The Stronger Schedule topic has been around since the 27-win Team that could not get into any Tournament. Let's face it that Schedule that year was ok, but nothing to write home about.
The Miami Death Marches was brought up. Do you really want that Gauntlet of games every year? I wish that on NO Mid-Major.
I am just a Joe-Akron, but in my eyes you have Three options:
-Do what Miami did for cash and get killed.
-In Season Tournaments(and NO, I am not excited about the possibility of playing an historically Basketball-Poor East Carolina)
-Do what the Missouri Valley did years ago: Force all Conference teams to schedule better of get kicked out.
Now, on to the ACC claim:
If, and I do mean IF that was on the table, that means either:
-The new Arena was the holdup
-Had a Travel Partner
-We were one of the final options
-Did not have the Cash/ Had someone to buyout the remainder of the MAC Deal(at that time)
-Needed a body if Louisville agreement feel apart at the last moment(see MAC Deal)
This part is not a slight on said claim, I just don't buy it without actual proof.....
The AAC part I do believe because of this:
Go back when the Then-Big East was having their Indoor Track Tournament on Campus and I said back then that were at least "Snooping Around" to see what Akron had. Keep in mind at that point, that Conference was already on the Ropes and was looking to stay together somehow.