Looking to pick up a third team and these two worlds are the next to open up.  I'd be starting at DIII in either one and have no idea if I will want to hang around at that level for a while or maybe stay in DII for a while or just work my way up to DI ASAP.   

Any advice on how active/competitive/fun either of these two worlds are at any level would be appreciated.

Naismith and Wooden are the two best worlds for D3, in terms of competition, active conferences, and overall fun factor. So if you are set on joining one of these worlds, I recommend finding an active conference and sticking around D3. Looks like you already have two D1 teams, so I'd go for something different. (But, that may just be me). If you know you want a good D2 world...I'd look elsewhere (i.e. Tark). 

If you want recommendations on conferences to join in either of these worlds, I'd be happy to help. 

Posted by pepwaves on 6/2/2013 3:41:00 PM (view original):
Naismith and Wooden are the two best worlds for D3, in terms of competition, active conferences, and overall fun factor. So if you are set on joining one of these worlds, I recommend finding an active conference and sticking around D3. Looks like you already have two D1 teams, so I'd go for something different. (But, that may just be me). If you know you want a good D2 world...I'd look elsewhere (i.e. Tark). 

If you want recommendations on conferences to join in either of these worlds, I'd be happy to help. 

Recommendations would be great.  Thanks pep.

Wooden DIII is slightly more competitive than Naismith DIII. There are about 7 full conferences in Wooden that compete very heavily, and a few other mostly full conferences. In Naismith, there's about 4 or 5 top-notch conferences, and about 3 or 4 more that are close. I give the slight edge to Wooden here - but both DIII worlds are fantastic.  

Hey - and we could definitely use a new coach at Richard Stockton in the NJAC in Wooden - we have 11 good competitive coaches in our conference, and need someone to fill that school, which is a Sim AI.-coached squad. The NJAC is very fun and right in the thick of things - usually somewhere around 4th or 5th place in the top 7 conferences....all of which are very competitive.

There are also some good non-conference tourneys in Wooden. I'm sure you'll find out more about them if you join a good conference.

 

I agree with bbunch. Wooden is definitely more competitive and thus, more difficult to build a good program. Naismith is also competitive, but it's a bit easier to win there. So, it just depends on your preference. 

As far as conference recommendations...I would also agree with bbunch. New Jersey is one of the top 7 conferences in Wooden, and one of the few that has an opening right now. Can't go wrong with New Jersey. Four other top conferences that have one opening each: Michigan, Midwest, Upstate (3 of the "Big Four") and CCIW (mid-major).

The midwest region is an absolutely brutal place to recruit in Wooden, so if you're not into that sort of thing...I'd recommend New Jersey or Upstate. New Jersey would be my recommendation because Upstate is the "Evil Empire" of Wooden. They've been the best conference for the past 40 seasons or so, and we all are constantly trying to dethrone them. So, don't join the dark side! :) 

As for Naismith, CUNY and Northwest have openings and are two of the top 7 conferences currently. They tend to be fairly active and competitive....though not as much as the Wooden conferences I mentioned, imo. 

The SoCal always has a good core of teams and is one or two good coaches away, perpetually, from jumping up to the elite. Just have trouble keeping more than the core there - anyone want some California dreaming?

My will is weak.  Couldn't resist the dark side.  Clarkson (Wooden) it is.  Coincidentally, I started off my Iba career with Clarkson (technically Cal Tech for one season) so it's a homecoming for me.

Thanks for the insight everyone.

Posted by creilmann on 6/3/2013 1:20:00 PM (view original):
My will is weak.  Couldn't resist the dark side.  Clarkson (Wooden) it is.  Coincidentally, I started off my Iba career with Clarkson (technically Cal Tech for one season) so it's a homecoming for me.

Noooooooooo! I feel like Luke Skywalker...

Guess I shouldn't have mentioned Upstate. I'll take some of the blame for you joining the dark side... ;)

Richard Stockton brings up bad memories of my summer on Long Beach Island in Jersey.  Just couldn't do it.  I considered going out to Cali, but I've been out West for many seasons in Iba and Rupp so I wanted to try something new.  I know Clarkson is gonna be really tough to compete at, especially with a very good St. Lawrence team just down the road.  Like I said, I've been here before so hopefully I learned a lesson or two that I can apply today.  

pep, I find your lack of faith disturbing