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This is a really interesting article. Explains his thinking about what the consequences are going to be since the latest realignment occurred. Read the comments at the end also. Some bitter folks.

http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketb ... te-for-vtu

It was a huge bummer that the Catholic schools left the Big East and took the name, but the American is carving out a really nice niche for itself in the college basketball world. The last two national champions are members of the AAC and with a core group of programs like Cincinnati, Memphis, UConn, SMU, and Temple the future is bright.

Also states how important an ESPN contract is to the success of a conference. I was initially disappointed in the money we received from ESPN, but I think in the long run we are in really good shape. If we can get the lower end teams to up their game, I wouldn't be surprised to see our commish renegotiate our contract.

I also wonder whether or not the SMU attempt to hire him, which leaked to the press, was a huge negative and changed his relationship with the administration and Marquette fans?

No idea, but talk about a good miss. Skipping Buzz and his over-wonking, and getting the best coach in the game. I'd say we landed on our feet.

PoconoPony wrote:I also wonder whether or not the SMU attempt to hire him, which leaked to the press, was a huge negative and changed his relationship with the administration and Marquette fans?

His relationship with the admin was negative before the SMU info came ouf

Talk about a writer in love with himself!

I always liked Buzz but turned on him after he so blatantly played us for a raise. It will be interesting to see if he can turn Vigina Tech around.

mathman wrote:Also states how important an ESPN contract is to the success of a conference. I was initially disappointed in the money we received from ESPN, but I think in the long run we are in really good shape. If we can get the lower end teams to up their game, I wouldn't be surprised to see our commish renegotiate our contract.

Football still needs to step it up. If SMU does a revival in Football like we did in Basketball, we could really help push the conference up, especially if ECU, Houston, Cincy, UCF are solid and if USF and Tulsa improve dramatically. This could be a really fun conference...but they have to be solid programs in both sports and have a good national tv draw

Other than Kansas is there any other Big 12 team we can't beat in basketball?

Imagine if there was only one Big 12 team we couldn't beat in football. We would be scary good and the AAC would be much more credible.

Pony81 wrote:Other than Kansas is there any other Big 12 team we can't beat in basketball?

Imagine if there was only one Big 12 team we couldn't beat in football. We would be scary good and the AAC would be much more credible.

We could beat KU in 2014-15

Pony81 wrote:Other than Kansas is there any other Big 12 team we can't beat in basketball?

Imagine if there was only one Big 12 team we couldn't beat in football. We would be scary good and the AAC would be much more credible.

I would not say that is a crazy thought...in 2009-2010 TCU could have possibly beaten any big 12 team. With solid DFW and Texas recruiting, as well as our connections in California, conference exposure in Florida, etc. we should be able to scratch up some really good squads. No one in the big 12 beats us in location.

We could definitely beat Kansas this next year in basketball - why would you say we could not? We beat last years national champion, twice. Without Mudiay. Or the two quality transfers. There isn't anyone we cant beat next year.

I'm thinking the Catholic BE teams are probably having some second thoughts about leaving to form their own conference. Georgetown had to suck it up and take a series with Syracuse to help its attendance and to protect its TV revenue. Luckily for them Syracuse agreed to a long term home and home series. In reality, all they lost were UConn and Cincy to our conference. But they got the name, the Fox contract and nothing else. The BE has gone from the most admired hoops conference to an after-thought.

EastStang wrote:I'm thinking the Catholic BE teams are probably having some second thoughts about leaving to form their own conference. Georgetown had to suck it up and take a series with Syracuse to help its attendance and to protect its TV revenue. Luckily for them Syracuse agreed to a long term home and home series. In reality, all they lost were UConn and Cincy to our conference. But they got the name, the Fox contract and nothing else. The BE has gone from the most admired hoops conference to an after-thought.

Totally agree. Big mistake on their part. That Fox contract might pay more short term but it gives them zero exposure.

Aresco made a really wise decision keeping the AAC in the fold with ESPN

East Coast Mustang wrote:Aresco made a really wise decision keeping the AAC in the fold with ESPN

That was such an important move. Plus, CBSSN is very big on college basketball and they have very good analyst - Jon Rothstein, Steve Lappas, Doug Gottleib and Pete Gillien - all have been very pro SMU and the AAC. I know Gottleib was down on us for our schedule but otherwise positive. I don't even know who the Fox college bball analysts are.