Expansion: UAB to reunite with Marquette and DePaul in NBE?

[Bluejay]

The only other program that I know of that is hurting for resources is UNLV:

http://www.reviewjournal.com/opinion/ed ... v-football

"But the Rebel football team doesn’t have a coaching problem. It has a resource problem that no number of coaching changes can fix. And until UNLV football gets more financial support from the community — through fundraising and ticket sales — to improve some of the worst college football facilities in the country, the Rebels will never be consistent winners, never be good enough to prevent coaching staffs from being replaced every four to five years."


UNLV has a great basketball tradition along with a big arena that is in line with other Big East schools. Unfortunately, we run into the "Gonzaga Problem" in that their location is absurdly out of the way. Point being, this is certainly a trend that everyone should keep an eye out for because some good basketball schools might become available.

UNLV has had some funding issues for some time now. I remember when Krueger left, it was said that the main reason for his departure was UNLV's financial problems.

[Wizard of Westroads]

Anybody know about Boston College's finances? I'd love for them to drop football and join the BE. Or do you guys not want them back?

[Noonzy]

I can't see where they would be welcomed back. They were the first of the defections.

[Edrick]

The conference isn't expanding, now or for many years if ever, why do people keep bringing this up?

[BillikenFriar]

Boston College can eat a bag of ducks as far as I'm concerned.

[GoldenWarrior11]

If the Big East's success thus far has shown anything, it's that having a 10-team league is optimal for basketball. Everyone gets to play each other twice in league play every season. These new rivalries that are now incorporating Butler, Creighton and Xavier will only strengthen the league long-term. Adding anyone (Saint Louis, Gonzaga, Dayton, UConn, VCU, UAB, or UNLV) just dilutes the product. There isn't an ideal fit anywhere across the board with available expansion members. Gonzaga and UNLV are too far west. UConn offers football. VCU and UAB are public universities. Dayton is too close to Cincinnati (Xavier). Saint Louis doesn't have the basketball prestige (as of right now).

Things can (and will) change, but I honestly don't see the Big East adding any new members for awhile. Perhaps in 7-8 years, when the Fox deal is close to expiring.

Side note, why is it that the expansion topics always get the most activity?

[Letsgonova]

Absolutely zero chance of BC dropping football. The move to the ACC has been terrible for their on-field success, especially in MBB, but it has been great for the budget (~$25M per year in conference revenues) and for their admissions department (huge increase in applicants from the southeast). They are very happy where they are.

[stever20]

like I've said before, if the Big 12 goes to 12 teams, I think we're going to be forced to expand. All of the other F5 conferences would be at 12+ teams. Even some of the other top conferences (MWC, A10, AAC) will be over 10.

And I'm sorry, I just don't see how adding a top 25 program dilutes the product. That's idiotic. Now if it was adding SLU and Duquesne or something like that- yeah could see that sentiment. But like if we could add VCU and UConn- there's no dilution there whatsoever.

Also something to watch for if FS1 doesn't get the Big 10- look for them to really push us for expansion, so they could get more volume.

[Sactowndog]

If the Big East's success thus far has shown anything, it's that having a 10-team league is optimal for basketball. Everyone gets to play each other twice in league play every season. These new rivalries that are now incorporating Butler, Creighton and Xavier will only strengthen the league long-term. Adding anyone (Saint Louis, Gonzaga, Dayton, UConn, VCU, UAB, or UNLV) just dilutes the product. There isn't an ideal fit anywhere across the board with available expansion members. Gonzaga and UNLV are too far west. UConn offers football. VCU and UAB are public universities. Dayton is too close to Cincinnati (Xavier). Saint Louis doesn't have the basketball prestige (as of right now).

Things can (and will) change, but I honestly don't see the Big East adding any new members for awhile. Perhaps in 7-8 years, when the Fox deal is close to expiring.

Side note, why is it that the expansion topics always get the most activity?

Small is attractive to the teams in the league but strategically it has historically for football been a mistake. The Paradox is the time your most able to expand are the times you least desire to expand because it chews up revenue in the short term. The result is unless the conference is run by a strategic and visionary leader they often fail to seize the opportunity when the time is ripe. Failure to do so can cause them to ultimately weaken. It's when your most strong and least in need of expansion that you should double down on your future and make bold moves.

My choice would be to add Wichita State and VCU, but others have different opinions. Whatever your choice, now is the time to seperate us from the G-5 schools.

[Bill Marsh]

Anybody know about Boston College's finances? I'd love for them to drop football and join the BE. Or do you guys not want them back?

BC finances are in great shape.

I've heard from someone in Cincinnati that things are not so great at Xavier. Any truth to that?