C-USA

[Nacho]

C-USA:

<A HREF="http://www.tampatrib.com/Sports/MGAZ8GBAXKD.html" TARGET=_blank>http://www.tampatrib.com/Sports/MGAZ8GBAXKD.html</A>

[Nacho]

If I read this story correctly and admittedly I read it pretty fast C-USA is considering 5 schools for 4 spots. IMO UCF and Marshall are locks. We are in a fight with Tulsa and Rice. I think we are in. That leaves the fight between Rice and Tulsa. I like Rice's band better but I have to say that Tulsa's mascott is a formidable opponent so I'm going out on a limb and saying it's a toss-up. If you got me in a head-lock (and who hasn't dreamed of that) and said bad things about me I would be forced to flip a coin although my heart is with Rice.

[Nacho]

BE story:

<A HREF="http://www.boston.com/sports/articles/2003/09/23/big_east_puts_together_expansion_plan/" TARGET=_blank>http://www.boston.com/sports/articles/2003/09/23/big_east_puts_together_expansion_plan/</A>

[GoRedGoBlue]

Sentiment will be for RICE, plus HOUSTON over TULSA, but you have to go with all of those NCAA appearances in Basketball...

Nod goes to TULSA...

It's really between SMU and RICE, and I think the overall quality of SMU's athletic department gives the nod to SMU.

Perhaps they will push to add a 7th team in the EAST and go for 7 in the West.

The TAMPA article said that USF is growing in consideration for Big East...I wonder if that means 9 schools for Big East or that UL or Cincy won't be invited...that would be hilarious.

Remember, UL would RATHER be in the ACC, but they aren't going to take UL.

[Stallion]

quite frankly my sentiments are with whichever school will get off its holier than thou [deleted] and do what is necessary to be competitive in CUSA. I really don't care what their SATs are as long as they are playing within the spirit of the NCAA rules. I would like to get rid of either school that does not intend to do what is necessary to compete. Tulsa gets the nod under my evaluation because at least they built a BB Arena.

[Nacho]

UCF or USF to BE a possibility:

<A HREF="http://www.boston.com/sports/colleges/football/articles/2003/09/23/big_east_puts_together_expansion_plan/" TARGET=_blank>http://www.boston.com/sports/colleges/football/articles/2003/09/23/big_east_puts_together_expansion_plan/</A>

[Roach]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR><font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by GoRedGoBlue:
<B>It's really between SMU and RICE, and I think the overall quality of SMU's athletic department gives the nod to SMU....</B></font><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I'm not sure the non-revenue sports will really be factored in. The conferences all will say something nice about how "we just as concerned with our schools' Tiddly Winks teams as we are with football and men's basketball" but do we really believe them? If it comes down to a battle between us and Rice, based on hoops and football, it's going to be time for some serious nail-biting.

[AtillatheCoog]

I think Rice is the odd one out on the list...at this moment. The Big East seems to be looking south again and IF they will go ahead and scoop up Central Fla. then Rice would get the nod. I think there is a decent chance of that happening.
Keep in mind that at least boston College may be leaving the Big East for the ACC after this footall season. That could lead to another raid by the Big east that could open up yet another spot for say, la Tech.
I think the question is guys, how regional do we want to end up??? You could see a very regional league evolving here over a little time. Is that good or bad? Looks like pluses and minuses as well. Thoughts?

[Hoop Fan]

I'd like Rice to come along. Unlike the WAC-16, the divisions in a 14 team CUSA would be very clear. Probably would work. The only issue becomes revenue sharing. I would like to see a Southwest Conference division within Conference USA that leads to a championship game in New Orleans or Memphis.