McNamara: no Big East expansion; A10 to Dunk?

[TheHall]

I was pretty sure a lot of us thought they were going to expand beyond 10. If not this year than next.

They will, but just like the B12 it seems to me that they've assess the possible candidates and decided there was no reason to move yet. Assuming the P5 might make a move in the next few years I'd rather wait and see if Uconn or someone else gets left out again. If not then the same candidates will be available to lessen the effect of whatever expansion does take place.

I think this news debunks the idea that FOX is nervous about the viability of the current BE so much so that they would feel the need to expand immediately, a contingency that clearly was on the table last summer.

[stever20]

I was pretty sure a lot of us thought they were going to expand beyond 10. If not this year than next.

They will, but just like the B12 it seems to me that they've assess the possible candidates and decided there was no reason to move yet. Assuming the P5 might make a move in the next few years I'd rather wait and see if Uconn or someone else gets left out again. If not then the same candidates will be available to lessen the effect of whatever expansion does take place.

I think this news debunks the idea that FOX is nervous about the viability of the current BE so much so that they would feel the need to expand immediately, a contingency that clearly was on the table last summer.

either that or they are almost certain that they will be getting NBA/Big Ten, and don't want to stretch themselves out too much more. Only so many time slots available. Maybe not willing to invest the money required to get 2 more schools added that would require more games to be on FS2.

[billyjack]

I was pretty sure a lot of us thought they were going to expand beyond 10. If not this year than next.

They will, but just like the B12 it seems to me that they've assess the possible candidates and decided there was no reason to move yet. Assuming the P5 might make a move in the next few years I'd rather wait and see if Uconn or someone else gets left out again. If not then the same candidates will be available to lessen the effect of whatever expansion does take place.

I think this news debunks the idea that FOX is nervous about the viability of the current BE so much so that they would feel the need to expand immediately, a contingency that clearly was on the table last summer.

Great point. And thankfully with that, we've avoided a bunch of 50 page summer threads on that topic.

[GoldenWarrior11]

It really shouldn't be a surprise to anyone that the league isn't considering expanding right now. The league, while carrying significant history and tradition, is still very new and fresh. Allow Creighton, Xavier and Butler to develop rivalries with the C7, and strengthen the conference top-to-bottom. Georgetown and Villanova will need to carry the league over the next few seasons. Seton Hall and Providence are on the way up. Xavier and St. Johns are facing depleted rosters, but will always be competitive. Creighton and Butler are rebuilding, but they will be back. Hopefully, DePaul's new arena (and hopefully new coach) will spark enough interest in Chicago and recruits to get people to games. As for my Warriors, time will tell with Wojo. Crean and Buzz really had a solid run with the team, but both bolted when the achieved a high-level of success. I am confident he will do great things, but the roster (this year) lacks size.

Val and the Presidents should re-examine additions in a few years. By that time, the foundation of the new incarnation of the league will be set and stable, and that's when you can add on and make it stronger.

[TheHall]

It really shouldn't be a surprise to anyone that the league isn't considering expanding right now. The league, while carrying significant history and tradition, is still very new and fresh. Allow Creighton, Xavier and Butler to develop rivalries with the C7, and strengthen the conference top-to-bottom. Georgetown and Villanova will need to carry the league over the next few seasons. Seton Hall and Providence are on the way up. Xavier and St. Johns are facing depleted rosters, but will always be competitive. Creighton and Butler are rebuilding, but they will be back. Hopefully, DePaul's new arena (and hopefully new coach) will spark enough interest in Chicago and recruits to get people to games. As for my Warriors, time will tell with Wojo. Crean and Buzz really had a solid run with the team, but both bolted when the achieved a high-level of success. I am confident he will do great things, but the roster (this year) lacks size.

Val and the Presidents should re-examine additions in a few years. By that time, the foundation of the new incarnation of the league will be set and stable, and that's when you can add on and make it stronger.

That all makes pretty good sense in retrospect. But at the time the BE was moving at 100 mph in uncharted territory after expediting the split from the AAC. MSG was in flux so there was no telling what moves including expansion, would need to be made as this process has played out. Also don't forget when Brad Stevens bailed the 10 school model didn't look nearly as strong as it did w/Stevens at BU.

[BillikensWin]

The fact that Edrick agreed with me is scary enough.

I thought SLU might have had a chance to get in. They don't, so best to make do with what one has.

[Bill Marsh]

Providence would be a terrible location for the a-10 tourney...they should return to their roots and play it in philly, the geographic center of the league.

play it at the wells fargo center and curtain off the upper-deck, like they do with the barclays center.

The advantage of the Dunk for the A10 is that it's an arena that seats 12-13,000, which will be a lot easier for them to sell out. It's a nice manageable city, which is easy to get to by plains, trains, and automobiles. You're correct about its location being a draw back to the conference, but other than that it has a lot going for it. And URI and UMass, two of the conferences largest universities are nearby. Add to that the fact that Providence is a city that loves college basketball and has no competition from pro sports.

[DudeAnon]

They should just put it in Dayton, Dayton fans would load it up no?

[TheHall]

I think this news debunks the idea that FOX is nervous about the viability of the current BE so much so that they would feel the need to expand immediately, a contingency that clearly was on the table last summer.

Great point. And thankfully with that, we've avoided a bunch of 50 page summer threads on that topic.

I also think this article should put to bed the future threads about the BE somehow becoming a competitor of the A10...

[Jet915]

I sure hope the Big East also pursues a scheduling challenge with the Pac-12 as well. East vs. West type challenge. Even if just half the games are shown on FS1 and half on ESPN, I'm sure Fox would take it. It gives us even greater exposure and further aligns ourselves with the "Big 5." If Ackerman can get this one done, she gets an A+ in my book.