Im just curious how the majority of people here see the options stacking up

Lets avoid including other BCS programs, ND, and teams west of texas.

Let me try a top 10, keep in mind we are in serious trouble if we have to add more than 4 or 5 teams

1. TCU
2. Memphis
3. Houston
4. Temple
5. ECU
6. UCF
7. Buffalo
8. SMU
9. Marshall
10. Tulsa

I prefer TCU and Memphis because they offer a very strong football and basketball respectively, and are the only 2 available options whos inclusion would increase the percieved strength of our conference. After them things get a bit tougher, but I like Houstons history and potential, obviously their market. Same goes for Temple. If we could just get temple to average 40k a game theyd be #1 on the list. Houston and Temple imo can at least be slightly worse versions of TCU and Memphis, bringing solid football from houston and basketball from temple.

The next 3 are patch work teams who add little value to the conference. ECU has good attendance to their football games, and UCF has some upside but i dont think either one adds anything other than a conference USA feel to the big east.

Buffalo is an option solely because of market and being in the northeast. I hate their football field with the track going around it and id be very suprised if they were ever seriously considered. SMU and Tulsa are intrigueing but they have many drawbacks. Marshall just there because of history and footprint

I'm not sure if TCU, Tulsa among others are realistic candidates just yet. They are candidates that fans like myself want the Big East of football schools to approach.

1 Memphis
2 Temple(if Rutgers leaves the Owls are at the top of my list)
3 UCF
4 ECU
5 Buffalo(only if Syracuse leaves)
6 S. Miss

I really can't get past 6 right now. And alot of these schools are pushing it. Honestly I prefer to get to 10 w/ Memphis and Temple. If Rutgers leaves, look at UCF or one of those western candidates if they are legit candidates.

(03-05-2010 01:50 PM)BullsBEAST Wrote:  I prefer TCU and Memphis because they offer a very strong football and basketball respectively, and are the only 2 available options whos inclusion would increase the perceived strength of our conference.

We're all entitled to our opinions, but let me just give the contrary view to that comment:

Football is the engine that drives the whole train, and Memphis football will not be ready for BCS-prime time for many years to come. TCU has a great football program, but they are still a small private school far away from the rest of the BE. Media-wise, TCU is no better than the #4 college team (if that) in their own D/FW market (UT, A&M, OU, just for starters). Even when they are ranked, they have a tough time filling up their (smallish-medium-sized) stadium. I don't think their fans will ever get too excited about playing a Big East schedule, nor will Big East fans ever get excited about playing TCU. Their football history is very up-and-down; what if they suck again after being in the BE for a few years?

Quote:If we could just get temple to average 40k a game theyd be #1 on the list.

And if snow were sand, Boston would be like Key West.

(03-05-2010 01:50 PM)BullsBEAST Wrote:  Im just curious how the majority of people here see the options stacking up

Lets avoid including other BCS programs, ND, and teams west of texas.

Let me try a top 10, keep in mind we are in serious trouble if we have to add more than 4 or 5 teams

1. TCU
2. Memphis
3. Houston
4. Temple
5. ECU
6. UCF
7. Buffalo
8. SMU
9. Marshall
10. Tulsa

1. Memphis
2. ECU
3. Nova-bump up
4. UCF
5. Temple
6a TCU
6b Houston
8. Marshall
9. Toledo
10. Deleware

Here are the only realistic candidates should expansion be needed within the next 3 years:

1. Memphis
2. East Carolina
3. Temple
4. Central Florida
5. Southern Mississippi
6. Buffalo (only if Syracuse no longer in league)

Beyond that, if we are looking at a longer time-frame, I'd put the following schools on the "programs to watch" list - i.e. schools that have potential and could put themselves in position for BE membership in the coming 5 to 7 years:

Florida International
Florida Atlantic
Charlotte
Georgia State
Old Dominion

As for TCU and other Texas schools, no idea yet if those are really "realistic."

Army & Navy could obviously work as football-only entries, if they were interested (and they've said repeatedly that they are not.) Villanova, as discussed elsewhere, is a non-starter.

Like people was questioning geography when they was talking Texas to the Big 10. Could you imagine people's opinions if TCU was a legit candiate? Think about geography with a league that's doesn't generate the revenue that the Big 10 does. TCU may receive more money in the Big East than the MWC but i'm not sure if their net profits would increase due to the travel.

TCU looks good, but could you imagine the travel expenses? Say...Syracuse or Rutgers or UCONN has to go to TCU. That's a 1300/1400/1500 mile, respectively, flight both ways. That ain't cheap. Not to mention everyone else (except L-ville) would also have to travel 800-1000 miles to play them.

And before everyone jumps on the Memphis train, I'd wait a year or two to see which direction their b-ball program goes...

(03-05-2010 02:31 PM)KnightTower Wrote:  Before everyone jumps on the Memphis train, I'd wait a year or two to see which direction their b-ball program goes...

There is no reason to think they won't continue to be successful - they were a strong program before Calipari, and they have one of the best BB facilities in the country. Beyond that, there just aren't many great candidates available.

1.Tigers ( thats my team lol)
2.Horned Frogs (too good at football to pass up)
3.Owls/ Pirate Tie ( Pirate football / Owl basket ball)
4.Knights/ Cougars (tied)
5.Bulls /Golden Eagles (tied)
6. Thundering Herd
7.Golden Hurricane
8. Blue Raiders
9. Mustangs
Little Crazy but hey it's for fun ...

1. Memphis
2. ECU
3. Nova-bump up
4. UCF
5. Temple

(03-05-2010 02:21 PM)dgrace4cards Wrote:  

(03-05-2010 01:50 PM)BullsBEAST Wrote:  Im just curious how the majority of people here see the options stacking up

Lets avoid including other BCS programs, ND, and teams west of texas.

Let me try a top 10, keep in mind we are in serious trouble if we have to add more than 4 or 5 teams

1. TCU
2. Memphis
3. Houston
4. Temple
5. ECU
6. UCF
7. Buffalo
8. SMU
9. Marshall
10. Tulsa

1. Memphis
2. ECU
3. Nova-bump up
4. UCF
5. Temple
6a TCU
7b Houston
8. Marshall
9. Toledo
10. Deleware