OT: The case for the Big East adding Gonzaga

[Ha Who]

I have learned to ignore certain posters. It is like believing MTG or AOC

 

[metsfan2323]

The Zags would probably prefer to join the MWC.

 

[John]

On what planet would adding Gonzaga dilute our payout? They would be an additive add financially.

they're Wichita State West once Few leaves. NFW.

 

[gioff2323]

They thought that when Monson left and they handed the keys to an assistant. They thought that when Fritz left

 

[ZooCougar]

On what planet would adding Gonzaga dilute our payout? They would be an additive add financially.

On every planet and in every universe.

Tell me how Gonzaga is additive when the Big Tornado conference only wanted to give them $2M?

You’re out of your gourd.

 

[ZooCougar]

The Zags would probably prefer to join the MWC.

That’s a better fit.

There is no good reason for the Big East to add anyone “available” at this moment.

 

[freescooter]

I think it is possible Gonzaga remains relevant once Few retires. It isn’t like they are a one trick pony. Fitzgerald had some decent mid-major teams. Which is what they were. Monson made them a household name. Few kept it going and expanded their reach. And he could be there another 10 years. 5-8 anyway.

I just don’t think it is viable for either them or us to have them in the league. Maybe it works for the midwestern schools. Not for the east coast ones though.

 

[shizzle787]

On every planet and in every universe.

Tell me how Gonzaga is additive when the Big Tornado conference only wanted to give them $2M?

You’re out of your gourd.

How did that work for the Big 12?

 

[buddy]

How did that work for the Big 12?

Please explain! Big 12 seems to be thriving and will be even stronger when ACC implodes.

 

[ConnHuskBask]

Big East should focus on kicking DePaul out first.

Absolutely no reason to add a geographic outlier that's a 1 coach program.

If I absolutely had to add a new program, I would go with VCU. New market within the footprint, solid history of making the NCAAs under multiple coaches.

With that said, don't add anyone.

 

[Hoophound]

Big East should focus on kicking DePaul out first.

Absolutely no reason to add a geographic outlier that's a 1 coach program.

If I absolutely had to add a new program, I would go with VCU. New market within the footprint, solid history of making the NCAAs under multiple coaches.

With that said, don't add anyone.

I just don’t see how we can add a VCU type and gain anything. We need Seton Hall, SJU, Butler, Georgetown and DePaul to step up. We’ve got more than enough schools. They’ve got to get better.

If Gonzaga really wants to join, it’s worth a look. However, I don’t see how either side decides it’s the right move in the end. It’s just too far away to run so many teams out there and I don’t think they can join for basketball only.

 

[ConnHuskBask]

I just don’t see how we can add a VCU type and gain anything. We need Seton Hall, SJU, Butler, Georgetown and DePaul to step up. We’ve got more than enough schools. They’ve got to get better.

If Gonzaga really wants to join, it’s worth a look. However, I don’t see how either side decides it’s the right move in the end. It’s just too far away to run so many teams out there and I don’t think they can join for basketball only.

I think my point is just that; VCU doesn't add anything. Neither do any available options. They would be the program along with Dayton that you could most reasonably expect to maintain competitive through coaching changes.

 

[shizzle787]

Please explain! Big 12 seems to be thriving and will be even stronger when ACC implodes.

The Big 12 offered Gonzaga $2 million per year. We don't know what ESPN/FOX would give to the Big 12 for adding Gonzaga. But we do know Gonzaga said no thanks to 2 million per year.

 

[speckle]

I think my point is just that; VCU doesn't add anything. Neither do any available options. They would be the program along with Dayton that you could most reasonably expect to maintain competitive through coaching changes.

I hear what you're saying but I look at the other way around. Dayton and VCU are good programs and the schools are reasonable peers that would cost very little to add to the BE. I would expect them to be league average competitors in a couple years, creating a larger yet still logical version of the current conference, again at almost no cost. There's significant inherent weakness in a small 11 team conference, regarding realignment and media leverage, that appears easily avoidable.

Also, as a Washingtonian, I know zero people who want to see Gonzaga in the BE. Folks want a stronger WCC sure, but playing Providence, Butler, Seton Hall with a 3hr time difference is a hard no. Seattle U is a perfect fit for WCC, and WSU and OSU really belong in the MWC. Seems like everyone is waiting on FSU or Clemson to bring the hammer down for the next round though. Should be real.

 

[ZooCougar]

I hear what you're saying but I look at the other way around. Dayton and VCU are good programs and the schools are reasonable peers that would cost very little to add to the BE. I would expect them to be league average competitors in a couple years, creating a larger yet still logical version of the current conference, again at almost no cost. There's significant inherent weakness in a small 11 team conference, regarding realignment and media leverage, that appears easily avoidable.

Also, as a Washingtonian, I know zero people who want to see Gonzaga in the BE. Folks want a stronger WCC sure, but playing Providence, Butler, Seton Hall with a 3hr time difference is a hard no. Seattle U is a perfect fit for WCC, and WSU and OSU really belong in the MWC. Seems like everyone is waiting on FSU or Clemson to bring the hammer down for the next round though. Should be real.

There is no reason to add anyone to the Big East.

 

[ConnHuskBask]

I hear what you're saying but I look at the other way around. Dayton and VCU are good programs and the schools are reasonable peers that would cost very little to add to the BE. I would expect them to be league average competitors in a couple years, creating a larger yet still logical version of the current conference, again at almost no cost. There's significant inherent weakness in a small 11 team conference, regarding realignment and media leverage, that appears easily avoidable.

Also, as a Washingtonian, I know zero people who want to see Gonzaga in the BE. Folks want a stronger WCC sure, but playing Providence, Butler, Seton Hall with a 3hr time difference is a hard no. Seattle U is a perfect fit for WCC, and WSU and OSU really belong in the MWC. Seems like everyone is waiting on FSU or Clemson to bring the hammer down for the next round though. Should be real.

Dayton and VCU today are better programs than multiple BE teams. But upon a potential invite, they become the least interesting league games ahead of only DePaul.

I think the size of the league is a bit of a fallacy as well. Those programs are good but they don't move the needle enough to warrant inclusion into the league and to ruin the round robin regular season.

 

[UConnJim]

I think it is possible Gonzaga remains relevant once Few retires. It isn’t like they are a one trick pony. Fitzgerald had some decent mid-major teams. Which is what they were. Monson made them a household name.

Monson coached 2 seasons at Gonzaga and made the NCAA tournament once (although an Elite 8) so I don't know how he made Gonzaga a household name. Before Few took over, Gonzaga had made 2 NCAA tournaments ever.

 

[John]

There is no reason to add anyone to the Big East.

Unless several former all-sports members want to rejoin, then L.F.G.

 

[freescooter]

Dayton and VCU today are better programs than multiple BE teams. But upon a potential invite, they become the least interesting league games ahead of only DePaul.

I think the size of the league is a bit of a fallacy as well. Those programs are good but they don't move the needle enough to warrant inclusion into the league and to ruin the round robin regular season.

I agree with the sentiment if not the details. The New Big East is about 75% nostalgia, especially for UConn fans. Most of the basketball is mediocre. Nobody plans their week around Seton Hall-Providence or Butler-Georgetown. Bringing in 2 more teams that are better than Butler, Georgetown and Providence but not as good as at least Marquette and Creighton, if not competitive with UConn, adds nothing but a couple of additional mouths to feed.

When a network is paying for the NEWBIE they are paying for 4. things:
1. UConn
2. The hope that Villanova somehow recovers the Wright stuff.
3. Nostalgia for the days long ago when UConn, Syracuse, Louisville and the like roamed the court and the league had several top 10 teams annually
4. Filler.

The size of the league and whether or not it plays a round robin are only relevant to #4.

 

[freescooter]

Monson coached 2 seasons at Gonzaga and made the NCAA tournament once (although an Elite 8) so I don't know how he made Gonzaga a household name. Before Few took over, Gonzaga had made 2 NCAA tournaments ever.

Monson took a team nobody ever heard of from the wrong part of Washington and got to the Elite 8. Before that run the only thing anyone knew about Gonzaga was Big Crosby was an alumnus. You’re right that if Few hadn’t kept the fire burning they would likely be a footnote like St Peters or Loyola or George Mason. One of those surprise mid-majors who made a deep run. But Monson got the ball rolling.

 

[Ha Who]

Monson took a team nobody ever heard of from the wrong part of Washington and got to the Elite 8. Before that run the only thing anyone knew about Gonzaga was Big Crosby was an alumnus. You’re right that if Few hadn’t kept the fire burning they would likely be a footnote like St Peters or Loyola or George Mason. One of those surprise mid-majors who made a deep run. But Monson got the ball rolling.

Who is Big Crosby?

 

[John]

Who is Big Crosby?

a Penguin.

 

[speckle]

I agree with the sentiment if not the details. The New Big East is about 75% nostalgia, especially for UConn fans. Most of the basketball is mediocre. Nobody plans their week around Seton Hall-Providence or Butler-Georgetown. Bringing in 2 more teams that are better than Butler, Georgetown and Providence but not as good as at least Marquette and Creighton, if not competitive with UConn, adds nothing but a couple of additional mouths to feed.

When a network is paying for the NEWBIE they are paying for 4. things:
1. UConn
2. The hope that Villanova somehow recovers the Wright stuff.
3. Nostalgia for the days long ago when UConn, Syracuse, Louisville and the like roamed the court and the league had several top 10 teams annually
4. Filler.

The size of the league and whether or not it plays a round robin are only relevant to #4.

You might be right on some of this, but nostalgia for something that isn't coming back is a terrible long-term game plan. Whether UCONN is in the league for the long run or not, the league should always be looking to improve it's product through deliberate, logical expansion. Unless you're at the top of the heap, which we're clearly not, doing nothing is rarely a good choice. Adding D and VCU would cost us very little in real dollar terms, but it seems equally likely to turn profitable while adding quality matchups. (I don't understand the least interesting games comment or care about the round robin format). Also, adding Gonzaga would have cost us money this season since playing them on a league revenue share is less profitable than playing and selling those game's rights as an elite noncon matchup. The old big east is dead, rip, I'd be adding D and VCU today to continue building the new.

 

[CL82]

I agree with the sentiment if not the details. The New Big East is about 75% nostalgia, especially for UConn fans. Most of the basketball is mediocre. Nobody plans their week around Seton Hall-Providence or Butler-Georgetown. Bringing in 2 more teams that are better than Butler, Georgetown and Providence but not as good as at least Marquette and Creighton, if not competitive with UConn, adds nothing but a couple of additional mouths to feed.

When a network is paying for the NEWBIE they are paying for 4. things:
1. UConn
2. The hope that Villanova somehow recovers the Wright stuff.
3. Nostalgia for the days long ago when UConn, Syracuse, Louisville and the like roamed the court and the league had several top 10 teams annually
4. Filler.

The size of the league and whether or not it plays a round robin are only relevant to #4.

 

[HuskyDogArt]

On every planet and in every universe.

Tell me how Gonzaga is additive when the Big Tornado conference only wanted to give them $2M?

You’re out of your gourd.

Big Tornado Conference..I like that name...