I mean Spokane to NYC or Cincinnati for conference games doesn't seem any crazier than LA to New Brunswick or Columbus, right?

To paraphrase Dickie V: "It's all about the brands, baby"

(08-17-2022 05:40 PM)PeteTheChop Wrote:  I mean Spokane to NYC or Cincinnati for conference games doesn't seem any crazier than LA to New Brunswick or Columbus, right?

To paraphrase Dickie V: "It's all about the brands, baby"

Possibly but if the FBS schools leave the NCAA entirely, I believe that the Big East, A-10, WCC, MVC, and Ivy League would be coming with. That would make for 175 schools. The new organization could run a 64-team basketball tournament with 15 AQs and 49 at-larges.

Gonzaga can make more in TV money and have more national exposure by joining the Big East; similarly, the Big East can make more money and gain another elite basketball brand by inviting Gonzaga as a member. With conference geography being completely ignored moving forward, I remain hopeful that a Gonzaga/Big East marriage occurs sooner rather than later.

Whether the WCC is invited or not, I think Gonzaga has better options than the Big East.

Obviously, the Big East is a great basketball conference, but remember that bball doesn't quite generate the funds that football does. Cross country trips on the regular for literally every sport? Not necessary.

If the WCC is on the outside looking in then the Mountain West will gladly take Gonzaga.

Short answer, no.

The PAC (if they were smart) would take the Zags ( academics ranked #79 US News).

1) It will not be "the FBS" schools "breaking away," it will be the Big Ten, the SEC, and MAYBE some remnant of the B12 and ACC that will "breakaway." The MWC, SBC, AAC, CUSA, etc... will NOT be invited along for the ride.

2) The Big East WILL be part of that "breakaway" party...and yeah, the Zags will be part of that. And maybe Saint Mary's as well.

(08-17-2022 09:30 PM)AllTideUp Wrote:  Whether the WCC is invited or not, I think Gonzaga has better options than the Big East.

Obviously, the Big East is a great basketball conference, but remember that bball doesn't quite generate the funds that football does. Cross country trips on the regular for literally every sport? Not necessary.

If the WCC is on the outside looking in then the Mountain West will gladly take Gonzaga.

The Mountain West offers some fine basketball programs, which would be an incentive for Gonzaga to join. Plus, the geography would make better sense than would that of the Big East.

But overall, Gonzaga would be a better fit in the Big East than in the Mountain West — largely because of the football factor.

Neither league is ideal for GU but a move might need to be made at some point.

I am on record as wanting the Big East to add Gonzaga, Saint Louis and Dayton to go to 14 members.

No

I can see that happening. Once the FB breakaway is complete, I would think they go after the basketball tourney money pretty quick. And the Big East is going to be one of the few basketball primary conferences that make it.

Why would it effect Gonzaga or the Big East? If it's a football breakaway I doubt the Big East gets invited at all. Surely the FB schools care about basketball. If they want a Big East like conference they pick and choose teams they want in the East. Maybe Split the ACC into North and South and add any school they want to 12. The Big East itself isn't needed. The Same goes for Gonzaga. You don't think they'd not design a conference around Gonzaga in the West? Assuming the schools add football?

Also why leave what all is considered a easy auto bid? It also depends on how the FB schools breakaway that involves Gonzaga.

Kansas, and Iowa State could also move basketball to the Big East and put football as Indy like UConn.

Nope. Way too much travel and not enough dollars to justify it. They’ll join the MWC or PAC if required.

(08-18-2022 08:00 AM)Owls9878 Wrote:  Nope. Way too much travel and not enough dollars to justify it. They’ll join the MWC or PAC if required.

The amount of travel required may be overblown. There are really only 6 Zags teams significantly affected: M/W basketball, M/W soccer, baseball and women's volleyball. Whether they would be required to play baseball or volleyball in the league would likely be negotiated. They could be allowed to play those sports in a more regional conference.

Sports like track and field, golf and tennis don't have significant regular season scheduling requirements. For example, while Villanova has tennis teams and the Big East "sponsors" tennis, their men's team did not play any conference matches at all, and their women only played four. Mostly, they played in local tournaments or against regional non-conference opponents. I suspect the same would be true of golf. It seems to only be the conference championships that members must compete in. That's not a terrible travel burden.

(08-17-2022 10:19 PM)BearcatJerry Wrote:  1) It will not be "the FBS" schools "breaking away," it will be the Big Ten, the SEC, and MAYBE some remnant of the B12 and ACC that will "breakaway." The MWC, SBC, AAC, CUSA, etc... will NOT be invited along for the ride.

2) The Big East WILL be part of that "breakaway" party...and yeah, the Zags will be part of that. And maybe Saint Mary's as well.

You are wrong. It will be all of FBS if it ever happens.

(08-17-2022 10:08 PM)TOPSTRAIGHT Wrote:  The PAC (if they were smart) would take the Zags ( academics ranked #79 US News).

If they lose more schools it wouldn't be a terrible idea to pair Hawaii or Navy/AFA in fb only with Gonzaga non-fb.

You get a football contributor on par with any MWC program other than maybe Boise over the last couple decades and you get an elite hoops brand.

(08-18-2022 10:50 AM)Crump1 Wrote:  

(08-17-2022 10:19 PM)BearcatJerry Wrote:  1) It will not be "the FBS" schools "breaking away," it will be the Big Ten, the SEC, and MAYBE some remnant of the B12 and ACC that will "breakaway." The MWC, SBC, AAC, CUSA, etc... will NOT be invited along for the ride.

2) The Big East WILL be part of that "breakaway" party...and yeah, the Zags will be part of that. And maybe Saint Mary's as well.

You are wrong. It will be all of FBS if it ever happens.

I may be wrong...

But the reason why it won't be "all of FBS" is precisely because "all of FBS" has gotten too big. If I am wrong, it will only be because one or two additional conferences get brought along for a variety of reasons. But it won't be all 130+ "FBS" teams.