Xavier AD says expanding to 12 schools within 5 years

[MUBoxer]

I vote for slu, Gonzaga and every other Jesuit school and then we'll be the pope's favorite league!

[gtmoBlue]

If expansion is real, Fox-driven, or inevitable...so be it.

UConn will suffer greatly in the AAC and will look for an immediate out - before their living (and reduced monetary income) in a mid major conference begins to hurt their recruiting efforts. The AAC as C-USA East will kill the UConn program. If a deal can be worked, UConn should be given preference in returning to the BE. The Zags should be the 12th team - they have expressed interest, and the increase in income will more than offset the travel issues (see Creighton arguments).

#11 - UConn
#12 - Gonzaga

[TheHall]

If expansion is real, Fox-driven, or inevitable...so be it.

UConn will suffer greatly in the AAC and will look for an immediate out - before their living (and reduced monetary income) in a mid major conference begins to hurt their recruiting efforts. The AAC as C-USA East will kill the UConn program. If a deal can be worked, UConn should be given preference in returning to the BE. The Zags should be the 12th team - they have expressed interest, and the increase in income will more than offset the travel issues (see Creighton arguments).

#11 - UConn
#12 - Gonzaga

Even if this scenario isn't likely there's no reason every Big East fan shouldn't want this. Texas, ND, Boise, BYU all have "special" arrangements with conferences so I can't see why the BE take some time & at least try to pursue something given the importance of expansion.

[anXUfan]

If expansion is real, Fox-driven, or inevitable...so be it.

UConn will suffer greatly in the AAC and will look for an immediate out - before their living (and reduced monetary income) in a mid major conference begins to hurt their recruiting efforts. The AAC as C-USA East will kill the UConn program. If a deal can be worked, UConn should be given preference in returning to the BE. The Zags should be the 12th team - they have expressed interest, and the increase in income will more than offset the travel issues (see Creighton arguments).

#11 - UConn
#12 - Gonzaga

Would be great if it could be done. Gonzaga seems more likely.

[Bill Marsh]

If expansion is real, Fox-driven, or inevitable...so be it.

UConn will suffer greatly in the AAC and will look for an immediate out - before their living (and reduced monetary income) in a mid major conference begins to hurt their recruiting efforts. The AAC as C-USA East will kill the UConn program. If a deal can be worked, UConn should be given preference in returning to the BE. The Zags should be the 12th team - they have expressed interest, and the increase in income will more than offset the travel issues (see Creighton arguments).

#11 - UConn
#12 - Gonzaga

As a Ct season ticket holder, I can tell you that UConn is not happening any time soon.

[Dave]

If expansion is real, Fox-driven, or inevitable...so be it.

UConn will suffer greatly in the AAC and will look for an immediate out - before their living (and reduced monetary income) in a mid major conference begins to hurt their recruiting efforts. The AAC as C-USA East will kill the UConn program. If a deal can be worked, UConn should be given preference in returning to the BE. The Zags should be the 12th team - they have expressed interest, and the increase in income will more than offset the travel issues (see Creighton arguments).

#11 - UConn
#12 - Gonzaga

As a Ct season ticket holder, I can tell you that UConn is not happening any time soon.

But if UConn stayed "FB only" in the AAC, they would only be better off in the Big East (for hoops, non rev sports, and academic affiliation). So yes offer UConn as #11. There will be some chicken littles scared of a football program, but this would be a big step for the Big East.

I'd also offer Temple.

[redmen9194]

Chicken Little #1 checking in! No UConn with FBS football. Should they downgrade, bring them in.

[Dave]

Chicken Little #1 checking in! No UConn with FBS football. Should they downgrade, bring them in.

Dayton and SLU, or UConn and Temple?

If we are building the best hoops conference, the choice is obvious.

[marquette]

But if UConn stayed "FB only" in the AAC, they would only be better off in the Big East (for hoops, non rev sports, and academic affiliation). So yes offer UConn as #11. There will be some chicken littles scared of a football program, but this would be a big step for the Big East.

I'd also offer Temple.

What do you think the reason we left the old Big East was? Word on the streets is that it was because we were tired of being jerked around by football schools and putting up with their constant attempts to leave the conference for greener pastures. How is this situation any different.

[Dave]

But if UConn stayed "FB only" in the AAC, they would only be better off in the Big East (for hoops, non rev sports, and academic affiliation). So yes offer UConn as #11. There will be some chicken littles scared of a football program, but this would be a big step for the Big East.

I'd also offer Temple.

What do you think the reason we left the old Big East was? Word on the streets is that it was because we were tired of being jerked around by football schools and putting up with their constant attempts to leave the conference for greener pastures. How is this situation any different.

Since you are asking, I think the oBE imploded because the representative presidents of the C7 are not sports oriented, naive, were poor collaborators, and lacked leadership. When they panicked, stabbed each other in the backs, and then voted in lesser "west of Mississippi" programs, it was the end. We are very, very, very fortunate that the FS1 timing matched our demise. Very fortunate (Lucky)... this was not a master plan.

You have offered as possibilities Detroit Mercy, Davidson, Drake, St. Bonaventure, Siena, Duquesne, Loyola, Evansville. This would be worse than Tulsa and Tulane and East Carolina. We should only expand with teams that can match the top half of our existing 10. Your list, or SLU, Dayton, VCU, Wichita State, or Richmond don't.

Val should land UConn. It fits the academic profile, has BE history, has championship history, has a NYC market presence, and adds attendance to MSG.

Detroit Mercy? Evansville? Uh, no.