RE: The Big East and the Eastern 8--an easy split
If the Catholic schools were going to split, the path of least resistance would be to join the WAC. Even if NMSU, Idaho, Boise State, Seattle, and Denver can't be immediately unloaded, the new WAC would be able to collect the exit fees from all of the departing members. If St. Louis and Creighton are interested in joining, some of the WAC 5 might actually be encouraged to stick around.
"WAC"
East - Providence, St. John's, Seton Hall, Villanova, Georgetown
Central - Marquette, DePaul, St. Louis, Notre Dame, Creighton
West - Seattle, Denver, Idaho, Boise State, New Mexico State
The "WAC" could pick up all of the partial members like Sacramento State (baseball, gymnastics), Dallas Baptist (baseball), BYU (softball), where it helps with travel. If Villanova and Notre Dame don't join, the "WAC" could go after schools like BYU, San Francisco, Gonzaga, Detroit, etc.
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