The Big East began as a basketball league, and according to the New York Post, the conference doesn't want conference expansion to overshadow its basketball media day Wednesday in New York. That means SMU might have to wait a bit longer to receive an official invite to join the league.
First, league officials are expected to vote tonight on raising the exit fee to leave the league from $5 million to $10 million as a show of stability. They will also discuss expansion matters, though their plan to add SMU, Houston, UCF, Boise State, Air Force and Navy appears on track.
Meanwhile, SMU prepares for a road showdown Saturday at Southern Miss, which is also 5-1. Southern Miss had a bye last week to aid in preparation. Quarterback J.J. McDermott was named Conference USA's offensive player of the week for his performance in last week's win over UCF. Cornerback Richard Crawford was named special teams player of the week after his 92-yard punt return for a touchdown.
Go Ponies!! Beat whoever it is we are playing!! @PonyGrad
SMU's first president, Robert S. Hyer, selected Harvard Crimson and Yale Blue as SMU's colors to symbolize SMU's high academic standards. We are one of the few Universities to have school colors with real meaning...and we just blow them off.
i almost don't want to mention this. Does the math work? ESPN article says UCF, SMU and Houston would be all-sports additions to get to 16 basketball schools. I count 17 unless someone else is leaving:
Hoop Fan wrote:i almost don't want to mention this. Does the math work? ESPN article says UCF, SMU and Houston would be all-sports additions to get to 16 basketball schools. I count 17 unless someone else is leaving:
ponyscott wrote:Boise State, AFA and Navy and/or Temple are all football as well.( if Villinova can get past Temple being in Phili too)
I know, but it seems like only two out of the three between UCF, SMU and Houston can participate in basketball unless the Big East is willing to have 17 hoops participants. Football is driving this no doubt, but 17 vs 16 for bball could be part of the holdup.
I said it last week, but this is the kind of games we need to win if we want to be considered in the next tier. USM hasn't played anyone that blows your doors off. They lost to a decent Marshall team and beat a woeful UVA team (yes I know they beat GT, I don't care they are that good). Over half of their total points and rushing yards came in two games (Navy and SLE). Time to take the next step and beat someone in conference that's worth a damn on the road. Maybe I expect too much from this team but I think we should be sitting 9-1 going into the UH game. We are that capable. USM is good and playing on the road is always tough but it's time to take another step forward.
