Look who is suggesting that the BE and ACC should merge

**xudash** · 01-12-2025, 03:33 PM

https://nypost.com/2025/01/11/sports...ll-conference/

**GoMuskies** · 01-12-2025, 03:38 PM

Hasn't that already been tried? I think it was called...the Big East.

**xubrew** · 01-12-2025, 04:31 PM

This would be...what...27 teams???

Okay, sure. Great idea!!!

**A Fan** · 01-12-2025, 04:45 PM

One of the reasons Sean Miller must elevate Xavier out of the bottom half of the Big East is to ensure the program’s relevance and NCAA Tournament appearances. If Xavier remains stuck in mediocrity, it risks becoming a candidate for exclusion as college athletics evolve. With Connecticut’s resurgence as a national power, pressure will likely mount for schools like UConn to leave the Big East, raising questions about which programs might be invited to tag along in a new mega basketball conference. While Xavier is unlikely to be grouped with Seton Hall or DePaul at the bottom, continued underperformance could threaten its standing and increase the likelihood of being relegated to a lower-tier league. As college athletics increasingly revolve around revenue, NIL competitiveness, and market appeal, the criteria for inclusion will emphasize financial strength, marketability, and brand recognition. Schools like UConn and Villanova boast national championships and established brands, while programs like Georgetown and St. John’s benefit from their presence in major media markets. By contrast, Xavier’s smaller market in Cincinnati and relatively limited ability to generate TV revenue or NIL funds could weaken its case for inclusion. Time is of the essence .

Xavgrad08 · 01-12-2025, 04:55 PM

Here is a quote from the end or the article. "There are a lot of issues that would have to be sorted out. Certain schools may need to be left behind".

I definitely can see a day where some current Big East schools are once again playing in a conference with some of the ACC schools. Hope Xavier has positioned itself to make the cut.

MHettel · 01-12-2025, 05:51 PM

Interesting for sure, but doesn’t address the real “threat” out there. The ACC is a distant third or even fourth in the football packing order. The have a couple football “brands” in Clemson and Miami that probably aren’t too interested in sticking around if they had an option to leave. They are unstable from a football point of view. Merging with the Big East does what exactly?

I mean from a basketball perspective it makes sense, which is why the 2 guys in the article would only see it through that lens.

I suppose if it were to occur, it would in fact need to be a trimmed down version with around 20 teams or maybe 22. I’d like to see Cal and Stanford sent back West to rejoin the Pac12. I think the decisions on who gets “cut” would be based on TV markets primarily. I think markets that have “overlap” with a BE and an ACC team would be the most likely to have one of them dropped. But I can’t think of any. Are there any?

One of the most attractive things about the Big East is that it taps 11 urban markets. As unwieldy as a 20+ conference might be, having that many eyeballs would be attractive.

I figure this is dead in the water just due to football issues.

**xudash** · 01-12-2025, 07:57 PM

Originally Posted by MHettel

Interesting for sure, but doesn’t address the real “threat” out there. The ACC is a distant third or even fourth in the football packing order. The have a couple football “brands” in Clemson and Miami that probably aren’t too interested in sticking around if they had an option to leave. They are unstable from a football point of view. Merging with the Big East does what exactly?

I mean from a basketball perspective it makes sense, which is why the 2 guys in the article would only see it through that lens.

I suppose if it were to occur, it would in fact need to be a trimmed down version with around 20 teams or maybe 22. I’d like to see Cal and Stanford sent back West to rejoin the Pac12. I think the decisions on who gets “cut” would be based on TV markets primarily. I think markets that have “overlap” with a BE and an ACC team would be the most likely to have one of them dropped. But I can’t think of any. Are there any?

One of the most attractive things about the Big East is that it taps 11 urban markets. As unwieldy as a 20+ conference might be, having that many eyeballs would be attractive.

I figure this is dead in the water just due to football issues.

I don’t believe we can be certain this thing is even alive enough yet to be able to die. Nonetheless, it’s interesting that these two are going on about it in the New York Post, and K apparently has been talking about it on his podcast.

JTG · 01-12-2025, 09:08 PM

Originally Posted by MHettel

Interesting for sure, but doesn’t address the real “threat” out there. The ACC is a distant third or even fourth in the football packing order. The have a couple football “brands” in Clemson and Miami that probably aren’t too
interested in sticking around if they had an option to leave. They are unstable from a football point of view. Merging with the Big East does what exactly?

I mean from a basketball perspective it makes sense, which is why the 2 guys in the article would only see it through that lens.

I suppose if it were to occur, it would in fact need to be a trimmed down version with around 20 teams or maybe 22. I’d like to see Cal and Stanford sent back West to rejoin the Pac12. I think the decisions on who gets “cut” would be based on TV markets primarily. I think markets that have “overlap” with a BE and an ACC team would be the most likely to have one of them dropped. But I can’t think of any. Are there any?

One of the most attractive things about the Big East is that it taps 11 urban markets. As unwieldy as a 20+ conference might be, having that many eyeballs would be attractive.

I figure this is dead in the water just due to football issues.

Having worked in the Raleigh area, UNC, Duke, and NC State are as close to each other as X & UC