The AAC currently has 5 teams in the top 25

[Piratefan]

I would not be in a hurry to draw straight lines from today's respective positions of the BE and the AAC. First, the BE has an established national brand, largely established rivalries, and a coherent and aligned membership. Second, the BE has a far more attractive tv deal in terms of $ and national exposure; additionally, the deal is 12 years which engenders even greater stability. Third, the BE is on the ascent and the AAC the opposite; the BE has an incredible incoming recruiting class and the rpi's of the weaker teams will almost certainly improve in the future, whereas the AAC is losing Louisville and adding weak programs with no rivalries. Fourth, geography is superior in terms of recruiting and proximity. Fifth, basketball is number 1 at each BE school which is not the case at all AAC schools. Sixth, mutual commitment, Ucinn and Uconn have been public in their desire to leave asap. Seventh, conference tournament at MSG. There are doubtless other relative advantages but I believe the case is clear.

Will Memphis, Uconn, Cinn continue to recruit at a high level when they are playing ECU, Tulane, USF, UCF, etc? The AAC's rpi will undoubtedly decline over time and so will NCAA bids.

SHU, Butler and DePaul are pouring massive dollars into facilities which will only enhance competitiveness. Top to bottom the BE will be the best conference and have the highest % of bids but it will likely have fewer elite teams than 1 or 2 conferences.

I think the strategic position of the BE is excellent.

[Bill Marsh]

I would not be in a hurry to draw straight lines from today's respective positions of the BE and the AAC. First, the BE has an established national brand, largely established rivalries, and a coherent and aligned membership. Second, the BE has a far more attractive tv deal in terms of $ and national exposure; additionally, the deal is 12 years which engenders even greater stability. Third, the BE is on the ascent and the AAC the opposite; the BE has an incredible incoming recruiting class and the rpi's of the weaker teams will almost certainly improve in the future, whereas the AAC is losing Louisville and adding weak programs with no rivalries. Fourth, geography is superior in terms of recruiting and proximity. Fifth, basketball is number 1 at each BE school which is not the case at all AAC schools. Sixth, mutual commitment, Ucinn and Uconn have been public in their desire to leave asap. Seventh, conference tournament at MSG. There are doubtless other relative advantages but I believe the case is clear.

Will Memphis, Uconn, Cinn continue to recruit at a high level when they are playing ECU, Tulane, USF, UCF, etc? The AAC's rpi will undoubtedly decline over time and so will NCAA bids.

SHU, Butler and DePaul are pouring massive dollars into facilities which will only enhance competitiveness. Top to bottom the BE will be the best conference and have the highest % of bids but it will likely have fewer elite teams than 1 or 2 conferences.

I think the strategic position of the BE is excellent.

Why is an East Carolina fan posting on the Big East board?

[marquette]

Why is an East Carolina fan posting on the Big East board?

What? SHU Pirates, no?

[Piratefan]

SHU Pirates, indeed!

[Bill Marsh]

SHU Pirates, indeed!

Sorry.

[Burrito]

So much for SMU being ranked. They lost today to the worst team in the AAC (Temple).

[marquette]

So much for SMU being ranked. They lost today to the worst team in the AAC (Temple).

Yeah, that's an ugly one. I think they are highly overrated, but when the bottom of the conference is that bad it's not as easy to get exposed.

[Bill Marsh]

That loss will hurt SMU a lot. It's worse than losing to DePaul.

Their RPI has dropped to 49, putting them squarely on the bubble.

[marquette]

That loss will hurt SMU a lot. It's worse than losing to DePaul.

Their RPI has dropped to 49, putting them squarely on the bubble.

If they drop their next game at home v Houston or the one at home against UCF, then they will be on the outside looking in. They won't win @UConn, @Memphis, or home against Louisville. I see them finishing 1-4 and way outside the bubble.

[Jet915]

So much for SMU being ranked. They lost today to the worst team in the AAC (Temple).

They are one of those teams who are really good at home but suck on the road. They have zero quality non-conference wins. That is why they are on the bubble.