Why The Big East Won't Expand - - Round Robin

[billyjack]

Memphis just flew out to Spokane this past week.

[Bill Marsh]

If anyone is interested, there are no direct flights from Omaha to Spokane to review air times. The closest direct flight is from Minneapolis to Spokane. Delta Flight 1503 is 3 hours and 13 minutes in the air. This is the time a charter would require. Omaha is about 200 miles west of Minneapolis and about 250 miles south, so distances to Spokane are within reason for a discussion.

Non stop NY to Omaha is 3 hr 25 minutes, United 5992. Charter time is the same.

Interestingly, there are no non-stop commercial flights from NY to Spokane. 7 hrs 23 minutes is he quickest trip, connecting in MSP.

http://www.travelmath.com/flying-time/f ... pokane,+WA

It's a 2 hour, 48 minute flight and charter is the way to go.

[gosports1]

its been said before, if Gonzaga was in Pittsburgh, Boston or even Minneapolis they would be worth the risk. i have a hard time getting over the west coast thing[/quote]

If Gonzaga is a no brainer in every way except geography, why not try to find a way to work around the geography? Imagine what this conference would look like this year - or almost any year in the past 15 years or so - if Gonzaga were in the mix. A battle between Villanova and Gonzaga for the top spot would be awesome. It would also intensify the competition with the other challengers like Butler, Georgetown, and Providence, raising it to another level.[/quote]


i guess im just not sold on the coast to coast idea. If there was some drastic change and we had to go to 16 to keep up with the P5 i might be more convinced.
That said I would not be upset or angry if Gonzaga was added. i would just prefer a more contained league (if you could call the BE that! ) with Omaha being the western terminus

[BigmanU]

Has this been brought up????


What if Few leaves or decides to retire?? Few (2000-present) was behind the wheel for almost all of Gonzaga's accomplishments (15 NCAA's & 4 Sweet 16's) . They have 2 NCAA's & 1 Elite 8 (year prior 99') before him. How is this different than the Shaka Smart/VCU conundrum?

I know they have a brand now, but what happens when he leaves. They still only play WCC competition. Saying this, I still would love to have the top 4 of the league find a way to play them 2 home & 2 away non-conference schedule.

[RDinNY]

Would Gonzaga be in just for basketball, or are we flying the women's field hockey team cross country too?

[stever20]

Has this been brought up????


What if Few leaves or decides to retire?? Few (2000-present) was behind the wheel for almost all of Gonzaga's accomplishments (15 NCAA's & 4 Sweet 16's) . They have 2 NCAA's & 1 Elite 8 (year prior 99') before him. How is this different than the Shaka Smart/VCU conundrum?

I know they have a brand now, but what happens when he leaves. They still only play WCC competition. Saying this, I still would love to have the top 4 of the league find a way to play them 2 home & 2 away non-conference schedule.

The problem with doing a top 4 setup playing them.....
last year Georgetown and Marquette would have both been playing them as the matchups would have been set preseason.
this year Butler for sure wouldn't have been playing them.

[aughnanure]

Would Gonzaga be in just for basketball, or are we flying the women's field hockey team cross country too?

Have to be in for all sports. Your basketball conference has to be your main athletic conference.

[BigmanU]

Has this been brought up????


What if Few leaves or decides to retire?? Few (2000-present) was behind the wheel for almost all of Gonzaga's accomplishments (15 NCAA's & 4 Sweet 16's) . They have 2 NCAA's & 1 Elite 8 (year prior 99') before him. How is this different than the Shaka Smart/VCU conundrum?

I know they have a brand now, but what happens when he leaves. They still only play WCC competition. Saying this, I still would love to have the top 4 of the league find a way to play them 2 home & 2 away non-conference schedule.

The problem with doing a top 4 setup playing them.....
last year Georgetown and Marquette would have both been playing them as the matchups would have been set preseason.
this year Butler for sure wouldn't have been playing them.

It could be a signed deal two years from now beginning the 16-17 season. Hell, it could be just two teams (TDB) one home and away. the only thing that would have to be agreed is the time & place.

[stever20]

It could be a signed deal two years from now beginning the 16-17 season. Hell, it could be just two teams (TDB) one home and away. the only thing that would have to be agreed is the time & place.

The thing is, it has to be done preseason so you aren't going to know who is tops and who isn't. The Big East teams have to schedule accordingly. So for instance last year, Georgetown and Marquette could easily have been the 2 teams going, even though neither made the tourney- but both were preseason favorites. This year, no way in the world Butler would have been involved with it.

[RDinNY]

Would Gonzaga be in just for basketball, or are we flying the women's field hockey team cross country too?

Have to be in for all sports. Your basketball conference has to be your main athletic conference.

Rhetorical question. When we talk expansion, it seems that the focus is only on one sport. While men's basketball is the money make, there are a lot of costs placed on an athletic budget by the other teams. Iitis a bigger problem for Gonzaga, who would have to travel to themidwest and east coast for every one of their games. It makes no sense and provides them little benefit.