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Why is Tulsa more desirable than LaTech for the C-USA? LaTech is a state school with a much larger enrollment and alumni base than the private, very small Tulsa. They are closer to Memphis, too. We know that football and basketball fortunes are cyclical, so why take the smaller school. Would it be to add another state, Oklahoma, to the recruiting base?

I've been wondering that myself. The only thing that really pops into my head is Tulsa's basketall success brings more than La Tech's football potential.

The word on the street is that Memphis insists on Tulsa because it has lost its major BB rivals Cincy and Louisville. BB is the money cow for Memphis. I doubt La Tech could get the votes-Tulane and probably TCU would vote no.

I have been hearing what Stallion reported - Memphis wants Tulsa's strong BB program.

Originally posted by Cheesesteak:
I have been hearing what Stallion reported - Memphis wants Tulsa's strong BB program.

The last time I checked, the enrollment at La. Techs main campus was only around 8,000, so they are not actually that much larger than Tulsa. The campus is located in a small, rural town, and they have attendance issues.
Tulsa is located in a larger market, and their basketball program is a known name that produces consistent revenue for the conference and will be attractive to TV networks when its time to negotiate contracts.

I really like La. Tech. I grew up in that area and have alot of friends who went there. I think their program has alot of potential upside, but Tulsa delivers more in the here and now.

You can fly to Tulsa. Enough said but also....
LaTech brings nothing academically and, if you look at waht remains of CUSA, there are some pretty good academic schools after the outlaws leave. Tulsa, Rice, SMU, Tulane give some pop to the league that way. No d3ecisions are made on academics but it gives them another quiver in the pouch.
LaTech's football is not near the star that Tulsa basketball is.