Big East Conference Expansion Ideas and Discussion

[HoosierPal]

I think expansion is a ways off. A lot of thins can happen in the next 5 years.

I think the tourney results and MSG atmosphere this year will have an impact on when expansion happens. If we have a crappy turnout at MSG, get 3 bids, and nobody gets to the sweet 16, I think we expand sooner. Decent turnout at MSG, 4-5 bids, and Nova/Creighton both make sweet 16 (or elite 8), then we probably take our time and see how things shake out. Really, though, there's no way for us to definitively say what the presidents' expectations or plans are.

I think they'll go Rock / Paper /Scissors on expansion. Pretty good long term business plan, don't you think?

[Bill Marsh]

HoosierPal,

Most of us are big girls and boys now and permitted to stay up until midnight even on weekday nights. Others, who may not have that permission, may have DVR's so that they can watch the Gonzaga games at the times of their choice.

Based on what we've been reading from your posts, you will find (or create) some impediment for any member other than the one for whom you favor. I am equally aware that there are posters here, myself probably included, who have a ready-made list of impediments that would bar your favorite potential entry to the Big East. The difference between most others and you is that we are open-minded about most of those being mentioned for #12 while you seem to feel that only one such team is suitable for that privilege. (I did say "most of those being mentioned" since I'm not for a Siena or Canisius to be named, two that were mentioned, but with tongue firmly in cheek, I am sure.) Others that have been mentioned for the next two slots like VCU, Gonzaga, UConn, and SLU have been taking care of business and are very worthy of careful consideration. Most would consider Richmond, Dayton, and Wichita State to be in a next tier down from them assuming that selecting for long-range stability and basketball achievement and excellence are paramount in the invitation process.

Most people would probably favor UConn (should they decide to downsize their FB program) and Gonzaga (as a BB-only member) in a heartbeat to bring our Conference to 12. But those two are unlikely at best. If Fox Sports 1 desires a 14-member Conference for an expanded (19-game) schedule, then Gonzaga might be tempted and that could open the door for the top three remaining programs who would be applying for membership with SLU leading that list.

Muskie Nick, basketball-only members are not allowed by NCAA rules.

[BillikensWin]

He has his issues, but I love Knight as an analyst. A question for SLU fans... did it bother you when they (I actually don't recall if Knight ever did this) referred to the team as "slew" or "Saint Louis U" ? I suppose they didn't want to confuse things by saying S-L-U when playing V-C-U but I don't know why they wouldn't just say "Saint Louis"

Saint Louisan and graduate says "Slew", S-L-U, Saint Louis U, and Saint Louis are all acceptable. "St. Louis" is not.

I was told "SLUm" was an acceptable term as well.

I've seen SLUm and SLUt recently.

[aughnanure]

Should Gonzaga be invited to join the Big East, I find it highly unlikely that we would accept them as a full member. I would think the Zags' membership would be for Men's Basketball only (unless the women's team would fly east with the Men and play the same away schedule, differing only by time of game). I agree with the poster who opined that there should be no additional ($1 million) payment to Gonzaga. They should either accept or reject the same payment amount as the other members of the Conference. If the Zags get $5 million then the other 10 or 11 members should also get $5 million from Fox or from the League Office.

First off, I wasn't actually saying Gonzaga deserved more money. Redman gets ahead of himself sometimes. I was just adding it as a random idea cause everyone is freaking out about the additional travel costs....so what if we could get fox to pony up some extra money? And seriously, would everyone really get pissy if Gonzaga got a bit extra? I'd be happy getting Gonzaga any way possible. But they already travel charter (as does Marquette and others in BE) so I think the $5 million covers their additional costs.

Also, Gonzaga cannot join the Big East AS A BASKETBALL MEMBER ONLY!! It's an NCAA rule. They have join all-in.

[NJRedman]

HoosierPal,

Most of us are big girls and boys now and permitted to stay up until midnight even on weekday nights. Others, who may not have that permission, may have DVR's so that they can watch the Gonzaga games at the times of their choice.

Sponsors really love it when you fast forward through their ads. Makes them want to give up the big bucks.

Exactly, and unlike us nuts most casual fans wont stay up for a 10pm start time. If I had work early in the morning and it wasn't my team I sure as hell wouldn't.

People also forget that Gonzaga has been eliminated as an actual candidate a year ago. Any writer in the know, knows they are an unrealistic option. They were the overall #1 seed last year! We could have added them last year before the tourny started and would have had GREAT press! The Big East adds the #1 overall seed! If it didn't happen then why would they change their minds now?

[NJRedman]

Should Gonzaga be invited to join the Big East, I find it highly unlikely that we would accept them as a full member. I would think the Zags' membership would be for Men's Basketball only (unless the women's team would fly east with the Men and play the same away schedule, differing only by time of game). I agree with the poster who opined that there should be no additional ($1 million) payment to Gonzaga. They should either accept or reject the same payment amount as the other members of the Conference. If the Zags get $5 million then the other 10 or 11 members should also get $5 million from Fox or from the League Office.

First off, I wasn't actually saying Gonzaga deserved more money. Redman gets ahead of himself sometimes. I was just adding it as a random idea cause everyone is freaking out about the additional travel costs....so what if we could get fox to pony up some extra money? And seriously, would everyone really get pissy if Gonzaga got a bit extra? I'd be happy getting Gonzaga any way possible. But they already travel charter (as does Marquette and others in BE) so I think the $5 million covers their additional costs.

Also, Gonzaga cannot join the Big East AS A BASKETBALL MEMBER ONLY!! It's an NCAA rule. They have join all-in.

Ahead of myself? You admit in this post above that you floated the idea, and I shot it down. Yes, I would get pissy if Gonzaga got more money than everyone else! What the hell have they done to deserve more money than the rest of the teams? Who the F are they? What the F have they ever done? They dominated a weak WCC? Who cares?!

Once again, anyone who knows anything knows that the Zags have been eliminated from consideration over a year ago. If they weren't added when they were the #1 overall seed last year, then when will they be added? The #1 team in the country can't get an invite then they never will.

[aughnanure]

Should Gonzaga be invited to join the Big East, I find it highly unlikely that we would accept them as a full member. I would think the Zags' membership would be for Men's Basketball only (unless the women's team would fly east with the Men and play the same away schedule, differing only by time of game). I agree with the poster who opined that there should be no additional ($1 million) payment to Gonzaga. They should either accept or reject the same payment amount as the other members of the Conference. If the Zags get $5 million then the other 10 or 11 members should also get $5 million from Fox or from the League Office.

First off, I wasn't actually saying Gonzaga deserved more money. Redman gets ahead of himself sometimes. I was just adding it as a random idea cause everyone is freaking out about the additional travel costs....so what if we could get fox to pony up some extra money? And seriously, would everyone really get pissy if Gonzaga got a bit extra? I'd be happy getting Gonzaga any way possible. But they already travel charter (as does Marquette and others in BE) so I think the $5 million covers their additional costs.

Also, Gonzaga cannot join the Big East AS A BASKETBALL MEMBER ONLY!! It's an NCAA rule. They have join all-in.

Ahead of myself? You admit in this post above that you floated the idea, and I shot it down. Yes, I would get pissy if Gonzaga got more money than everyone else! What the hell have they done to deserve more money than the rest of the teams? Who the F are they? What the F have they ever done? They dominated a weak WCC? Who cares?!

Once again, anyone who knows anything knows that the Zags have been eliminated from consideration over a year ago. If they weren't added when they were the #1 overall seed last year, then when will they be added? The #1 team in the country can't get an invite then they never will.

\

Ooooh you shot it down?! So influential you are.

Ugh, stop acting like you are the end all be all. Obviously you're too clueless to understand my "floated idea" was in reference to their travel, not "deserving." But please continue to overreact and yell at everything.

[Bill Marsh]

First off, I wasn't actually saying Gonzaga deserved more money. Redman gets ahead of himself sometimes. I was just adding it as a random idea cause everyone is freaking out about the additional travel costs....so what if we could get fox to pony up some extra money? And seriously, would everyone really get pissy if Gonzaga got a bit extra? I'd be happy getting Gonzaga any way possible. But they already travel charter (as does Marquette and others in BE) so I think the $5 million covers their additional costs.

Also, Gonzaga cannot join the Big East AS A BASKETBALL MEMBER ONLY!! It's an NCAA rule. They have join all-in.

Ahead of myself? You admit in this post above that you floated the idea, and I shot it down. Yes, I would get pissy if Gonzaga got more money than everyone else! What the hell have they done to deserve more money than the rest of the teams? Who the F are they? What the F have they ever done? They dominated a weak WCC? Who cares?!

Once again, anyone who knows anything knows that the Zags have been eliminated from consideration over a year ago. If they weren't added when they were the #1 overall seed last year, then when will they be added? The #1 team in the country can't get an invite then they never will.

\

Ooooh you shot it down?! So influential you are.

Ugh, stop acting like you are the end all be all. Obviously you're too clueless to understand my "floated idea" was in reference to their travel, not "deserving." But please continue to overreact and yell at everything.

Don't worry, Augh, some of us got it.

[NJRedman]

First off, I wasn't actually saying Gonzaga deserved more money. Redman gets ahead of himself sometimes. I was just adding it as a random idea cause everyone is freaking out about the additional travel costs....so what if we could get fox to pony up some extra money? And seriously, would everyone really get pissy if Gonzaga got a bit extra? I'd be happy getting Gonzaga any way possible. But they already travel charter (as does Marquette and others in BE) so I think the $5 million covers their additional costs.

Also, Gonzaga cannot join the Big East AS A BASKETBALL MEMBER ONLY!! It's an NCAA rule. They have join all-in.

Ahead of myself? You admit in this post above that you floated the idea, and I shot it down. Yes, I would get pissy if Gonzaga got more money than everyone else! What the hell have they done to deserve more money than the rest of the teams? Who the F are they? What the F have they ever done? They dominated a weak WCC? Who cares?!

Once again, anyone who knows anything knows that the Zags have been eliminated from consideration over a year ago. If they weren't added when they were the #1 overall seed last year, then when will they be added? The #1 team in the country can't get an invite then they never will.

\

Ooooh you shot it down?! So influential you are.

Ugh, stop acting like you are the end all be all. Obviously you're too clueless to understand my "floated idea" was in reference to their travel, not "deserving." But please continue to overreact and yell at everything.

Ha! Dude, you throw out a stupid idea about a team who isn't going to get invited and i'm clueless. Yes, please more "floated ideas" that live in the realm of fantasy!

[RDinNY]

How do you schedule for TV a West Coast team that has to play a bunch of East Coast games. 10 pm our time or 5 pm their time?