Once the BE takes UNLV or Fresno. MWC goose is cooked. And then we have to combine with Conf USA.

[lambchopLobo]

They hate Utah..........thats good enough for me. Welcome Aggies and adios Aztecs.

[MRLobo]

Right now we are at the mercy of the BE. Once the BE takes UNLV or Fresno. MWC goose is cooked. And then we have to combine with Conf USA.

I don't see UNLV making the jump but I think Fresno would as they want to be like SDSU

[Rebelmom]

I don't see UNLV making the jump but I think Fresno would as they want to be like SDSU

UNLV athletics will never be in two conferences. According to many around UNLV it's thinking small time to do so. So, looks like you will be stuck with us for the long haul.

[Fideos]

Give me WYO compared to a city where bullets from Mexico hit the court house now that is "Yee Haw"!

You're like a bible pushing Nazi. I love the Internet.

[loborick]

Give me WYO compared to a city where bullets from Mexico hit the court house now that is "Yee Haw"!

Actually, El Paso has the lowest crime rate of any city over 500K. I can't believe I'm defending El Paso.

[COLOLOBO]

You're like a bible pushing Nazi. I love the Internet.

Thank you!

[CRSmitty04]

The MWC lost two really good basketball programs...BYU and SDSU. Utah was good too, but they have been in a free fall for the last 3 years. Who knows when they'll be back.

Utah State is an excellent addition for basketball. You basically add a consistent top 100 RPI team that is committed to their program long term. Considering BYU's lack of national success in the non-con and NCAA tourney while they were MWC members, Utah St. could realistically fill that void. They will vie for one of the MWC's 3-5 bids every year from here on out. They replace BYU I say.

I think Nevada is the team that replaces SDSU. They have a similar infrastructure (stadium seats approx. 12,000, much like Viejas), similar tournament history, and have the shown the ability to attract real talent to an area that's not considered a hot-bed (San Diego is a hot bed, but the real talent goes to the Pac, not to SDSU). I think being in the same conference as UNLV will excite that fanbase a bit as well.

Overall, I think with what these programs show now, and what the MWC could potentially do for their future development, I really feel like we came out even when we lost SDSU and BYU, but gained Utah State and Nevada.

[18,018]

The MWC lost two really good basketball programs...BYU and SDSU. Utah was good too, but they have been in a free fall for the last 3 years. Who knows when they'll be back.

Utah State is an excellent addition for basketball. You basically add a consistent top 100 RPI team that is committed to their program long term. Considering BYU's lack of national success in the non-con and NCAA tourney while they were MWC members, Utah St. could realistically fill that void. They will vie for one of the MWC's 3-5 bids every year from here on out. They replace BYU I say.

I think Nevada is the team that replaces SDSU. They have a similar infrastructure (stadium seats approx. 12,000, much like Viejas), similar tournament history, and have the shown the ability to attract real talent to an area that's not considered a hot-bed (San Diego is a hot bed, but the real talent goes to the Pac, not to SDSU). I think being in the same conference as UNLV will excite that fanbase a bit as well.

Overall, I think with what these programs show now, and what the MWC could potentially do for their future development, I really feel like we came out even when we lost SDSU and BYU, but gained Utah State and Nevada.

I agree that we may have come out even in terms of competition, but we lost a lot of history/rivalry. Utah, BYU are pretty much irreplaceable in that aspect and even SDSU means a lot more to the average Lobo fan than UNR and USU. It's good to have Fresno back on our lineup though.

[Welcome2ThePit]

Trading USU for SDSU is like trading Boise State for Utah in football. But yeah, the only thing that sucks is that it's going to take at least 5-6 years to get the rivalry and hatred brewing. It will happen though. Ten years ago I didn't give a sh*t about SDSU, and now the mere sight of an Asstec makes me want to repaint my house in my own blood.

[Jeffinthe505]

Utah State will be just fine! They have become a consistent contender/winnner in their conference and overall. The move to MWC will benefit us as much as it will them. I know that sounds a little odd right now but lets wait and see. I have a feeling Utah State will surprise some folks. If you havent been paying attention to them the past 5 years, they might seem like a cinderella story. That is NOT the case. They are a legit addition to the MWC. I hope they regularly schedule BYU and or Utah and proceed to kick the crap out of them.

[Jeffinthe505]

Trading USU for SDSU is like trading Boise State for Utah in football. But yeah, the only thing that sucks is that it's going to take at least 5-6 years to get the rivalry and hatred brewing. It will happen though. Ten years ago I didn't give a sh*t about SDSU, and now the mere sight of an Asstec makes me want to repaint my house in my own blood.

"I urge you in the name of God to save your blood and direct the weapons to the chests of the enemy. We are brothers. We may disagree politically, but we are not enemies."

~Khaled Mashaal quotes

[LetTheFurFly]

Utah State's olympic sports will at least be comparable to teams leaving the MWC. That being said, they're going to have to channel their inner Ric Flair if they're going to compete with programs that can push back....and push back hard.



Kissing of boots not withstanding.