This is not a comment on the recent UConn move because what's done is done, but people here really don't seem to understand how insane (and difficult) going Independent in football is in today's collegiate athletic landscape. 99% of conference builds are because of football. UConn is the one exception where we basically gave up on the idea/dream of making a big bowl game and potentially being in a league that could eventually compete for an AQ spot in an expanded CFP in order to play hoops in the Big East. When you factor in where Cincinnati's football team is today (and where it could lead them eventually), it would be insane for them to give all that up to attempt to join a hoops/OLY sports only league.
I highlighted it in a different thread a few months back but IF the Big East was to add a 12th team (and it's not happening), the only candidate that makes any remote sense is St. Louis:
If they HAD to add a 12th- it's St. Louis University. Geographically fits in well with Creighton/DePaul/Marquette and is a private Jesuit school fitting the mold of the entire league (except UConn). You'd have an even mix of schools on the East Coast with UConn, Villanova, St. John's, Georgetown, Providence, Seton Hall and Midwest with St. Louis, Creighton, Marquette, DePaul, Xavier, Butler. SLU has a shared conference history with a lot of the midwest schools in the league: Creighton (MVC), DePaul (CUSA+ Great Midwest), Marquette (CUSA + Great Midwest), Butler (A10 + Horizon), and Xavier (A10 + Horizon). Not to mention its a decent recruiting area, they've got a relatively new (and beautiful I might add) arena, and are located in a large urban market similar to the rest of the league. Again it won't happen- but if they add a team it's SLU.
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...
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