Jim Utter sketches out UNCC’s upcoming non-conference hoops sked and it really makes you wonder how long this A10 affiliation can last. Games with three Southern Conference teams, including Davidson, have by-far the biggest fan appeal, that and a home game with Clemson. (Given the Tigers success at recruiting QC talent, why not go home?)
Compare that with clunkers like Long Island and Youngstown State. Can a home and home with Iona be far off?
As we’ve said for years now, UNCC athletics cannot long survive having its flagship revenue sport — men’s basketball — hitched to the A10. The lack of natural rivals, the travel distances, even the toughness of the league all conspire against UNCC.
I now wonder if the lightbulb hasn’t gone off in AD Judy Rose’s head — one path out to a sustainable athletic future might the SoCon with 1-AA football and a host of close-by rivals. We’ll see.
