VCU in the BE may be a dead issue

[Bill Marsh]

Unless the power football conferences are going to become hybrid conferences, the Big East won't get raided. If we lose a team here and there because they take a shot by building an FBS football program, then so be it. We can reevaluate and get the best option when they leave. Maybe a clear option emerges.

Thats the point, the schools don't want to deal with "So be it", they want conference stability going forward. I'm sorry, but VCU is not worth the headache for a few years of membership. I don't know how you can say we wont get raided but it would be okay if a member jumps to FBS? If one of our schools jumps up to FBS and leaves we have just been raided. Would it look good for the conference if one of our members goes to CUSA, AAC or god forbid the Sun Belt? No, it would reflect poorly on us all if that happened. Also I think the Presidents and boosters are sick and tired of waiting for FB members to leave and dealing with them threatening to leave. If VCU or anyone else wants to flirt with FBS then there is no way they get invited, im sure VCU would have to give assurances that they have no desire to move up the CFB ranks.

I'd rather have a high quality program for 10-15 years than a dog of a program forever. Stability is great until you're stuck with someone you wish you could get rid of.

But the point is moot because there's no reason to think that VCU would be going anywhere.

[gosports1]

i dont think much would have changed if UConn didnt upgrade. The same 5 imo would have been invited and Temple would probably have been kept around as fb only. the same schools would still leave except in this sp;it it would be the c-8 (the 8th c standing for connecticut) if uconn in the picture the expansion candidates may have changed. would uconn push for vcu or umass? or would butler xavier creighton and slu round out the 12?
the aac would go with usm? uab? marshall?

[Natty]

I think there are other flight risks to the Big East than just the public school being talked in this post.

Villanova for example was set to pursue big time football just three seasons ago before that Big East vote got canceled and all the wheels fell off on that whole situation. I think it's kinda funny that VCU is the school considered a flight risk while they don't currently have a football program and while there are folks on this forum who question if they are even a strong enough add for the Big East in the first place. So the school with no football who has a "third-tier scrub" basketball program is a flight risk? If you're calling VCU a flight risk you are also admitting the Rams have a pretty high ceiling. One would think those are the types of teams the league would want to invite.

[BillikensWin]

I think there are other flight risks to the Big East than just the public school being talked in this post.

Villanova for example was set to pursue big time football just three seasons ago before that Big East vote got canceled and all the wheels fell off on that whole situation. I think it's kinda funny that VCU is the school considered a flight risk while they don't currently have a football program and while there are folks on this forum who question if they are even a strong enough add for the Big East in the first place. So the school with no football who has a "third-tier scrub" basketball program is a flight risk? If you're calling VCU a flight risk you are also admitting the Rams have a pretty high ceiling. One would think those are the types of teams the league would want to invite.

Terminology of the year for $1000, Alex?

[Lavinwood]

All our problems would be solved if we cut some deal where UConn, Cincy, and Memphis realize they are basketball schools and will never be a national player in football. I know this has been said millions of times, but if they just store their football in another conference and sign a contract saying they won't leave for at least 10-15 years or whatever, it would be amazing. That would essentially shut everyone up about whether we are still a powerhouse conference or not. The Big East is the perfect fit for those schools…but they just won't give up their football. That cost them in settling for the AAC. Why don't those schools just store their football elsewhere?

[MU+VCU]

Natty is 100% correct here. O'Connor is a Richmond guy first and foremost. I've seen him at our arena one time this year.

Our president, Rao, has stated on multiple occasions that he is not a fan of the associated costs. His quote about how "something like 7 division 1 teams are making money" was telling.

I've been following our program's insiders (Natty along with another guy that is well-known amongst VCU fans) for years and have yet to hear anything even remotely significant about football. These guys are really, really good at what they do. I'd like to think they would know if there was a chance.

[SecureDaBall]

I think there are other flight risks to the Big East than just the public school being talked in this post.

Villanova for example was set to pursue big time football just three seasons ago before that Big East vote got canceled and all the wheels fell off on that whole situation. I think it's kinda funny that VCU is the school considered a flight risk while they don't currently have a football program and while there are folks on this forum who question if they are even a strong enough add for the Big East in the first place. So the school with no football who has a "third-tier scrub" basketball program is a flight risk? If you're calling VCU a flight risk you are also admitting the Rams have a pretty high ceiling. One would think those are the types of teams the league would want to invite.

Villanova undertook studies in 2010 but was hesitant on upgrading their football program at a time when the old Big East was expecting a TV contract that paid each school comparable to what the ACC received. I believe the estimated loss was around $7 million per year. With the gap between the haves and have nots widening, I would think that an estimated loss today would be much more than $7 mill so I doubt Villanova would take the jump now.

[ruechalgrin]

The Big East is comprised of 10 private institutions with 9 of 10 being Catholic. All the schools including Butler has similar missions, identities, and philosophies. It is extremely unlikely they will add a public school. As some posters have noted, Commonwealth politics play a role in VCU's future and the Big East President's will not want any part of that.

I will go out on a limb and say Gonzaga is more likely than VCU to be added. The Presidents of the 10 Big East Schools (9 of which are Catholic) will ensure a great men's basketball program is necessary for admission to the BE, but it is not sufficient. Any new program will have to a similar mission and that will take VCU out of the mix.

[Bill Marsh]

The Big East is comprised of 10 private institutions with 9 of 10 being Catholic. All the schools including Butler has similar missions, identities, and philosophies. It is extremely unlikely they will add a public school. As some posters have noted, Commonwealth politics play a role in VCU's future and the Big East President's will not want any part of that.

I will go out on a limb and say Gonzaga is more likely than VCU to be added. The Presidents of the 10 Big East Schools (9 of which are Catholic) will ensure a great men's basketball program is necessary for admission to the BE, but it is not sufficient. Any new program will have to a similar mission and that will take VCU out of the mix.

The only schools that fit your criteria within the existing footprint are St Louis. If that happens, it will be time to move the Big East tournament to Chicago, rename it The Great Midwest, and accept second tier status in the Midwest to the Big Ten.

[ruechalgrin]

The only schools that fit your criteria within the existing footprint are St Louis. If that happens, it will be time to move the Big East tournament to Chicago, rename it The Great Midwest, and accept second tier status in the Midwest to the Big Ten.[/quote]

I think the BE waits to see if St. Louis has long-term staying power after the seniors graduate. Right now, I don't know if anyone fits the criteria except Gonzaga. The next tier includes St. Louis (if they can keep it up), Dayton, and Richmond. I simply do not see the Big East adding one public school.