Didn't I see an article that quoted the Conference saying the Big East was expanding? Are we still pursuing this? Since things seem to be settling down a bit with the other conferences? Or is there no plan any longer? Will the fans just go back to debating Memphis, UCF, ECU and Temple again?

Well, they did say they were expanding, I saw a quote to that effect. But that was when everyone thought KU and the rest of the leftovers were available.

I do not think the Big East will expand unless there is a good opportunity or it is forced to. Right now the priority should be in getting the TV network in place to stabilize the league.

If TCU is available and interested I would add them.

The big east should take the fed ex $ and bring in memphis now

The Big XII teams we were looking at might still be interested. It all depends on how big a percentage Texas is getting from TV. If the percentages are too out of whack, the other schools may still find association with The BEast more enticing...

(06-14-2010 06:35 PM)Airport KC Wrote:  If TCU is available and interested I would add them.

TCU with Houston as a travel partner. Add Central Florida and Memphis.

It comes down TV networks. If adding any of the CUSA teams would help with a better contract, add them now. If not, it is just mouths to feed. I realize BE has to add some teams soon, but do it intelligently. If Fedex is paying $10M, I would add them. Why not? That's a lot of cash.

Like Bit said, BE should still put together a proposal with B12 4 just to show the potential just like what PAC-16 did. You never know if Texas will change its mind again. Those teams are all at Texas' mercy.

If we had PSU in our league, I am pretty sure they would act the same too. It actually isn't so bad being in a league without that 800 lb gorilla sometimes.

Ugh, does any other conference actively seek expanding "down" as much as the BE? It's like BE fans hope to make it more irrelevant. Expand shrudely and boldly, which means not getting small time programs across the country.

I agree with Joep1. You only go for Memphis and UCF if Rutgers, Pitt or Syracuse get picked up by the Big 10. Otherwise, you keep hittin' on Boston College and/or maybe a package of Penn State and Maryland to get into the Big East where they belong.

Why do some Big East fans think TCU and Houston fit the league?

Storm, I have no idea.

Either add UCF and Memphis or don't move. Work on our damn network because this commish can only do one thing at a time.

After our network is up and running.... if we haven't expanded yet then we can look for our 4 teams... KU, KSU, BC, MD/Miami. Either way, we know that Big12's 4 remnants were interested and BC is still on their own island. Maybe one day they will come but for now, we have nothing to entice any BCS programs to come to us.

No matter what, BE needs to get to about $12M to $16M per year in TV dollars to avoid raid. They got to do everything possible to get FB schools up to this level somehow. I am not sure it is possible with a network, but that's the number they need to shoot for.

Even numbers are totally unnecessary unless you're big enough to go to divisions and play conference championship games. Meaning, under 12, it doesn't matter. MWC has been at 9, and will be again when the Utes leave for the Pac-10. Big Ten was at 11 for quite a long time.

One addition gets us to 9 and eases the pain of football scheduling. You get 8 conference games with equal home and away games. That one more OOC opponent is a pain in the ass.

Memphis brings good basketball (which we don't need) and lousy football (at least in the present). We can't take a step down with the football. UCF and ECU bring respectable football programs that will only get better in a BCS conference. I think you find out which of those two will improve value of the next TV deal the most, and make the offer.

(06-14-2010 06:29 PM)army56mike Wrote:  Didn't I see an article that quoted the Conference saying the Big East was expanding? Are we still pursuing this? Since things seem to be settling down a bit with the other conferences? Or is there no plan any longer? Will the fans just go back to debating Memphis, UCF, ECU and Temple again?

There are definitely some advantages to expanding now that things are quieting down a bit. Everybody thought that the Big XII was toast as a BCS conference until they got the numbers for a new TV contract (i.e., 6/5 Rule).

If the Big X had flex'd its muscles and took three or more schools to get to 16, the Big East would have been looking at the same problem.

(06-14-2010 07:37 PM)WacoBearcat Wrote:  

(06-14-2010 06:35 PM)Airport KC Wrote:  If TCU is available and interested I would add them.

TCU with Houston as a travel partner. Add Central Florida and Memphis.

Now that's an idea that I really like ... It would be interesting to see what type of TV contract a league (i.e., Big East Football plus additions) like that could get as an all-sports conference.

Yeah, I hear ya' boss! It sucked when the Big East expanded down and took in UofL, UC and USF. That really bit! I mean those three teams only have 3 BE conference titles, a BCS win, and multiple bowl appearances. (And don't say it was different back then. UC & USF were very mediocre back in those days.)

Here's my thinking. If the B12 stays at 10, it is making a big statement that championship games are not all they are cracked up to be. The BE won't have to go to 12 to "keep up with the Joneses".

Scheduling 8 conference games returns as a rational reason to expand. If ND stays put, I'd be inclined to add a football only school. Temple would be my first choice here, primarily because they've been here before and also because they have an existing solid home for hoops.

If ND left, presumably taking RU with them, I'd want two full time members. TCU and either Memphis or Houston would be my picks.

(06-14-2010 07:47 PM)vabearcat Wrote:  I agree with Joep1. You only go for Memphis and UCF if Rutgers, Pitt or Syracuse get picked up by the Big 10. Otherwise, you keep hittin' on Boston College and/or maybe a package of Penn State and Maryland to get into the Big East where they belong.

Bar tender I'll have what He's having must be some good stuff. I know i know im not a BE fan but the idea the anyone could get Penn State to leave the BIG X is ludacris you could offer them every penny the conference makes and they would laugh at you. do what you will with your conference but that remark makes you look like some of us C-USA schools on here talking about our christmas wish list.

(06-14-2010 07:37 PM)WacoBearcat Wrote:  

(06-14-2010 06:35 PM)Airport KC Wrote:  If TCU is available and interested I would add them.

TCU with Houston as a travel partner. Add Central Florida and Memphis.

That works for me. Id prefer ECU over UCF but either way is fine.

None of this is going to happen. I think the most likely scenario is we just add Memphis to fix the scheduling problems for football and thats it. Go 9/17

Honestly if we arent splitting from the non fb schools I think the best realistic option is ECU football only but for some reason we dont seem interested in doing that.