Re: Conference realignment thread v. 2016
Posted: Fri Dec 02, 2016 11:57 am
Hall2012 wrote:phphphonograph wrote:Just want to get your guy's input on this. Who realistically, in your opinion and maybe why, are long term candidates for BIG EAST expansion? With the next round of realignment likely in 2023-2025 who has the capacity to force the BIG EAST to talk about them?
First let me be clear, I am not in favor of expansion that this point. I think the Big East has a great thing going right now and I see no need to mess with it.
That being said, to answer your question of who has the capacity to force the BIG EAST to talk about them down the road - the only answer that comes to mind for me is St. Louis. The reason being they are the only candidate mentioned here who checks off every box that isn't fixable.
- Private School? Check.
- Urban Location? Check
- Geographic Fit? Check.
- Major media (and excellent sports) market? Check.
- Big East Quality Arena? Check.
- Untapped Market for BE? Check.
I know a lot of people don't think these things are important, but I think the sort of brotherhood this conference feels is vital to its future success and I think a lot of that stems from the similarities between all the schools. The only box SLU does not check off is the current quality of its basketball program, but that's something completely within their control. If SLU builds their basketball program up to a consistently competitive level by the time realignment discussions roll back around, they could force the BIG EAST to talk about them.
Another SLU bonus? St. Louis is FS1's best market in the country.
All other candidates that have been mentioned have flaws that they unfortunately can't do anything about, so if the Big East won't talk about them now I don't see what they could do to change that.
Gonzaga? Poor Geographic Fit
Dayton? Smaller media market, almost certain to be blocked by X
St. Joes? Philly market already covered, almost certain to be blocked by Villanova
UCONN? Large public school, rural location
VCU? Large public school
Wichita State? Large Public School, small media market
If UConn dropped their football, you know 100% certainty that they would be in instantly. Fox would insist on it. And Fox will be important to keep happy as the key for the league will to be able to keep the tv deal at least at the same level in 8 years.