Xavier AD says expanding to 12 schools within 5 years

[Bill Marsh]

....I can't imagine that Cincy or Temple have any interest either. But even if they did, why would the BE put a 2nd team in Villanova' and Xavier's back yards?

It's not apples to apples but I bet the BE & Fox would be perfectly happy with cuse as a 3rd team in the NYC market even though SJU & SHU are already present.

The NYC market is enormous. Frankly, in many ways it's not really one market. So, I don't know that the same rules apply there. It's one of the rare markets that gets 2 teams in every major sport and even gets 3 in hockey.

As for Syracuse, they have absolutely nothing to do with the NYC market. They're 250 miles away. They represent the city of Syracuse if they represent anyway, not the state of NY. Boston College, Villanova, and Georgetown are all prominent private schools that are closer to NYC than Syracuse. Notre Dame gets better ratings in NYC than Syracuse, but that doesn't make them a school in the NYC market.

[Dave]

If Uconn, or Cincy for that matter, had made it into a P5 conference like RU, Loui, or WVU did then I would say there's no chance...but they didn't so they still have to plan a future not just accept one they've been stuck with or unhappily wait for one (that won't be coming anytime soon, if ever.) and that's where the opportunity lies.

Good sound thinking. But that's not the way they think. They still have illusions of grandeur and they're going to hang onto their delusions even if they don't serve them well. They hope and expect that the ACC or the Big Ten or someone else will come knocking before this is all over. They will keep themselves positioned for that until all hope is gone or even beyond that point.

I'm constantly amazed at how deluded the fan base is at the AAC schools is. They actually believe that they can successfully compete in football with the schools of the P5. They are inspired by the rise to prominence of Boise, TCU, and Louisville over the past decade. They all believe that they can do the same and that the AAC as a conference can as well.

Rutgers was invited to the Big 10. So anything is possible!

[Dave]

Cuse has a stronger position in the ACC, so they are off the table.

I agree that they do not have much to do with the NYC TV market, other than they have national prominence and would get viewers like UNC, Duke, or other prominent programs. But what they brought to the conference championships was a rabid upstate NY fan base that loves to travel, and loved the NYC/MSG event. Lots of orange fannies in the seats. They added to the vibe in NY. Losing Cuse and UConn hurts the conference week in NYC. I can't see the midwest teams bringing a lot of attendance to MSG. I hope I am wrong.

[TheHall]

....I can't imagine that Cincy or Temple have any interest either. But even if they did, why would the BE put a 2nd team in Villanova' and Xavier's back yards?

It's not apples to apples but I bet the BE & Fox would be perfectly happy with cuse as a 3rd team in the NYC market even though SJU & SHU are already present.

The NYC market is enormous. Frankly, in many ways it's not really one market. So, I don't know that the same rules apply there. It's one of the rare markets that gets 2 teams in every major sport and even gets 3 in market.

As for Syracuse, they have absolutely nothing to do with the NYC market. They're 250 miles away. They represent the city of Syracuse if they represent anyway, not the state of NY. Boston College, Villanova, and Georgetown are all prominent private schools that are closer to NYC than Syracuse. Notre Dame gets better ratings in NYC than Syracuse, but that doesn't make them a school in the NYC market.[quote]

Well put...but that will be a PR battle Val & Fox are going to be engage in for the next few years!

[Dew]

I've always wondered about how much media attention Syracuse gets because it seems disproportionate to the success they have had big picture. Then I realized in large part the attention they get is because Syracuse is a good school for broadcasting. I think there are enough SU graduates in the ESPN pipeline that it artificially increases the amount of media.

[TheHall]

Cuse has a stronger position in the ACC, so they are off the table.

I agree that they do not have much to do with the NYC TV market, other than they have national prominence and would get viewers like UNC, Duke, or other prominent programs. But what they brought to the conference championships was a rabid upstate NY fan base that loves to travel, and loved the NYC/MSG event. Lots of orange fannies in the seats. They added to the vibe in NY. Losing Cuse and UConn hurts the conference week in NYC. I can't see the midwest teams bringing a lot of attendance to MSG. I hope I am wrong.

I agree, it'll have to be SJU, SHU, or Prov if we can't bring Uconn back into the fold. I do believe it will be possible for those three to rise now that Syr will be playing down south a lot more & Uconn fighting for national relevancy in the AAC.

[TBC Alum]

I can't see the midwest teams bringing a lot of attendance to MSG. I hope I am wrong.

I can say with 100% certainty that you will be wrong (for at least the first 5 years.)

[Bluejay]

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.

Why in the world would the AAC agree to house UConn's miserable football team without getting to host their BB team? I don't see that ever happening, which is why any discussion about UConn is a waste of time unless and until they drop football all together, which is extremely unlikely.

To take it one step further, I'd be willing to wager that the AAC's bylaws REQUIRE a school to field a men's basketball program. I don't see them relaxing such guidelines just to keep UConn's miserable football team.

[Dave]

Why in the world would the AAC agree to house UConn's miserable football team without getting to host their BB team? I don't see that ever happening, which is why any discussion about UConn is a waste of time unless and until they drop football all together, which is extremely unlikely.

To take it one step further, I'd be willing to wager that the AAC's bylaws REQUIRE a school to field a men's basketball program. I don't see them relaxing such guidelines just to keep UConn's miserable football team.

I'll take that wager. Just ask Navy.

[Dave]

I can't see the midwest teams bringing a lot of attendance to MSG. I hope I am wrong.

I can say with 100% certainty that you will be wrong (for at least the first 5 years.)

I have been to a lot of BE at MSG. I don't recall a strong showing of Marquette or DePaul fans. I hope y'all fill the place up. I doubt it.