Conference Realignment Thread

[Royal Reader]

Great column from Dennis Dodd on why the Big 12 is pumped and jacked to have just 10 teams now and for the foreseeable future:

Yeah, with the 'Doesn't add anything' factor, I'm pretty sure Clemson and FSU are bigger names in College FB than anyone left in the Big XII apart from Oklahoma and Texas - those two schools are the only current Big 12 members with higher attendances. I mean, this is a conference with Iowa State in it. The Big 12 isn't the SEC with half its schools regularly drawing over 80,000. In theory, adding just those two would be a great move. But that would probably destabilize the ACC enough to bring about the 16 team superconferences. And in that case, you probably do have to add teams that don't bring that much, depending on whether ND would eventually decide to go 10 or 12. But if the additional four were say, ND, Louisville, GTech and Miami, then you've got a conference which is close to or better than the SEC with VTech and NCSU. Or the Big 12 could invite VTech itself.

What I find really interesting about this notion of four 16-team superconferences is where the Pac goes. BYU, fine, but who are the other three? Air Force? Do they hold their noses and take Boise? Hawaii (is it worth the extra travel costs)? Fresno State or SDSU don't add anything. Maybe Nevada? You're either going to end up with ridiculous geography, or historically shitty western schools getting in over Eastern schools who would seem more deserving in everything but location.

 

[bbc23]

Lot of smoke around GT and x team coming to the B1G

 

[Captaincoop]

Yeah, with the 'Doesn't add anything' factor, I'm pretty sure Clemson and FSU are bigger names in College FB than anyone left in the Big XII apart from Oklahoma and Texas - those two schools are the only current Big 12 members with higher attendances. I mean, this is a conference with Iowa State in it. The Big 12 isn't the SEC with half its schools regularly drawing over 80,000. In theory, adding just those two would be a great move. But that would probably destabilize the ACC enough to bring about the 16 team superconferences. And in that case, you probably do have to add teams that don't bring that much, depending on whether ND would eventually decide to go 10 or 12. But if the additional four were say, ND, Louisville, GTech and Miami, then you've got a conference which is close to or better than the SEC with VTech and NCSU. Or the Big 12 could invite VTech itself.

What I find really interesting about this notion of four 16-team superconferences is where the Pac goes. BYU, fine, but who are the other three? Air Force? Do they hold their noses and take Boise? Hawaii (is it worth the extra travel costs)? Fresno State or SDSU don't add anything. Maybe Nevada? You're either going to end up with ridiculous geography, or historically shitty western schools getting in over Eastern schools who would seem more deserving in everything but location.

If the Pac-12 ever gives up on the high-end schools that Larry Scott is likely targeting (Texas, Oklahoma, Notre Dame), and feels the need to go to 16 without them, I would imagine San Diego State and UNLV are the first two options. They bring huge new TV markets into the league and fit geographically. The California schools won't love it, but they added Utah and I wouldn't have believed that 5 years ago, either. If the home run options aren't there, and they have to expand, those are the two schools I'd bet on.

 

[mabrowndog]

Lot of smoke around GT and x team coming to the B1G

That rumor started on a WV football blog. Other dubious reports have since trickled in. All summarized here.

I'll believe it when some actual reputable reporters confirm it.

 

[mabrowndog]

The Big East is sure to be a shambles no matter what they do, but moves like this one by its member schools can't hurt.

Memphis schedules home-and-home games with UCLA for 2014 & 2017

 

[Infield Infidel]

This I don't really get. Is this an agreement that came into place after the SEC poached two schools directly from the Big 12, including one in the Big 12's primary state? And if no schools can leave the Big 12 for thirteen years, then what is the benefit to the Big 12 of any such agreement? Are they really worried about the SEC scooping up Houston or SMU?

That section of the article was poorly worded; The gentlemen's agreement is not "Big 12 with SEC" but just in the SEC. The conference doesn't want to add schools in states that already have schools, so they aren't adding Florida St, Miami, Clemson, or GT. If the SEC doesn't add them, then their only option is Big 12. Big 10 is too far, and Big East is almost a non-entity at this point.

I'm not sure getting to 16 is as essential for the Big 12 or Pac 12, so I think we'll have four stronger conferences and then a weak ACC.
If there is future movement in this round, I think the cookies crumble this way.
Big 10 adds two of UVa, UNC or Syracuse
SEC adds NCst and VaTech
ACC adds UConn and Cinci, stays at 12

At that point, things will cool down and the Big 12 has all the time in the world to decide if they want to stand pat, or to go to 14 by adding four ACC schools: FSU, GT, Clemson, and either Miami or Pitt.

If the Pac-12 ever gives up on the high-end schools that Larry Scott is likely targeting (Texas, Oklahoma, Notre Dame), and feels the need to go to 16 without them, I would imagine San Diego State and UNLV are the first two options. They bring huge new TV markets into the league and fit geographically. The California schools won't love it, but they added Utah and I wouldn't have believed that 5 years ago, either. If the home run options aren't there, and they have to expand, those are the two schools I'd bet on.

In the end, I think the Pac12 sit at 12, scan the landscape, see how the other conferences handle at 14-16. Basically the same thing when everyone went to 12 and the Pac-10 expanded years later. They are going to wait until something good happens; either a team in the Big 12 wants out, or a mid-major in a solid market (UNLV, Nevada, New Mexico) pulls a Utah and establishes itself. UCLA, Stanford and USC already have a big enough presence in SD that SDSU isn't needed. Boise isn't a big enough market, but if they ever make or win an NCG, all bets are off though.

BYU is established, but Pac12 already have the Utah market. The only threat with BYU is the Big 12 grabbing them, but I don't think it'll happen. If the Big 12 expands, they are going east, not west.

 

[Captaincoop]

That section of the article was poorly worded; The gentlemen's agreement is not "Big 12 with SEC" but just in the SEC. The conference doesn't want to add schools in states that already have schools, so they aren't adding Florida St, Miami, Clemson, or GT. If the SEC doesn't add them, then their only option is Big 12. Big 10 is too far, and Big East is almost a non-entity at this point.

I'm not sure getting to 16 is as essential for the Big 12 or Pac 12, so I think we'll have four stronger conferences and then a weak ACC.
If there is future movement in this round, I think the cookies crumble this way.
Big 10 adds two of UVa, UNC or Syracuse
SEC adds NCst and VaTech
ACC adds UConn and Cinci, stays at 12

At that point, things will cool down and the Big 12 has all the time in the world to decide if they want to stand pat, or to go to 14 by adding four ACC schools: FSU, GT, Clemson, and either Miami or Pitt.


In the end, I think the Pac12 sit at 12, scan the landscape, see how the other conferences handle at 14-16. Basically the same thing when everyone went to 12 and the Pac-10 expanded years later. They are going to wait until something good happens; either a team in the Big 12 wants out, or a mid-major in a solid market (UNLV, Nevada, New Mexico) pulls a Utah and establishes itself. UCLA, Stanford and USC already have a big enough presence in SD that SDSU isn't needed. Boise isn't a big enough market, but if they ever make or win an NCG, all bets are off though.

BYU is established, but Pac12 already have the Utah market. The only threat with BYU is the Big 12 grabbing them, but I don't think it'll happen. If the Big 12 expands, they are going east, not west.

Two things I'm pretty certain on:

1) BYU will not join any conference that compromises BYU TV. They have a massive investment in that network, they produce their own content, and they're really happy with it. They have a cheap but competitive home for their non-football sports, and football has TV deals and bowl tie-ins already.

2) Nevada will never join the Pac-12. Reno is a tiny market, their facilities are awful, and the program is broke.

 

[mabrowndog]

The Pac 12 has little reason to expand since there are very few schools that would improve their overall conference status, and there's pretty much zero chance they'll be poached by a competitor. They have to be loving this latest spate of instability, just sitting on the sidelines watching the eastern conferences eat each other alive. Even as the Big Ten and ACC have made themselves stronger, nothing those two conferences have done adversely impacts the Pac 12. And if the SEC and/or Big 12 make any subsequent moves to add schools, they won't mean jack shit to the left third of the country. The only moves that might affect the Pac 12 would be Boise & SDSU returning to the MWC, and the impact would be negligible.

If somewhere down the line the P12 comes up with something to attract BYU, Texas & Oklahoma while addressing any proprietary TV issues with those schools, then they'll have something to gain through expansion. They'll be strengthening themselves in a huge way geographically and financially while making the Big 12 a eunuch.

But neither the Big 12 or the Big Ten is going to make a play for any current Pac 12 member because they can't offer them anything they don't already have.

 

[OnWisc]

That section of the article was poorly worded; The gentlemen's agreement is not "Big 12 with SEC" but just in the SEC. The conference doesn't want to add schools in states that already have schools, so they aren't adding Florida St, Miami, Clemson, or GT. If the SEC doesn't add them, then their only option is Big 12. Big 10 is too far, and Big East is almost a non-entity at this point.

That makes much more sense. I've heard the same regarding Florida, UGA, South Carolina and Kentucky all agreeing to collectively vote against additional schools from those states entering the SEC.

I generally remain of the opinion that once the Maryland exit fee is determined, FSU and the Big 12 will determing much of what happens next.

 

[Clears Cleaver]

Kevin jones who was first to say Louisville got votes in ACC is sayin GTech and UVa to Big10. He is a sports producer / reporter for DC tv station and does accblog. I think big is going to 18 or 20. Lets see how stout the big12 is about staying at 10. And who the SEC wants.

This could get crazy if true. And not in a good way

 

[Dan Murfman]

The Big East is being proactive. They have added Old Dominion for women's field hockey.

http://www.bigeast.org/News/tabid/435/Article/239982/BIG-EAST-Adds-Old-Dominion-as-an-Associate-Member-for-Field-Hockey.aspx

“Old Dominion is an excellent addition to the BIG EAST for field hockey," said Commissioner Mike Aresco. "They will help BIG EAST field hockey maintain its elite, national status."

 

[Dan Murfman]

Well it looks like the ACC is done with realignment.

theACC 2:05pm via HootSuite
The #ACC Council of Presidents shared a statement regarding their united commitment to the conference. Read it here: ow.ly/fSW1N

Statement from the ACC Council of Presidents
Statement on December 6, 2012

Dec. 6, 2012

“We, the undersigned presidents of the Atlantic Coast Conference, wish to express our commitment to preserve and protect the future of our outstanding league. We want to be clear that the speculation about ACC schools in negotiations or considering alternatives to the ACC are totally false. The presidents of the ACC are united in our commitment to a strong and enduring conference. The ACC has long been a leader in intercollegiate athletics, both academically and athletically, and the constitution of our existing and future member schools will maintain the ACC’s position as one of the nation’s premier conferences.”

Fr. William Leahy, Boston College
Mr. James Barker, Clemson University
Dr. Richard Brodhead, Duke University
Dr. Eric Barron, Florida State University
Dr. G.P. “Bud” Peterson, Georgia Institute of Technology
Dr. James Ramsey, University of Louisville
Dr. Donna Shalala, University of Miami
Dr. Holden Thorp, University of North Carolina
Dr. Randy Woodson, North Carolina State University
Fr. John Jenkins, University of Notre Dame
Dr. Mark Nordenberg, University of Pittsburgh
Dr. Nancy Cantor, Syracuse University
Dr. Teresa Sullivan, University of Virginia
Dr. Charles Steger, Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University

 

[DJnVa]

Big East deal worth as little as $60 million?

http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/blog/dennis-dodd/21292915/big-east-deal-could-be-worth-as-little-as-60-million-per-year

 

[StuckOnYouk]

Is that ACC thing a joke? Is that on the Onion or something like that? I mean how pathetic looking.

Now if they coupled that with everyone signing a GOR, then that would be a big FU to Delany or even the Big 12. But especially Delany..

I get the feeling the ACC is the wife who just got beat up for the first time by some really strong jealous husband and she's waiting for another beating. Delany is standing over her ready for the next swipe once he found out she was seen laughing at a company holiday party with a leprechaun.

 

[bosox188]

Is that ACC thing a joke? Is that on the Onion or something like that? I mean how pathetic looking.

Now if they coupled that with everyone signing a GOR, then that would be a big FU to Delany or even the Big 12. But especially Delany..

I get the feeling the ACC is the wife who just got beat up for the first time by some really strong jealous husband and she's waiting for another beating. Delany is standing over her ready for the next swipe once he found out she was seen laughing at a company holiday party with a leprechaun.

I was just waiting for the part where they announce they all got matching BFF bracelets.

 

[kenneycb]

Is that ACC thing a joke? Is that on the Onion or something like that? I mean how pathetic looking.

Now if they coupled that with everyone signing a GOR, then that would be a big FU to Delany or even the Big 12. But especially Delany..

I get the feeling the ACC is the wife who just got beat up for the first time by some really strong jealous husband and she's waiting for another beating. Delany is standing over her ready for the next swipe once he found out she was seen laughing at a company holiday party with a leprechaun.

Does that make the Big East the lady that became a lesbian after her husband beat her?

 

[Dan Murfman]

Does that make the Big East the lady that became a lesbian after her husband beat her?

Lol!!!!

 

[mabrowndog]

I get the feeling the ACC is the wife who just got beat up for the first time by some really strong jealous husband and she's waiting for another beating. Delany is standing over her ready for the next swipe once he found out she was seen laughing at a company holiday party with a leprechaun.

Does that make the Big East the lady that became a lesbian after her husband beat her?

At the risk of being (incorrectly) perceived as a supporter of spousal abuse...

Holy shit. Extremely well played on both counts.

 

[Williams Head Case]

Take it for what it is worth (almost nothing), but hearing through a friend's source who has a friend in the athletic dept. that Xavier may be involved in some conference realignment. I hate playing telephone, but I heard Big East.

I will not stake my membership/first born/change in my pocket on this, but oh hell this is a message board.

Edit: Further, hearing Big East split between football and basketball schools is happening.

 

[StuckOnYouk]

Does that make the Big East the lady that became a lesbian after her husband beat her?

If the basketballs split from the football schools, absolutely.

 

[StuckOnYouk]

Take it for what it is worth (almost nothing), but hearing through a friend's source who has a friend in the athletic dept. that Xavier may be involved in some conference realignment. I hate playing telephone, but I heard Big East.

I will not stake my membership/first born/change in my pocket on this, but oh hell this is a message board.

Edit: Further, hearing Big East split between football and basketball schools is happening.

Even with UConn still a part of the conference?

 

[SuperManny]

Hadn't seen this out there yet. Obviously not likely but interesting none the less.

Source: A-10 open to expansion

The Atlantic 10 has discussed the possibility of a 21-team basketball league in the event that the changing conference landscape makes high-profile Big East schools available, a source with direct knowledge of the situation told ESPN.com Tuesday.

The A-10 has been proactive over the last year, strengthening its brand as a high-profile basketball conference with the additions of Butler and VCU, two programs that were in the 2011 Final Four.
The A-10 currently is a 16-team conference for the 2012-13 season, but Temple and Charlotte are set to leave for the Big East and Conference USA, respectively.

The 21-team model would occur if the A-10 were to add the seven Big East Catholic schools (Marquette, DePaul, Georgetown, Providence, Seton Hall, St. John's and Villanova) that met Sunday in New York with Big East commissioner Mike Aresco to go over their options.
The seven Big East Catholic schools are attempting to secure the best television deal possible and are debating whether to split from the league.

 

[Williams Head Case]

Take it for what it is worth (almost nothing), but hearing through a friend's source who has a friend in the athletic dept. that Xavier may be involved in some conference realignment. I hate playing telephone, but I heard Big East.

I will not stake my membership/first born/change in my pocket on this, but oh hell this is a message board.

Edit: Further, hearing Big East split between football and basketball schools is happening.

I guess after the big game of telephone my information was slightly skewed. The Big East split is happening, but it would be the Catholic schools joining the A-10 or retaining the Big East brand after the split and adding other Xavier-like schools.

 

[( . ) ( . ) and (_!_)]

Wow. i've been saying for a long time that URI was going to get burnt when the Big East Catholic schools came to steal Xavier, Butler, etc... But I hadn't thought about this possibility. Still seems like a long shot to me.

Temple would be hosed in that scenario big time.

 

[soxfan80000001]

This went out on Dec 3rd, FWIW

Dear Friar Fans:

Providence College takes its commitment to the College's athletic programs, most specifically, the men’s basketball program, very seriously.

The Friar men’s basketball program is the cornerstone of our athletic department and a key component of Providence College. I want to assure our alumni and our fans that we are taking the necessary steps to ensure the future success of all of our athletic programs, including men’s basketball. We believe that Ed Cooley is one of the top coaches in the nation. In the last 18 months, Coach Cooley and his staff have brought some of the top players in the nation to Providence College. Ensuring that Coach Cooley is here to guide our program and that he has all the essential elements to run a championship caliber program is something we are working to solidify.

We believe that Providence College men’s basketball is poised for a run of great success and is on the verge of becoming one of the top college basketball teams in the country. We want to create an environment that allows us to sustain success and provide you, the fans, with the excitement that you deserve.

While it may appear to some that recent realignment news is eroding the environment for our men’s basketball program, we remain optimistic about our future. We believe that with change comes opportunity. There are opportunities now for us to position our athletic department and our men’s basketball program for long-term success. We will explore every opportunity in order to reach our goal.

We have some of the greatest fans in the nation. Please continue to support us and know that we working tirelessly to ensure that Providence College athletics and its men’s basketball program will continue to be strong and proud.

Sincerely,
Bob Driscoll
Athletics Director
Providence College

 

[URI]

Wow. i've been saying for a long time that URI was going to get burnt when the Big East Catholic schools came to steal Xavier, Butler, etc... But I hadn't thought about this possibility. Still seems like a long shot to me.

Temple would be hosed in that scenario big time.

We're actually well positioned for the time being.

 

[StuckOnYouk]

So Sandusky bangs little boys in the shower but it's UConn that gets the ultimate death penalty in college sports. If the Catholic schools leave the BE, I mean for crying out loud. You can't script this stuff.

 

[8slim]

So Sandusky bangs little boys in the shower but it's UConn that gets the ultimate death penalty in college sports. If the Catholic schools leave the BE, I mean for crying out loud. You can't script this stuff.

This may come off harsher than I intend, but...if UConn made the committment to major college football 10-15 years earlier they most likely wouldn't be in this spot.

That being said, I still am fairly certain that in time UConn will be OK.

 

[Infield Infidel]

So Sandusky bangs little boys in the shower but it's UConn that gets the ultimate death penalty in college sports. If the Catholic schools leave the BE, I mean for crying out loud. You can't script this stuff.

UConn and Cinci are desirable to the ACC in that they are new markets and have solid Bball programs. Who else would the ACC grab if they lose another school, or need to go to 16?

USF is totally SOL unless FSU and Miami go to the Big XII, which is unlikely. Temple could be headed back to the MAC.

 

[sachmoney]

A pretty lengthy and informative piece about how the Big Ten lured Maryland into the conference.

 

[RedOctober3829]

Blauds says Quinninpiac, Monmouth, and Wagner are going to the MAAC.

http://ajerseyguy.com/

 

[jsinger121]

Blauds says Quinninpiac, Monmouth, and Wagner are going to the MAAC.

http://ajerseyguy.com/

Blauds says Quinninpiac, Monmouth, and Wagner are going to the MAAC.

http://ajerseyguy.com/

Solid move for Quinnipiac. As an alum going to a league that got two bids last year is a good move. The NEC is a terrible conference.

 

[pdaj]

Nice to see the Big East basketball-only split gaining steam ...

http://espnwisconsin.com/common/more.php?m=49&post_id=16611

From Marquette's AD:

On the premise of creating a basketball-only conference, and his thoughts on possibly joining the Atlantic 10:

“It’s being tested. Does it make sense to be associated with football of a second or third tier? Does that make sense? Is there value to being associated with that? We’re asking those questions now and I think dutifully. We owe it to the folks that built Marquette to ask those questions very critically. We don’t have all the answers yet. It isn’t a clear cut decision.

“When you think about the A-10, I don’t even really view the remnants of the Big East in the same light as I do the A-10. There’s no Georgetown in the A-10. Georgetown has won a national championship. There’s no Marquette in the A-10. They’ve not won a national championship in their history. They have a couple of good schools and they have some nice quality across the board, but I certainly, and I know I’m being sort of a homer here, but I certainly think the Big East basketball schools present a profile that is superior to what the depth of the A-10 is.”

Is it fair to say other basketball-only schools feel the same way?

“Yes to varying degrees. Part of this is just everybody’s uneasy with all these questions that everybody’s got in their own minds. There was something really cool about the Big East. You could rely on it to get six or eight or nine bids in a year.

“It was home. Now that home has been sort of changed, and somebody came and put new furniture in, and boy, do we still fit here is what everyone is sort of thinking about.”

http://zagsblog.com/temple/temple-can-stop-catholic-dissolution-of-big-east/

And, according to this article, Temple would not be able to prevent the seven Catholic schools from dissolving the Big East, if it comes to that.

Even though it is a full voting member of the Big East, Temple cannot stop the Catholic dissolution of the conference, a source with direct knowledge told SNY.tv.

“They could not stop it,” the source said. “There’s language within the bylaws or the contracts that basically they or the football group could not stop that from happening. There’s some kind of clause pertaining to the dissolution of the league where it doesn’t apply. There’s a loophole there somewhere.”

http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/colleges/20121212_Time_to_Split_.html

From Philly:

On Tuesday, no one wanted to go further than "It could happen," as one Big East source put it, but a number of sources indicated that "could happen" is a new threshold, with a recent rise in interest level toward a split.

Another Big East source said Tuesday that "in the last week and a half," some positions appear to have changed within the block of schools that don't play football: Several schools that have been on the fence about breaking away from football schools may be more in favor of it, while some that have been against it now are more open to examining the issues involved in a possible split.

A number of models are being discussed internally if Villanova, Georgetown, and the others (St. John's, Providence, Seton Hall, DePaul, and Marquette) leave the football schools. The schools could try to recruit Xavier, Dayton, and maybe Butler from the Atlantic Ten. Larger models have been discussed, including adding Creighton and St. Louis, and even making a run at Gonzaga, looking at putting together a national league with two divisions.

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/16971737-419/depaul-among-7-catholic-schools-set-for-big-east-exodus.html

And out of Chicago:

DePaul spokesman Greg Greenwell said Wednesday the school had no official comment, but it is known that DePaul was among seven Catholic conference members who met Sunday with Big East officials in New York. The seven expressed concern about their future in the conference that has seen some of its better basketball programs—including Syracuse, West Virginia, Notre Dame and most recently Louisville—leaving the league while football-oriented schools are brought in.

No decision was made after the meeting, but sources indicate a vote by the university presidents to separate could be imminent.

Their concerns stem from the rapidly changing conference scene being driven by football interests, leaving the basketball-only programs such as DePaul, Marquette, Georgetown, Seton Hall, St. John’s and Providence at the mercy of that sport.

Notre Dame also is leaving to join the ACC though it has not said when it will depart.

There is the possibility the Fighting Irish might yet opt to remain aligned with the dissenting Big East Catholic members since Notre Dame’s conference affiliation is only for its non-football sports. Its football program remains independent.

http://news.providencejournal.com/sports/college/2012/12/big-east-catholics-exploring-split.html

Lastly, the Projo's KMAC chimes in:

Sources said Tuesday that the seven schools "are more unified than we've ever been," but that talks of dissolving or splitting from the remaining Big East members are wildly premature. Commissioner Mike Aresco was present and is clearly on the hot seat to deliver a TV deal that would keep the Catholic schools interested in joining a partnership that would feature UConn, Cincinnati, Memphis, Houston, SMU, Tulane and others. This group - some of whom have zero loyalty to the Big East's future - has major marketability issues in football and could be grouped in what someone cracked could be called the CCAA: the Caught Cheating Athletic Association since most have spent time on NCAA probation in the last 25 years.

One move that will NOT happen: ESPN wasted its time reporting that the Atlantic 10 has discussed offering a spot in its league to all, or some, of the seven Big East Catholic schools. Sorry but Georgetown has no interest in playing at St. Bonaventure or the Ryan Center anytime soon.

 

[mabrowndog]

Blauds says Quinninpiac, Monmouth, and Wagner are going to the MAAC.

http://ajerseyguy.com/

Well, that's all fine and dandy for most of their sports, but the MAAC doesn't sponsor football, which Wagner and Monmouth play. So do those two schools stay in the NEC as FB-only members? Do they join the Big South, which is down to 6 FB schools after Stony Brook leaves? Do they try to make a major step up in competition to the CAA? Or do they do as this guy suggests and seek to join the Patriot?

 

[pdaj]

http://espn.go.com/c...ast-sources-say

The presidents of the Big East's seven Catholic, non-Football Bowl Subdivision schools are expected to decide on their future in the Big East in the coming days, and it "would be an upset" if they remained in the league, sources told ESPN.

The seven schools -- DePaul, Georgetown, Marquette, Providence, St. John's, Seton Hall andVillanova -- are "close to a consensus on what they want to do next," a source said Wednesday.

The presidents of the seven schools are scheduled to conduct a teleconference with Big East commissioner Mike Aresco on Thursday and are expected to issue a statement on their schools' future in the next 24 to 48 hours.

 

[DJnVa]

I love this part of that article:

UConn president Susan Herbst has contacted officials from the non-FBS Big East members, pleading with them to stay in the league, sources told ESPN.

Ironically, Herbst, along with Cincinnati and South Florida officials, heavily lobbied to get out of the Big East and join the ACC when the league had to replace Maryland.

 

[mabrowndog]

Here's what the Big East would look like for non-football sports once the Catholic 7 depart:


Cincinnati
Connecticut
S. Florida
Temple
C. Florida
Houston
Memphis
SMU
Tulane

That's simultaneously hilarious and sad.

 

[DJnVa]

So, is it just me, or does it seem the Big East and CUSA are careening towards some sort of merger, for football or all sports? Maybe with a Sun Belt school or two in there?

East: UCF, USF, ECU, ODU, Navy, Marshall, Temple, Charlotte
West: SMU, Rice, Houston, WKU, La-Lafayette, MTSU, UTSA, Tulane

With schools like Georgia Southern, App St, or Georgia State hovering around the edges if needed?

I mean, at this point, what's left?

 

[Curtis Pride]

Big East founded in 1979:

Providence
St. John's
Georgetown
Seton Hall
Syracuse
Boston College
UConn

!980:
Villanova

1982:
Pittsburgh

After shakeup, proposed basketball-only league:
Providence
St. John's
Georgetown
Seton Hall
Villanova

ACC:
Syracuse
Boston College
Pittsburgh

Big East leftovers:
UConn

Then consider Big East members... Proposed basketball-only league:
(expansion #2) DePaul
(expansion #2) Marquette

ACC:
Notre Dame (except football)
(expansion #1) Virginia Tech
(expansion #1) Miami
(expansion #2) Louisville

Big 10:
(expansion #1) Rutgers

Big 12:
(expansion #1) West Virginia

Big East leftovers:
(expansion #2) Cincinnati
(expansion #2) South Florida
(expansion #1) Temple

The first expansion was to create a football conference to retain the three football schools, who have since left.
Four of the five schools added have left for other conferences.

The second expansion poached teams from Conference USA to replace Miami, VT, and BC. One is going to the ACC, two are going to the basketball-only conference, and two are still around. If this comes to pass, the Big East will have 7 in the ACC, 7 in the basketball-only conferences, 1 in Big Ten, 1 in Big 12, and 4 still in the Big East. For UConn, the ACC makes the most sense because they have already established rivalries with 7 teams plus Duke, and to a lesser extent UNC. For Cincinnati, if they don't end up in the ACC, would they join the MAC? It seems like a step down for them. For Temple, the MAC might be their only option if they would to play in a FBS conference. And South Florida? I don't have any idea what will happen to them.

If college football didn't become such a lucrative enterprise, the superconferences wouldn't develop, and I think the Big East would have stayed intact. The Big East Tournament in MSG is still one of my favorite events to follow, and it's going to be lost to football and cash. I'm not a fan of this particular trade-off.

 

[Dan Murfman]

So, is it just me, or does it seem the Big East and CUSA are careening towards some sort of merger, for football or all sports? Maybe with a Sun Belt school or two in there?

East: UCF, USF, ECU, ODU, Navy, Marshall, Temple, Charlotte
West: SMU, Rice, Houston, WKU, La-Lafayette, MTSU, UTSA, Tulane

With schools like Georgia Southern, App St, or Georgia State hovering around the edges if needed?

I mean, at this point, what's left?

UConn and Cincy don't even get in this conference. Damn we really are screwed

 

[DJnVa]

Bah, my bad. But the point remains....it seems like that's where we're headed.

How about UConn to the East, Cincy to the West---9 teams in each division, 8 conference games, 3 OOC games, and a conference title game.

 

[RedOctober3829]

However way you look at it, UConn is screwed unless ACC opens up realignment again.

 

[Franklin Fanatic]

Bah, my bad. But the point remains....it seems like that's where we're headed.

How about UConn to the East, Cincy to the West---9 teams in each division, 8 conference games, 3 OOC games, and a conference title game.

I hope that UMass can join whatever super conference UConn ends up in (along with Temple). That would certainly help build some Northeast rivalries.

 

[Dan Murfman]

However way you look at it, UConn is screwed unless ACC opens up realignment again.

It was a nice run and had a lot of good times.

 

[Infield Infidel]

I'm definitely taking the long view. I think it'll be a 10-12 year process, starting from 2003 when the ACC pilfered BC, VaTech, and Miami

The last time there was extensive realignment was 1982-1994, from Pitt going to the Big East to the dissolution of the SWAC.
Prior to 1982, in the 70s, the only big moves were Arizona/ASU going to the Pac-8 and GTech joining ACC.
After 1994 there was about a 10 year halt in movement, except for the WAC/Mountain West split.

These teams all changed conferences from 82-94 (I'm only counting Div 1-A football schools):
Pitt, South Carolina, FSU, Penn State, WVU, VaTech, Arkansas, Miami, Rutgers, Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Baylor, SMU, TCU, UTEP, LaTech, Tulsa, Houston, Tulane, Southern Miss, UAB, Memphis, ECU (I'm probably forgetting a few).

I think we will have more changes till at least 2014

Big East founded in 1979:

You forgot the Big East turning down Penn State in 1983.

 

[Infield Infidel]

I posted this elsewhere, but when the ACC grabbed BC, VaTech, and Miami, the Big East football schools should have taken off and made a 12 team conference

North: Syracuse, UConn, Temple, Rutgers, Pitt, WVU
South: Houston, USF, TCU, Cincinnati, Louisville, Memphis

That would have been a solid two-sport league, eight great basketball programs and four schools that ended up in multiple BCS bowls.
Sticking with eight teams for so long was a disaster.

 

[Dan Murfman]

I love this part of that article:

Not that it makes any difference but

Jeff Jacobs ‏@jacobscourant
UConn: ESPN report that Susan Herbst was pleading with 7 Catholic schools to stay in league is untrue.

https://twitter.com/jacobscourant/status/279295493203435520

 

[TheBenzingerGame]

Some chatter now that the 'Catholic 7' have their sights on a broader national footprint:

@AdamZagoria: Hearing Xavier, Butler, VCU, Dayton, St. Louis, Gonzaga and St. Mary's all among targets to join the former Big East Catholic schools

http://twitter.com/AdamZagoria/status/279252442309341185

As a Georgetown alum, I'm beginning to think this might be our best option. I don't hate the idea of building a good Catholic cross-country rivalry with Gonzaga. Xavier, Butler, St. Mary's and VCU could all potentially add something to a basketball-only conference. It, of course, sucks as an alternative to the traditional Big East. But at this point, what options are left?

As long as we keep a conference tournament at MSG.

 

[bandito0]

Looks like the Big East is done:

The seven Catholic schools in the Big East have agreed to leave the conference and are debating the process of departing it, according to a source with knowledge of the situation.

How DePaul, Georgetown, Marquette, Providence, St. John's, Seton Hall and Villanova leave the Big East is still undetermined.

http://espn.go.com/college-sports/story/_/id/8745235/seven-schools-agree-leave-big-east-debating-process-source-says
I'm pretty excited as a Villanova fan because the university isn't ready for FBS football. The facilities and the fan support aren't there. I feel that this is the best move for 'Nova because basketball is their breadwinner. I'm interested to see what happens next.
As a basketball fan however, to see a conference like the Big East had fall apart so quickly is a real shame.

 

[DJnVa]

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/183377221.html

Marquette and six other defectors - St. John's, Villanova, Georgetown, DePaul, Providence and Seton Hall - will join Butler and Xavier of the Atlantic 10 to form a new basketball-centric league next season.
A 10th team could come from St. Louis, Dayton, Creighton or Virginia Commonwealth. The new league could even begin play with 12 teams.