Dead end is right. It's only down from here in the A10
Here's the other to thing consider.
UMass could leave the A10 for a league for their football program at some point. There really aren't any attractive expansion options for the A10 anymore. Who's to the say the league leadership doesn't sit pat at 13 and gambles wrong adding another
Fordham/
LaSalle.
If the AAC wants to expand by two teams and you don't take that deal you could lose VCU and maybe a team like
St Louis if they get back on track. How does the A10 look down VCU?
Phil Martelli isn't going to coach forever, it's not inconceivable they end up middling program after he's gone. What happens to Davidson after McKillop leaves? On the open market I don't think either of those are particularly attractive jobs.
It's a risk going to the AAC but I don't think the anti-AAC folks acknowledge the risk of staying in the A10.