Even More Expansion

[50's PONY]

Big East meets to discuss life after Miami, Va. Tech
By Steve Wieberg, USA TODAY
The Big East Conference stepped up realignment discussions Tuesday as presidents and athletic directors from eight member schools weighed a future without Miami (Fla.) and Virginia Tech.
What shape it will take remained uncertain.

"No decisions on our future structure were reached," Commissioner Mike Tranghese said after some five hours of meetings in Newark, N.J. Representatives of the Big East's Division I-A, I-AA and non-football schools came together for the first time since Miami and Virginia Tech opted in June to head to the Atlantic Coast Conference after the coming school year.

The Big East schools left behind must first decide whether to remain together or split into two leagues, one that plays major-college football and one that doesn't.

Either option would require the addition of two or three football-playing members, with speculation falling on Louisville, Central Florida and South Florida. They would fill out an eight-or nine-team football conference with Boston College, Connecticut, Pittsburgh, Rutgers, Syracuse and West Virginia.

If the five basketball-first schools — Georgetown, Providence, St. John's, Seton Hall and Villanova — break off, they're expected to pursue such schools as Marquette, DePaul and Xavier as new partners.

Taking part in the discussions, which Tranghese termed "exploratory," were the presidents of Boston College, Pittsburgh, Syracuse, Georgetown, St. John's and Villanova, plus ADs from Rutgers, Syracuse, Georgetown and Seton Hall.

Tranghese has said he expects a decision on holding together or splitting company within a few months. "Our presidents and athletic directors will continue to communicate regularly," he said, though no full conference meetings are scheduled.









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<A HREF="http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/2003-08-05-big-east-meeting_x.htm" TARGET=_blank>http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/2003-08-05-big-east-meeting_x.htm</A>

[Water Pony]

Here is an arguement for a more proactive Conference USA. By aligning the interest of Conf. USA and Big East, they may conclude that collaborating is the only way to retain BCS status for BE, while incorporating the 10 FB Conf. USA schools (less Army).

This would diminish any chance to create the regional model argued here by taking TCU, Tulane, Houston and/or So. Miss off the table.

Can this model happen or work?

<A HREF="http://bonesville.net/Articles/DennyOBrien/2003/Aug/080603_OBrien.htm" TARGET=_blank>http://bonesville.net/Articles/DennyOBrien/2003/Aug/080603_OBrien.htm</A>

[Charleston Pony]

The Big East clearly controls what happens next. They could go large and change the look of CUSA by adding Louisville, Cincy, ECU, USF and maybe UCF from the MAC (to build their Fla presence in both Tampa and Orlando). If the BE hoops schools break away and Notre Dame remains "associated" with the BE football schools for other sports and the NCAA approves a championship game for an 11 team conference, I would not be shocked to see this scenario unfold.

I still believe the Big East will take only two new members, who together with Notre Dame will allow a 9 member league for hoops and other sports. The 8 football members would mix in games with Notre Dame, Army & Navy to ensure a stong TV deal and that may well keep them in the BCS picture.

It's looking more and more like we will be able to speculate all season long and that the Big east won't make any decisions until after the 2003 football season. That's going to give SMU a chance to have a breakout season and show everyone that we would be a good future conference mate. Beating TCU would sure open some eyes!

[GoRedGoBlue]

Again, if the BEast gets UL and Cincy, there's no guarantee that they get the BCS. Of course, if PITT goes Top10, then all bets are off.

The point is, that if UL and CINCY go to the BEast, they are almost destined for an 8 or 9 team conference, no 12-team (worthy 12 teams that is, sure they could re-add Temple, and a few other scrubs to get to 12).

UL may soon decide that they are best served strengthening CUSA instead. There freakin FB team is only ranked 68 or something in S.I...they may be being pushed by Pitino for the EAST coast exposure...