WAC/Atlantic Sun

Over the past decade the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) and the Atlantic Sun Conference have proven themselves to be the lower-tier conferences of college sports. It seems like when a new team comes in, a more experienced team leaves. It happened again to both conferences this year. Earlier this year, North Alabama announced the move from the Gulf South Conference in Division II to the Atlantic Sun. Just a few weeks ago, South Carolina-Upstate said it will move from the Atlantic Sun to the Big South Conference. The WAC experienced the same thing this year. California Baptist will be joining next year, while Bakersfield State will be leaving in 2020. That got me to think who might replace the two departing schools. After all, a conference must have 6 postseason eligible teams in order to have an automatic bid into the NCAA tournament, and a school must be a division I school for at least five years to be eligible. So these conference need to have a couple extra teams to be safe. Where might these schools come from. I think for both conferences the replacement teams will come from division II, because I do not think any division I teams will make the move to either of those two conferences. For each conference I will make one-sentence arguments for division I teams to join. WAC Division I Arguments 1) Sacramento State- They are already in the WAC for baseball. 2) Montana- The WAC once tried to get this team in, but Montana won't go without Montana State. 3) Montana State- If the WAC can get both teams, then they would be secure as a conference for a while. 4) Northern Arizona- It could be a potential rival for Grand Canyon. 5) Denver- No football program and the basketball team could better compete for a spot in the NCAA tournament. I think the actual replacement will come from division II. The first three teams I will argue as a business standpoint and two will be based on talent. 1) Simon Fraser- SFU is the only foreign university that is part of the NCAA, for now anyway. The WAC has an opportunity to get a market not even the major conferences have. Based out of Burnaby, BC, a suburb of Vancouver; not only could the WAC get the Vancouver market, but possibly the Canadian market if this school joined. 2) Alaska-Anchorage- Like Simon Fraser, the WAC could get a market that no one else has in Division I. Anchorage has a little over 200,000 people. Alaska-Anchorage hosts a basketball tournament called "The Great Alaska Shootout" where they play three games against division I teams; and they usually get a win in that tournament. 3) CETYS-Mexicali- This school is not in the NCAA, but it wants to be. It has applied to join the CCAA in division II. My argument is why not skip to division I and join the WAC? That conference could have the first Mexican university in the NCAA, and could have a rivalry with California Baptist. 4) Cal Poly-Pomona- This school is competitive in just about every sport and in just about every year. Their community supports the Broncos and they have won a division II national championship in basketball within the past ten years. 5) Northwest Missouri State- Since geography doesn't seem to matter in Division I, I think this would be the perfect team. It is a football power (since the WAC no longer has football, I would put the Bearcats in the Missouri Valley Football Conference). The basketball team is also the defending Division II national champions, and is currently undefeated this year. Another attractive thing about this pick is that it is only 100 miles away from WAC league member, Missouri-Kansas City. This is a league that should be desperate for a rivalry, and these two could have an in-state one. Now I will do the same thing for the Atlantic Sun. First my one-sentence division I arguments. 1) Bethune-Cookman: Hampton is leaving MEAC for the Big South, and I can see this school leaving the MEAC, too. 2) St. Peter's: Maybe as a travel partner for NJIT. 3) Liberty: Football team is leaving Big South, the other programs might as well, too. 4) Tennessee Tech: New market for the Atlantic Sun Conference. 5) Jackson State- Atlantic Sun may want to expand to the state of Mississippi. Division II Possibilities 1) Tampa- The Spartans are a baseball and basketball power. They even beat the Philadelphia Phillies in an exhibition game. Plus they are in the perfect area geographically. 2) Alabama-Huntsville- The Chargers are in Division I for hockey. I believe it will be just a matter of time before the other programs come up, too. 3) Bellarmine- The same argument for Alabama-Huntsville could be made for Bellarmine. The lacrosse team competes in division I. With the addition of Bellarmine, the Atlantic Sun can have a team in Kentucky again. Another plus is that Bellarmine University is located in Louisville, so it would have a big city in its league. 4) West Florida- The Argonauts just played for a division II national championship in football and the basketball team is currently undefeated. The likely member that does come up will either be from the Sunshine State Conference or the Gulf South Conference. 5) Puerto Rico-Mayaguez- Okay, this one is a stretch. I honestly do not see any Puerto Rico school going to division I, but if Puerto Rico becomes a state, will that encourage some of its schools to be more involved with the NCAA?

If I Was King of Sports- Former VOL vs. Current VOL Basketball challenge part 3

Over the years the Valley Oak League (VOL) has had many teams from Merced County to San Joaquin County, California. I think it might be interesting to have the former VOL teams play the current VOL teams in a basketball challenge. Like the previous years, I would have the challenge on one day; and have four games in two sites. This year I tried to base these hypothetical games off competitive equity, but I was only able to do that with Oakdale's and Kimball's opponents, because the top of the VOL is much higher rated than the top of the former VOL. If I made the made the match ups, here is what we would have. Site 1: (The former VOL will be listed first, the current VOL would be listed second) Game 1: Buhach Colony Thunder (Atwater) vs. Kimball Jaguars (Tracy) Game 2: Ceres Bulldogs vs. East Union Lancers (Manteca) Game 3: Tracy Bulldogs vs. Weston Ranch Cougars (Stockton) Game 4: West Wolfpack (Tracy) vs. Central Catholic Raiders (Modesto) Site 2 Game 1: Livingston Wolves vs. Oakdale Mustangs Game 2: Pitman Pride (Turlock) vs. Sierra Timberwolves (Manteca) Game 3: Modesto Panthers vs. Lathrop Spartans Game 4: Sonora Wildcats vs. Manteca Buffaloes As a bonus, here are some of the former VOL vs. Current VOL teams that will actually happen. (Notes: This is not a complete list, because I don't believe I know all the teams that were once a part of the VOL. Also, we do not know which teams will end up playing each other in preseason tournaments, plus games could be added later. In addition, I believe the Downey (Modesto) and Riverbank were part of the VOL, but I do not know for sure. However, I will add them to this list.) 11/27 Lathrop @ Buhach Colony (Atwater) 11/30 Lathrop @ Downey (Modesto) (Modesto City Tournament) 12/1 Lathrop @ Modesto (Modesto City Tournament) 12/5 Buhach Colony (Atwater) @ Oakdale 12/12 West (Tracy) @ Sierra (Manteca) 12/13 Downey (Modesto) @ Weston Ranch (Stockton) 12/14 Buhach Colony (Atwater) vs. Central Catholic Raiders (Modesto) (@ Carmel Tournament) 12/20 Riverbank vs. Oakdale 12/21 Tracy @ Manteca 1/8 Oakdale @ Ceres (according to maxpreps.com)

If I Was King of Sports- California State 8-man Football Tournament

There are a few things I would like to see in sports, but nothing more than the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) get an 8-man state football tournament. In California the logistics of it would be difficult; however, because most of the schools that have 8-man football are either small Christian schools or high schools in tiny, isolated towns. The CIF needs to find a way for this tournament to happen. These kids work hard, too; and deserve a chance to play for a state title. The question is...How do we do it? Teams would likely have to travel anywhere from 3-12 hours for each game. A few years ago I presented a 32-team tournament idea. This year I have two other ideas, and since this is a hypothetical tournament, I will ignore the difficulty of logistics. Maybe there will be an inspiration to make this tournament happen. Idea 1 Have an 8-team, statewide tournament. I would take the top-ranked team from each section. Since only seven sections offer 8-man football, I picked the top 2 ranked teams from the Southern Section since it has the most teams and often has the best 8-man teams. (The North Coast Section has its 8-man section champion already, so I picked that team. The higher-seed team would host and again I am ignoring logistics for this blog, so any team could be made to travel anywhere. (Note: I used calpreps.com ratings to rank the teams) (Records are as of 11/14/17) (8) (SDS) Julian Eagles 7-2 @ (1) (SS) Faith Baptist Contenders (Los Angeles-Canoga Park) 9-0 (5) (LAS) Amino Robinson Monarchs (Los Angeles) 10-0 @ (4) (CS) Fresno Christian Eagles 7-4 (6) (CCS) Pinewood Panthers (Los Altos Hills) 6-1 @ (3) (NS) Big Valley Cardinals (Bieber) 10-0 (7) (NCS) South Fork Cubs (Miranda) 7-1 @ (2) (SS) Villanova Prep Wildcats (Ojai) 11-0 Idea 2 Maybe we need to start with making separate Northern California and Southern California championships. I take the top 8 teams of each region with each section getting at least one team in. Like Idea 1, I used calpreps.com ratings to pick the teams and rank them. Northern California (Central, Central Coast, North Coast, and Northern Sections) (8) (NCS) Upper Lake 6-2 @ (1) (NS) Big Valley (Bieber) 10-0 (5) (CCS) Pinewood (Los Altos Hills) @ (4) (NCS) Stuart Hall (San Francisco) 5-2 (6) (NCS) South Fork (Miranda) 7-1 @ (3) (CS) Trona 9-0 (7) (NCS) Rincon Valley Christian (Santa Rosa) 6-2 @ (2) (CS) Fresno Christian 7-4 Southern California (Los Angeles, San Diego, and Southern Sections) (8) (SDS) Julian 7-2 @ (1) (SS) Faith Baptist (Los Angeles-Canoga Park) 9-0 (5) (LAS) Amino Robinson (Los Angeles) @ (4) (SS) Orcutt Academy 9-2 (6) (SS) Cate (Carpenteria) 6-4 @ (3) (SS) Mojave 8-2 (7) (SS) Bloomington Christian 9-2 @ (2) (SS) Villanova Prep (Ojai) 11-0

If I Was King of Sports- Modesto vs. Stanislaus County football challenge

I recently read a blog by Thomas Lawrence of The Stockton Record where he made a mock tournament of San Joaquin County high school football teams.  That originally inspired me to write one about Stanislaus County teams. However, to allow maximum participation, I thought, "What if there was a Modesto vs. Stanislaus County football challenge?" Almost half of the high schools in Stanislaus County, public and private, are in the city limits of Modesto.

Before we get to the theoretical matchups, here are a few rules:

1) Teams in the same league would not be able to play each other.  That means no Central Catholic vs. Oakdale game. They will play in the regular season. There would be games just as intriguing to replace it.

2) Most games would be neutral. I would have the games at Modesto Junior College, Turlock High School, and Oakdale High School.

3) Riverbank would be on Team Modesto. That would allow every team to participate, and that would allow a decisive winner of the challenge, since Modesto has 10 schools. I chose Riverbank, because that is the only in Stanislaus County that directly borders Modesto with only one high school.

4) School sizes would not be a factor in determining match ups. Sometimes the best possible match up is a big school vs. small school. 

For this model, I am going by the calpreps.com rankings. If this event ever happened in real life, I would imagine a committee would select the games based on the previous year's results and what each team is expected to return. I must confess that if I was an actual sportswriter, this blog would have more in-depth summaries, but I will do my best.

Site I: Modesto Junior College
Main event: Stanislaus County Turlock Bulldogs (CCC) vs. Modesto Central Catholic Raiders (VOL)

Both teams have historically depended on the running game, and if you like old-fashioned football, this should be the game for you. I know the Raiders are returning a lot of young talent and they should be better this year.

My prediction if this game actually happened: Central Catholic
Calpreps.com hypothetical result: Turlock 24, Central Catholic 21

(Stanislaus would lead challenge 1-0) (For the count, I will use calpreps projections, even if I disagree.)

Mid-Card #1: Central Valley Hawks (WAC, Ceres) vs. Gregori Jaguars (MMC, Modesto)

Gregori will once again be in contention for a MMC title. Central Valley has constantly improved under a better running game.

My pick: Gregori
Calpreps projection: Central Valley 14, Gregori 13

(Stanislaus would lead the challenge 2-0)

Mid-Card #2: Patterson (WAC) vs.  Johansen (MMC, Modesto)

Calpreps must know something I don't. They have Johansen ranked #7 of all the Modesto schools, but Johansen has been struggling the last few years. They have had no freshman team, which is rare for a large school. Patterson struggled last year, but historically they have been a great team.

My pick: Patterson
Calpreps projection: Patterson 31, Johansen 21

(Stanislaus would lead the challenge 3-0)

Opening Game: Ceres Bulldogs (WAC) vs. Big Valley Lions (CCAA, Modesto)

This might be an even match up, but I would think numbers would have to be in the favor of Ceres.

My pick: Ceres
Calpreps projection: Ceres 35, Big Valley 22

(Stanislaus would lead challenge 4-0)

Site 2: Oakdale High School (The Corral)

Main event: Downey Knights (MMC, Modesto) @ Oakdale Mustangs (VOL)

This a dream match up for some. The running game of the Mustangs vs. the passing game of the Knights. The Mustangs are returning 12 players from the state championship team last year. The Knights have found a new quarterback that should put up impressive numbers this year.

My pick: Oakdale
Calpreps projection: Oakdale 42, Downey 6

(Stanislaus would lead the challenge 5-0.)

Mid-Card: Beyer Patriots (MMC, Modesto) vs.  Hughson Huskies (TVL)

To be honest, this is a match up I would have loved to see 15-20 years ago. Hughson was one of the best small schools around, and it was possible that they could beat some division I teams. This version should be a close game, too.

My pick: Beyer
Calpreps projection: Beyer 22, Hughson 17

(Stanislaus would lead the challenge 5-1.)

Opening Game: Davis Spartans (MMC, Modesto) vs. Denair Coyotes (SL)

This is another match up that has me scratching my head. However, I think the Coyotes are up for the challenge. They made the playoffs for the first time since 2010, and they are supposed to be better this coming year. My one concern would be the numbers for Davis.

My pick: Denair
Calpreps projection: Denair 24, Davis 21

(Stanislaus would lead the challenge 6-1, and thus win the challenge.)

Site 3: Turlock High School

Main Event:

Modesto Panthers (MMC) vs. Pitman Pride (CCC, Turlock)

Until the final game of the regular season I would have argued that Pitman was having the best season of all the Stanislaus County teams. From what I have read, Pitman plays a very athletic wing-T.

My pick: Pitman
Calpreps projection: Pitman 28, Modesto 19

(Stanislaus would lead the challenge 7-1)

Mid-Card #1: Modesto Christian Crusaders (TVL) vs. Orestimba Warriors (SL, Newman)

This game has the potential of being a great small-school game. Orestimba has been in league contention. Modesto Christian has been on the decline, but have the opportunity to improve.

My pick: Orestimba
Calpreps projection: Modesto Christian 28, Orestimba 26

(Stanislaus would lead the challenge 7-2)

Mid-Card #2: Enochs Eagles (MMC, Modesto) vs. Waterford Wildcats (SL)

This is the third large school vs. small school game in this series. Both teams are generally in the middle of their leagues.

My pick: Enochs
Calpreps projection: Waterford 26, Enochs 20

(Stanislaus would lead the challenge 8-2)

Opening game: Riverbank Bruins (IND, Team Modesto) vs. Turlock Christian Eagles (CCAA)

Both teams have been struggling for a few years. Riverbank went independent in football with hopes of joining the CCAA.

My pick: Riverbank
Calpreps projection: Riverbank 31, Turlock Christian 21

(Stanislaus would win the challenge 8-3)

List of these theoretical match ups that are actually going to happen this year

9/22/17 Turlock Christian @ Riverbank

If I was King of Sports-NCAA style FIFA tournament

I want to see FIFA, head of the soccer governing body, have an NCAA-style tournament. For my model, every confederation would get an automatic bid (I gave OFC two, because of the injustice of them not even getting a full World Cup bid. I also would have one play-in game. Finally, I would not have teams in the same confederation play each other except for the 1 vs. 16 matches and when it could not otherwise be avoided. Play-in game Israel @ Montenegro 1st round Bracket I (16) Tahiti (OFC) vs. (1) Brazil (COMNEBOL) (9) Cameroon vs. (8) Netherlands (12) Romania vs. (5) Peru (13) Serbia vs. (4) Mexico (CONCACAF) (11) Congo (DR) vs. (6) Slovakia (14) Bulgaria vs.(3) Switzerland (10) Greece vs. (7) Ecuador (15) Panama vs. (2) Portugal 1st round Bracket IV (16) Russia vs. (1) Chile (9) Austria vs. (8) Bosnia & Herzegovnia (12) Ghana vs. (5) Costa Rica (13) Australia vs. (4) Wales (11) Japan vs. (6) Iceland (14) Morocco vs. (3) Italy (10) Ukraine vs. (7) Iran (AFC) (15) Uzbekistan vs. (2) Belgium 1st round Bracket II (16) New Zealand (OFC) vs. (1) Argentina (9) Burkina Faso vs. (8) Hungary (12) Côte D'Ivoire vs. (5) Croatia (13) Denmark vs. (4) Uruguay (11) Tunisia vs. (6) United States (14) Slovenia vs. (3) Spain (10) Nigeria vs. (7) Northern Ireland (15) Scotland vs. (2) Colombia 1st round Bracket III (16) ISR/MNE vs. (1) Germany (UEFA) (9) Sweden vs. (8) Senegal (12) Czech Republic vs. (5) Egypt (CAF) (13) Saudi Arabia vs. (4) England (11) South Korea vs. (6) Turkey (14) Algeri vs. (3) Poland (10) Paraguay vs. (7) Ireland (15) Venezuela vs. (2) France

High school conference basketball tournaments

One of my coworkers presented me with the idea of conference basketball tournaments for the Sac-Joaquin section. Apparently they have them in other sections. In his model only the top 6 teams in each league would go. The third seed would play the sixth seed in each league while the fourth would play the fifth, with the top two teams receiving a bye. In the semifinals the lowest remaining seed would play the top team, and the second place team would play the highest remaining seed. For each league I selected where I thought the tournament should be played. Here are the leagues in alphabetical order (Note: I only did the 209 teams this year.) Central California Athletic Alliance (CCAA) @ Lincoln High School-Stockton Byes: (1) Jim Elliot Christian Eagles and (2) Brookside Christian Knights (6) Big Valley Lions vs. (3) Millennium Falcons (5) Venture Academy Mustangs vs. (4) Sierra Ridge/Rite of Passage Rams Teams who would not qualify: Turlock Christian, Stone Ridge Christian Central California Comference (CCC) @ Stanislaus State University-Turlock Byes: (1) Merced Bears and (2) El Capitan Gauchos (6) Atwater Falcons vs. (3) Golden Valley Cougars (5) Pitman Pride vs. (4) Turlock Bulldogs Team who would not qualify: Buhach Colony Modesto Metro Conference (MMC) @ Modesto Junior College Byes: (1) Modesto Christian Crusaders and (2) Beyer Patriots (6) Enochs Eagles vs. (3) Modesto Panthers (5) Downey Knights vs. (4) Gregori Jaguars Teams who would not qualify: Davis, Johansen Mother Lode League (MLL) @ Columbia College-Sonora Byes: (1) Calaveras, (2) Sonora Wildcats (6) Amador Buffaloes vs. (3) Argonaut Mustangs (5) Bret Harte Bullfrogs vs. (4) Summerville Bears Team who would not qualify: Linden Mountain Valley League (MVL) @ Chavez High School-Stockton Byes: (1) Hughes Academy Titans and (2) Delta Charter Dragons (6) Holt Academy Bobcats vs. (3) Stockton Christian Eagles (5) Tioga Timberwolves vs. (4) Lodi Academy Titans Teams who would not qualify: Humphreys Charter, Don Pedro, Mountan Oaks San Joaquin Athletic Association (SJAA) @ University of the Pacific-Stockton Byes: (1) Stagg Delta Kings and (2) Edison Vikings (6) Bear Creek Bruins vs. (3) Franklin Yellowjackets (5) McNair Eagles vs. (4) Chavez Titans Southern League (SL) @ Enochs High School-Modesto Byes: (1) Orestimba Warriors and (2) Mariposa Grizzlies (6) Gustine Reds vs. (3) Delhi Hawks (5) Waterford Wildcats vs. (4) Denair Coyotes Team who would not qualify: LeGrand Trans Valley League (TVL) @ Modesto High School Byes: (1) Ripon Indians and (2) Hilmar Yellowjackets (6) Hughson Huskies vs. (3) Riverbank Bruins (5) Mountain House Mustangs vs. (4) Ripon Christian Knights Team who would not qualify: Escalon Tri-City Athletic Conference (TCAL) @ Stockton Arena Byes: (1) St. Mary's Rams and (2) Lincoln Trojans (6) Lodi Flames vs. (3) West Wolfpack (5) Tokay Tigers vs. (4) Tracy Bulldogs Valley Oak League (VOL) @ Delta College-Stockton Byes: (1) Manteca Buffaloes and (2) Cemtral Catholic Raiders (6) Sierra Timberwolves vs. (3) Weston Ranch Cougars (5) East Union Lancers vs. (4) Lathrop Spartans Teams who would not qualify: Kimball, Oakdale Western Athletic Conference (WAC) @ Merced College Byes: (1) Patterson Tigers and (2) Ceres Bulldogs (6) Pacheco Panthers vs. (3) Central Valley Hawks (5) Los Banos Tigers vs. (4) Livingston Wolves

If I Was King of Sports- What the 209 basketball tournament would look like

Quick reminder, for the top 64 teams, the tournament would be broken up in two parts 1) 8 pods of 8 teams at campus sites and 2) playing at neutral sites, depending on which place each team finished in its pod. There will also be two pods where the remaining 16 will play 3 games each. One thing I would change is that I would put in a play-in game between the 64th and 65th rated teams. The winner would be in the main field. The loser of the game would host a consolation pod. Play-in game Pacheco Panthers (WAC) @ Galt Warriors (SVC) Pod A @ Jim Elliot Christian (Lodi) (8) PAC/GALT winner vs. (1) Jim Elliot Christian (CCAA) (5) Chavez (SJAA) vs. (4) Lathrop (VOL) (6) Riverbank (TVL) vs. (3) Stockton Christian (MVL) (7) Central Valley (WAC) vs. (2) West (TCAL) Pod H @ Hughes Academy (Stockton) (8) Turlock (CCC) vs. (1) Hughes Academy (MVL) (5) Mountain House (TVL) vs. (4) Edison (SJAA) (6) Big Valley (CCAA) vs. (3) Lincoln (TCAL) (7) Bret Harte (MLL) @ (2) Modesto Christian (MMC) Pod E @ Calaveras (San Andreas) (8) Delhi (SL) vs. (1) Calaveras (MLL) (5) Hughson (TVL) vs. (4) Ceres (WAC) (6) Buhach Colony (CCC) vs. (3) Dos Palos (WSL) (7) Tioga (MVL) vs. (2) Liberty Ranch (SVC) Pod D @ Argonaut (Jackson) (8) Downey (MMC) vs. (1) Argonaut (MLL) (5) Lodi Academy (MVL) vs. (4) El Capitan (CCC) (6) Venture Academy (CCAA) vs. (3) Weston Ranch (VOL) (7) Tokay (TCAL) vs. Stagg (SJAA) Pod F @ Manteca (8) Los Banos (WAC) vs. (1) Manteca (VOL) (5) Pitman (CCC) vs. (4) Tracy (TCAL) (6) Delta Charter (MVL) vs. (3) Sonora (MLL) (7) Franklin (SJAA) vs. (2) Orestimba (SL) Pod C @ Beyer-Modesto (8) Linden (MLL) vs. (1) Beyer (MMC) (5) Sierra (VOL) vs. (4) Ripon Christian (TVL) (6) Atwater (CCC) vs. (3) Mariposa (SL) (7) Sierra Ridge/Rite of Passage (CCAA) vs. (2) St. Mary's (TCAL) Pod G @ Ripon (8) Summerville (MLL) vs. (1) Ripon (TVL) (5) Gregori (MMC) vs. (4) East Union (VOL)