Big East expanding?

[HuskyNan]

https://www.si.com/college/gonzaga/basketball/big-east-commissioner-theres-no-better-fit-for-gonzaga-than-the-big-east

 

[oldude]

Val Ackerman’s comment that there is, “No better fit for Gonzaga than the Big East Conference” is an excercise in hyperbole. While adding a program like Gonzaga would certainly elevate BE MBB and, to a lesser degree, BE WBB, the geography is a major concern for BE schools.

The increase in travel costs would be substantial. Presumably, we are not just talking about basketball. I know it’s a bit old fashioned mentioning this. But there is something about “student” athletes repeatedly flying back and forth across 4 time zones during the academic year that just doesn’t seem particularly appropriate for college kids.

 

[Galaxyshooter]

Val Ackerman’s comment that there is, “No better fit for Gonzaga than the Big East Conference” is an excercise in hyperbole. While adding a program like Gonzaga would certainly elevate BE MBB and, to a lesser degree, BE WBB, the geography is a major concern for BE schools.

The increase in travel costs would be substantial. Presumably, we are not just talking about basketball. I know it’s a bit old fashioned mentioning this. But there is something about “student” athletes repeatedly flying back and forth across 4 time zones during the academic year that just doesn’t seem particularly appropriate for college kids.

your statement is one of fact and the basis of common thinking sense, unfortunately, none of those qualities are applicable in today's society, especially concerning politics and sports. Since this is a sports forum I'll leave politics out of the equation although they share the same variable and that's money and the love of it and the insatiable appetite to accumulate more of it at any cost and by any means necessary. Maybe we're just 2 seasoned fans who long for the day of yore, and maybe we're wrong after all there was a time when people thought automobiles replacing horses was akin to armageddon and now we're looking at car that drive themselves and soon will turn into flying automobiles. So maybe student-athletes will evolve as well into some type of AI cyborg. Remember the 6 million man back in the day? That same man is now worth 28 Billion. $$$$$$

 

[CL82]

Val Ackerman’s comment that there is, “No better fit for Gonzaga than the Big East Conference” is an excercise in hyperbole. While adding a program like Gonzaga would certainly elevate BE MBB and, to a lesser degree, BE WBB, the geography is a major concern for BE schools.

The increase in travel costs would be substantial. Presumably, we are not just talking about basketball. I know it’s a bit old fashioned mentioning this. But there is something about “student” athletes repeatedly flying back and forth across 4 time zones during the academic year that just doesn’t seem particularly appropriate for college kids.

Agree, plus Gonzaga's men's basketball success is not certain to continue after mark few leaves. Then we'd be left with a geographic bad fit that doesn't meaningfulLT contribute to the conference.

 

[Centerstream]

Val Ackerman’s comment that there is, “No better fit for Gonzaga than the Big East Conference” is an excercise in hyperbole. While adding a program like Gonzaga would certainly elevate BE MBB and, to a lesser degree, BE WBB, the geography is a major concern for BE schools.

The increase in travel costs would be substantial. Presumably, we are not just talking about basketball. I know it’s a bit old fashioned mentioning this. But there is something about “student” athletes repeatedly flying back and forth across 4 time zones during the academic year that just doesn’t seem particularly appropriate for college kids.

Alas, this concern didn't prevent Stanford and Cal from joining the ACC. I am not arguing with your concern, just trying to point out the obvious.

 

[JoePgh]

Doesn't this come down to a simple comparison of dollars and cents? Presumably the addition of Gonzaga would add to Big East TV ratings and hence TV contracts, and may also have a positive impact on game attendance. Both of these factors would add to the revenue that the Big East schools realize from the conference. So the question boils down to whether these extra revenues do or do not exceed the additional travel costs.

It might be more economical if one or more other West Coast schools could be added to the package. As I recall, the rump of the Pac-12 includes a couple of schools in Washington and Oregon (Washington State and Oregon State?). Maybe they would also be interested in joining the Big East (and becoming independent in football as UConn has done?). That would spread the travel cost (since schools in the East and Midwest could make a single West Coast road trip and play two or three games) and add to the revenue package.

I don't know how the numbers would work out, but the idea shouldn't be dismissed out of hand.

 

[sun]

In July, 2023 it was hinted that VCU could be a candidate to join the Big East since it's not a football school.

Will VCU jump to another conference? Ryan Odom's contract suggests a move could be possible.

In an age of ever-increasing conference mobility across the college athletics landscape, universities around the country are constantly evaluating realignment options.

richmond.com

There was a thread previously posted about it.

Rumors Swirl About VCU Joining the Big East

Rumors continue to swirl about Richmond's Virginia Commonwealth University Rams being a perfect fit with the Big East to replace UConn. New language in coach Odom’s new contract discusses the potential for a jump to a conference resulting in an “increase of overall funds.” & a commitment to...

the-boneyard.com

 

[oldude]

Alas, this concern didn't prevent Stanford and Cal from joining the ACC. I am not arguing with your concern, just trying to point out the obvious.

As I indicated, I’m a bit old fashioned. I remember a time when the Pac-12 was the Pac-8.

 

[Centerstream]

As I indicated, I’m a bit old fashioned. I remember a time when the Pac-12 was the Pac-8.

And I remember when every school in the ACC was in a state that actually had shores on the Atlantic Coast.

I apologize for the swerve away from the OP, concerning the Big East.

 

[martyn]

Val Ackerman’s comment that there is, “No better fit for Gonzaga than the Big East Conference” is an excercise in hyperbole. While adding a program like Gonzaga would certainly elevate BE MBB and, to a lesser degree, BE WBB, the geography is a major concern for BE schools.

The increase in travel costs would be substantial. Presumably, we are not just talking about basketball. I know it’s a bit old fashioned mentioning this. But there is something about “student” athletes repeatedly flying back and forth across 4 time zones during the academic year that just doesn’t seem particularly appropriate for college kids.

It's more like an absurdity to say a West Coast program is "no better fit" for an East Coast conference.

 

[EricLA]

Val Ackerman’s comment that there is, “No better fit for Gonzaga than the Big East Conference” is an excercise in hyperbole. While adding a program like Gonzaga would certainly elevate BE MBB and, to a lesser degree, BE WBB, the geography is a major concern for BE schools.

The increase in travel costs would be substantial. Presumably, we are not just talking about basketball. I know it’s a bit old fashioned mentioning this. But there is something about “student” athletes repeatedly flying back and forth across 4 time zones during the academic year that just doesn’t seem particularly appropriate for college kids.

On the flip side, the team could do a west coast trip. Play Gonzaga, Stanford, UCLA, USC, etc. Spend a week or so journeying down the coast...

Also, I think there are teams in the BE that we only play once. Maybe Gonzaga could be one of those. Meaning only traveling out west every other year...

 

[ConnMotors]

This is very simple. Have the ACC join the Big East. Then split into three divisions. One all basketball and two for football. This sounds familiar. And add some old school. You have a power conference of 36 teams.

Butler, Creighton, DePaul, Providence, St John’s, Seton Hall, Marquette, Villanova, Xavier and Georgetown, Gonzaga, Notre Dame

Boston College, Connecticut, Syracuse, Pittsburgh, Louisville, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Duke, Wake Forest, North Carolina, NC State, West Virginia.

Miami, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Clemson, South Florida, Central Florida, Stanford, California, SMU, Tulane, Houston.

 

[oldude]

On the flip side, the team could do a west coast trip. Play Gonzaga, Stanford, UCLA, USC, etc. Spend a week or so journeying down the coast...

Also, I think there are teams in the BE that we only play once. Maybe Gonzaga could be one of those. Meaning only traveling out west every other year...

That’s all fine. But how about Gonzaga, who would end up playing almost half their games east of the Mississippi?

 

[Bald Husky]

As I indicated, I’m a bit old fashioned. I remember a time when the Pac-12 was the Pac-8.

And the BIG8 (Big 12), Southwest Conference, ACC, SEC, Big 10 (actually 10 schools), Yankee Conference (all New England state schools).

 

[HopJim]

Val Ackerman’s comment that there is, “No better fit for Gonzaga than the Big East Conference” is an excercise in hyperbole. While adding a program like Gonzaga would certainly elevate BE MBB and, to a lesser degree, BE WBB, the geography is a major concern for BE schools.

The increase in travel costs would be substantial. Presumably, we are not just talking about basketball. I know it’s a bit old fashioned mentioning this. But there is something about “student” athletes repeatedly flying back and forth across 4 time zones during the academic year that just doesn’t seem particularly appropriate for college kids.

This is one of many examples of why many feel the NCAA will go away and eventually there will be 2-3 power conferences. Driven by football, you wonder what will happen to basketball schools like Gonzaga. You have to question if the benefits of joining this league are worth it to schools like Gonzaga and if another reorganization for the power football schools will drive another structure for the rest of us.