Big 12, ACC and perhaps some flawed strategy

[UConnDan97]

What I find particularly fascinating, given my B12 allegiance, via Texas, is Guy Jones' prediction for the outcome of the B12: Connecticut, Florida State, North Carolina, Duke, Clemson, and San Diego State. If that lineup panned out for the B12, it would make for one helluva league, if far-flung. I realize the B12 would not exactly thrill most adherents of this board, but don't shoot the messenger (Guy Jones).

Let me say this to you: if you are the messenger that said to us all that we would be in the Big12 next week, I would guarantee that NOBODY would shoot you!

Keep in mind that when Texas, TT, OU, and OSU were talking to the Pac10 (or Pac12 or whatever the hell they are now), there were a great many fans that were clamoring for the Big East to put out feelers to the rest of your conference mates in order to merge with the Big East and strengthen what was at that point in time an 8-team league, adding KU, KSU, Baylor, ISU, Mizzou, and TAMU to what was UConn, Syracuse, Pitt, WVU, USF, Cincinnati, Rutgers, and Louisville, with TCU coming in for 2012. Imagining that future for the Big East now seems almost like a pipe dream, but for one second in time, it was real.

The timeline was as follows:

September 4, 2011: Reports of Texas, TT, OU, and OSU talking to Pac10. (This is where we were all thinking that good things could happen with a merger)
September 18, 2011: Exactly two weeks later, Syracuse and Pittsburgh announce they are leaving for the ACC.
October 6, 2011: TCU announces it will join the Big12.
October 28, 2011: WVU announces it will join the Big12.

In a span of two months, the Big East went from believing it would turn into a "Super-League" by merging with the remnants of the Big12, to becoming damn near obsolete...

 

[uconnfan68]

I think the whole thread missed Fishy's point.

If the ACC was really worried about the Big 12 expanding, why take Louisville? Wouldn't UNC, Duke and the rest of the schools outside FSU and Clemson be better off with a decent Louisville program that was cheap and available for the Big 12? Especially considering that one of the rumored reasons that Clemson and FSU didn't go to the Big 12 in the spring was because FSU wanted help on the exit fees. If Louisville was ready on a moment's notice to jump to the Big 12, would the Big 12 be that willing to help FSU out with its exit fees, which will probably be necessary to get FSU out of the ACC?

I think that rationale was either BS or just noise created by Jurich in what was a supreme sales job. It didn't make any sense, and if the ACC fell for it, they are incredibly stupid. In reality, I wouldn't be surprised if one of the reasons FSU and Clemson were so adamant about getting Louisville was that they didn't want a cheap Louisville available for the Big 12 as negotiating leverage against FSU and Clemson.

The point was UL should have stayed a tethered goat. I agree.

 

[WestHartHusk]

The point was UL should have stayed a tethered goat. I agree.

What if we are the tethered goat to limit the ACC's damage to 1 (or maybe no) teams leaving?

 

[XOVERX]

Guy Jones has not put up any information for a couple of three days now, but recall again the schools he references to the B12: Connecticut, Florida State, North Carolina, Duke, Clemson, and, of all schools, San Diego State.

Jones claims that the draw for the Big 12 is a significant presence in several of the most populous states in the nation: Texas, Florida, California, North Carolina, and Connecticut for a flag in the Northeast Corridor. ESPN/FOX would go nuts with the programming possibilities and the depth of the potential audience. It would also give the B12 a reach into 3 of the most fertile recruiting grounds in the nation. Additionally it would create a premier basketball league with Connecticut, Kansas, North Carolina, and Duke.

Apparently the thought is that a North Carolina / Duke addition would occur because neither the B1G nor the SEC would take such a package deal, given the number of slots each has left for expansion. I'm not sold on this idea at all. I don't think the SEC would go for such a package deal, but I wonder if Delany would? While I would love UNC in the B12, I just don't see the B12 beating out the B1G or the SEC for the Baby Blue. Is Duke really that important to UNC? A package deal? There's rumors about it, but ... really?

It seems like quite a super-big reach, and I notice Jones has been trying to confirm his information, but the idea is most intriguing to consider. Personally, I wish there were a way to fit Miami in there. Pick your beach -- Atlantic or Pacific. I also love the idea of a school in the Northeast Corridor and a school in California. The Big 12 would be on television from 10 am Saturday morning until way into the wee hours of Sunday morning. All day long. $$$.

Nobody else backs Jones up on his information, but then, many believe Jones to be the most accurate prognosticator out there. Anyhow, the speculation is certainly fun if you're into college realignment, which, obviously, I am.

 

[auggie22]

I'm a few steps behind again. Who is Guy Jones?

 

[WestHartHusk]

He came on here a few years ago and was the first to call TCU into the Big East, then called them to the Big12. Had WVU to the Big12 also. He's one of the few people who has stayed above the realignment fray and has typically had some good info. Speculation is he was in management at ESPN in Bristol but recently transferred to NBC Sports in Stamford to help them get up and running.

 

[Waquoit]

I'm a few steps behind again. Who is Guy Jones?

Here's a picture:

 

[UConnDan97]

Really? I thought this was Guy:

 

[Vuce]

You mean it's not him?:

 

[UConnDan97]

There are so many "Guy"s, who can keep them all straight! (wait a minute, that doesn't sound right...)

 

[danlow1963]

I thought this was the Guy? Its not him? How about some Funions?