Realignment chatter

[xudash]

The Big 12 Commissioner is being aggressive and creative.

They have put Gonzaga on the table for discussion. The bigger news is that they are apparently attempting to put a few BE schools (from the east) into the mix. UConn, St. John’s, and Villanova have been mentioned.

I don’t believe this is going to go anywhere quite frankly, but it is something to watch.

I’m thinking our next media deal will take us to $7 million - $8 million per school per year. That is without any strategic addition(s) brought into the mix.

We are so well positioned for the future now. We need to survive this alleged / rumored attempt by the Big 12 to keep itself in the race.

[GoMuskies]

UConn might make sense. Any of the others would surprise me. They've been down that road before and it didn't go well.

[xavierj]

The Big 12 Commissioner is being aggressive and creative.

They have put Gonzaga on the table for discussion. The bigger news is that they are apparently attempting to put a few BE schools (from the east) into the mix. UConn, St. John’s, and Villanova have been mentioned.

I don’t believe this is going to go anywhere quite frankly, but it is something to watch.

I’m thinking our next media deal will take us to $7 million - $8 million per school per year. That is without any strategic addition(s) brought into the mix.

We are so well positioned for the future now. We need to survive this alleged / rumored attempt by the Big 12 to keep itself in the race.

Why would the Big 12 want to have such a Big league? Makes no sense. Also a lot of teams would have no shot most years in that league. Could be a place for a lot of programs to go die. And the Big 12 isn’t adding UConn. They want no part of that football program they have. Lastly that league would be all over the map geographically. Creighton would make more sense than the East coast teams. But again I don’t understand why The Big 12 would want to add so many basketball only schools when football drives the bus.

[bleedXblue]

Big 12 knows it an inferior football league......so they are going to add basketball only schools to drive TV revenue? Yeah, don't see that happening.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Why would the Big 12 want to have such a Big league? Makes no sense. Also a lot of teams would have no shot most years in that league. Could be a place for a lot of programs to go die. And the Big 12 isn’t adding UConn. They want no part of that football program they have. Lastly that league would be all over the map geographically. Creighton would make more sense than the East coast teams. But again I don’t understand why The Big 12 would want to add so many basketball only schools when football drives the bus.

The no football part is confusing, but if you've been paying attention to the conference realignments over the years, geography is not even a consideration anymore and when it comes to size of the conference most seem to think the bigger the better.

[JTG]

As logistically crazy as it would be, maybe it's time for the Big East to make Gonzaga an offer. I think that would effectively end this B12 business. The B12 should go after Indiana. They fit the B12 mold, bad football, good basketball. I don't know about that $7-8 million figure either. Seems high to me, maybe more like $4mil tops, but I hope you're correct on that $7-8 mil figure.

[D-West & PO-Z]

As logistically crazy as it would be, maybe it's time for the Big East to make Gonzaga an offer. I think that would effectively end this B12 business. The B12 should go after Indiana. They fit the B12 mold, bad football, good basketball. I don't know about that $7-8 million figure either. Seems high to me, maybe more like $4mil tops, but I hope you're correct on that $7-8 mil figure.

There is absolutely 0 reason for the Big East not to offer and take Gonzaga if Gonzaga wants in. They are a huge national brand that draws an audience. The logistical craziness is all on Gonzaga. Their issue to figure out and if they don't care, no one in the BE should.

Honestly, I would be surprised if Gonzaga doesn't have an open invitation from the BE already. I guess the BE doesnt want to seem to desperate/eager, so maybe not, but other than potentially losing out on the round robin (which I am not convinced would be the case as these conferences continue to grow, less OOC games may happen) there is no downside and only upside for the BE to add them.

[Seven Eighths]

There is absolutely 0 reason for the Big East not to offer and take Gonzaga if Gonzaga wants in. They are a huge national brand that draws an audience. The logistical craziness is all on Gonzaga. Their issue to figure out and if they don't care, no one in the BE should.

Honestly, I would be surprised if Gonzaga doesn't have an open invitation from the BE already. I guess the BE doesnt want to seem to desperate/eager, so maybe not, but other than potentially losing out on the round robin (which I am not convinced would be the case as these conferences continue to grow, less OOC games may happen) there is no downside and only upside for the BE to add them.

What’s the rush in adding Gonzaga?

I’d rather wait and see if the PAC, Big 12 and ACC fall apart first before adding a program that far away.

[D-West & PO-Z]

What’s the rush in adding Gonzaga?

I’d rather wait and see if the PAC, Big 12 and ACC fall apart first before adding a program that far away.

You think football teams (UConn was a special exception) will be interested in joining the BE? The BE probably doesnt (at least we should hope) have any interested in adding football to the conference, so why would they pursue those schools?

What specifically is your issue with the distance of Gonzaga? Any and all logistical issues are only on Gonzaga's end. It is a once a season (or every other season) trip out west for BE sports teams. A non issue for every current BE member.

The goal of the BE should be to remain as attractive as possible to TV partners (using only basketball obviously) during this time of conference realignment turmoil. If you have an opportunity to add one of the current biggest brands in college basketball, you pounce on it, imo.

[bleedXblue]

You think football teams (UConn was a special exception) will be interested in joining the BE? The BE probably doesnt (at least we should hope) have any interested in adding football to the conference, so why would they pursue those schools?

What specifically is your issue with the distance of Gonzaga? Any and all logistical issues are only on Gonzaga's end. It is a once a season (or every other season) trip out west for BE sports teams. A non issue for every current BE member.

The goal of the BE should be to remain as attractive as possible to TV partners (using only basketball obviously) during this time of conference realignment turmoil. If you have an opportunity to add one of the current biggest brands in college basketball, you pounce on it, imo.

Agree, Gonzaga is going to add a significant amount of value to any conference.

Now, Gonzaga and they travel piece is an entirely different problem for them. Football is a little easier, you will have USC/UCA traveling east to play 4-5 games. Double that amount for basketball. Again their issue and if they want to put their team through the challenges of that.

[GoMuskies]

The travel stuff for men's basketball just isn't that big a deal. A road trip for Gonzaga men's basketball to Villanova by private charter is a significantly easier trip than a lot of Division I baseball teams (and soccer teams and gymnastics teams and track teams, etc. etc.) have to make regularly by bus.

If they're brining in ALL sports and have to send the volleyball team everywhere flying commercial, THAT will be a big deal.

[Seven Eighths]

You think football teams (UConn was a special exception) will be interested in joining the BE? The BE probably doesnt (at least we should hope) have any interested in adding football to the conference, so why would they pursue those schools?

What specifically is your issue with the distance of Gonzaga? Any and all logistical issues are only on Gonzaga's end. It is a once a season (or every other season) trip out west for BE sports teams. A non issue for every current BE member.

The goal of the BE should be to remain as attractive as possible to TV partners (using only basketball obviously) during this time of conference realignment turmoil. If you have an opportunity to add one of the current biggest brands in college basketball, you pounce on it, imo.

My point is and has been for the last 5-10 years that Gonzaga will come if offered at any time. Why rush?

We don’t know what might happen to those three conferences in the next decade. The SEC and Big 10 could pick apart the B12 and ACC forcing certain programs to potentially even dumping football. There is so much uncertainty to rush out and add Gonzaga now.

[GoMuskies]

My point is and has been for the last 5-10 years that Gonzaga will come if offered at any time. Why rush?

We don’t know what might happen to those three conferences in the next decade. The SEC and Big 10 could pick apart the B12 and ACC forcing certain programs to potentially even dumping football. There is so much uncertainty to rush out and add Gonzaga now.

Which program are you going to get that's better than (and is as good a cultural fit as) Gonzaga? Notre Dame is the only one that could possibly fit, and that's pretty unlikely.

[Seven Eighths]

Which program are you going to get that's better than (and is as good a cultural fit as) Gonzaga? Notre Dame is the only one that could possibly fit, and that's pretty unlikely.

Point is we don’t know. Syracuse isn’t a good fit if they are left out and dump/move football to a lesser role? Obviously, Syracuse and others in the B12 and ACC are not currently on the table but why not wait? If they never come available and we stay at 11, the BE will be fine.

[GoMuskies]

Syracuse dropping football seems pretty far-fetched. The Big XII scooping up Gonzaga while we sit around with our thumbs up our asses seems less so.

[D-West & PO-Z]

My point is and has been for the last 5-10 years that Gonzaga will come if offered at any time. Why rush?

We don’t know what might happen to those three conferences in the next decade. The SEC and Big 10 could pick apart the B12 and ACC forcing certain programs to potentially even dumping football. There is so much uncertainty to rush out and add Gonzaga now.

1. I don't know that I think Gonzaga will come if offered at any time. I tend to think they have already been offered and they obviously haven't come yet.

2. I think other conferences will consider offering (or have offered Gonzaga) and will continue to push to do so, if they are going to leave their conference, I would like for them to join the BE as opposed to elsewhere.

3. I can't think of (other than due to geography, which again, is their issue) a better fit (as Go pointed out) for the BE. Catholic school, basketball only, huge basketball brand nationally, draws an audience.

[paulxu]

Can we go to 22 conference games to keep the round robin? (mostly a joke)

[GoMuskies]

Can we go to 22 conference games to keep the round robin? (mostly a joke)

I think that would be considered, sure. That would still leave 9 non-conference games. Plenty.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Can we go to 22 conference games to keep the round robin? (mostly a joke)

I honestly think it would be a strong consideration.

The other option is east and west divisions play everyone in your division twice and other once but that is then only 16 conference games. I think its more likely we play 22 conference games than 16 conference games. Although I know they could do something in-between that isnt the round robin.

Seems to me the trend is turning towards less out of conference games more conference games. Although even with 22 conference you still have plenty of opportunity for out of conference, especially with the holiday tournaments. I guess the decision then would just be if you play less cupcakes to open the season.

[paulxu]

I think that would be considered, sure. That would still leave 9 non-conference games. Plenty.

That would actually match the current football schedules where they play 4 of 13 (30%) OOC.
9 of 31 is also about 30%.

[Seven Eighths]

Syracuse dropping football seems pretty far-fetched. The Big XII scooping up Gonzaga while we sit around with our thumbs up our asses seems less so.

Syracuse might not have a say. Dumping totally is probably not happening but going the UCONN route is not far fetched if the ACC is torn apart.

The B12 is hardly stable, I don’t see Gonzaga joining that conference.

[GoMuskies]

The B12 is hardly stable, I don’t see Gonzaga joining that conference.

I hope you are correct. But if the Big XII is able to scoop up some Pac-XII leftovers like Washington, Washington State and Oregon State, the league could get more interesting to Gonzaga.

[Seven Eighths]

I hope you are correct. But if the Big XII is able to scoop up some Pac-XII leftovers like Washington, Washington State and Oregon State, the league could get more interesting to Gonzaga.

So much uncertainty. The B12 has been trying to take the PAC teams for 3-6 or so months now and vice versa. One or both are likely to collapse.

If Gonzaga was in St. Louis, they would already be in the Big East. Obviously their distance is a huge factor to some/many that are involved in adding schools to the BE.

[D-West & PO-Z]

So much uncertainty. The B12 has been trying to take the PAC teams for 3-6 or so months now and vice versa. One or both are likely to collapse.

If Gonzaga was in St. Louis, they would already be in the Big East. Obviously their distance is a huge factor to some/many that are involved in adding schools to the BE.

You seem to think the Big East has the issue with Gonzaga's location and have not offered Gonzaga as opposed to Gonzaga having the issue with the rest of the BE's location and Gonzaga not wanting into the BE.

You may be right but I think its more likely that the BE has offered and Gonzaga is concerned about the travel for all their sports and hasn't accepted yet than Gonzaga wanting in and the Big East has said no.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Also, I'd much rather have Gonzaga than Syracuse if both wanted in and we could have our pick.

[JTG]

Even if you are terrible at football, the money is too good to drop it. Indiana, Nwestetn, Vandy, are all bad at football, but they keep it for the money

[D-West & PO-Z]

Even if you are terrible at football, the money is too good to drop it. Indiana, Nwestetn, Vandy, are all bad at football, but they keep it for the money

I am guessing it is a condition of their membership to their conferences as well. Or at least to receiving the amount of money they do from the media deals.

[Seven Eighths]

Even if you are terrible at football, the money is too good to drop it. Indiana, Nwestetn, Vandy, are all bad at football, but they keep it for the money

Again, they would more likely go the UCONN route.

[Seven Eighths]

You seem to think the Big East has the issue with Gonzaga's location and have not offered Gonzaga as opposed to Gonzaga having the issue with the rest of the BE's location and Gonzaga not wanting into the BE.

You may be right but I think its more likely that the BE has offered and Gonzaga is concerned about the travel for all their sports and hasn't accepted yet than Gonzaga wanting in and the Big East has said no.

Distance is clearly the only factor.

I disagree that the BE has offered a spot.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Distance is clearly the only factor.

I disagree that the BE has offered a spot.

I agree distance is an issue but for Gonzaga, not the BE.

[Seven Eighths]

I agree distance is an issue but for Gonzaga, not the BE.

It’s certainly an issue for both or Gonzaga would have been invited over Butler and Creighton.

[XUGRAD80]

Travel for the BB/football teams, is probably not too much of a concern. It’s the travel for the other sports, and primarily the costs involved, that would be of greater concern. There’s no way that a basketball only team is going to get a full share of the TV revenue programs. It’s speculated that BB is only worth about 20% of the total revenue streams. The money a school would receive would have to make it much more profitable than their current programs before they would even consider joining the B12, because the costs involved with travel for the other sports would go up considerably. Nor is it likely that the current leagues are going to let the basketball programs leave, and let the other sports stay. This is business and the men in charge understand that.

[MHettel]

Travel for the BB/football teams, is probably not too much of a concern. It’s the travel for the other sports, and primarily the costs involved, that would be of greater concern. There’s no way that a basketball only team is going to get a full share of the TV revenue programs. It’s speculated that BB is only worth about 20% of the total revenue streams. The money a school would receive would have to make it much more profitable than their current programs before they would even consider joining the B12, because the costs involved with travel for the other sports would go up considerably. Nor is it likely that the current leagues are going to let the basketball programs leave, and let the other sports stay. This is business and the men in charge understand that.

I think there are some NCAA rules about having your sports in just one conference, when possible. I think there are limits that would prohibit Gonzaga basketball only joining the BE.

[MHettel]

I've been discussing this since the creation of the new BE. Gonzaga is by far the hottest property out there from a marketing perspective. I dont think there is a scenario where we "just add Gonzaga" and the travel issues are "their problem." Obviously, the BE would have added the Zags long ago if this were the case.

I believe the Big East will need to expand beyond Gonzaga and shift the footprint further West. We sit at 11 currently. I think you have to get to 15 (3 divisions of 5 each....yeah, I know that sucks), or 16 (2 divisions of 8) and organize around geographical divisions and unbalanced scheduling to reduce the cross-country travel. with the Zags as the primary target, I think adding St. Mary's makes very much sense, and probably SLU gets an invite as it does move the footprint West, and they have a good market and new-ish facilities.

So thats 14. Gotta find 2 more teams West of the mississippi that fit the BE profile. Thats where it gets difficult.

Maybe Seattle U, which is an urban campus, but their program would need a huge lift (although BE money could certainly help there). Maybe Detroit Mercy? Its just such a reach to fill out the bottom end of the expansion package.

I'd love to see teh Zags join, but the reality is that the ACTUAL issues that exist just cannot be ignored and wont just go away. They are real, and their existence is the exact reason why the Zags arent in the BE already.

[BigMoeMusketeer]

I agree distance is an issue but for Gonzaga, not the BE.

Maybe I'm missing something obvious, but if Providence has to get Women's Soccer to Gonzaga for a game, how is that not an issue for them? 3 time zones, 2,700 miles, connecting commercial flights, to play in front of 300 people (read: zero revenue gain)...how is this "just" a Gonzaga problem?

Or are you advocating that only MBB and WBB would join the Big East, which I don't think the BE would have an interest in, but who knows I guess given the current landscape.

I tend to think St. Louis and Dayton are far more likely additions, as much as that will make some hard-core Xavier folks start to twitch, if (and I think it is a BIG if) the Big East feels they need to expand.

[chico]

On of the great things about the Big East is that we play everyone twice. The league can accommodate 1 more team, be it Gonzaga or someone else. I'd hate to see teams like SLU and Dayton considered because not only does it dilute the conference with lesser teams, it also means you don't play everyone twice.

[D-West & PO-Z]

It’s certainly an issue for both or Gonzaga would have been invited over Butler and Creighton.

You keep taking the position that if Gonzaga was invited they'd automatically accept. I don't see that to be the case. I think they have much more interest in waiting and seeing how the Pac 12/Big 12 situation plays out than the Big East does.

You also have no idea if the Big East asked Gonzaga back when they broke off. They might have.

[GoMuskies]

Maybe I'm missing something obvious, but if Providence has to get Women's Soccer to Gonzaga for a game, how is that not an issue for them? 3 time zones, 2,700 miles, connecting commercial flights, to play in front of 300 people (read: zero revenue gain)...how is this "just" a Gonzaga problem?

Or are you advocating that only MBB and WBB would join the Big East, which I don't think the BE would have an interest in, but who knows I guess given the current landscape.

I tend to think St. Louis and Dayton are far more likely additions, as much as that will make some hard-core Xavier folks start to twitch, if (and I think it is a BIG if) the Big East feels they need to expand.

They only have to do that once per year. No big deal. Those sorts of once a year trips aren't that unusual in the non-conference anyway (even for the non-revenues). Gonzaga is the one that has to do it multiple times a year for every team.

[JTG]

I could see a scenario where Zags non rev sports fly to Omaha, play Cr, SLU, Butler, X then fly back west from Cincy. Very doable bus trips.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Maybe I'm missing something obvious, but if Providence has to get Women's Soccer to Gonzaga for a game, how is that not an issue for them? 3 time zones, 2,700 miles, connecting commercial flights, to play in front of 300 people (read: zero revenue gain)...how is this "just" a Gonzaga problem?

Or are you advocating that only MBB and WBB would join the Big East, which I don't think the BE would have an interest in, but who knows I guess given the current landscape.

I tend to think St. Louis and Dayton are far more likely additions, as much as that will make some hard-core Xavier folks start to twitch, if (and I think it is a BIG if) the Big East feels they need to expand.

It is a once a year (or even every other year depending on scheduling) trip for each school. Gonzaga would have to travel that far every road trip. Maybe I am naïve in that even once a year or every other year that is too burdensome of a trip for womens soccer to make. It is far more burdensome for Gonzaga. I would be shocked in Gonzaga is ok with that burden, wants in, and the BE says no because they are worried about Providence womens soccers long trip once a year.

[Seven Eighths]

You keep taking the position that if Gonzaga was invited they'd automatically accept. I don't see that to be the case. I think they have much more interest in waiting and seeing how the Pac 12/Big 12 situation plays out than the Big East does.

You also have no idea if the Big East asked Gonzaga back when they broke off. They might have.

Both of us are speculating but distance is certainly a factor for both sides.

[BigMoeMusketeer]

It is a once a year (or even every other year depending on scheduling) trip for each school. Gonzaga would have to travel that far every road trip. Maybe I am naïve in that even once a year or every other year that is too burdensome of a trip for womens soccer to make. It is far more burdensome for Gonzaga.

More burdensome, sure, but that doesn't absolve all of the burden for other schools. Gonzaga would undoubtedly take their Olympic Sports and go on multiple game trips, so housing / feeding / tutoring them for a week or so straight will add up quickly. However, the costs (and frankly, major inconveniences) for each school around Olympic Sports' travel would be significant. It certainly isn't nothing.

Again, I think others are more likely, but would I enjoy an annual Gonzaga vs Xavier (Villanova, UConn, etc.) men's basketball game? Sure, of course.

[D-West & PO-Z]

More burdensome, sure, but that doesn't absolve all of the burden for other schools. Gonzaga would undoubtedly take their Olympic Sports and go on multiple game trips, so housing / feeding / tutoring them for a week or so straight will add up quickly. However, the costs (and frankly, major inconveniences) for each school around Olympic Sports' travel would be significant. It certainly isn't nothing.

Again, I think others are more likely, but would I enjoy an annual Gonzaga vs Xavier (Villanova, UConn, etc.) men's basketball game? Sure, of course.

No it doesnt, but again (and I added this to my post after initially posting but after you quoted it) I don't think the burden on Providence women's soccer once a year or every other year would keep the BE from adding Gonzaga if they were good with the much larger burden on their end.

[xubrew]

The Big 12 has now allegedly (and likely) reached out to Colorado, Utah, Arizona, Arizona State, Oregon, Washington, Gonzaga, Pittsburgh, UConn, Villanova, and I guess Saint John's as well.

Why not go even further?? They should reach out to Cambridge, Oxford, and University of London!! They can expand into Europe before the NFL does!!

[xudash]

As logistically crazy as it would be, maybe it's time for the Big East to make Gonzaga an offer. I think that would effectively end this B12 business. The B12 should go after Indiana. They fit the B12 mold, bad football, good basketball. I don't know about that $7-8 million figure either. Seems high to me, maybe more like $4mil tops, but I hope you're correct on that $7-8 mil figure.

We’re at $4 million per school now.

The BE has delivered on performance AND now UCONN is in the fold.

It will be north of the existing deal.

Otherwise, programs that have football now, regardless of their standing, will hang onto them for dear life for the money (P5) and because of alumni revolts over the result of lower level lost tailgating opportunities.

[Seven Eighths]

You also have no idea if the Big East asked Gonzaga back when they broke off. They might have.

If they did, why would have Gonzaga said no?

If they said no then, why would they say yes now?

[xudash]

If they did, why would have Gonzaga said no?

If they said no then, why would they say yes now?

I’m not sure of the details, nor of the timing, but Gonzaga is approaching a new media negotiation deal with ESPN, I believe. They may want to see how that shapes up for them.

In my opinion, regardless of how much better that looks for them, I personally would not want to be left out on the WCC mid major island as all hell continues to break loose with conference shifting.

Take it or leave it, but Mark Few will not be there forever, and Mark Few will eventually become less effective. We all know there are no guarantees that the next coach up will be able to maintain what was achieved beforehand.

Crazy times, but I still believe we will come out of this even better than we did in 2013.

[Seven Eighths]

That really doesn’t answer my questions. Gonzaga was interested in joining a better conference 10 years ago?

[zippin']

St John's joining the new big 12 (we call it that now right?) would be funny because they would probably lose every single conference game.

[bleedXblue]

Gonzaga is in a horrible geographic location. I'm sure the debate internally within the schools is why change now given the fact that they've grown their brand immensely doing what they've done for 30+ years?

[OTRMUSKIE]

Gonzaga would make sense for basketball only. However, there are plenty of Catholic Colleges out west to add to the beast to soften the blow. San Francisco, San Diego, Santa Clara, Loyola Marymount, Mt St Mary’s, St Mary’s

[D-West & PO-Z]

If they did, why would have Gonzaga said no?

If they said no then, why would they say yes now?

1. Burdens of travel for their other sports.

2. Been a lot of years (is it about a decade already?!) and conference realignment has gone nuts and there is a lot of money at stake and a lot more risk to non football schools. However, they could very well say no again (if even asked the 1st time, which I have no idea either way).

[D-West & PO-Z]

Gonzaga would make sense for basketball only. However, there are plenty of Catholic Colleges out west to add to the beast to soften the blow. San Francisco, San Diego, Santa Clara, Loyola Marymount, Mt St Mary’s, St Mary’s

The problem with that is I don't really want to be in a league with schools like St. Bonaventure, Fordham, Lasalle again.

[boozehound]

I’m not sure of the details, nor of the timing, but Gonzaga is approaching a new media negotiation deal with ESPN, I believe. They may want to see how that shapes up for them.

In my opinion, regardless of how much better that looks for them, I personally would not want to be left out on the WCC mid major island as all hell continues to break loose with conference shifting.

Take it or leave it, but Mark Few will not be there forever, and Mark Few will eventually become less effective. We all know there are no guarantees that the next coach up will be able to maintain what was achieved beforehand.

Crazy times, but I still believe we will come out of this even better than we did in 2013.

Look no farther than Villanova for how much a coach can impact a program, particularly if they aren't a 'blue blood' with endlessly deep pockets. Kyle Neptune may still get it turned around, but you can't really deny the dropoff from Jay Wright. You could argue that Gonzaga could find themselves in much worse shape when Few retires.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Gonzaga is in a horrible geographic location. I'm sure the debate internally within the schools is why change now given the fact that they've grown their brand immensely doing what they've done for 30+ years?

True, I am sure they are asking that question. However, the landscape has changed so much and there is a lot of risk to non football schools (or even football schools not in Big 10 and SEC) and we all know just continuing to do something bc that's the way we've always done it, while facing massive industry changes, is never a good strategy.

[GoMuskies]

The problem with that is I don't really want to be in a league with schools like St. Bonaventure, Fordham, Lasalle again.

Yeah, SMC could be interesting if Gonzaga insists they need a partner (though Spokane to Moraga is 866 miles...not exactly close!). None of the others appeal in the least.

[kxblue]

Look no farther than Villanova for how much a coach can impact a program, particularly if they aren't a 'blue blood' with endlessly deep pockets. Kyle Neptune may still get it turned around, but you can't really deny the dropoff from Jay Wright. You could argue that Gonzaga could find themselves in much worse shape when Few retires.

We were there last year with an awful coach (as bad as it was here, check out Miami where he doesnt have players who can wing games on their own). When people say Gonzaga is on the downturn, I have to laugh. We were in way worse shape. Heck Kentucky is in more of a downswing than Gonzaga.

Gonzaga has the $$$$, branding, and decent fanbase. I trust them to figure it. Our administration did the right thing. I would imagine Gonzaga will as well.

[GoMuskies]

For just a touch of context, Spokane to Malibu (Pepperdine) is essentially the same as Spokane to Omaha.

So their longest "road trip" today essentially becomes their shortest road trip in the Big East.

[GoMuskies]

We were there last year with an awful coach (as bad as it was here, check out Miami where he doesnt have players who can wing games on their own). When people say Gonzaga is on the downturn, I have to laugh. We were in way worse shape. Heck Kentucky is in more of a downswing than Gonzaga.

Gonzaga has the $$$$, branding, and decent fanbase. I trust them to figure it. Our administration did the right thing. I would imagine Gonzaga will as well.

I don't think anyone believes Gonzaga is in a downswing (perhaps a downish year). It's more that a downswing is possible once Few retires.

[webxu]

Not really related to this, but my sons team played against Travis Steele's team this weekend. Travis was really nice and is excited about what he is building at Miami, he said it was a total overhaul there, and that they should be good in 3 years. We hung with his team for about 3 quarters and I was proud that when i heard him call horns i knew the play he was running from watching X and stopped it! I wished him the best of luck and that i was rooting for him.

[MHettel]

I could see a scenario where Zags non rev sports fly to Omaha, play Cr, SLU, Butler, X then fly back west from Cincy. Very doable bus trips.

what?

They fly to Omaha and then take a bus to STL, then to Indy, then to Cincy and fly back home? Like how much time elapses during this trip. You just described a 2 week road trip with games every 3-4 days. They are students, afterall.

[GoMuskies]

Not really related to this, but my sons team played against Travis Steele's team this weekend. Travis was really nice and is excited about what he is building at Miami, he said it was a total overhaul there, and that they should be good in 3 years. We hung with his team for about 3 quarters and I was proud that when i heard him call horns i knew the play he was running from watching X and stopped it! I wished him the best of luck and that i was rooting for him.

Is Travis Steele coaching a high school team now, too?

[Seven Eighths]

1. Burdens of travel for their other sports.

2. Been a lot of years (is it about a decade already?!) and conference realignment has gone nuts and there is a lot of money at stake and a lot more risk to non football schools. However, they could very well say no again (if even asked the 1st time, which I have no idea either way).

1. What has changed? Gonzaga is no closer proximity wise than they were a decade ago.

2. Not sure what’s happened in 10 years for #1 to change. Alignment was crazy at that time just as it is now. Football drove it then and it drives it now.

Is Gonzaga a better program than Georgetown?

[GoMuskies]

Is Gonzaga a better program than Georgetown?

Is this a serious question?

[D-West & PO-Z]

Not really related to this, but my sons team played against Travis Steele's team this weekend. Travis was really nice and is excited about what he is building at Miami, he said it was a total overhaul there, and that they should be good in 3 years. We hung with his team for about 3 quarters and I was proud that when i heard him call horns i knew the play he was running from watching X and stopped it! I wished him the best of luck and that i was rooting for him.

Ha, I am guessing you mean Steele's sons team? They way this read at first was that you son was a college player who played Miami. It wasn't until I read you stopped the play that I realized it was your kids team vs his kids team. Steele is able to coach his kids team I guess when they don't have a game....good for him.

[Seven Eighths]

Is this a serious question?

Yes. If Gonzaga had 10 years like Georgetown (2013 - 2023) has had on the basketball court, would you be interested in adding Georgetown?

[GoMuskies]

Yes. If Gonzaga had 10 years like Georgetown (2013 - 2023) has had on the basketball court, would you be interested in adding Georgetown?

Would we be intersted in adding Georgetown today if they weren't already in?

[xubrew]

That really doesn’t answer my questions. Gonzaga was interested in joining a better conference 10 years ago?

A few years ago it looked like Gonzaga was going to join the Mountain West. I was pretty much convinced it was a done deal. But the WCC basically agreed to all of their demands. They shortened the conference schedule to allow them two more OOC games, they gave them a much bigger share of the TV revenue, and gave them a bigger share of the NCAA Tournament revenue. Gonzaga now basically makes as much off of basketball as what a lot of P5 schools make. I'm not saying they're never going to look to leave, but I think they feel they're doing just fine as things are now. If you asked me as to why they haven't left, I believe it's because there just haven't been any opportunities that are more appealing to them than the situation that they are currently in, which is that they make a lot of money and basically run the league.

[Seven Eighths]

Would we be intersted in adding Georgetown today if they weren't already in?

Yes, that’s my question.

[D-West & PO-Z]

1. What has changed? Gonzaga is no closer proximity wise than they were a decade ago.

2. Not sure what’s happened in 10 years for #1 to change. Alignment was crazy at that time just as it is now. Football drove it then and it drives it now.

Is Gonzaga a better program than Georgetown?

#2 answers all your questions. A lot has changed. UCLA and USC are leaving the Pac12 for the Big 10. Think about that. There have been rumors of the big football super conferences breaking off from the NCAA completely and doing their own basketball tournament. A lot has changed and got even crazier.

Your last question cannot be a serious one but I am not sure I understand what you could possibly be going for with it if it isn't.

[GoMuskies]

A few years ago it looked like Gonzaga was going to join the Mountain West. I was pretty much convinced it was a done deal. But the WCC basically agreed to all of their demands. They shortened the conference schedule to allow them two more OOC games, they gave them a much bigger share of the TV revenue, and gave them a bigger share of the NCAA Tournament revenue. Gonzaga now basically makes as much off of basketball as what a lot of P5 schools make. I'm not saying they're never going to look to leave, but I think they feel they're doing just fine as things are now. If you asked me as to why they haven't left, I believe it's because there just haven't been any opportunities that are more appealing to them than the situation that they are currently in, which is that they make a lot of money and basically run the league.

Sounds liked Louisville's Denny Crum era deal with the Metro. Worked out great until they stopped going to the Final Four all the time, and Memphis and Cincinnati ditched them (along with FSU and South Carolina getting promoted).

[Seven Eighths]

A few years ago it looked like Gonzaga was going to join the Mountain West. I was pretty much convinced it was a done deal. But the WCC basically agreed to all of their demands. They shortened the conference schedule to allow them two more OOC games, they gave them a much bigger share of the TV revenue, and gave them a bigger share of the NCAA Tournament revenue. Gonzaga now basically makes as much off of basketball as what a lot of P5 schools make. I'm not saying they're never going to look to leave, but I think they feel they're doing just fine as things are now. If you asked me as to why they haven't left, I believe it's because there just haven't been any opportunities that are more appealing to them than the situation that they are currently in, which is that they make a lot of money and basically run the league.

I agree. Gonzaga has it pretty good. Lots of wins to pad their tournament resume as well. Why join the BE?

[Seven Eighths]

#2 answers all your questions. A lot has changed. UCLA and USC are leaving the Pac12 for the Big 10. Think about that. There have been rumors of the big football super conferences breaking off from the NCAA completely and doing their own basketball tournament. A lot has changed and got even crazier.

Your last question cannot be a serious one but I am not sure I understand what you could possibly be going for with it if it isn't.

I’d like an answer about Georgetown. I’m curious.

Things aren’t really that different realignment wise. It’s been the B10 and SEC arms race that drives the crazy in other conferences.

[GoMuskies]

Yes, that’s my question.

I wouldn't invite today's Georgetown, no. Hell, if I had a vote I'd kick out Georgetown to invite Gonzaga. Obviously that would never happen, but yes Gonzaga is a singificantly better program than Georgetown.

[D-West & PO-Z]

I’d like an answer about Georgetown. I’m curious.

Things aren’t really that different realignment wise. It’s been the B10 and SEC arms race that drives the crazy in other conferences.

Yes Gonzaga is a better program than Georgetown.

No, if Gonzaga basketball had the last decade of results like Georgetown's I would not invite them into the Big East.

If Georgetown were not currently in the BE, I would not invite them into the BE as they currently stand.

[Seven Eighths]

I wouldn't invite today's Georgetown, no. Hell, if I had a vote I'd kick out Georgetown to invite Gonzaga. Obviously that would never happen, but yes Gonzaga is a singificantly better program than Georgetown.

For now.

Who’s to say Gonzaga doesn’t see the same fate as Georgetown when Few is gone.

Georgetown was a better program than Gonzaga in 1993, 2003 and 2013.

[Seven Eighths]

Yes Gonzaga is a better program than Georgetown.

No, if Gonzaga basketball had the last decade of results like Georgetown's I would not invite them into the Big East.

If Georgetown were not currently in the BE, I would not invite them into the BE as they currently stand.

See above.

It’s easier to add than subtract from a league.

[waggy]

I like the BE the way it is.

[GoMuskies]

For now.

Who’s to say Gonzaga doesn’t see the same fate as Georgetown when Few is gone.

Georgetown was a better program than Gonzaga in 1993, 2003 and 2013.

That's why they would want to join the Big East. Because it will be much easier to stay where they are from the Big East when Few retires. Gonzaga was already a better program than Georgetown by 2013.

If you want to argue Georgetown edged out the Zags in 2013, I'd say Gonzaga was clearly superior in 2003.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Georgetown has made the mistake of not getting the hell away from the legendary coach's coaching tree. They made decisions to appease a legend as opposed to what was best for their basketball program.

I would imagine Gonzaga would operate similarly to Xavier when it comes to their basketball program. Basketball for both schools is the lifeblood of the university and what put both of them on the map, unlike Georgetown which is considered a premier academic institution in a much bigger city.

If Mark Few is more like Coach K, Boeheim, Roy Williams, and less like Jay Wright, he has another 12-15-18 years of coaching in him. I'll take it and take my chances Gonzaga has a good succession plan.

[GoMuskies]

I like the BE the way it is.

I'm also okay with that. Even if we lose UConn, they were really just a bonus add on to what was already a fantastic league.

[Seven Eighths]

I like the BE the way it is.

Me too.

[Seven Eighths]

That's why they would want to join the Big East. Because it will be much easier to stay where they are from the Big East when Few retires. Gonzaga was already a better program than Georgetown by 2013.

If you want to argue Georgetown edged out the Zags in 2013, I'd say Gonzaga was clearly superior in 2003.

Georgetown was the better program in 2003 and 2013. Gonzaga maybe had some better teams but not the better program. Gonzaga now indeed has both the better program and team but to my main point, that could change and quickly so I’m not in favor of adding Gonzaga.

[Seven Eighths]

Georgetown has made the mistake of not getting the hell away from the legendary coach's coaching tree. They made decisions to appease a legend as opposed to what was best for their basketball program.

I would imagine Gonzaga would operate similarly to Xavier when it comes to their basketball program. Basketball for both schools is the lifeblood of the university and what put both of them on the map, unlike Georgetown which is considered a premier academic institution in a much bigger city.

If Mark Few is more like Coach K, Boeheim, Roy Williams, and less like Jay Wright, he has another 12-15-18 years of coaching in him. I'll take it and take my chances Gonzaga has a good succession plan.

Lots a speculation on Gonzaga’s future. They could easily and sadly follow Georgetown’s recent path.

Adding is easy but getting rid of teams is hard.

I see no reason to expand at this time for any currently available program.

[GoMuskies]

I also don't think Gonzaga is a must have, and I'm thrilled with the league the way it is. But if we DO need to expand to keep up with the times, Gonzaga is clearly a homerun, and they'd be much less risky than anyone else we could take on.

[xubrew]

I like the BE the way it is.

Me too. I'd like it even more if it were just ten teams. I'd rather get rid of a school than add schools.

[GoMuskies]

Me too. I'd like it even more if it were just ten teams. I'd rather get rid of a school than add schools.

Why so mean to Butler?

[xubrew]

Why so mean to Butler?

Butler's arena can stay, but the team has to go!

[Seven Eighths]

I didn’t want the C7 to invite Butler back then and now we are stuck with them.

To be fair, the C7 didn’t have a lot of better options back then. I didn’t want SLU or UD then or ever either.

I did think UConn would return, not sure why but I did. Obviously it wasn’t on the table then.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Butler's arena can stay, but the team has to go!

They can take the arena too. If I want to sit on a slab on concrete with no backrest and I'll go to a grade school game.

[webxu]

Is Travis Steele coaching a high school team now, too?

4th grade basketball... must see basketball.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Butler is in a real rough stretch but they've been better than a handful of teams in the BE since joining.

[webxu]

Ha, I am guessing you mean Steele's sons team? They way this read at first was that you son was a college player who played Miami. It wasn't until I read you stopped the play that I realized it was your kids team vs his kids team. Steele is able to coach his kids team I guess when they don't have a game....good for him.

haha yes, it was 4th grade basketball. He seems really excited about what he's building at Miami, and i hope he succeeds. His son is a very good player, as you would expect.

[X-band '01]

Why so mean to Butler?

Filibustering Dayton out of the Big East is the biggest value for Butler right now.

[xudash]

Filibustering Dayton out of the Big East is the biggest value for Butler right now.

This. Although, frankly, I believe SLU would have made it in over them, if 10 was the mandatory number from Fox.

Just stay focused on what all of this is really about: money. Specifically, this is about positioning for the next media agreement. It is expected to increase from the present $4 million per school per year. I have seen some analysis, although now a little dated, that suggests $7 million or more per school per year. That is as a result of good performance by the conference since the reboot plus the addition of UCONN.

I am on the record as stating that I would have no problem with taking Gonzaga if by doing so we push the annual payout per school per year to $10 million or more. I don’t know if they can bring that much juice or not, but it would be worth looking into.

Beyond that, if this is about evaluating where different teams are on the “angst“ meter, then it’s my opinion that Gonzaga has more to worry about than any BE school. Gonzaga is certainly well positioned to sustain a successful program, but the hard and fast reality is that they are on a figurative island - the WCC is a road to long term hell with how things continue to evolve. And Spokane may have some great flyfishing nearby, but it is a flat out problem.

[X-band '01]

Will be really interested to see if the Big East stays with Fox and competes with the B1G, Pac-12 and possibly Big 12 or bolts to ESPN and ends up competing with the ACC, SEC and other conferences. B1G is going to be completely cut off from The Mothership now.

[Xavier]

I’ve loved being with Fox. FS1 is so much better than ESPN/ESPN+

[Masterofreality]

Will be really interested to see if the Big East stays with Fox and competes with the B1G, Pac-12 and possibly Big 12 or bolts to ESPN and ends up competing with the ACC, SEC and other conferences. B1G is going to be completely cut off from The Mothership now.

I have tons of confidence in Val Ackerman as a Commish. I never had anything like that with Linda Blutarsky.
I LOVE our relationship with Fox, and firmly believe that Fox, even with Dickie Simpkins, has better announcers and better overall coverage than ABC/ESPN or even CBS in regular season.
I really hope that the Big East, Madison Square Garden, Fox relationship can go forward well into the future. The league definitely has done its part during the contract, not only providing needed early content to FS1, but bringing Championship basketball to the Fox group as well as bringing in a National Program in UConn. I would like to think that Fox appreciates this whole deal and it will go on.

[X-band '01]

Wherever the Big East goes, the brass will make crystal clear that MSG is going to be linked to the Big East. Period. The Catholic 7 paid a big price for the Big East name and the MSG rights for Championship Week - it is worth every penny.

If the B1G or ACC want in, they can always book The Garden for the week prior like the B1G did back in 2019.

[XUBison]

Wherever the Big East goes, the brass will make crystal clear that MSG is going to be linked to the Big East. Period. The Catholic 7 paid a big price for the Big East name and the MSG rights for Championship Week - it is worth every penny.

If the B1G or ACC want in, they can always book The Garden for the week prior like the B1G did back in 2019.

If the Big East were to lose Nova, UConn, and St. John’s, kiss MSG goodbye.

[Masterofreality]

Wherever the Big East goes, the brass will make crystal clear that MSG is going to be linked to the Big East. Period. The Catholic 7 paid a big price for the Big East name and the MSG rights for Championship Week - it is worth every penny.

If the B1G or ACC want in, they can always book The Garden for the week prior like the B1G did back in 2019.

And that went badly for the B1G.

[JTG]

If the Big East were to lose Nova, UConn, and St. John’s, kiss MSG goodbye.

And just how would that happen?

[xubrew]

And that went badly for the B1G.

It did? I thought it was the highest ratings their conference tournament had gotten in recent years. They were up against all the smaller conference tournaments instead of the other power conference leagues. It went so well that I thought they seriously discussed doing it again even if it wasn't at MSG. But ultimately they want their championship game to be one of the two games that leads into the selection show.

[GoMuskies]

I thought attendance kind of stuck for them. Perhaps I'm misremembering.

[xubrew]

They can take the arena too. If I want to sit on a slab on concrete with no backrest and I'll go to a grade school game.

I'm starting to realize more and more than I'm becoming a dinosaur.

Like the baseball fans who are dinosaurs who prefer Wrigley Field and Fenway Park to the newer ballparks, I prefer the old dumpy arenas to the new plush ones. I love Hinkle Fieldhouse. I love the Hec Pavilion at Washington, and I liked it more before it was renovated. This is what a college basketball arena should look like!! https://gohuskies.com/sports/2013/7/2/208565960

As nice as Oregon's new building is, I hated when they tore down Mac Court. It was incredible. The backboards would shake it was so loud, and one time a game was delayed because a lightbulb literally burst from the noise and the glass fell down onto the court.

I think the Pavilion on Nova's campus is far more awesome than the NBA arena. I think the Palestra should be declared a national historic landmark so it can never be torn down or altered through renovations, and they better NEVER put chair backs in that place!!

And I hate a lot of the realignment as well. People say they love college sports because in college "It's all about the game." No it isn't. Almost NONE of it is. Realignment sure as hell isn't. Say what you will about soccer, but whether it's World Cup Qualifying, or Champions League, or League Play, you can't avoid teams you don't want to play or places you don't want to play at. In college sports, and college football and basketball in particular, you can. You can't say it's "all about the game" when schools routinely simply decide they don't want to play a game for reasons that have nothing to do with the game. In no other sport in any other part of the world would that be accepted, much less applauded as being "all about the game." I miss the Big Eight, the SWC, the classic 9 team ACC, and the classic Big East. I even miss the old classic Metro and the old classic Colonial. Imagine how good those leagues would be today if they reverted back to their classic lineups. All the leagues used to be single division conferences of ten teams or less, and they all played double round robins. It was great. College hoops is still great, but it would be tons better if it actually was all about the game, which it isn't, and never has been.

[Masterofreality]

It did? I thought it was the highest ratings their conference tournament had gotten in recent years. They were up against all the smaller conference tournaments instead of the other power conference leagues. It went so well that I thought they seriously discussed doing it again even if it wasn't at MSG. But ultimately they want their championship game to be one of the two games that leads into the selection show.

Welp (and it was the 2018 B1G Tourney at MSG) the average attendance was only about 14,400 for them vs 18,600 for the Big East. The B1G only had a sellout on the Semifinal night, with a Finals attendance of only 15,000.
Contrast that with Chicago the next year for the B1G when they drew over 20,000 more people in aggregate to the United Center and raised the average to over 17,600. There was a lot of pushback from B1G honks that I know about kow towing to Rutgers and having to go to NY.
NYC doesn’t give a crap about the Big 10.

[xubrew]

I thought attendance kind of stuck for them. Perhaps I'm misremembering.

It did, but the TV ratings didn't. Which could be another shift that we're starting to see all throughout major college basketball. It's becoming more and more about the television production and the ratings than it is about the fan experiences in the arenas.

[GoMuskies]

It did, but the TV ratings didn't. Which could be another shift that we're starting to see all throughout major college basketball. It's becoming more and more about the television production and the ratings than it is about the fan experiences in the arenas.

I guess, but what's that have to do with MSG? They could play a week early at the United Center or in Indy, get the same TV ratings and actually have people in the arena to witness the games in person.

[xubrew]

I guess, but what's that have to do with MSG? They could play a week early at the United Center or in Indy, get the same TV ratings and actually have people in the arena to witness the games in person.

Oh nothing to do with MSG in particular. I kind of got sidetracked into thinking he was saying that the reason it didn't "go well" was because it was a week early, when if anything I think it would have gone even worse had they played it in MSG and had it not been a week early. I agree. Had it been somewhere else other than MSG, the attendance would have been better and the ratings would have still been about the same.

[Masterofreality]

I think the Pavilion on Nova's campus is far more awesome than the NBA arena. I think the Palestra should be declared a national historic landmark so it can never be torn down or altered through renovations, and they better NEVER put chair backs in that place!!
.

100 on the Palestra and, although I joke about Hinkle, I think it’s great.
I loved going to Rose Hill gym at Fordham. I loved going to the old Macdonald Gym at Rhode Island. (Note: I hated Tom Gola’s Garage and GW’s Smith Center) but I really did enjoy St. Joes Hagen “Arena” and St. Bonnie’s Reilly Center. I actually was able to go to a game (Not X) in the Corn Palace in Mitchell South Dakota one time and it was awesome. If I had a bucket list of places to watch Iba Arena at Oklahoma State would be on it and so would Conte Forum at Boston College. I’ve been inside Cameron Indoor but not for a game. It would be cool for X to go there and actually beat the Dukies there.
The only other place that I wish I could have seen a game at was the old Memorial Coliseum at Kentucky. A best old building with 11,500 seats.

[D-West & PO-Z]

I thought attendance kind of stuck for them. Perhaps I'm misremembering.

I remember similarly to you and MOR. I thought I remember it being a disaster and that is why the immediately went back to the week after not at MSG the next year.

[D-West & PO-Z]

I'm starting to realize more and more than I'm becoming a dinosaur.

Like the baseball fans who are dinosaurs who prefer Wrigley Field and Fenway Park to the newer ballparks, I prefer the old dumpy arenas to the new plush ones. I love Hinkle Fieldhouse. I love the Hec Pavilion at Washington, and I liked it more before it was renovated. This is what a college basketball arena should look like!! https://gohuskies.com/sports/2013/7/2/208565960

As nice as Oregon's new building is, I hated when they tore down Mac Court. It was incredible. The backboards would shake it was so loud, and one time a game was delayed because a lightbulb literally burst from the noise and the glass fell down onto the court.

I think the Pavilion on Nova's campus is far more awesome than the NBA arena. I think the Palestra should be declared a national historic landmark so it can never be torn down or altered through renovations, and they better NEVER put chair backs in that place!!

And I hate a lot of the realignment as well. People say they love college sports because in college "It's all about the game." No it isn't. Almost NONE of it is. Realignment sure as hell isn't. Say what you will about soccer, but whether it's World Cup Qualifying, or Champions League, or League Play, you can't avoid teams you don't want to play or places you don't want to play at. In college sports, and college football and basketball in particular, you can. You can't say it's "all about the game" when schools routinely simply decide they don't want to play a game for reasons that have nothing to do with the game. In no other sport in any other part of the world would that be accepted, much less applauded as being "all about the game." I miss the Big Eight, the SWC, the classic 9 team ACC, and the classic Big East. I even miss the old classic Metro and the old classic Colonial. Imagine how good those leagues would be today if they reverted back to their classic lineups. All the leagues used to be single division conferences of ten teams or less, and they all played double round robins. It was great. College hoops is still great, but it would be tons better if it actually was all about the game, which it isn't, and never has been.

Let me tell you about this little place called UDump Arean right up 75.....you'd love it!

[xubrew]

Let me tell you about this little place called UDump Arean right up 75.....you'd love it!

My take on UD Arena is that it's better than what most give it credit for, but not nearly as good as UD fans seem to think it is. Most of them have probably never been anywhere else and have nothing else to really compare it to. But if it works for them, then good for them!

MOR listed several A10 venues in his post, and I'd put all of them ahead of UD Arena in terms of the awesomeness of the game experience, especially if you're there for the right game.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Anyone ever been to Phog Allen Fieldhouse? If I could pick one place to go watch a game that would be at or near the top of my list just based on what I've heard about the experience there. Always looks great on TV too.

[Caveat]

I like the BE the way it is.

You stop swimming, you die.

The BE needs to be aggressive in looking to improve / expand because everyone else is too.

[xubrew]

You stop swimming, you die.

The BE needs to be aggressive in looking to improve / expand because everyone else is too.

The Ivy League has not expanded in over 100 years and is doing just fine.

And of all the reasons everyone else is expanding, almost none of them are basketball related.

The Big 12 did not only not expand, but it contracted down to ten. They've routinely placed teams in the CFP playoffs. They've had teams win national titles. This year, they have SIX teams that may end up with protected seeds. I'd say they're doing absolutely fantastic with just ten teams, and if they were to keep this ten team format, they'd continue to do great in both football and basketball.

[GoMuskies]

Anyone ever been to Phog Allen Fieldhouse?

I went to a game there when I first moved here. It was a KU/K-State game, and it was pretty great. I work with an incredibly obnoxious KU fan (shocking, I know), and he couldn't wait to hear from me how much I loved it. I told him that it was a really great place to see a game and reminded me a lot of Hinkle Fieldhouse (which, by the way, it kind of did). Oddly, I didn't hear from that guy for months after that conversation!

[D-West & PO-Z]

The Ivy League is a one bid league every year. Am I missing something about how great they are?

The Big 12 contracted to 10, yes, and has had a representative make the CFP 5 times in 9 years and the team who made 4 of those 5 appearances is leaving. The other biggest brand in their conference is also leaving and they are now adding 4 (I think 4, right?) new schools.

Not the best examples, brew.

[GoMuskies]

And the one team who has made the CFP and is staying is a team the Big XII picked up from the Mountain West in expansion.

[D-West & PO-Z]

I went to a game there when I first moved here. It was a KU/K-State game, and it was pretty great. I work with an incredibly obnoxious KU fan (shocking, I know), and he couldn't wait to hear from me how much I loved it. I told him that it was a really great place to see a game and reminded me a lot of Hinkle Fieldhouse (which, by the way, it kind of did). Oddly, I didn't hear from that guy for months after that conversation!

Ha, that's great!

[D-West & PO-Z]

And the one team who has made the CFP and is staying is a team the Big XII picked up from the Mountain West in expansion.

Great point!

[xubrew]

The Ivy League is a one bid league every year. Am I missing something about how great they are?

The Big 12 contracted to 10, yes, and has had a representative make the CFP 5 times in 9 years and the team who made 4 of those 5 appearances is leaving. The other biggest brand in their conference is also leaving and they are now adding 4 (I think 4, right?) new schools.

Not the best examples, brew.

Do you think the team that's leaving will make the CFP four times in a nine year stretch at the place that they're going to??

And furthermore, conferences that are expanding are not doing so for basketball related reasons. If they were, then it would be Kansas that the SEC wanted and not Oklahoma and Texas. Did the Pac 12 improve its basketball when it went from 10 to 12? Did the ACC when they expanded? What is one example of a conference that was already strong in basketball that actually got better because of expansion?? And before you say the Big East, you need to realize that it didn't. Not once was it the top overall rated basketball conference when it existed in it's bloated 16 team format, and only once did it manage to get more than half of its teams in, which is something that at one time regularly happened.

The Big East is a BASKETBALL centric conference. Before we decide it needs to expand, let's try and see if expansion beyond 10/11 has ever actually worked for basketball related reasons. I gotta say that it doesn't seem to be working out all that well for the Atlantic Ten.

[Masterofreality]

Do you think the team that's leaving will make the CFP four times in a nine year stretch at the place that they're going to??

And furthermore, conferences that are expanding are not doing so for basketball related reasons. If they were, then it would be Kansas that the SEC wanted and not Oklahoma and Texas. Did the Pac 12 improve its basketball when it went from 10 to 12? Did the ACC when they expanded? What is one example of a conference that was already strong in basketball that actually got better because of expansion?? And before you say the Big East, you need to realize that it didn't. Not once was it the top overall rated basketball conference when it existed in it's bloated 16 team format, and only once did it manage to get more than half of its teams in, which is something that at one time regularly happened.

The Big East is a BASKETBALL centric conference. Before we decide it needs to expand, let's try and see if expansion beyond 10/11 has ever actually worked for basketball related reasons. I gotta say that it doesn't seem to be working out all that well for the Atlantic Ten.

This 100. I love our league as it is. (I’d take Notre Dame)

[D-West & PO-Z]

Do you think the team that's leaving will make the CFP four times in a nine year stretch at the place that they're going to??

And furthermore, conferences that are expanding are not doing so for basketball related reasons. If they were, then it would be Kansas that the SEC wanted and not Oklahoma and Texas. Did the Pac 12 improve its basketball when it went from 10 to 12? Did the ACC when they expanded? What is one example of a conference that was already strong in basketball that actually got better because of expansion?? And before you say the Big East, you need to realize that it didn't. Not once was it the top overall rated basketball conference when it existed in it's bloated 16 team format, and only once did it manage to get more than half of its teams in, which is something that at one time regularly happened.

The Big East is a BASKETBALL centric conference. Before we decide it needs to expand, let's try and see if expansion beyond 10/11 has ever actually worked for basketball related reasons. I gotta say that it doesn't seem to be working out all that well for the Atlantic Ten.

I understand the realignment is football driven. I think the basketball only schools (and the BE specifically) need to be strategically proactive. Not adding just for the sake of adding, but really considering good opportunities when they arise or creating them by actively going after someone who is a great fit who brings exposure and more money.

[Masterofreality]

I understand the realignment is football driven. I think the basketball only schools (and the BE specifically) need to be strategically proactive. Not adding just for the sake of adding, but really considering good opportunities when they arise or creating them by actively going after someone who is a great fit who brings exposure and more money.

I just really don’t see how in the grand scheme, Gonzaga really fits. VD will never be an option and St. Louis or U Detroit just aren’t there. I can’t see any options that make any sense for a good add right now, other than Notre Dame.

[xudash]

I agree with both of you on two key accounts:

1. It’s about the money; a new team could be added only if they add value to the media agreement.

2. Slim pickings right now. I will be consistent and restate that I would take Gonzaga if they found a way to bring each team up to $10 million in media payouts per year. I’m not sure if that is possible or not. MOR, as you noted, Notre Dame is obvious, but certainly not expected.

As for VD, they make Curly Howard look like a serious actor.

[STL_XUfan]

Anyone ever been to Phog Allen Fieldhouse? If I could pick one place to go watch a game that would be at or near the top of my list just based on what I've heard about the experience there. Always looks great on TV too.
It is a dump that should be burned to the ground. But I may be biased (also have never been there)

[xubrew]

I understand the realignment is football driven. I think the basketball only schools (and the BE specifically) need to be strategically proactive. Not adding just for the sake of adding, but really considering good opportunities when they arise or creating them by actively going after someone who is a great fit who brings exposure and more money.

I would say that it's even a little more specific than that.

The round of realignment that occurred in the mid-2000s was about major conferences getting to 12 schools so they could have a conference championship game as a cash cow. The SEC did it first, the Big 8 and SWC merged to form the Big 12 and did it second, and then everyone else decided they wanted in too. What NO ONE ever said at the time was "Wow! this is great for basketball!!" In fact there are a few popular documentaries that ESPN has made (who I think would know about this stuff) about how that totally ruined the basketball.

The Big East went to 16 mostly mostly for internal political purposes. They didn't want the schools with football interests to be outweighed by those who didn't field football teams, and vice versa.

The current round of realignment has to do with conference networks and streaming services, and getting those networks on as many non-premium tiers with as many carriers as possible in as many markets as possible, and collecting the fees from the carriers. The partnerships with the major networks have caused the media deals to absolutely skyrocket. It has nothing to do with making the basketball better, and I would also say that making the football better isn't even the top priority.

So, when people say "We need to expand because the P5 conferences are doing it!!" I kind of think it's like saying "We need to hire a pool cleaner because all the rich people have them!" when you don't even have a pool to clean. What they're doing, and the reasons they're doing it, are not necessarily in line with the basketball centric conferences like the Big East. There is no Big East Network that demands a fee from the providers that's proportional to the number of customers that it's available to. There are no showcase football games or events that will draw more than ten million viewers during the regular season, and that cannot be achieved through expansion. Not in basketball. As a rule the college basketball regular season rates horribly out of market. Prior to the NCAA Tournament and the later rounds of the major conference tournaments everyone pretty much watches their own team and that's about it.

So, assuming that expansion will automatically result in more dollars per school for the Big East is a HUGE assumption at best, and most probably totally incorrect. If you look JUST AT BASKETBALL, and look at the TV ratings, and the overall strength of a conference and the teams within the conference, and the NCAA Tournament revenue, and the percentage of teams that make it into the NCAA Tournament...you'll find that almost no one was really any better off after expansion, and the vast majority were actually worse off.

[JTG]

I just really don’t see how in the grand scheme, Gonzaga really fits. VD will never be an option and St. Louis or U Detroit just aren’t there. I can’t see any options that make any sense for a good add right now, other than Notre Dame.

I can see ND if the ACC starts to falter. Especially if they are hellbent on football independence. BE works fine in that case.That brand brings eyeballs and probably tv money.

[Seven Eighths]

Do you think the team that's leaving will make the CFP four times in a nine year stretch at the place that they're going to??

And furthermore, conferences that are expanding are not doing so for basketball related reasons. If they were, then it would be Kansas that the SEC wanted and not Oklahoma and Texas. Did the Pac 12 improve its basketball when it went from 10 to 12? Did the ACC when they expanded? What is one example of a conference that was already strong in basketball that actually got better because of expansion?? And before you say the Big East, you need to realize that it didn't. Not once was it the top overall rated basketball conference when it existed in it's bloated 16 team format, and only once did it manage to get more than half of its teams in, which is something that at one time regularly happened.

The Big East is a BASKETBALL centric conference. Before we decide it needs to expand, let's try and see if expansion beyond 10/11 has ever actually worked for basketball related reasons. I gotta say that it doesn't seem to be working out all that well for the Atlantic Ten.

I agree 1000%.

[Seven Eighths]

I would say that it's even a little more specific than that.

The round of realignment that occurred in the mid-2000s was about major conferences getting to 12 schools so they could have a conference championship game as a cash cow. The SEC did it first, the Big 8 and SWC merged to form the Big 12 and did it second, and then everyone else decided they wanted in too. What NO ONE ever said at the time was "Wow! this is great for basketball!!" In fact there are a few popular documentaries that ESPN has made (who I think would know about this stuff) about how that totally ruined the basketball.

The Big East went to 16 mostly mostly for internal political purposes. They didn't want the schools with football interests to be outweighed by those who didn't field football teams, and vice versa.

The current round of realignment has to do with conference networks and streaming services, and getting those networks on as many non-premium tiers with as many carriers as possible in as many markets as possible, and collecting the fees from the carriers. The partnerships with the major networks have caused the media deals to absolutely skyrocket. It has nothing to do with making the basketball better, and I would also say that making the football better isn't even the top priority.

So, when people say "We need to expand because the P5 conferences are doing it!!" I kind of think it's like saying "We need to hire a pool cleaner because all the rich people have them!" when you don't even have a pool to clean. What they're doing, and the reasons they're doing it, are not necessarily in line with the basketball centric conferences like the Big East. There is no Big East Network that demands a fee from the providers that's proportional to the number of customers that it's available to. There are no showcase football games or events that will draw more than ten million viewers during the regular season, and that cannot be achieved through expansion. Not in basketball. As a rule the college basketball regular season rates horribly out of market. Prior to the NCAA Tournament and the later rounds of the major conference tournaments everyone pretty much watches their own team and that's about it.

So, assuming that expansion will automatically result in more dollars per school for the Big East is a HUGE assumption at best, and most probably totally incorrect. If you look JUST AT BASKETBALL, and look at the TV ratings, and the overall strength of a conference and the teams within the conference, and the NCAA Tournament revenue, and the percentage of teams that make it into the NCAA Tournament...you'll find that almost no one was really any better off after expansion, and the vast majority were actually worse off.

Bravo.

[XUGRAD80]

Because the expansions are money driven, and it’s football that really brings the money in, any talk of the B12 wanting schools from the BE, or Gonzaga, makes no sense to me in any way.

[GoMuskies]

Is anyone sad the Big East added UConn?

[Seven Eighths]

Is anyone sad the Big East added UConn?

I think everyone was happy with that as obviously UCONN had a long history as a former member, is in close proximity to almost every other school and has won a number of recent national titles.

I remember wanting to have the new Big East stop at 9 because I really thought UCONN would be back. Their football program was relatively new at the time with hardly any real success or following. I thought they would hate playing basketball against Tulsa, Tulane, ECU, Memphis, USF and UCF so much that they’d crawl back to the BE.

[drudy23]

With the success UConn had in the Big East, we should be asking them if they are happy with the new alignment. They're probably the most deserving program outside of maybe Villanova.

[muskiefan82]

Is anyone sad the Big East added UConn?

The AAC?

[xubrew]

Is anyone sad the Big East added UConn?

Not really, but I do wish we could have UConn while at the same time having one less school. I also don't think that (at least from a metrics and profile standpoint) Big East will ever be as good as it was the year before UConn came in. But I also guess we'll never know how that year's NCAA Tournament would have played out...

http://www.xavierhoops.com/showthread.php?34166-The-Big-East-is-REALLY-Good-Maybe-Historically-Good

[drudy23]

I will also add that I'd love Pitino back in the Big East as well. Would GTown or SJU consider it?

[chico]

SLU and Dayton should never be in the Big East. They have large arenas, they pour money into their programs and are basically the only game in town, but yet they never can rise above mediocrity. There is no place for that in this conference. I kind of get the fear with conferences re-aligning, but as many have said it's all about football. Our brand is the best pure basketball conference in the country. Why dilute that just because other conferences are adding members? We have the perfect set-up, with the right amount of members and no dead weight programs (DePaul, SJU and Georgetown still have name recognition even if their programs aren't great at present).

There is room for one program - the worst thing would be to go to divisions and do away with the home and homes. If Gonzaga wants in, great. If not, we still have a great conference. There isn't another program I'd want to join.

The focus should be on making sure all programs are fully committed to basketball and not just getting a paycheck, not on expanding.

[IM4X]

I will also add that I'd love Pitino back in the Big East as well. Would GTown or SJU consider it?

Interesting. I don’t know why I hadn’t thought about him as an option for one of those two schools. Maybe it’s because of the baggage he brings. Still, he would seem to be a pretty good fit for SJ’s and even possibly Georgetown. Both programs need someone whose proven track record would give them a high probability of turning things around. Captain Obvious agrees.

[GoMuskies]

Maybe Cooley goes to Georgetown and Pitino makes his triumphant return to Providence.

[JTG]

SLU and Dayton should never be in the Big East. They have large arenas, they pour money into their programs and are basically the only game in town, but yet they never can rise above mediocrity. There is no place for that in this conference. I kind of get the fear with conferences re-aligning, but as many have said it's all about football. Our brand is the best pure basketball conference in the country. Why dilute that just because other conferences are adding members? We have the perfect set-up, with the right amount of members and no dead weight programs (DePaul, SJU and Georgetown still have name recognition even if their programs aren't great at present).

There is room for one program - the worst thing would be to go to divisions and do away with the home and homes. If Gonzaga wants in, great. If not, we still have a great conference. There isn't another program I'd want to join.

The focus should be on making sure all programs are fully committed to basketball and not just getting a paycheck, not on expanding.
DePaul hasn't been relevant for 30 yrs.

[xubrew]

DePaul hasn't been relevant for 30 yrs.

The problem is that there just isn't any good high school basketball within their footprint :/

[Masterofreality]

The problem is that there just isn't any good high school basketball within their footprint :/

Or, up until this year, Loyola has been stealing all the good Chicago recruits. Guys like Cam Krutwig and Lucas Williamson were high quality players who led Loyola to the Final Four and there were others from Chicagoland who contributed. Now with Moser gone it’s gonna be interesting if DePaul can regain advantage.

[D-West & PO-Z]

SLU and Dayton should never be in the Big East. They have large arenas, they pour money into their programs and are basically the only game in town, but yet they never can rise above mediocrity. There is no place for that in this conference. I kind of get the fear with conferences re-aligning, but as many have said it's all about football. Our brand is the best pure basketball conference in the country. Why dilute that just because other conferences are adding members? We have the perfect set-up, with the right amount of members and no dead weight programs (DePaul, SJU and Georgetown still have name recognition even if their programs aren't great at present).

There is room for one program - the worst thing would be to go to divisions and do away with the home and homes. If Gonzaga wants in, great. If not, we still have a great conference. There isn't another program I'd want to join.

The focus should be on making sure all programs are fully committed to basketball and not just getting a paycheck, not on expanding.

When SLU had Majerus (an all time underrated coach) they rose above mediocrity. He took them from ashes to a top 10 ranking. Unfortunately Jim Crews is who took over upon Majerus' health issues and ultimate death. Then Travis Ford who is the definition of mediocre.

Unfortunately the chances of SLU ever getting a coach the caliber of Majerus again is slim to none. As a SLU grad, if the BE did expand, I would like to see SLU added but as a Xavier fan and BE fan, the only team to add currently that makes any sense to me, is Gonzaga (or ND if they were looking for a new home for bball and other sports).

[xubrew]

Or, up until this year, Loyola has been stealing all the good Chicago recruits. Guys like Cam Krutwig and Lucas Williamson were high quality players who led Loyola to the Final Four and there were others from Chicagoland who contributed. Now with Moser gone it’s gonna be interesting if DePaul can regain advantage.

I believe there are several MVC teams that out recruit DePaul in Chicago.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Interesting. I don’t know why I hadn’t thought about him as an option for one of those two schools. Maybe it’s because of the baggage he brings. Still, he would seem to be a pretty good fit for SJ’s and even possibly Georgetown. Both programs need someone whose proven track record would give them a high probability of turning things around. Captain Obvious agrees.

I don't know the circumstances of Chris Beard's legal issues and if he is facing jail time or what the outcome will be, but might as well throw all morals to the wind and have one hire Pitino and one hire Beard, lmao.

[GoMuskies]

When SLU had Majerus (an all time underrated coach) they rose above mediocrity.

They had some pretty darn good teams under Spoon (with UNLV transfer H Waldman running the show).

[Masterofreality]

They had some pretty darn good teams under Spoon (with UNLV transfer H Waldman running the show).

Hell, let’s just throw Rich Grawer into the mix!! (Or the dumpster, you choose)
But Monroe Douglass!!
Jordair Jett is still the ultimate college basketball player name to me.

[X-band '01]

I see your Jordair Jett and raise you a Majestic Mapp.

[GoMuskies]

Majestic Mapp didn't even have the best name in his own family. I expect better of you 'band.

[X-band '01]

But did Scientific Mapp ever play D-1 basketball? That I honestly don't remember.

[GoMuskies]

FAMU, so....kinda. If he'd have stuck around one more year he'd have played Xavier at the Gardens.

[Xavgrad08]

Has it been verified that the Big12 is attempting to take Villanova, UConn and St. John's, or that the Big 12 is even talking to those school's? I have not been able to find one Journalist, Blog or Newspaper outlet that has reported that. In searching twitter I found one anonymous account that said it. On Holy Land of Hoops a poster that is a Dayton fan was the first to post it.

The Big 12 speaking with Gonzaga has been reported and is well known.

[xu82]

Has it been verified that the Big12 is attempting to take Villanova, UConn and St. John's, or that the Big 12 is even talking to those school's? I have not been able to find one Journalist, Blog or Newspaper outlet that has reported that. In searching twitter I found one anonymous account that said it. On Holy Land of Hoops a poster that is a Dayton fan was the first to post it.

The Big 12 speaking with Gonzaga has been reported and is well known.

It has been spotted on the internet. It’s as good as a done deal.

[bobbiemcgee]

It would cost Uconn 30 million, so doubtful.

[paulxu]

God Shammgod is the best college basketball name.

Don't take the BE to 12 unless we do 22 game round robin.

[bobbiemcgee]

https://blacksportsonline.com/2022/10/french-basketball-player-steeve-ho-you-fats-name-goes-viral-on-social-media/

[chico]

God Shammgod is the best college basketball name.

Don't take the BE to 12 unless we do 22 game round robin.

Shammgod and Baskerville Holmes are my two favorites.

[Xuperman]

Maybe Cooley goes to Georgetown and Pitino makes his triumphant return to Providence.

The Cooley to GTown chatter is certainly real, but why? He's beloved like very few and is already a PC legend. Lifer IMO.

[Xuperman]

Jordair Jett is still the ultimate college basketball player name to me.

Huh? Give me SOULEY BOUM any day and twice on (2nd weekend) Sunday!

There simply could not be a better fit for his skill set and the most ultimately simplistic crowd chant of all time!

[XUBison]

Huh? Give me SOULEY BOUM any day and twice on (2nd weekend) Sunday!

There simply could not be a better fit for his skill set and the most ultimately simplistic crowd chant of all time!

Not while God Shammgod still roams this earth.

[Roach]

Shammgod and Baskerville Holmes are my two favorites.

Cookie Belcher, anyone?

[GoMuskies]

It's just unfortunate no American college basketball program recruited Steeve Ho You Fat when he was a teenager.

[zippin']

The Cooley to GTown chatter is certainly real, but why? He's beloved like very few and is already a PC legend. Lifer IMO.

This keeps coming up and I don't see it at all. I agree 100% he's a Prov lifer.

[X-band '01]

Maybe just leverage for an extension for Cooley at Providence.

Remember when Greg McDermott was a candidate for Ohio State before Chris Holtmann took the job instead?

[bjf123]

This keeps coming up and I don't see it at all. I agree 100% he's a Prov lifer.

Other than a bigger paycheck, what benefit would he get for moving within the conference? I’m not sure he’d get better recruits to come to Georgetown instead of Providence.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[zippin']

Other than a bigger paycheck, what benefit would he get for moving within the conference? I’m not sure he’d get better recruits to come to Georgetown instead of Providence.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I'm also thinking that I remembered reading an article at some point that said there are rules preventing coaches from changing jobs within conferences. Not sure if that's true or not though.

[GoMuskies]

I'm also thinking that I remembered reading an article at some point that said there are rules preventing coaches from changing jobs within conferences. Not sure if that's true or not though.

Must be a Big East rule, because Chis Beard did it last year from Texas Tech to Texas. And then it looked like he might switch to the penal league, but instead it's just the unemployment line. I recall Jim Baron making the move from St. Bonny to Rhody back in the day. Tubby Smith from Georgia to Kentucky.

When Georgetown hired Ewing, it would have been a no brainer for Cooley to jump from Providence to Georgetown. But now Cooley has built up Providence enough, and Ewing has dragged the Georgetown brand through the muck enough, that it would be a downgrade.

[zippin']

Must be a Big East rule, because Chis Beard did it last year from Texas Tech to Texas. And then it looked like he might switch to the penal league, but instead it's just the unemployment line. I recall Jim Baron making the move from St. Bonny to Rhody back in the day. Tubby Smith from Georgia to Kentucky.

When Georgetown hired Ewing, it would have been a no brainer for Cooley to jump from Providence to Georgetown. But now Cooley has built up Providence enough, and Ewing has dragged the Georgetown brand through the muck enough, that it would be a downgrade.

Oops, left it out of my comment. Yes, I think it was a BE rule specifically. Very possible that isn't correct though, but I know I read something somewhere about people moving within the BE.

[STL_XUfan]

Oops, left it out of my comment. Yes, I think it was a BE rule specifically. Very possible that isn't correct though, but I know I read something somewhere about people moving within the BE.
There is a 0% chance that is a rule. The Big East conference is not going to get involved in Coaches' contracts. To the extend it is some sort of limited non-compete in Cooley's contract, there is also a 0% chance that Providence would actually attempt to enforce the provision, otherwise they will have a very hard time finding a new coach to take the job.

[XUBison]

…When Georgetown hired Ewing, it would have been a no brainer for Cooley to jump from Providence to Georgetown. But now Cooley has built up Providence enough, and Ewing has dragged the Georgetown brand through the muck enough, that it would be a downgrade.

I get that it’s fun to rip on Georgetown, but no, it’s not.

[GoMuskies]

I think it is. Ewing has destroyed Georgetown, and their administration is a complete mess when it comes to athletics. Georgetown can get back to being Georgetown if they commit to it as an institution, but right now Providence is the better gig.

[XUBison]

I think it is. Ewing has destroyed Georgetown, and their administration is a complete mess when it comes to athletics. Georgetown can get back to being Georgetown if they commit to it as an institution, but right now Providence is the better gig.

Oh, I don’t disagree with any of that. But like you said, iron a few things out, and the Georgetown gig is one of the best in the country. I don’t have faith in their current administration at all, but things change.

[MHettel]

GTown is a sleeping giant. I always thought Mark Few would be perfect for that job. He loves international players and DC is the Mecca for that. He’d get top talent.

Never gonna happen.

Also, they can aim a little higher than Cooley. Grab a young guy on his way up that can do it for 25 years. I don’t know who that is, but that guy is out there

[xavierj]

GTown is a sleeping giant. I always thought Mark Few would be perfect for that job. He loves international players and DC is the Mecca for that. He’d get top talent.

Never gonna happen.

Also, they can aim a little higher than Cooley. Grab a young guy on his way up that can do it for 25 years. I don’t know who that is, but that guy is out there

Dusty May at Florida Atlantic is doing a really good job. Don’t know much about his background other than he was an Indiana Basketball manager. Florida Atlantic was awful before he arrived and he hasn’t had a losing season and now 24-3 with a win at Florida. They had 5 seasons without a losing record in their history and he has 5 above .500 seasons in 5 years. 4 of his top 5 scorers are sophomores. He will get looks from some programs.

[MHettel]

Dusty May at Florida Atlantic is doing a really good job. Don’t know much about his background other than he was an Indiana Basketball manager. Florida Atlantic was awful before he arrived and he hasn’t had a losing season and now 24-3 with a win at Florida. They had 5 seasons without a losing record in their history and he has 5 above .500 seasons in 5 years. 4 of his top 5 scorers are sophomores. He will get looks from some programs.

Maybe miller should just steal all of his sophomores. Roster problems solved!