Big East News

[danaandvictory]

I cannot think of anything more hilarious than telling the Gnome to take a walk and the next day announcing a home and home with Ohio State.

[Muskie]

It's Chicago. Palms will be greased. Aldermen and their egos will be appeased. Taxpayers in Cook County will foot the bill for a terrible investment... Again.

"Life, uh... finds a way."

I've always wondered.... Do the dead people who vote have to pay taxes?

[X-band '01]

They just pack the juries instead.

[coasterville95]

I cannot think of anything more hilarious than telling the Gnome to take a walk and the next day announcing a home and home with Ohio State.

"So let it be written, so let it be done".

Please oh please let this happen.

[paulxu]

Matta at press conference:

"We're going to play in a Big Ten challenge game. We'll be playing the Big East team in Cincinnati."

[xudash]

Matta at press conference:

"We're going to play in a Big Ten challenge game. We'll be playing the Big East team in Cincinnati. I used to have an office on their campus."

Thought he might want to amplify his prior association with said Cincinnati Big East team.

[paulxu]

Clarification: the quote I posted above was purely fictional...what I think he might say at a press conference.

Sorry for any confusion. (Although he may in fact say that some day)

[xudash]

Clarification: the quote I posted above was purely fictional...what I think he might say at a press conference.

Sorry for any confusion. (Although he may in fact say that some day)

No problem; I knew you were cracking a funny.

The Big East Presidents are either collectively brilliant or are working up a good imitation of the Keystone Cops. I'm assuming and hoping for the former. Whomever they announce as the new commish will be telling. I'm just wondering how much longer we'll have to wait for such an announcement.

[casualfan]

Greg Whittington tore his ACL. Big blow for Georgetown.

[muskiefan82]

Greg Whittington tore his ACL. Big blow for Georgetown.

That sucks for Georgetown. It helps X when they face them, but I would never wish a player ever get hurt - especially an ACL tear. I hope he heals and is himself when he's back.

[paulxu]

Some guy over at Holyland put together a nice spread sheet of Big East info:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/pub?key=0ApY4M_YB3zBBdFk0Y3k1TkhqaGx4S0p2bkdMSXhNT VE&gid=0

[paulxu]

One interesting thing from that link above with BE statistics is the recruiting tab.
For all our angst over the past few years with players coming and going for whatever reason...Xavier is the only BE school with a full class penciled in for the 2014-15 year.
Most have 8-10 players for next year; Georgetown has 12.

I know it will all change with transfers, decommits, etc. But we look a lot better than we did last year when Dez left.

[BBC 08]

Did I miss something? Who are Joe Schuessler and Kevin Coker? I do not recognize those names as walkons. Anyone?

[bobbiemcgee]

http://www.goxavier.com/sports/m-baskbl/mtt/schuessler_joe00.html

http://www.goxavier.com/sports/m-baskbl/mtt/coker_kevin00.html

[BBC 08]

http://www.goxavier.com/sports/m-baskbl/mtt/schuessler_joe00.html

http://www.goxavier.com/sports/m-baskbl/mtt/coker_kevin00.html

Well then. Time to turn in my Xavier fan card. It's been nice knowing you all. Take care.

[GoMuskies]

I think you're okay to not know the walk-ons who never, ever play.

[paulxu]

Well then. Time to turn in my Xavier fan card. It's been nice knowing you all. Take care.

You're just trying to beat the traffic.

[xudash]

I think the conference commish thing is going to work out just fine:

http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/85735/3-point-shot-ackerman-the-right-hire

If Andy Katz sees it as a strong move, then finish up the negotiation and bring on Ackerman toot sweet.

[paulxu]

If you go to ESPN or CBS, they have a tab in their header for NCAA Men's basketball.
Can't figure out why Fox doesn't have one where all their articles about basketball could be organized.

http://msn.foxsports.com/

[FIGHTING MUSKETEER]

If you go to ESPN or CBS, they have a tab in their header for NCAA Men's basketball.
Can't figure out why Fox doesn't have one where all their articles about basketball could be organized.

http://msn.foxsports.com/

Paul currently they have it under the "MORE" category. Probably that is because of the offseason. I'm almost certain that in the past I've seen it as one of the main categories/tabs.

[BMoreX]

http://www.vuhoops.com/2013/6/18/4443246/color-commentary-power-ranking-the-new-big-east-mascots

[paulxu]

One thing that's tough about being in the twilight zone is the lack of a true website for the conference.
If you go here:
http://www.bigeast.org/

...it's still hyping the old alignment, and they are able to redirect to their new website for the Ack.

What will happen on July 1st? Do we inherit this bigeast.org website, and is there anyone out there working on having it spring to life that day?

[BMoreX]

One thing that's tough about being in the twilight zone is the lack of a true website for the conference.
If you go here:
http://www.bigeast.org/

...it's still hyping the old alignment, and they are able to redirect to their new website for the Ack.

What will happen on July 1st? Do we inherit this bigeast.org website, and is there anyone out there working on having it spring to life that day?

I would be VERY disappointed (and frankly embarrassed for the presidents) if there is not a fully-functioning website on July 1.

[GoMuskies]

The Big East is still the future AAC for now, so of course the Big East website still links to them. I'm sure that will change on the 1st.

[xubrew]

The presidents can't seem to find a competent commissioner that wants the job. That in and of itself is already a little embarrassing.

[muskiefan82]

The Big East is still the future AAC

Future AAC. Is this like when you know if you have one more beer, you will puke, but you do it anyway? Is that a future AAC?

[BBC 08]

ONIONS! http://www.thebiglead.com/index.php/2013/06/27/bill-raftery-leaves-espn-for-fox-sports-1/

[GoMuskies]

Gus Johnson and Bill Rafftery together calling Xavier games? Perfection!

[BBC 08]

Also this:

Lenny Vangilder ‏@LennyVangilder 8m
Buried in Raftery to Fox Sports 1 announcement: new Big East will open league play with 5-game marathon on New Year's Eve.

Lenny Vangilder ‏@LennyVangilder 7m
In order: St. John's at Xavier, Seton Hall at Providence, DePaul at Georgetown, Villanova at Butler, Marquette at Creighton.

[Titanxman04]

ONIONS! http://www.thebiglead.com/index.php/2013/06/27/bill-raftery-leaves-espn-for-fox-sports-1/


Gus Johnson and Bill Rafftery together calling Xavier games? Perfection!

I cannot think of a better combination. Huge get for Fox Sports 1 and the Big East.

[kyxu]

I cannot think of a better combination. Huge get for Fox Sports 1 and the Big East.

Gotta say, I'm stunned with the Rafftery news. Fox Sports 1 must've driven a dump truck of money up to his house.

[GoMuskies]

Also this:

Lenny Vangilder ‏@LennyVangilder 8m
Buried in Raftery to Fox Sports 1 announcement: new Big East will open league play with 5-game marathon on New Year's Eve.

Lenny Vangilder ‏@LennyVangilder 7m
In order: St. John's at Xavier, Seton Hall at Providence, DePaul at Georgetown, Villanova at Butler, Marquette at Creighton.

Nice! Excellent shot at starting Big East play 1-0.

[bourbonman]

Also this:

Lenny Vangilder ‏@LennyVangilder 8m
Buried in Raftery to Fox Sports 1 announcement: new Big East will open league play with 5-game marathon on New Year's Eve.

Lenny Vangilder ‏@LennyVangilder 7m
In order: St. John's at Xavier, Seton Hall at Providence, DePaul at Georgetown, Villanova at Butler, Marquette at Creighton.

I hope that's the "order" of games which would mean X's game is earlier in the day. I HATE night games on NYE being from out of town. Drive back isn't good!

[BMoreX]

I hope that's the "order" of games which would mean X's game is earlier in the day. I HATE night games on NYE being from out of town. Drive back isn't good!

It is we play at noon.

[Masterofreality]

Both these pieces of news...along with the Val Ackerman hire, HAS to have knocked a ton of wind out of ESPN's sails.

Gus Johnson plus Bill Raftery > Sean McDonough and who ever the F else they throw on there.

Advantage Fox Sports 1

[paulxu]

Advantage Fox Sports 1

http://www.creighton.edu/sites/www.creighton.edu/files/20130626_BIGEAST_Com.jpg

[casualfan]

Great news about Rafftery. I will be interested to see how he and Gus mesh.

[Masterofreality]

By the way, it is comical that both Blackburn Review and Adam the Flyer have both expressed their hatred of both Raftery and Gus Johnson on Twitter.

I'll bet they'd sing a different tune if they weren't on the outside looking in.

#jealousy

[nuts4xu]

By the way, it is comical that both Blackburn Review and Adam the Flyer have both expressed their hatred of both Raftery and Gus Johnson on Twitter.

I'll bet they'd sing a different tune if they weren't on the outside looking in.

#jealousy

Hope we don't find that out, and the league stays at 10 teams!

[paulxu]

By the way, it is comical that both Blackburn Review and Adam the Flyer have both expressed their hatred of both Raftery and Gus Johnson on Twitter.

Brew, why don't you let goofball Swampy on Pride know that Raftery was hired away from ESPN, not CBS...and in fact will still be doing CBS March Madness.

[RealDeal]

By the way, it is comical that both Blackburn Review and Adam the Flyer have both expressed their hatred of both Raftery and Gus Johnson on Twitter.

I'll bet they'd sing a different tune if they weren't on the outside looking in.

#jealousy

Prior to last season Adam the flyer said philmore would be playing the 2 and 3 for X. I just took a shit that knows more about college basketball than Adam the flyer.

[paulxu]

It is we play at noon.

I saw the schedule of New Year's eve games on the holyland board.
Fox may be trying something new with having each game 2 1/2 hours apart...instead of the normal 2.
That will prevent the leaving games in last few minutes/getting to games after they start problems.

[Titanxman04]

Between doing Fox Sports 1 and March Madness, it looks like Dayton won't ever have Raferty do their games again...

[Masterofreality]

Between doing Fox Sports 1 and March Madness, it looks like Dayton won't ever have Raferty do their games again...

Brother, you need to change your location under your avatar. You live in Paradise now.

[XUFan09]

Brother, you need to change your location under your avatar. You live in Paradise now.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysmLA5TqbIY

[Masterofreality]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysmLA5TqbIY

Just to note, that video was made by hilarious CLEVELAND comedian Mike Polk, who was born and still lives here.

Yeah, we can laugh at ourselves up here and don't take stuff too seriously.....unlike many other self-absorbed places. :tonguewag:

[Jumpy]

just to note, that video was made by hilarious cleveland comedian mike polk, who was born and still lives here.

Yeah, we can laugh at ourselves up here and don't take stuff too seriously.....unlike many other self-absorbed places. :tonguewag:

five guys!!!!

[XUFan09]

Just to note, that video was made by hilarious CLEVELAND comedian Mike Polk, who was born and still lives here.

Yeah, we can laugh at ourselves up here and don't take stuff too seriously.....unlike many other self-absorbed places. :tonguewag:

Oh yeah, Mike Polk is awesome. I linked it, because Cleveland people generally love it too. ;-)

[paulxu]

I guess all the AD's are in LA meeting with Fox. Don't know why, I assumed their studio was in NY. Guess not.

Is that our AD on the far right?

https://twitter.com/bigeastconf/status/350368173402492928/photo/1

Other info here:https://twitter.com/bigeastconf

[Masterofreality]

Yeah, Christopher is out there.

So is Tom Eiser

[Titanxman04]

MOR,

That better, buddy?

[El Shaqtus]

Y'all have to be excited for the 1st.

Good luck, and have a great year!

[coasterville95]

Yeah, we're holding a big party at the Reds-Giants game that night, and have a pep rally on the main town square that afternoon. The official athletics twitter feeds have been feeding us a steady diet of our great moments against the other Big East teams in the past.

Can't wait.

I wonder what kind of events that other school is having for their AAC Day. :) Passing out bottles of antacid to their fans so their stomachs can better tolerate the partying going on by fans of their cross town rival.

[Masterofreality]

Interesting that SucKS is doing nothing to celebrate their entrance into the AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAC!

Other than maybe choking on their own vomit.

[X-band '01]

Why would they celebrate? If you're Memphis or SMU it's worth celebrating - not so much if you're UC or UConn looking to bail out.

[paulxu]

Our gal Val wastes no time in putting her stamp on the Big East.

http://www.bigeast.org/

[GoMuskies]

I guess the AAC folks don't work weekends.

[Muskie1000]

You know I don't remember UC getting this kind of excitement from the city when they went to the Big East. But looking at the schedule of events for Monday, if I was a UC fan, I would want no part of downtown or the game that night. Its almost like how many times can we rub it in your face. Downtown on Fountain Square from 11:30 to 1. Cheerleaders/Mascots greeting fans around 5:45. Fans getting to walk around the field prior to game start. Chris Mack and the girls' coach (sorry at 5:30 in the morning she isn't coming to me) getting to be with Dusty Baker when they announce the lineup. The baseball team singing Take me out to the ballgame. Its a shove it down your throat kind of day :laugh:

[muskiefan82]

Amy Waugh. Ex-player from the Elite 8 run a few years back.

[muskiefan82]

Our gal Val wastes no time in putting her stamp on the Big East.

http://www.bigeast.org/

I like the graphic. X appears to be the anchor of the conference.

[Muskie1000]

Amy Waugh. Ex-player from the Elite 8 run a few years back.

You know what, it actually came to me about 30 minutes after I made the post but I was too lazy to self correct myself. I blame the early hour.

[Xaveriana]

Our gal Val wastes no time in putting her stamp on the Big East.

http://www.bigeast.org/

So proud to see this page. Feels great to be associated with this group of basketball programs. Also, excited about Val as commissioner. I think she will be great for the conference.

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5521/9178661445_481748feee_b.jpg

[xu95]

Our gal Val wastes no time in putting her stamp on the Big East.

http://www.bigeast.org/

I didn't respond in the "hot or not" portion for Val, but I would f her just for the good I think she will do for Xavier and the Big East. I would f the f out of her.

[xu95]

I like the graphic. X appears to be the anchor of the conference.

X is the big guy at the end of the tug or war rope that won't let the team lose. Exactly where we belong.

[BBC 08]

We are officially under the BE in the standings on espn. http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/standings

[kyxu]

We are officially under the BE in the standings on espn. http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/standings

Surprised ESPN didn't put the conference in super small print.

[MADXSTER]

On both Scout and Rivals Xavier is still being listed in the A10.

I'm surprised with as many teams being effected that both of these sites didn't have everything ready for the changes come midnight.

[XUFan09]

We are officially under the BE in the standings on espn. http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/standings

But the different tabs at Big East Home still go off the old Big East.

[ballyhoohoo]

I'm curious. Did we not get the Big East history with the name?

121912201221

Just curious. The AAC has one original member, we have seven.

[XU '11]

I'm curious. Did we not get the Big East history with the name?

121912201221

Just curious. The AAC has one original member, we have seven.

I think this has been discussed on here, but technically two things happened at midnight this morning:

1.) The Big East officially changed its name to the American Athletic Conference

2.) Providence, St. John's, Seton Hall, Villanova, Georgetown, Xavier, Butler, DePaul, Marquette and Creighton all withdrew from their respective conferences and created a new conference. Since the name Big East was no longer being used (see #1), this group of schools was able to adopt the name Big East.

So technically now UC, SMU, USF, etc can accurately claim the history of John Thompson, Lou Carnasecca and Rollie Massimino. I'm ok with being able to associate with the present.

[casualfan]

I think this has been discussed on here, but technically two things happened at midnight this morning:

1.) The Big East officially changed its name to the American Athletic Conference

2.) Providence, St. John's, Seton Hall, Villanova, Georgetown, Xavier, Butler, DePaul, Marquette and Creighton all withdrew from their respective conferences and created a new conference. Since the name Big East was no longer being used (see #1), this group of schools was able to adopt the name Big East.

So technically now UC, SMU, USF, etc can accurately claim the history of John Thompson, Lou Carnasecca and Rollie Massimino. I'm ok with being able to associate with the present.

This is correct.

[BMoreX]

I thought our group got the Big East name, logo, MSG, and the histories?

[Xaveriana]

Surprised ESPN didn't put the conference in super small print.

ESPN just revised the conference standings page...

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5495/9185063643_dac1bab1e1_b.jpg

[XUFan09]

The only time of year where Dayton is in first.

[GoMuskies]

We're last in the Big East?!? Fire Chris Mack!

[paulxu]

I thought our group got the Big East name, logo, MSG, and the histories?

I thought that was the case also.

[THRILLHOUSE]

Apparently X is located in Portsmouth now, and UC is near Columbus:

http://deadspin.com/9-out-of-10-schools-on-this-espn-map-are-in-the-wrong-p-638308073

[bobbiemcgee]

Comments are hilarious.

[LadyMuskie]

Apparently X is located in Portsmouth now, and UC is near Columbus:

http://deadspin.com/9-out-of-10-schools-on-this-espn-map-are-in-the-wrong-p-638308073

Those maps are terrifying in so many ways. I'm afraid for the future of our country. So afraid.

[bobbiemcgee]

They were done by Rachel Diamond Eugene Jeantel, a 20 yr. old hs student.

[LadyMuskie]

So technically now UC, SMU, USF, etc can accurately claim the history of John Thompson, Lou Carnasecca and Rollie Massimino. I'm ok with being able to associate with the present.

I'm glad they have something to cling to like a warm cozy blankie in the midst of a bleak, meaningless existence.

[LadyMuskie]

They were done by Rachel Diamond Eugene Jeantel, a 20 yr. old hs student.

I think she told her friend how to draw the maps since she can't actually read maps herself. Completely credible either way!

[SixFig]

I think she told her friend how to draw the maps since she can't actually read maps herself. Completely credible either way!

20percent of US Students can't locate the US on a map, why do you think this is?


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lj3iNxZ8Dww

[xu95]

Comments are hilarious.

My favorite was the barn being rebuilt if it was a barn burner.

[Muskie]

I see what the new mantel of the internet masses will be.

Gone are the days of X is not mid-major... arriving yesterday is the battle cry of whether the Big East gets enough respect or who has the historical rights.

Take up your pitchforks internet.

[XUFan09]

20percent of US Students can't locate the US on a map, why do you think this is?


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lj3iNxZ8Dww

Lol that clip is always great. You know what's sad though? She at least can get a little leeway for having to answer on the spot in front of an audience. On the other side, I've had students who sounded just as dumb as her in papers they wrote. Our nation is screwed.

[bobbiemcgee]

It was written down for her in cursive......and she don't read cursive.

[blueblob06]

Comments are hilarious.

Wow, yes they are. Everyone, stop what you're doing and go read the comments.

[nuts4xu]

It was written down for her in cursive......and she don't read cursive.

I bet no one under the age of 30 does either...

[casualfan]

Big news for Creighton as Grant Gibbs gets granted a sixth year of eligibility. Not eye popping numbers, but he is a do it all guy. Averaged 8.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game last year.

[GoMuskies]

Big news for Creighton as Grant Gibbs gets granted a sixth year of eligibility. Not eye popping numbers, but he is a do it all guy. Averaged 8.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game last year.

That guy is the most hated player in UNC basketball history. I think UNC fans hate him more than they hate Laettner.

[casualfan]

That guy is the most hated player in UNC basketball history. I think UNC fans hate him more than they hate Laettner.


why's that?

as much as i hate UC this was pretty awesome (http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/2363739/shaqthomas_medium.gif). Should make the UNC fans feel a little better. There was another instance in that game when the same guy who dunked on him crossed him over and got him to fall down. I thought that one was better, but couldnt find a gif for it.

[GoMuskies]

http://www.charlotteviewpoint.org/article/2714/The-Wink-of-Infamy

[casualfan]

http://www.charlotteviewpoint.org/article/2714/The-Wink-of-Infamy

Oh, i remembered that, but didn't think it was all that big of a deal. Guess I was wrong.

[ballyhoohoo]

Not to be picky buy Butler looks to be in Zionsville and Louisville is in Sparta

[paulxu]

Getting a little love from ESPN.

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/9458453/how-college-basketball-emerged-conference-realignment

Talking about winners and losers, UC didn't fair so well.

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/9458520/winners-losers-latest-realignment-men-college-basketball

(according to that guy, we were a "flagship" program. Who knew?)

[paulxu]

We're at 2 weeks from selecting a commissioner.
There was the long 4th of July weekend there. I'm sure she is busy hiring staff, getting an office up and running, and visiting the schools.
But someone should have been working hard to get a web site going. Still waiting on some content.

[casualfan]

Jalen Lindsey to Providence. (http://scouthoops.scout.com/a.z?s=75&p=8&c=1&nid=5076023)

[Stephen FriarFan]

Nice pickup for mid summer ... Hope all is well in X land

S.N.D.

[paulxu]

Almost a month out, and still waiting for BE website content.
I think Val was supposed to be on a tour of campuses this month. Anybody heard if she stopped at X?

The league did pick up a former media guy, John Paquette, who was let go by Aresco.
Reading the Jersey Guy's original comments when he was let go would have led one to believe he was the source for some of the JG's columns.

[LA Muskie]

I was more excited about Val before I got it on *very* good authority that she was option #4 and that options 1-3 turned the offer down. Oh and that $$$ wasn't the issue.

I don't think there is a ton of excitement about her in the circles. But maybe that means she comes in with low expectations that can be crushed.

[Xaveriana]

I was more excited about Val before I got it on *very* good authority that she was option #4 and that options 1-3 turned the offer down. Oh and that $$$ wasn't the issue.

I don't think there is a ton of excitement about her in the circles. But maybe that means she comes in with low expectations that can be crushed.

Unfortunately, I don't have inside connections. Who were Options 1-3? Thanks in advance LA.

[LA Muskie]

Unfortunately, I don't have inside connections. Who were Options 1-3? Thanks in advance LA.

It happened sort of happenstance at a kids' birthday part so I didn't want to pry too much (he is only a friend of a friend and I've met him maybe a handful of times). But I remember one of the preferred options is a high level exec at MLB.

[GoMuskies]

I think the fact that the Big East settled for less than it's first choice was pretty well covered in some of the mainstream media articles. Those did not state that the other choices actually turned the Big East down, but it was pretty strongly implied. So this should not come as a surprise.

[Xaveriana]

Understood Go. This was not news to me. I would love to find out who the other candidates were. Stating that the Big East settled for their 4th candidate is very relative if candidates 1 thru 3 were big-time names (i.e. big-time long shots).

[LA Muskie]

Understood Go. This was not news to me. I would love to find out who the other candidates were. Stating that the Big East settled for their 4th candidate is very relative if candidates 1 thru 3 were big-time names (i.e. big-time long shots).

None was #1 where he/she (but really he) still is if that's what you mean. And more than $1mm/yr was on the table. There was a good amount of disappointment in slipping down to choice #4.

[xudash]

Perhaps every once in a while we get lucky.

Perhaps it was our density, I mean our destiny (sorry Back to the Future fans):

http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/colleges/new-big-east-conference-is-up-and-running-just-months-after-its-rebirth/2013/07/28/e3de1950-f61c-11e2-a2f1-a7acf9bd5d3a_story.html

The fact that the NCAA’s 32nd Division I conference will be up and running for the 2013-14 college season is largely due to two factors: The high degree of collegiality among the schools’ athletic directors, who each took responsibility for the scheduling and logistics of a sport (in some cases, two sports), and the high energy of Ackerman, a former college basketball standout and founding commissioner of the WNBA who is no stranger to the long hours involved with launching a start-up.


“They could not have hired a better person,” Corrigan said. “She has been at the highest level of athletics in the United States. She’s a former college athlete and smart as she can be. She’s not a person who’s going to be operating out of fear.”

I like our chances with this deal, with her leading the conference.

[paulxu]

Thanks Dash. Answered my questions.

[GoMuskies]

Ackerman is one of the two main factors responsible for the Big East being up and running in '13-'14?!? That's one of the dumbest things I've ever read. And I've read some dumb things.

[SM#24]

"She’s a former college athlete and smart as she can be."

Of course, we have no idea what the ceiling is on this.

[bobbiemcgee]

Looks like the bookstore getting BE stuff in:

http://www.bkstr.com/Home/10001-10476-1?demoKey=d&cm_mmc=RisePaidSearch-_-NonBrndSearchSchoolSpecificXavierExact-_-Google-_-xavierbookstore

Any recommendations?

[Masterofreality]

In other Big East news,

I made my latest contribution to the AFO today to lock up my Chris Mack signed Big East logoed Cintas basketball mini-court.

Only have until Wednesday to get that done at GoXavier.com

[Masterofreality]

And here's the new court in full:

1235

[BBC 08]

Weird seeing red on the court.

[paulxu]

I still think this John Paquette must have been Jersey Guy's (who was often widely off the mark in the run up to the new conference) inside source.
Paquette gets let go by Aresco, a few week later gets picked up by the BE, and voila, Jersey Guy gets a phone interview with Val.
Sounds like Christopher and the other AD's were in Newport this week. (Why Newport?)

http://ajerseyguy.com/?p=7251

[xudash]

I still think this John Paquette must have been Jersey Guy's (who was often widely off the mark in the run up to the new conference) inside source.
Paquette gets let go by Aresco, a few week later gets picked up by the BE, and voila, Jersey Guy gets a phone interview with Val.
Sounds like Christopher and the other AD's were in Newport this week. (Why Newport?)

http://ajerseyguy.com/?p=7251

Paul, clearly you've never been to Newport, RI.

Seriously, they probably wanted a nice venue that was convenient, relatively speaking, on the eastern seaboard. And the league may technically still have some resources in Providence, awaiting formal relocation to NYC (guessing on that one).

BTW, the Presidents may favor eventual expansion now, but let's see how everything shakes out. Minds can be changed if change is supported by the right data.

[paulxu]

I can give the BE a pass for now on their web site as Val needs to get an entire organization up and running.

But Fox doesn't get a pass for failing to add a men's BB tab to their home page. Maybe they are waiting for the launch later this month of Fox Sports 1, but they even have a little space to add a BB tab, and after paying what they did, I don't understand the reluctance. The NBA is in its offseason too.

[casualfan]

Seton Hall just picked up Angel Delgado. Nice pickup for them.

[casualfan]

Providence picked up Paschal Chukwu (http://scouthoops.scout.com/a.z?s=75&p=8&c=1&nid=6470183) to add to Jalen Lindsey.

Ed Cooley putting together an impressive class.

[paulxu]

And the BE web site goes LIVE!

http://www.bigeast.org/

(I miss Val already)

[paulxu]

Never mind. It's only a "temporary" website. The real one debuts in the fall. Weak effort.

Also, why does each page have link through to CBS Sports.com instead of Fox?

[XUFan09]

Never mind. It's only a "temporary" website. The real one debuts in the fall. Weak effort.

Also, why does each page have link through to CBS Sports.com instead of Fox?

Really? All this time and this is all they could produce. If everything linked externally, they should have at least had it up much earlier while working on the real site.

I'm not particularly upset about this. How often do people actually check conference websites? Still, that's all sorts of pathetic.

[casualfan]

Really? All this time and this is all they could produce. If everything linked externally, they should have at least had it up much earlier while working on the real site.

I'm not particularly upset about this. How often do people actually check conference websites? Still, that's all sorts of pathetic.

The thing that got me was that when I opened it the first story was for women's soccer. I mean I realize on a conference website you at least have to appear like you cover all the sports, but on the day it debuts don't you think they'd have the moneymaker (basketball) front and center?

[BMoreX]

Isn't that the old A10 format?

[GoMuskies]

I thought our men's soccer team was supposed to be good. I learned from this website that we lost to Furman and College of Charleston last weekend. What's up with that?

[paulxu]

It's the Muskie Curse of small South Carolina schools, like Wofford.

[drudy23]

Never mind. It's only a "temporary" website. The real one debuts in the fall. Weak effort.

Also, why does each page have link through to CBS Sports.com instead of Fox?

Is this why? Did we miss this...haven't heard a peep on this:

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/9638855/cbs-acquires-rights-big-east-basketball-games

Is this good or bad?

[paulxu]

I mentioned it in the Schedule thread and Waggy said it was because CBS had $ and needed inventory.

[xupuck10]

Never mind. It's only a "temporary" website. The real one debuts in the fall. Weak effort.

Also, why does each page have link through to CBS Sports.com instead of Fox?

CBS Sports College Network holds the rights to the website, you'll also notice their logo on the bottom of GoXavier.com. If you go to http://collegenetwork.cbssports.com/partners/map.html you can see everyone they partner with. Its a little upsetting that they haven't updated their conferences yet.

[bobbiemcgee]

http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2013/09/12/xaviers-big-east-move-wont-cost-your.html?page=all

[BMoreX]

http://www.providencejournal.com/sports/college/content/20130911-big-east-commissioner-ackerman-will-build-on-what-gavitt-set-in-motion.ece


The Big East has been approached about creating a scheduling partnership with another league for nonconference games.

I wonder what conference.

[waggy]

My personal guess is B1G.

[SixFig]

http://www.providencejournal.com/sports/college/content/20130911-big-east-commissioner-ackerman-will-build-on-what-gavitt-set-in-motion.ece



I wonder what conference.

WCC? 10 teams as well. Or is that conference too small time for the Big East.

[DC Muskie]

I bet it's the A-10.

[Titanxman04]

I bet it's the A-10.

I am sure it is the A-10. There would be an advantage for the Big East as well as a reason to keep St. Joe's playing another Philly school, Dayton playing us, and St. Louis and Creighton playing each other. The geography seems to match up pretty well and the B1G already has the whole thing with the ACC... The PAC-12 wouldn't make any sense seeing as they blow, and the Big12 doesn't strike me as a likely partner.

[DC Muskie]

SJU plays Nova regardless because of the Big Five agreement.

[Blue Blobs Bro]

please dont make me watch one more of daytons games.please.

[Masterofreality]

I hope it is NOT the A-10. Why give those small schools like udump a chance to play on national TV on an equal stage? If you're gonna schedule, go bigger....not smaller

Yeah, that's arrogant as hell, but if those small schools had worked hard before, they'd be one of us rather than outside begging.

Screw 'em.

[nuts4xu]

Screw 'em.

Seriously, the A-10 can go screw itself and I see no reason to help that conference out by allowing them to leverage the Big East so they can get some premium prime time national TV games.

That goes double for the AAC, let them rot in abscurity as well.

I hope we partner up with the SEC. Geographically, it would work very well, but I don't think the SEC needs any more rivalry type games in their non con schedule. Most of the SEC loads up pretty well before conference play begins.

[casualfan]

go bigger....not smaller



easier said than done. Especially with ESPN owning TV rights to most of the "bigger" conferences.

[xudash]

http://www.providencejournal.com/sports/college/content/20130911-big-east-commissioner-ackerman-will-build-on-what-gavitt-set-in-motion.ece



I wonder what conference.

It won't be the A10.

The Big East's primary advantage is its dominant eastern seaboard footprint. That and Fox and a couple other factors tells me it will be the PAC 12.

[BMoreX]

It won't be the A10.

The Big East's primary advantage is its dominant eastern seaboard footprint. That and Fox and a couple other factors tells me it will be the PAC 12.

Yup, just say no to any deals with the A10, WCC, or AAC.

Either Big 12, Pac 12, or Big 10.

[xudash]

A Seton Hall fan's response on the HolyLandofHoops site:

IRC, it was the B1G that was putting out feelers for a partnership w/the BE.

[xudash]

And from the Providence side - the new Commish was just on Cooley's radio show in Providence:

According to the PC message board, the interview on WEEI included:
[note that Val-Ack said that multiple big conferences have contacted her about a challenge series]

[JTG]

A Seton Hall fan's response on the HolyLandofHoops site:

IRC, it was the B1G that was putting out feelers for a partnership w/the BE.
I heard this also, about 6 weeks ago. I think there may have even been a small blurb in the Indy paper.

[casualfan]

SOrangeJuice ‏@SOrangeJuice 2m
Quadri Moore to Cincinnati, officially official. #shbb

A bit of good news bad news here. The bad news part is pretty obvious.

The good is that Moore was down to UC and Seton Hall.

Seton Hall has been putting together a nice class and Moore would have been a nice addition for down low to go along with Angel Delgado.

[GoMuskies]

Still not getting the good news.

[casualfan]

Still not getting the good news.

We only have to play him once instead of twice per year.

I guess it's not really good news, but more that it isn't as bad as it could be.

[paulxu]

Jeff Goodman ‏@GoodmanESPN 3h
Big East is the most difficult league to predict this year -- even difficult to come up with a consensus preseason league favorite.

[GoMuskies]

We only have to play him once instead of twice per year.

I guess it's not really good news, but more that it isn't as bad as it could be.

I would think we would want Seton Hall to be good.

[casualfan]

I would think we would want Seton Hall to be good.

We're no longer in a league where we need to root from the lesser schools to step it up to keep up appearances. There are enough consistently good teams in the Big East. I think people will see that this year.

[GoMuskies]

Hey, whatever you think. I just can't call it good news when a non-rival conference mate misses out on a recruit (particularly one that goes to UC). I mean, if it was Butler, fair enough.

Different strokes.

[JTG]

Screw UC, now and forever, in all sports and anything else . If you like UC, go to their message board. No one here gives a shit about UC. I hope all their recruits in all sports suck.

[PMI]

We're no longer in a league where we need to root from the lesser schools to step it up to keep up appearances. There are enough consistently good teams in the Big East. I think people will see that this year.

I disagree. I think in order for us to compete with the ACC, Big Ten and Big XII, we're going to have to have the Seton Hall's of the world step up. Those conferences are bigger and will have more good teams than us if all we're counting on is Georgetown, Marquette, Villanova, Xavier, Creighton, and maybe St. John's or Providence. I don't think the Big East is going to be as night and day different from last year as people seem to think. The A10 had some really tough teams last year. Don't get me wrong, the Big East is much better and will provide a tougher challenge, but I hate this notion that Xavier could afford to have some bad nights and still win in the A10, but won't be able to in the Big East. First of all, we've seen Xavier play poorly against inferior A10 teams and lose to them. That seemed to happen at least a couple times a year even when we were at our best. And if Xavier is good this year, they will probably have some games where they aren't at their best and still win, because they got to play a Seton Hall or DePaul that night. Xavier had a home court advantage in the A10. Xavier will have a home court advantage in the Big East. Xavier had a tough time beating A10 teams (minus a couple terrible ones here and there) on the road. Most of our road conference wins were hard fought. That will be the same way in the Big East.

There's definitely a significant difference between the A10 and Big East. Georgetown and Marquette at the top of where we are now, and Fordham and a couple others at the bottom of where we were, make for a big difference in and of itself. But it's by no means a situation that we shouldn't be prepared for with our history of OOC and tough conference opponents. Any of our recent great Xavier teams would have been great in this current Big East, which I think pretty much sums it up. Wishing against our conference mates in recruiting is not something we'd like to come true, if we want to be a top level conference.

[Milhouse]

Not too mention the difference between Fordham and Depaul is staggering. Depaul was probably similar to playing a richmond/st louis in the A10.

It will be nice however that we aren't everyone's super bowl now. Whenever Xavier rolled into those high school gyms you knew it was their biggest game of the season. And I'm not just talking about UD arena.

[XUFan09]

Not too mention the difference between Fordham and Depaul is staggering. Depaul was probably similar to playing a richmond/st louis in the A10.

Not quite that bad, more like the level of URI and UMass.

http://fromstaaktomack.wordpress.com/2013/03/27/why-the-big-east-is-better-than-the-a10-since-apparently-thats-a-debate/

[GoMuskies]

DePaul is similar to Richmond, SLU, UMass or URI?!? Have you guys been drinking early. DePaul has been significantly worse than all of those programs.

Here's the Sagarin's over the last several years:

2013:

DePaul #168
SLU #20
Richmond #88
UMass #89
URI #190

2012:

DePaul #155
SLU #17
Richmond #106
UMass #65
URI #224

2011:

DePaul #210
SLU #150
Richmond #31
UMass #167
URI #109

2010:

DePaul #186
SLU #84
Richmond #41
UMass #161
URI #49

2009:

DePaul #182
SLU #125
Richmond #112
UMass #146
URI #58

[Milhouse]

I'm talking about talent wise.

The kids that play for Depaul would never play for Fordham/URI etc... The bottom of the big east was still stronger than middling A10.

Depaul can't win because they are pretty awful but getting beat up night in and night out by cuse, georgetown, pitt, nd, nova, etc...doesn't help their cause either.

[GoMuskies]

No, DePaul is just worse than those teams. They play worse basketball. If they played an A-10 schedule, they'd still finish next to last or third to last most years. DePaul has been quite a bit better than Fordham and probably somewhat better than Duquesne over the last ten years. And that's it among A-10 schools.

[PMI]

Not too mention the difference between Fordham and Depaul is staggering. Depaul was probably similar to playing a richmond/st louis in the A10.

It will be nice however that we aren't everyone's super bowl now. Whenever Xavier rolled into those high school gyms you knew it was their biggest game of the season. And I'm not just talking about UD arena.

This is exactly what I was referring to when I mentioned that some Xavier fans are putting WAY too much stock in the Big East being so night and day different. Not only is DePaul absolutely awful in the Big East, but they would finish in the bottom few in the A10, and many other leagues. Talent-wise, achievement-wise, coaching-wise, fan support-wise, pretty much any way you slice it, they are awful. To compare them to Richmond, or especially Saint Louis, is a downright slap in the face to those teams. The bottom of the Big East is not, never was, and won't be better than the decent but not great teams in the A10. The old Big East was a gauntlet because they had 500 teams, and lots of them were good. But make no mistake, their bad teams were really, really, REALLY bad. The biggest difference is, the middle of the pack will be stronger. Again, all of the recent great Xavier teams would have absolutely competed for this current Big East's title. There's no doubt about it. We're stepping up, guys, but we aren't going to the NBA's Western Conference.

[casualfan]

Either Seton Hall or St. Johns will be getting ***** guard Isiah Whitehead (http://hsvirginia.scout.com/a.z?s=412&p=8&c=1&nid=5548525) this afternoon.

[Milhouse]

Good get for either school. Wouldn't mind seeing him go to Seton Hall.

[casualfan]

Good get for either school. Wouldn't mind seeing him go to Seton Hall.

That's my guess for where he lands.

[casualfan]

Seton Hall it is. The Pirates now have the #1 class in the Big East according to 247sports. (http://247sports.com/Season/2014-Basketball/CompositeTeamRankings?Conference=Big-East)

[Juice]

Jeff Goodman ‏@GoodmanESPN 38m
Villanova assistant Billy Lange is headed to the NBA. Will join the Sixers organization, sources confirmed to ESPN.

[El Shaqtus]

Yup, just say no to any deals with the A10, WCC, or AAC.

Either Big 12, Pac 12, or Big 10.

If I had to wager, it would be the Pac-12 because of the Fox sponsorship. I wanted to say no to the A-10 myself, but that's a whole different issue.

Big East will hand the Pac-12 their posteriors too.

[Masterofreality]

If I had to wager, it would be the Pac-12 because of the Fox sponsorship. I wanted to say no to the A-10 myself, but that's a whole different issue.

Big East will hand the Pac-12 their posteriors too.

Xavier vs Arizona and the Desert Raccoon.......Oh the Humanity!!!

[JTG]

How about UCLA at the 'tas...like having a home football game against ND

[casualfan]

Providence just keeps reeling them in. (http://scouthoops.scout.com/a.z?s=75&p=8&c=1&nid=6067570)

[bobbiemcgee]

Apparently, so do we:

http://insider.espn.go.com/college-sports/basketball/recruiting/classrankings

[xudash]

Buick > Arizona.

Wha-da-ya know...

[Masterofreality]

Apparently, so do we:

http://insider.espn.go.com/college-sports/basketball/recruiting/classrankings

This league is going to be ridiculously, stupidly good.

I just hope the entire Internet doesn't melt down-after there is the inevitable game where we don't score more points than the other team- about how everything that was done by everybody connected with Xavier was horrible.

[casualfan]

This league is going to be ridiculously, stupidly good.

I just hope the entire Internet doesn't melt down-after there is the inevitable game where we don't score more points than the other team- about how everything that was done by everybody connected with Xavier was horrible.


As we get closer to the season I am getting more and more nervous.

I've said on numerous occasions that I think people will be most surprised by the middle and lower tier teams and I stand by that.

I just hope that people do realize that we are stepping up in weight class and that there will be adjustments that go along with that.

[GoMuskies]

I've said on numerous occasions that I think people will be most surprised by the middle and lower tier teams and I stand by that.


We haven't been living in caves, so we've seen those teams play and they have stunk. However, some of those teams are definitely getting better/more talented. DePaul is not one of them.

The Big East will have to adjust to having a new flagship.

[LA Muskie]

As we get closer to the season I am getting more and more nervous.

I've said on numerous occasions that I think people will be most surprised by the middle and lower tier teams and I stand by that.

I just hope that people do realize that we are stepping up in weight class and that there will be adjustments that go along with that.
I dunno. At some point we are going to lose to DePaul. We will. I am sure of it. And I think people will be far less upset about that than a loss to Fordham or Duquesne. So we've got that going for us...

[casualfan]

And I think people will be far less upset about that than a loss to Fordham or Duquesne.

This I'm not sure agree with. I think people will be all kinds of pissed off if that happens.

I'm not sure how you quantify how upset a fanbase is, but if a loss to depaul happens I feel like people will be at their ceiling.

Just to be clear I'm not saying I think we'll lose to Depaul. I'm saying that I think Depaul and the other bottom feeders are good enough that those games will have an accumulative effect over the course of the season.

Depth will becomes much more of a factor.

[GoMuskies]

I dunno. At some point we are going to lose to DePaul. We will. I am sure of it. And I think people will be far less upset about that than a loss to Fordham or Duquesne. So we've got that going for us...

We've lost to Fordham and Duquesne, so I'm sure we'll lose to DePaul. Depends one which DePaul team we lose to as to how upset people will be. I mean, there was the DePaul team that went 0-18 in Big East play and then beat UC in the conference tournament. UC fans were correct to throw a fit.

I'm sure casualfan will bring this point back up as soon as we lose to a Provi or a Seton Hall or yes, a DePaul. But we lost to some pretty bad Fordham (okay, we only lost to them once and they weren't awful that year), Rhody, St. Bonnie, LaSuck, Duquesne, UMess, St. Joe's, GW, Charlotte, Richmond, Dayton and SLU teams over the years, too. These things happen. It won't mean that the Big East is the super hardest conference ever and the bottom and middle are so super tough.

[BMoreX]

Gus and Raftery are going to be doing the noon NYE game in Cintas vs. St. John's, then driving to Indianapolis to call the Butler-Villanova game at 7:30.

[Titanxman04]

Gus and Raftery are going to be doing the noon NYE game in Cintas vs. St. John's, then driving to Indianapolis to call the Butler-Villanova game at 7:30.

Awesome.

[paulxu]

Gus and Raftery are going to be doing the noon NYE game in Cintas vs. St. John's, then driving to Indianapolis to call the Butler-Villanova game at 7:30.

DC is giving them a lift.

[X-band '01]

Media Day is scheduled for Wednesday - I have a feeling this may be when the Big East website becomes fully functional.

[Muskie]

Media Day is scheduled for Wednesday - I have a feeling this may be when the Big East website becomes fully functional.

Like the Death Star?

[X-band '01]

We gotta give Han more time!

1278

[bobbiemcgee]

Media Day is scheduled for Wednesday - I have a feeling this may be when the Big East website becomes fully functional.

I think the crew from healthcare.gov designed it.

[paulxu]

I'm pretty sure I wouldn't buy this guy a drink if he was thirsty...I really think he screwed us...but I wonder if the NCAA rule changes he discussed here will impact the "traditional" rough play of the Big East.

http://www.omaha.com/article/20131014/BLUEJAYS/131019256/1001#bluejays-receive-tutorial-on-what-to-expect-from-officials-in-big-east

[JTG]

I'm pretty sure I wouldn't buy this guy a drink if he was thirsty...I really think he screwed us...but I wonder if the NCAA rule changes he discussed here will impact the "traditional" rough play of the Big East.

http://www.omaha.com/article/20131014/BLUEJAYS/131019256/1001#bluejays-receive-tutorial-on-what-to-expect-from-officials-in-big-east

I wouldn't piss on the guy if he was on fire.

[LA Muskie]

I'm fairly certain that the Big East coaches were "overjoyed" because they know he won't be blowing a whistle in any of their games ever again. True he has a lot of control over the officiating philosophy and staffing of Big East games, but I can live with that. It was his whistle -- and his proclivity to impact games with it -- with which I had a problem.

[blobfan]

I'm pretty sure I wouldn't buy this guy a drink if he was thirsty...I really think he screwed us...but I wonder if the NCAA rule changes he discussed here will impact the "traditional" rough play of the Big East.

http://www.omaha.com/article/20131014/BLUEJAYS/131019256/1001#bluejays-receive-tutorial-on-what-to-expect-from-officials-in-big-east

» Placing two hands on an offensive player. “There's no free pass on this one,'' he said. “It's a foul every time.''
That policy could have come in handy a few years back.

[Muskie]

That policy could have come in handy a few years back.

That must be a new post Greg Oden policy?

[BMoreX]

Brendan Prunty ‏@BrendanPrunty 39m

Fox Sports announces that former Providence star Austin Croshere will join network as FS1 Big East analyst.
Retweeted by HolyLandofHoops

[BMoreX]

I like that on the Big East Facebook page, the image they are using to promote the Media Day tomorrow has Semaj.

[Titanxman04]

I like that on the Big East Facebook page, the image they are using to promote the Media Day tomorrow has Semaj.

Because the kid is the truth.

[Muskie]

Brendan Prunty ‏@BrendanPrunty 39m

Fox Sports announces that former Providence star Austin Croshere will join network as FS1 Big East analyst.
Retweeted by HolyLandofHoops

Croshere has filled on some Pacers broadcasts and done a fine job.

[xudash]

From a Philly.com article:

For Xavier in particular, joining the Big East from the Atlantic 10 is validation of years of hard work at the mid-major level. Indeed, you could argue that the Musketeers' history of March success made them the nation's top basketball program outside the power conferences.

But making the move up hasn't dimmed coach Chris Mack's amibitions one bit.

"Validation doesn't come just by being a part of the conference - we want to win the conference," he said. "When we get to that point, that's when the validation will come."


Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/colleges/villanova/Villanova_picked_fourth_in_Big_East_mens_basketbal l_preseason_media_poll.html#ciBJSzWbMthu5Z70.99

[xudash]

...and the NYT chimes in:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/17/sports/ncaabasketball/odd-bedfellows-in-realigned-big-east-conference-bond-over-basketball.html?_r=1&

[Masterofreality]

From a Philly.com article:

For Xavier in particular, joining the Big East from the Atlantic 10 is validation of years of hard work at the mid-major level. Indeed, you could argue that the Musketeers' history of March success made them the nation's top basketball program outside the power conferences.

But making the move up hasn't dimmed coach Chris Mack's amibitions one bit.

"Validation doesn't come just by being a part of the conference - we want to win the conference," he said. "When we get to that point, that's when the validation will come."


Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/colleges/villanova/Villanova_picked_fourth_in_Big_East_mens_basketbal l_preseason_media_poll.html#ciBJSzWbMthu5Z70.99

So, did the Philly Enemaquirer consider Temple mid-major level too?

Somehow, I don't think so.

[xudash]

So, did the Philly Enemaquirer consider Temple mid-major level too?

Somehow, I don't think so.

I focused on the comment about Xavier being the top basketball program outside the power conferences. He at least got that right.

But you raise a great point, especially when Philly/Temple/Villanova is juxtaposed with Cincinnati/UC/Xavier from a media market and media coverage point-of-view. In other words, because of the Big East as it was prior to the break-up, the smaller, private Catholic school in Philadelphia enjoyed the priority status in the city, or at least it seemed that way whenever I paid a visit to their site in recent years , during basketball season.

I certainly don't see anything changing in the Cincinnati market, regardless of how well Xavier and the Big East do moving forward. Even with great success, Xavier fans will probably continue to have the perception that X gets short-changed in the local media coverage racket.

Yet UC has the biggest risk in all this. A St. Joe's-type expansion strategy for its football stadium, no money for cleaning up its basketball facility, with a weak fan base, and now relegation to something called the AAC, which has formidable programs that aren't formidable to anyone outside their walls. None of that is exactly a great recipe for success. They're now firmly in the second tier and that cannot be a boon to recruiting.

One abstract thought has me thinking that UC's largest enemy and threat in all this is Texas, because Texas is perfectly happy with the idea of freeze-drying the Big XII at its current membership number. UC desperately needs more expansion to crank up. It isn't very obvious that such activity will follow at this point. Let the big boys get into next year's play-off format in addition to the current stress of not being able to afford slipping up during any given weekend of the regular season. The current number of BCS-level programs create enough results and outcome to achieve strong slotting into the new play-off format. Otherwise, new TV inventory isn't needed. In fact, it probably would be dilutive. UC may be stuck after all. And the Enquirer isn't going to be to happy about that, since they don't have much to be happy about already.

Then again, perhaps we'll convert all the UC "subway" (i.e. "Street Car") fans into Xavier fans over time, helping the paper maintain some reasonable modicum of circulation.

[BMoreX]

http://static.foxsports.com/content/fscom/binary/2013/10/28/2013_Big_East_Talent_Announcement1382976050117.pdf

List of FS1 analysts and announcers. Includes Stephen Bardo and former Maryland coach Gary Williams.

[paulxu]

Nice to see regular Fox network run BE basketball promos during their NFL time. Great exposure.

Now, the BE website? Ugh

[MADXSTER]

9pm is the BE Preview on FS1

[paulxu]

Finally...somebody put a little work into the BE website. Fleshed it out a bit, added some standings and other tabs per sports.

[paulxu]

Muskies get some highlights on BE film.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4b6utHO7HBk

[XUPhilly04]

St. John's freshman guard Rysheed Jordan and former XU target (recruited by former assistant Ashley Howard) was suspended for Friday night's game versus Monmouth for a violation of team rules. Top 50 recruit on ESPN. Only averaging 4 points a game and shooting 22% from the field. Sounds like a good miss for us.

[paulxu]

Seton Hall up by 7 with 1 minute to go...and loses.

[MADXSTER]

St. John's freshman guard Rysheed Jordan and former XU target (recruited by former assistant Ashley Howard) was suspended for Friday night's game versus Monmouth for a violation of team rules. Top 50 recruit on ESPN. Only averaging 4 points a game and shooting 22% from the field. Sounds like a good miss for us.

Disagree. I'd take Rysheed in a second. St John's is reminding me of Georgetown. Really really good recruits and very poor play. More of a reflection of coaching IMO.

[xudash]

Disagree. I'd take Rysheed in a second. St John's is reminding me of Georgetown. Really really good recruits and very poor play. More of a reflection of coaching IMO.

My thoughts exactly.

[XUFan09]

Disagree. I'd take Rysheed in a second. St John's is reminding me of Georgetown. Really really good recruits and very poor play. More of a reflection of coaching IMO.

Yup. And saying that a former recruit ended up being undesirable after he's only played three games is rather foolish, even if you account for a single-game suspension for unspecified reasons.

[Juice]

St. John's freshman guard Rysheed Jordan and former XU target (recruited by former assistant Ashley Howard) was suspended for Friday night's game versus Monmouth for a violation of team rules. Top 50 recruit on ESPN. Only averaging 4 points a game and shooting 22% from the field. Sounds like a good miss for us.

Yup. 3-4 games into the season and I'm ready to write him off as well..... Christ.

By your logic James Farr would have been taken out back behind Cintas and received the old yeller treatment.

[paulxu]

Christmas love from ESPN (???)

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=10187442&categoryid=2378529

[bobbiemcgee]

Sounds like he's saying we can sneak up on some people.

[BMoreX]

Real good game on between Seton Hall and Providence.

66-66 headed to 2OT.

[bobbiemcgee]

Butler still a tough out 66-64 Nova 3 mins

[waggy]

Butler's student section is the charlie brown christmas tree of student sections.

[xsteve1]

This Nova-Butler game is awesome. #BigEast

[Charlesbt4]

Brandon Miller should be explaining why, with his team down one point, he drew up a play that had his player settling for a long jump shot. Stupidity.

[RoadWarrior]

No brag, just fact.

I know you're just funning with me '95, but I'm just wanting to let everyone know that this stuff didn't come out of my delusional head and that it comes from credible sources. If someone wants to investigate who the folks were, I'm sure that it can be found out but not my place to disclose.

Loose lips sink ships!
Those "high-level meetings" are usually not intended for message boards.
Make sure you don't wear-out your welcome.

[Cheesehead]

This Nova-Butler game is awesome. #BigEast

Good games today!

[Masterofreality]

Loose lips sink ships!
Those "high-level meetings" are usually not intended for message boards.
Make sure you don't wear-out your welcome.

The discussion topic was limited to VCU and possible Big East league affiliation...not directly Xavier related. That is fair game for message board fodder, I believe.

In any event, care must be taken.....

[JTG]

Brandon Miller should be explaining why, with his team down one point, he drew up a play that had his player settling for a long jump shot. Stupidity.

Must not know much about Butler...the rely more on shooters than athletes,...and they have some deadly shooters

[Thor in 204]

Creighton looks very good. McDermott is the real deal (who will we put on him, JMart? Semaj? is Landon Amos ready to play some minutes?) and other players no slouches. Makes me wonder how we'll defense them. They have size, can move the ball and shoot very well. Greatly outplayed Marquette last night. If they're not shooting well from outside they are I think vulnerable, but they get good shots and make a lot of them. On offense we need to make them run a lot in transition.

[NY44]

Creighton looks very good. McDermott is the real deal (who will we put on him, JMart? Semaj? is Landon Amos ready to play some minutes?) and other players no slouches. Makes me wonder how we'll defense them. They have size, can move the ball and shoot very well. Greatly outplayed Marquette last night. If they're not shooting well from outside they are I think vulnerable, but they get good shots and make a lot of them. On offense we need to make them run a lot in transition.

That's a matchup nightmare for us. The 5 inch height difference might be tough for Semaj, but he could probably hang with him on the arc. I really think JMart might be the only option, having Amos back would be really nice defensively. It goes without saying that zone is not an option against that offense, Dear Lord 43% from 3 on the year.

[bobbiemcgee]

Is Tanya Harding available? Offer her a 1 game scholly. 'Bout the only way to stop Dougie McBuckets.

[xudash]

FYI: http://college-basketball.si.com/2014/01/01/val-ackerman-big-east-conference-debut/?&eref=sihp

Also, Mom is on a path towards surviving her heart attack with a strong shot at full-life recovery. Thanks for all your prayers. Happy New Year from our nation's Capitol!!

[OTRMUSKIE]

Great news Dash about your mom!!!

[xudash]

Here floors weeper. Here boy. Come get your 0-4 biscuit.

[XUFan09]

Here floors weeper. Here boy. Come get your 0-4 biscuit.

Haha!

[xsteve1]

9 of the 10 BE teams currently reside in the top 100 of the RPI. Only Seton Hall is over 100 at 141. The good news for SHU is they bring in a top recruiting class next year.

http://www.rpiforecast.com/live-rpi.html

[Masterofreality]

Here floors weeper. Here boy. Come get your 0-4 biscuit.

Add....or subtract....One.

[DoubleD86]

9 of the 10 BE teams currently reside in the top 100 of the RPI. Only Seton Hall is over 100 at 141. The good news for SHU is they bring in a top recruiting class next year.

http://www.rpiforecast.com/live-rpi.html

For the advanced metric fans:
8 of the 10 Big East teams are in KenPom's top 100 ratings
Seton Hall is ninth at #115 and DePaul is tenth at #125

[GoMuskies]

Fire Steve Lavin. He sucked at UCLA, and he sucks at St. John's.

[bleedXblue]

Fire Steve Lavin. He sucked at UCLA, and he sucks at St. John's.

I was just telling my buddy the same thing. Not much good coaching going on at St Johns. His guys play street ball. Everyone's out for themselves.

[Masterofreality]

Fire Steve Lavin. He sucked at UCLA, and he sucks at St. John's.

Watching that game tonight just made me think of how Xavier's guys share the ball and move it side to side to set up stuff. If St. John's makes more than 4 passes in a possession, it's an accident. Not only that, but they waste a bunch of possessions with bad decisions. Obviously Gene "Captain Combover" Keady and Jim Whitsell aren't helping Lavin much.

[GoMuskies]

Gene "Captain Combover" Keady

Denny Crum wants to know what you picked Gene over him for this title.

[DC Muskie]

Fire Steve Lavin. He sucked at UCLA, and he sucks at St. John's.

Without a doubt.

[RoseyMuskie]

Per NCAA regulation, a team can only have so many coaches (as we all know), so I believe Keady can only "advise" Lavin, and cannot directly coach the players. Makes sense for him, as he's probably making decent money, can come and go as he pleases, doesn't have to recruit, and can stay involved. This is what I've been told from a few people.

By the way, someone needs to advise Lavin that he looked like a slob tonight.

[Masterofreality]

Denny Crum wants to know what you picked Gene over him for this title.

Denny, at least, didn't dig down to below his earlobe to swirl that hair sideways.

Keady must have worked on that hairdo for 3 hours before every game.

[JTG]

Denny Crum wants to know what you picked Gene over him for this title.

Gene has gone crewcut for a couple of year now. No more combover. He looks like Lou Asner now.

[X-man]

I was just telling my buddy the same thing. Not much good coaching going on at St Johns. His guys play street ball. Everyone's out for themselves.

The announcers kept saying as much. Except their take was that every guy on St John's is soo good that they each want to take it to the hole on their own. But good coaches should be able to change that mentality (remember that there is no "I" in "team"), as Coach Cal seems able to do most of the time.

[BBC 08]

The announcers kept saying as much. Except their take was that every guy on St John's is soo good that they each want to take it to the hole on their own. But good coaches should be able to change that mentality (remember that there is no "I" in "team"), as Coach Cal seems able to do most of the time.

There is an m and e though.

[X-band '01]

Gene has gone crewcut for a couple of year now. No more combover. He looks like Lou Asner now.

He's never looked better!

[X-band '01]

Providence leading Creighton by 7 at the half at the Donut Hole.

[XU3232]

McDermott with only 8 points. If you stop him you stop Creighton.

[BMoreX]

Prov up big now.

[GoMuskies]

Creighton took their whoopin tonight. My guess is they bounce back and win in Philly Monday night.

[GreatWhiteNorth]

Prov is up by 19 at 7:56. Creighton is going to lose this one on the road. They don't look so invincible now.

[RealDeal]

Why is espn referring to the big east as the "new big east"?

[Smails]

Why is espn referring to the big east as the "new big east"?

Yeah...i dont get that either. I guess it means that any conference that had exits and entrants is now referred as the " new". I hear so much about the "new" ACC and the new "A10"

Now on to reality..espn will marginalize their competition (FS1) on every possible occasion.

[LA Muskie]

Why is espn referring to the big east as the "new big east"?

Because that was the agreement. Even the press release for the conference referred to the "new" Big East. This is a non-issue everywhere except this board.

[DC Muskie]

Because that was the agreement. Even the press release for the conference referred to the "new" Big East. This is a non-issue everywhere except this board.

It's a stupid agreement anyway you look at it, especially if the conference is put it out.

They wanted to keep the name and keep the logo. The only thing "new" about it is that it is no longer a football conference.

I hope this is the only season we have to hear it.

[vee4xu]

I certainly hope that the new Big East is better than the new Browns have been since 1999. The barrier isn't very high, so it won't take too much.