CSNbbs

The decision made a couple of days ago by members of the Big East not to divide into all sports members and basketball only members could play a large role in determining who might be invited to join the conference.

It likely will make things much more difficult. I think it's true that regardless of whether a candidate is considered for all sports membership (e.g. Louisville) or basketball only membership (e.g. Marquette), all current members of the Big East will vote. This clearly means that finding candidates who will be supported by both groups could be difficult.

Let's consider some examples. Louisville and Cincinnati might be supported by both groups for all sports membership, but what about USF or UCF? It is possible that basketball only schools would not vote for all sports membership. Would USF or UCF consider football only membership?

Incidentally, Dan Shoemaker, ESPN vice-president, speculates on the Herd Football board that what could happen (if ACC invites Boston College) is that the Big East will become a basketball only conference, Louisville and Cincinnati will remain in CUSA, and CUSA will invite some of the Big East schools for all sports membership.

I think he laid that out as a possibility, but he would be shocked if anyone tried to hold him to that.

I guess I don't find DShoe's comments out of character........he's probably the biggest fan of C-USA you'll find anywhere on these boards........

exCincy Kid Wrote:I guess I don't find DShoe's comments out of character........he's probably the biggest fan of C-USA you'll find anywhere on these boards........

Note: he did not include Marshall in that scenario. He was just providing a probable out for football schools that would be lost in the fold.

He also explained that the reason the peope have speculated that the conference might fall apart in 5-6 years is that the NCAA b-ball payments are tiered over 6 years and with UConn and Syracuse having generated a good amount of cash in the tourneys it would take that long for everyone to get their share and then nothing would tie them together and they would separate. Interesting if nothing else.