You aren’t kidding; CBS has them ranked #5 in their too early Top 25
Coach: Gregg Marshall 2016-17 record: 31-5 Notable players definitely gone: None Notable players expected to leave: None Notable players expected to return: Markis McDuffie, Landry Shamet, Darral Willis, Shaquille Morris, Conner Frankamp, Zach Brown, Rashard Kelly, Rauno Nurger, Daishon Smith, Austin Reaves Notable newcomers: Asbjorn Midtgaard, Samajae Jones Why the Shockers are here: Every relevant player from a Wichita State team that won 31 games and finished eighth at KenPom should be back – most notably Markis McDuffie and Landry Shamet. So Wichita State will be the favorite in whatever league it plays in. Gregg Marshall’s team can win the MVC or the American. Doesn’t matter.
Cincy at #18
18. Cincinnati Bearcats Coach: Mick Cronin 2016-17 record: 30-6 Notable players definitely gone: Troy Caupain, Kevin Johnson Notable players expected to leave: None Notable players expected to return: Jacob Evans, Kyle Washington, Gary Clark, Jarron Cumberland, Trey Scott, Justin Jenifer, Nysier Brooks, Quadri Moore Notable newcomers: Cane Broome, Keith Williams, Trevor Moore, Eliel Nsoseme Why the Bearcats are here: Mick Cronin has guided the Bearcats to seven consecutive NCAA Tournaments. An eighth is on tap considering Jacob Evans, Kyle Washington, Gary Clark and Jarron Cumberland are back and capable of competing at or near the top of the AAC standings again.
A team like that could really help the AAC. This year’s seeds for SMU and Cincinnati show the conference could use a perception boost. Wichita State’s addition, the conference-realignment version of a graduate transfer, should help the conference raise its overall RPI.
At the end of the season, Aresco was optimistic about the future of the AAC.
“In two years, we’ll be among the best conferences in the country,” the commissioner said. “I’m totally convinced.”
The AAC’s current television deal ends in 2020. Preliminary talks will happen as early as this year. The league’s current deal pays teams $1.9 million in media rights per school — nearly one-tenth of the ACC, Pac-12, Big Ten, Sec and Big 12. The addition of Wichita State — who has been to six consecutive NCAA Tournaments and won at least one tournament game in each of the last five seasons, could help sweeten the deal when the contract comes up for new negotiations.
Here’s something that’s sort of been on my mind: I see all the time that Wichita State needs 9 of 12 votes to be admitted. My question is why would Navy be allowed to vote?
Anyway, if approved, the vote will be “unanimous.” Adding Wichita State adds money as we get more units from tourney runs they make and how deep they go, and will make our total conference TV package more enticing, important since negotiations are about to start with ESPN shortly.
For the AAC’s part, the proposed addition of Wichita State indicates that football can no longer be the only conference realignment consideration for leagues that are outside of the Power Five world. The Group of Five leagues are earning less TV money with both football and basketball than the new Big East is with just basketball alone, which shows that a strong college basketball brand still has value in the marketplace compared to a weaker college football brand. Even if TV money isn’t taken into account, the Group of Five leagues are inherently going to be more reliant on revenue from NCAA Tournament credits (which rise when each conference member advances a round in the Big Dance) compared to the Power Five leagues since those basketball dollars are going to be a larger share for them compared to College Football Playoff dollars. Indeed, Thamel and others have pointed out that Wichita State won’t likely add much to the value of the AAC’s TV contract, but it can certainly drive a lot of conference revenue in the form of winning games in the NCAA Tournament (which earns additional credits).
Seeding is important in the tournament. Respect as a basketball conference is important.
You start getting a handful of schools in the tournament all the time. You get the collective RPIs up within the conference games that can result in better seeds within the tournament and more wins and some decent money for the league. And if the league rises with Wichita State maybe the new TV deal is better. Not by gazillions, but better. Certainly, next season the eight or 10 games Wichita State plays against top AAC teams should get good TV ratings.
