Who Will Be the 12th Big East Team?

[3rdbass]

No.

Yeah, UMASS no way in hell would we want that. That haven't been good in basketball since when the Squid was there. Maybe he had one too many beers! LOL!

 

[3rdbass]

There is no need to expand but if there was the obvious choice should be UMASS because it restores the original Big East footprint. We all saw what UMASS was in the 90's so the potential for success is obviously there. A bump up to the Big East would give their basketball program renewed energy. It also would be a bit of a cannon shot at BC which is nice.

Please let it be. That is the worst idea I have heard in a long time!!!!

 

[goskis2018]

P5 contraction is coming. It will be one of our former BE conference mates with a poor football program.

I wouldn't be surprised to see Syracuse come back to their roots over the next 10 years or so, especially if the landscape changes dramatically and if they struggle to find their identity post Boeheim.

 

[CallMeBruce]

I wouldn't be surprised to see Syracuse come back to their roots over the next 10 years or so, especially if the landscape changes dramatically and if they struggle to find their identity post Boeheim.

This is absolutely not happening. Nobody in a P5 conference is leaving to join the Big East.

 

[Salty Dog]

P5 contraction is coming. It will be one of our former BE conference mates with a poor football program.

Agreed. If the BE were to ever expand further, it would be a former member returning - for whatever reason.

 

[CallMeBruce]

P5 contraction is coming. It will be one of our former BE conference mates with a poor football program.

This is not happening

 

[DarthGrumpy]

I do not believe that the new Big East will expand.

If they do, I see them taking two steps. First, the addition will not be a college with a BCS football team, such as UMass. They don't want to mirror the old Big East's errors and will not want to give that much power two schools (UConn +). Second, no disrespect to Dayton, but the conference already has Xavier, just 45 miles away from Dayton, and Butler, which is only 100 miles away, in that part of the Midwest. I think if they do expand it will be to the south with either Richmond or Davidson, both have decent basketball cred, are not BCS football teams, are in growing markets, and match well with the profile of the other conference members, excluding UConn.

 

[How Sway?!]

I'm also in the camp of the Big East not expanding but there could be some financial benefit to it. IIRC, the tv deal is for a total of 500MM for 12 years, which would rise to 600MM if the league went to 12. A 20% increase for a 20% dilution, meaning the money would stay the same. Assuming the addition of UConn and a SLU type program would increase ratings, it wouldn't be too far fetched for the league and Fox to sit down and negotiate an increase.

 

[DarthGrumpy]

Won't happen but St. Louis is a Great call, hadn't even thought of them. They've been a good program for a long time. Joining the BE would elevate them even more.

Same, didn't even think of St. Louis, good call. In the Midwest, outside of the aforementioned Dayton, Evansville, Bradley, Valpo, and St. Bonnaventure are just not in attractive markets. Tulsa could be a possibility, but they have BCS football. Maybe Drake out of Des Moines? Likley too small of a market. KC doesn't have any colleges of that nature. A wildcard could be St. Thomas out of Minneapolis, which I believe just made or will be making the jump from DIII to DI (Summit league), as MSP is the second largest midwest market after Chicago.

If they want to back-fill, may St. Joe's in Philly depending if 'Nova is willing to share (doubtful). Fordham would fit well, too, but they don;t see to be interested in investing too heavily in their program.

 

[CallMeBruce]

I'm also in the camp of the Big East not expanding but there could be some financial benefit to it. IIRC, the tv deal is for a total of 500MM for 12 years, which would rise to 600MM if the league went to 12. A 20% increase for a 20% dilution, meaning the money would stay the same. Assuming the addition of UConn and a SLU type program would increase ratings, it wouldn't be too far fetched for the league and Fox to sit down and negotiate an increase.

I'm not sure what evidence there is that St. Louis is going to increase ratings.

 

[Jaker]

CUSE

 

[Hoophound]

Cincinnati going Indy in football and joining the Big East is the most likely scenario IF the Big East were to expand. Cincy may follow our model if it works well for us. They are watching. The Big East would be foolish not to take Cincy back if they are game, IMO. Another very good program with good recruiting grounds and a history in the Big East. Xavier may object, but F Xavier.

Cincy and Syracuse are the only schools we would probably want to add and screw up the round robin. Cincy could happen, Cuse is a long way off from getting the ACC boot.

 

[Waquoit]

Holy Cross?

 

[3rdbass]

Cincinnati going Indy in football and joining the Big East is the most likely scenario IF the Big East were to expand. Cincy may follow our model if it works well for us. They are watching. The Big East would be foolish not to take Cincy back if they are game, IMO. Another very good program with good recruiting grounds and a history in the Big East. Xavier may object, but F Xavier.

Cincy and Syracuse are the only schools we would probably want to add and screw up the round robin. Still, Cuse is a long way off from getting the ACC boot.

Cincy would be the only natural fit for team that would possibly go from their conference especially if they see no way to get to a P5 conference. They are a good fit with the teams in the west of the Big East, are a former member and have a good basketball tradition. I would have no issues renewing our rivalry with them but definitely not UMASS, Dayton or even St. Louis. Thought I doubt it happens anytime soon based on being able to play a round robin schedule.

 

[UCTitleTown]

Buffalo might make some sense. I support staying at 11 though.

 

[Kolumbo]

I'm also in the camp of the Big East not expanding but there could be some financial benefit to it. IIRC, the tv deal is for a total of 500MM for 12 years, which would rise to 600MM if the league went to 12. A 20% increase for a 20% dilution, meaning the money would stay the same. Assuming the addition of UConn and a SLU type program would increase ratings, it wouldn't be too far fetched for the league and Fox to sit down and negotiate an increase.

Wait that can't be right. Revenue would increase $100 mm by adding 1 program? Going from 11 to 12 is a dilution of only 9% so everyone's take would go up about 10%.

Cincy is doing very well in the AAC so they have no reason to leave. I'd rather have Pitt or Syracuse back but they aint leavin the ACC. Pitt is a good bridge to the NBE-W. Temple would make sense because they are most similar to UConn. Perhaps Wichita State belongs in the Big East and not the AAC.

Nothing is permanent.

 

[HooperScooper]

This is absolutely not happening. Nobody in a P5 conference is leaving to join the Big East.

Exactly. Do you know how much money Syracuse gets from the ACC? They're not giving that up to join the BE. No matter how much their basketball team sucks after Boeheim leaves.

 

[Austin316]

The only school I would let in is Cincinnati so we can watch Xavier kick them out, all for a laugh.

11 works best.

 

[aburks41]

Why are some of you even entertaining the idea of letting a mid major team into a power conference? That’s just stupid and does nothing to help the big east. Sorry to break it to y’all but no one cares about Davidson, Dayton, Drake(??), or UMass..also 11 is the magic number for a round robin. Expanding to 12 is never happening and shouldn’t happen unless Cuse, Notre Dame, or Pitt want to come back (and that is never ever happening either)

 

[freescooter]

The Big East would be better off dropping a couple of schools rather than adding. DePaul has done nothing but take money since it joined. Butler really doesn’t fit. Seton Hall was a power... for about 3 years in the 1980s. Same with Georgetown though they were relevant for longer. But have essentially decided to be the Catholic Ivy. They don’t care if they win or lose as long as their faculty gets tapped for White House jobs But they couldn’t be dumped due to the fact that they bring the academic prestige every league requires. With a league of second tier commuter academic institutions saving Gtown and UConn they are needed as the league’ s Vanderbilt.

 

[aburks41]

The Big East would be better off dropping a couple of schools rather than adding. DePaul has done nothing but take money since it joined. Butler really doesn’t fit. Seton Hall was a power... for about 3 years in the 1980s. Same with Georgetown though they were relevant for longer. But have essentially decided to be the Catholic Ivy. They don’t care if they win or lose as long as their faculty gets tapped for White House jobs But they couldn’t be dumped due to the fact that they bring the academic prestige every league requires. With a league of second tier commuter academic institutions saving Gtown and UConn they are needed as the league’ s Vanderbilt.

Georgetown is perhaps the biggest sleeping giant in college basketball. Once they figure out their coaching situation, they have all the resources, history, and pedigree to become Villanova 2.0

 

[HuskyBoi]

Need to stay at 11. 20 conferences games at a round robin cycle is already pushing the limit for conference games.

 

[Psolo12]

UMass, Liberty, VCU

I hope this is a joke

 

[aburks41]

I hope this is a joke

People insisting on turning the Big East into another AAC are idiots. It wasn't even exciting playing Memphis half the time, and now some "fans" would want us to play Liberty? LIBERTY?!? Come on

 

[freescooter]

I wouldn't be surprised to see Syracuse come back to their roots over the next 10 years or so, especially if the landscape changes dramatically and if they struggle to find their identity post Boeheim.

Yeah. No chance. Syracuse and BC are not giving up their spots in the ACC. Not now. Not ever. Why in gods name would they leave the top basketball conference even forgetting about football? While you can argue the big East is a power conference, on no planet is it equal to the ACC.

 

[Guapo]

(I’m part of the problem) but I can’t believe this thread is this long. Y’all must be bored.

 

[freescooter]

Georgetown is perhaps the biggest sleeping giant in college basketball. Once they figure out their coaching situation, they have all the resources, history, and pedigree to become Villanova 2.0

Maybe but I doubt it. They honestly don’t care about this any more. They are far more interested in being in the top 25 national universities than in the Tip 25 in basketball. They are effectively taking an Ivy League view of athletics while collecting a payment from the Big East. But as I said they bring a level of prestige to a conference of mostly 2nd tier academic institutions. They play the role that Vanderbilt plays in the SEC. People from St Johns and DePaul and Providence can be like the farmer who entered his mule in the Kentucky Derby. Don’t expect him to win but claim to benefit by the company.

 

[Guapo]

Maybe but I doubt it. They honestly don’t care about this any more. They are far more interested in being in the top 25 national universities than in the Tip 25 in basketball. They are effectively taking an Ivy League view of athletics while collecting a payment from the Big East. But as I said they bring a level of prestige to a conference of mostly 2nd tier academic institutions. They play the role that Vanderbilt plays in the SEC. People from St Johns and DePaul and Providence can be like the farmer who entered his mule in the Kentucky Derby. Don’t expect him to win but claim to benefit by the company.

I don’t know if that’s true. They’ve just been significantly impacted by the rise of UVA and, to a lesser extent, Virginia Tech (and, like everyone else in the Northeast, Villanova). They used to have a monopoly on the talent rich DMV, but that’s just not the case anymore.

as someone who lived in DC from for a handful of years recently, I also think one of their bigger problems is the Verizon Center. It seats like 24k for basketball, which is just far too big for a program Georgetown's size. Even when they get a “good” college basketball crowd of 12-13k, it still feels empty. Imo they should build their own facility across the Key Bridge in Rosslyn, VA.

But also keep in mind they have the number 11 recruiting class in the nation next year, including the Big East’s only 5 star.

 

[Kolumbo]

I hope this is a joke

Sort of. It's great to be playing familiar basketball schools again but this isn't a long term solution for UConn. Liberty is on an upward trajectory in all sports and it's pumping money into athletics like Jordan Belfort pumped . . . you know. The school is only 50 years old. Football finished top 20 and basketball is in first place in its conference. Adding a program from Virginia is a good move.

 

[alphasigko]

As has been noted many times, the BE needs to expand - doing so would enable a two division league, and with that, a few less BE games per season (i.e., play teams in your division twice....) and a more room for OOC games.

While no longer a factor for us, football may still drive otherwise candiate schools (big fan base, proximity, large stadium availability - such as Temple) from even considering an invite.

So in my view, I think we should strongly consider a few A-10 schools - with Dayton or UMASS my choices. Dayton (despite) their current record would be my first choice, since Dayton has a strong fan base, and since their location would be a perfect fit in a "west" BE division. UMASS would offer us a true local rival (assuming Dan Hurley could still out-recruit them) -ala when they had Cal and Camby. I supporsse we could consdier URI for the same reason too - but I don't know much about the size of their fan base and basketball venue.

I would even consider BC coming back - but despite their mediocre ACC performance in both sports, I don't they would want to play independent football and the bad feelings probably still persist.

FWIW I vote for UD