So thankful to be back in the Big East

[Get a Job]

I understand it. You define yourself first, but you also are branded by your conference and your peers. If you only care about basketball that’s one thing. If you care about the whole institution it’s another.

Is that really true? Is Villanova's science department tarnished if Louisville joins the conference? Do potential students, corporate partners, grant money deciders, etc. look at a school's athletic conference when considering non-athletics related things? (Just to be clear, I am not claiming they don't. I just can't see why they would.)

 

[Zissou]

Is that really true? Is Villanova's science department tarnished if Louisville joins the conference? Do potential students, corporate partners, grant money deciders, etc. look at a school's athletic conference when considering non-athletics related things? (Just to be clear, I am not claiming they don't. I just can't see why they would.)

I would say not that specifically.

Would adding Memphis lower the academic profile? Yes, I think so.

The Big 10, The Ivy, The Patriot all have a positive image beyond the athletics.

The ACC used to tout its academic profile, but not so much anymore.

The Big East is in between. Basketball-first, but it has a very good academic profile. You might make an add that is basketball-first and accept a lower profile in academic fit, but I’m not sure Memphis would be worth that consideration on its own merits. Again, if you are filling in needed empty spots that’s one thing, but adding Memphis would be expanding without much purpose.

 

[uconn_jack]

Nothing against the AAC, but if there was one school that paid the price for conference realignment, it was UConn.

I would argue Cuse, Pitt, and BC have been equally or more harmed by conference realignment. Of course, that was self inflicted. And hilarious.

 

[WestHartHusk]

I don't think Cincinnati would come back to the Big East. Their football team is too good.

Doesn't matter what they would do, they will never get an invite from the Big East.

 

[Friarsnoop]

Gonzaga makes no sense. Geographically they are about the worst match you could consider. Maybe Fairbanks or Hawaii is the only worse consideration.

A conference membership is for all sports sponsored. Can you imagine sending all of your non revenue sports teams to Washington every year? Worse, can you imagine the Zags sending their teams to every other Big East school. Just no.

Most of the non revenue sports would do regional schedules with the 6 Eastern and 6 "Western" schools. The distance in flights from Spokane to Omaha, Chicago, or Indy isn't much different than Omaha or Chicago to Providence or Hartford.

The reality is the Big East is a basketball conference that also plays other sports (many very well). UConn is back in the Big East because it's mutually beneficial and Fox will pay extra in the next contract because of their presence. Gonzaga is the only other school that Fox would lady a premium for.

 

[Zissou]

Most of the non revenue sports would do regional schedules with the 6 Eastern and 6 "Western" schools. The distance in flights from Spokane to Omaha, Chicago, or Indy isn't much different than Omaha or Chicago to Providence or Hartford.

The reality is the Big East is a basketball conference that also plays other sports (many very well). UConn is back in the Big East because it's mutually beneficial and Fox will pay extra in the next contract because of their presence. Gonzaga is the only other school that Fox would lady a premium for.

Zags don’t command a premium. I like their basketball program, of course, but they don’t fit and they don’t have a huge following.

Spokane to Omaha is their BEST commute. Not their WORST commute. Think about that. All teams, not just hoops.

Zags wouldn’t be invited, and they wouldn’t accept if they were invited.

 

[Friarsnoop]

Zags don’t command a premium. I like their basketball program, of course, but they don’t fit and they don’t have a huge following.

Spokane to Omaha is their BEST commute. Not their WORST commute. Think about that. All teams, not just hoops.

Zags wouldn’t be invited, and they wouldn’t accept if they were invited.

They've spoken before and I'd bet they will again when the Big East TV contract comes up for renewal. Even with the bonus money Gonzaga gets from the WCC TV and NCAA shares deal, it pales compared to what they'd get in the Big East.

 

[HooperScooper]

Zags don’t command a premium. I like their basketball program, of course, but they don’t fit and they don’t have a huge following.

Tell that to @freescooter. Earlier this season he said Villanova's program was less well known than Gonzaga's. He posts a lot of weird stuff trying to throw shade on UConn, and the Big East in general, but that one was out there.

The real Power 6

Read this and smile: https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/insider/story/_/id/30210824/why-term-power-5-actually-power-6-comes-men-college-basketball (Think you need espn+ to read it. If someone knows how to get around that please post. )

the-boneyard.com

(the search function is a beautiful thing)

 

[UConniki]

The ONLY school that makes any sense for all the right reasons would be Temple imho.

 

[Friarsnoop]

The ONLY school that makes any sense for all the right reasons would be Temple imho.

Just curious as to how Temple makes sense. They're not a national program, and they don't open a new TV market.

 

[Zissou]

Just curious as to how Temple makes sense. They're not a national program, and they don't open a new TV market.

I’ll throw in my 2 cents...

Like Cincy, they don’t add enough to add on their own (and cause us to give up the double round robin schedule format).

But if we were wanting to expand (like in the Kansas, K State, Iowa State scenario), then I like Temple over Memphis for basketball culture and geography.

I know this thought is counter to many views on expansion and adding markets, but adding Temple strengthens the interest in the Philly market. I’d rather have that stronger hold on the larger market and an enhanced rivalry than to add a smaller Memphis market. I also like Cincy and X having their rivalry in-conference.

 

[MU in MKE]

Most of the non revenue sports would do regional schedules with the 6 Eastern and 6 "Western" schools. The distance in flights from Spokane to Omaha, Chicago, or Indy isn't much different than Omaha or Chicago to Providence or Hartford.

The reality is the Big East is a basketball conference that also plays other sports (many very well). UConn is back in the Big East because it's mutually beneficial and Fox will pay extra in the next contract because of their presence. Gonzaga is the only other school that Fox would lady a premium for.

This right here is an east coaster geography lesson!

You realize you just said that 1500 miles is roughly the same as 750 miles, right? Or that a 3.5/4 hour direct flight is the same as a 2 hour direct flight. My god man, buy a globe! ;-)

 

[HarryAGampel]

The only school I think would/could be worth adding is St. Louis. Adds a new market while better connecting Creighton to the other Midwest and eastern schools. Plus they have a legit home court and some recent success.

If Notre Dame ever had a falling out with the ACC, they'd be ideal too.

 

[McLovin]

This would never happen, and would make no sense because of travel & money, but let’s just play the what if game...

It’s 2013 and the Big East loses all the football teams but adjusts by adding the following teams: Gonzaga, BYU, Saint Mary’s, Wichita State and keeping UConn & Norte Dame. Plus all the other schools they actually added (Xavier, Butler, Creighton).

This keeps the league at 16 teams and plays an east / west division schedule. Round robin vs the 7 teams in your division and 6 games (3 H, 3 A) against the other division. One big massive conference tournament in MSG.

Would have been interesting and I think there was a point when the Big East was considering adding TCU and San Diego State...

 

[Friarsnoop]

This right here is an east coaster geography lesson!

You realize you just said that 1500 miles is roughly the same as 750 miles, right? Or that a 3.5/4 hour direct flight is the same as a 2 hour direct flight. My god man, buy a globe! ;-)

Providence to Omaha is 1440 miles. Spokane to Omaha is 1370 miles.

 

[huskypantz]

I am a football season ticket holder and was really concerned about football. Still am, but the schedule seems to be working out decently well. I can't believe how well it's worked out being back in the BE - even without Pitt and SU. The games feel meaningful to me, even when it's not a ranked team. I could never truly care about UCF or Tulsa or Tulane. Or even SMU or Houston for that matter.

What I feel is really different from a broadcast perspective is how Fox treats UConn. They continually promote the history of UConn - the wealth of great players we've had, our national and conference championships etc. When we were in the AAC, maybe I was not paying attention but I felt like they shied away from talking about our BE days and all of our basketball history. It's just a huge difference when you feel like your broadcast partner is a partner, not just a passive acquaintance.

 

[MU in MKE]

Providence to Omaha is 1440 miles. Spokane to Omaha is 1370 miles.

I'm referencing the Spokane to Chicago being compared to Chicago to Providence or Hartford. That's roughly 1500 miles vs 750 as the bird flies.

We all know Omaha is in the middle of nowhere, but as Zissou said, that's comparing the best commute for Gonzaga to the worst one for Prov. Imagine going Spokane to Hartford, especially as a non-revenue sport. Driving? Flying commercial? Yikes!

 

[Friarsnoop]

I'm referencing the Spokane to Chicago being compared to Chicago to Providence or Hartford. That's roughly 1500 miles vs 750 as the bird flies.

We all know Omaha is in the middle of nowhere, but as Zissou said, that's comparing the best commute for Gonzaga to the worst one for Prov. Imagine going Spokane to Hartford, especially as a non-revenue sport. Driving? Flying commercial? Yikes!

Probably beating a dead horse, but UConn came from a conference where they had 5 opponents that are around 1500 miles, plus 2 more over 1000 away, without the financial benefits they Gonzaga would get. As I said, many of the non-revenue sports could play more of a regional schedule and travel east once per season. The extra millions in TV and NCAA revenue they'd receive would more than cover expenses.

Also, both Mark Few and their AD have expressed interest in the Big East previously.

Gonzaga playing in the Big East: far-fetched or the future?

Perhaps it’s because Gonzaga just faced Villanova and Creighton in a five-day stretch, but chatter about the Zags and the Big East Conference resurfaced again this week.

www.spokesman.com

 

[Big East Fa]

Wait until the Big East can put fans in arena again. 19k for Creighton home games. 17k on Saturdays in Milwaukee at the brand new Fiserv Forum. Hinkle Fieldhouse is something old but great! Xavier at Cintas Center is loud!

Big East Conference Tournament at MSG is still outstanding. Selling out for Q-Final, Semi and Championship Game for years now.

 

[Kolumbo]

Soccer - So Ray Reid is taking a leave of absence. Then you have this quote:

"There’s no doubt that Reid made Connecticut soccer — not just UConn — nationally relevant." Excuse me?

Ray Reid takes leave of absence from UConn men’s soccer program - The UConn Blog

 

[Zissou]

This would never happen, and would make no sense because of travel & money, but let’s just play the what if game...

It’s 2013 and the Big East loses all the football teams but adjusts by adding the following teams: Gonzaga, BYU, Saint Mary’s, Wichita State and keeping UConn & Norte Dame. Plus all the other schools they actually added (Xavier, Butler, Creighton).

This keeps the league at 16 teams and plays an east / west division schedule. Round robin vs the 7 teams in your division and 6 games (3 H, 3 A) against the other division. One big massive conference tournament in MSG.

Would have been interesting and I think there was a point when the Big East was considering adding TCU and San Diego State...

It was beyond considering... TCU, Boise State, and San Diego State accepted invites to the Big East (and later reversed when the last exodus wave hit).

 

[HooperScooper]

Soccer - So Ray Reid is taking a leave of absence. Then you have this quote:

"There’s no doubt that Reid made Connecticut soccer — not just UConn — nationally relevant." Excuse me?

Ray Reid takes leave of absence from UConn men’s soccer program - The UConn Blog

I'm going to guess the person who wrote that is young. And not very informed on UConn soccer history.

 

[McLovin]

It was beyond considering... TCU, Boise State, and San Diego State accepted invites to the Big East (and later reversed when the last exodus wave hit).

Yeah, I read this Wikipedia article about it all. Pretty crazy quickly the whole realignment went down!

2010–2013 Big East Conference realignment - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

 

[Zissou]

Yeah, I read this Wikipedia article about it all. Pretty crazy quickly the whole realignment went down!

2010–2013 Big East Conference realignment - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

That article is mostly on target.

 

[ClifSpliffy]

This right here is an east coaster geography lesson!

You realize you just said that 1500 miles is roughly the same as 750 miles, right? Or that a 3.5/4 hour direct flight is the same as a 2 hour direct flight. My god man, buy a globe! ;-)

ur wasting ur time. as i get older, i am more and more astounded by the seeming lack of both knowledge and understanding by '(north)east coasters' for the actual length and breadth of our nation. scary bad. loosely speaking, a good way to think about it from the ground, is around 1/3 of a coast to coast drive gets you to the big river, and then another 2/3s till you hit the pacific. that 2/3s part is first a loooooong flat ride, then another looooong run up to the crest of the mountains, then another loooong run down the western slope to the sea. yuge distances by global standards. physical unfamiliarity leads to cultural unfamiliarity. to their credit, western and southern folks don't pretend to know aboot eastern ways and life (mostly cuz they don't care), while many easterners, who maybe go once or twice to kali/seattle/vegas, will give phd dissertations on how life is every square inch from, say western pa to sacramento, or butte down to galveston. and while they're demonstrating their superior understanding for our nation, they'll tell you that it's all fly over country, because they say so. disgusting. uninformed. clueless, insulting. good thing the folks don't/didn't listen, cuz their too busy roaring past our parochial thinking by creating epic examples for success like, Texas, Florida, etc.
kali is almost 900 miles from top to bottom. it's 8000 miles from bangor, maine, usa to dededo, guam, usa. let's add diamond head polytechnic and nome college of fish to our conference. they'll just be a short drive for family, friends, and fans who like to go to away games, but can't afford to fly. but hey, it's only aboot half again longer to go from spokane to storrs than it is to go from london to istanbul.

 

[Ts5034]

It was beyond considering... TCU, Boise State, and San Diego State accepted invites to the Big East (and later reversed when the last exodus wave hit).

IIRC, that was essentially the “Hail Mary” to save Big East Football, but that obviously did not work out.

 

[MU in MKE]

ur wasting ur time. as i get older, i am more and more astounded by the seeming lack of both knowledge and understanding by '(north)east coasters' for the actual length and breadth of our nation. scary bad. loosely speaking, a good way to think about it from the ground, is around 1/3 of a coast to coast drive gets you to the big river, and then another 2/3s till you hit the pacific. that 2/3s part is first a loooooong flat ride, then another looooong run up to the crest of the mountains, then another loooong run down the western slope to the sea. yuge distances by global standards. physical unfamiliarity leads to cultural unfamiliarity. to their credit, western and southern folks don't pretend to know aboot eastern ways and life (mostly cuz they don't care), while many easterners, who maybe go once or twice to kali/seattle/vegas, will give phd dissertations on how life is every square inch from, say western pa to sacramento, or butte down to galveston. and while they're demonstrating their superior understanding for our nation, they'll tell you that it's all fly over country, because they say so. disgusting. uninformed. clueless, insulting. good thing the folks don't/didn't listen, cuz their too busy roaring past our parochial thinking by creating epic examples for success like, Texas, Florida, etc.
kali is almost 900 miles from top to bottom. it's 8000 miles from bangor, maine, usa to dededo, guam, usa. let's add diamond head polytechnic and nome college of fish to our conference. they'll just be a short drive for family, friends, and fans who like to go to away games, but can't afford to fly. but hey, it's only aboot half again longer to go from spokane to storrs than it is to go from london to istanbul.

I laughed out loud at this, as a lot of this is all very true. Although for us to say so is also generalizing, so we're guilty too I guess!

Now all that being said, if we really did end up seeing a Big East mega conference again with 16 teams and had to give up the round robin for two divisions, I think it should still stay in the footprint of the Northeast and Great lakes megaregions. Both megalopolis' are around 55 million people, combined covers almost 1/3 the country's population. The divisions would hopefully be divided to cover those regions as well. It gives a lot of opportunity for cross branding/promoting the universities while keeping the geographic regions pretty tight. Anything outside of those areas I believe would begin to degrade the benefits of the larger conference.

 

[Zissou]

Now all that being said, if we really did end up seeing a Big East mega conference again with 16 teams and had to give up the round robin for two divisions, I think it should still stay in the footprint of the Northeast and Great lakes megaregions.

14 games within the division (double RR) + 8 games across divisions (single RR) = 22 conference games

Kansas, UConn, and Nova... 3 blue bloods in the same conference.

 

[Zissou]

Mix East and West in the Big East Tournament. Competing in the Division for seeding would be important.

 

[CL82]

View attachment 65182
14 games within the division (double RR) + 8 games across divisions (single RR) = 22 conference games

Kansas, UConn, and Nova... 3 blue bloods in the same conference.

IS Nova a Blue Blood? Best in league, sure, but Blue Blood?