Gonzaga?

[ljay]

What matters from Day 1 is NCAA tournament likelihood and who brings appeal for TV.

Gonzaga was on TV last night against St. Mary's. Who stayed up and watched? I did until I fell asleep late in the game with St. Mary's making a comeback (fell short).

Three time zones doesn't work.

[admin]

What matters from Day 1 is NCAA tournament likelihood and who brings appeal for TV.

Gonzaga was on TV last night against St. Mary's. Who stayed up and watched? I did until I fell asleep late in the game with St. Mary's making a comeback (fell short).

Three time zones doesn't work.

But you could argue that a TV network would like to have additional live games and that a team in a different time zone could provide that. Plus half the games are played on weekends so I'm not sure it is that big of a deal.

[nathanhm]

Count JT3 as a fan of Gonzaga joining the league. Had some very favorable things to say about the program after our game today: http://zagsblog.com/articles/jt3-in-fav ... atholic-7/

Gotta make it happen!

[Hoya]

Count JT3 as a fan of Gonzaga joining the league. Had some very favorable things to say about the program after our game today: http://zagsblog.com/articles/jt3-in-fav ... atholic-7/

Gotta make it happen!

That would sure be a splash, but I don't think the C7 are seriously considering it at this point.

[James]

When the C7 announced they were leaving, the noise from Spokane seemed to be very positive. If they want in then it should be a no brainer - I would be surprised if the C7 don't explore this fully - they'd be up with Georgetown and Butler in terms of prestige. St. Mary's would be a great travel partner and open up another market for the league too.

[thegalen]

When the C7 announced they were leaving, the noise from Spokane seemed to be very positive. If they want in then it should be a no brainer - I would be surprised if the C7 don't explore this fully - they'd be up with Georgetown and Butler in terms of prestige. St. Mary's would be a great travel partner and open up another market for the league too.

Impossible. You can't do basketball only (your olympic sports are seated in your men's basketball conference), and flying all 11 school's baseball, men and women's soccer and basketball, and volleyball teams out to Spokane multiple times a year is just nuts. Also, it brings the old geography punchline from the crumbling Big "East" with it. Non-starter.

[James]

Impossible. You can't do basketball only (your olympic sports are seated in your men's basketball conference), and flying all 11 school's baseball, men and women's soccer and basketball, and volleyball teams out to Spokane multiple times a year is just nuts. Also, it brings the old geography punchline from the crumbling Big "East" with it. Non-starter.

I wouldn't say impossible.

First off, I don't think geography was ultimately the reason as to why the Big East crumbled - it was more to do with the "quality" of those incoming schools also Omaha, Indianapolis and Dayton are hardly "east coast". There's no reason, that I can see, as to why Gonzaga and St. Mary's couldn't join as basketball-only affiliates. I can't find any rule which dictates all olympic sports must be under one conference (although I'm happy to be pointed to this ruling if you have it but I can think of a number of teams who play sports in various conferences for a variety of different reasons) Finally, let's put the travel thing into perspective, we're talking 'hours' in terms of extra travelling time, it's not like these guys are being asked to travel to the likes of Beijing, Sydney or London for games - divide 12 teams into two groups of six and in theory Gonzaga would only be playing in DC, NYC every other year not multiple times.

[yorost]

Geography was mentioned as an reason for breaking away. Had the schools been strong they could live with it, but not for a downgraded product. Gonzaga won't work, the distance even seems concerning with Creighton. Gonzaga poses a problem for every school, not just the East Coast ones. Placing them in a division almost isn't fair to their division partners. Adding Ohio and Indiana schools, though, they're great for connecting the conference together. They're the ideal first locations for expanding the conference. With the 7 splitting, schools connecting Marquette and DePaul all but have to be added.

[thegalen]

Impossible. You can't do basketball only (your olympic sports are seated in your men's basketball conference), and flying all 11 school's baseball, men and women's soccer and basketball, and volleyball teams out to Spokane multiple times a year is just nuts. Also, it brings the old geography punchline from the crumbling Big "East" with it. Non-starter.

I can't find any rule which dictates all olympic sports must be under one conference (although I'm happy to be pointed to this ruling if you have it but I can think of a number of teams who play sports in various conferences for a variety of different reasons) Finally, let's put the travel thing into perspective, we're talking 'hours' in terms of extra travelling time, it's not like these guys are being asked to travel to the likes of Beijing, Sydney or London for games - divide 12 teams into two groups of six and in theory Gonzaga would only be playing in DC, NYC every other year not multiple times.

There is no rule, but realistically who is going to throw Gonzaga a bone here? Throw in winter weather and 4 time zones, and you're, right, it's not impossible- just extremely impractical and kind of desperate seeming. Gonzaga is awesome but just too far away. Again, it brings the stigma of the Big "East" literally stretching to stay relevant. No, Ohio and Indiana aren't on the East Coast, but neither is Chicago or Milwaukee. Ohio and Indiana are, however, in the mecca of college hoops. This is the one area of the country where college basketball can compete with other sports (including/especially FBS football). As yorost pointed out, it's a natural bridge between the 5 East Coast schools and Marquette. Easy, easy travel with lots of interconnected webs of mutual interest.

[James]

There is no rule, but realistically who is going to throw Gonzaga a bone here? Throw in winter weather and 4 time zones, and you're, right, it's not impossible- just extremely impractical and kind of desperate seeming. Gonzaga is awesome but just too far away. Again, it brings the stigma of the Big "East" literally stretching to stay relevant. No, Ohio and Indiana aren't on the East Coast, but neither is Chicago or Milwaukee. Ohio and Indiana are, however, in the mecca of college hoops. This is the one area of the country where college basketball can compete with other sports (including/especially FBS football). As yorost pointed out, it's a natural bridge between the 5 East Coast schools and Marquette. Easy, easy travel with lots of interconnected webs of mutual interest.

If Gonzaga were brought on board I wouldn't see it as move of desperation or a move to stay relevant as I think there are enough teams already which make this conference relevant and credible without them. Gonzaga would merely be the icing on the cake and a step above Dayton/St. Louis. If both the C7 and Gonzaga were willing (I'm not saying they are) then they'd find a solution as it would benefit both sides.