ESPN: Big East must refocus priorities

[jkflamebo]

Good lord we have to get out asap

Been saying this for months.

[Maine Mustang]

Expectations are rising in Tulsa, that a BE invitation is likely:

http://www.tulsaworld.com/sportsextra/T ... teri702491

Getting harder and harder to get real excited about the BE.......maybe Tulsa will start bringing some fans to games again.......

We're commenting on other schools hopefully bringing fans to games now? That's a good one...

[AusTxPony]

I see little choice for us other than the NBE. We need to remain a winning program and have a big year once in a while. Maybe down the line in the PAC or depleted ACC, but until then let's just be the best we can be.

[Water Pony]

Andrea Adelson ESPN Big East Blogger:

Practical short term advice for BE

Q&A

Mark in Meriden, Conn., writes: Andrea: Wouldn't it make more sense for the Big East at this point to redefine whom they wish to be? My suggestion would be an all sports conference with Connecticut, Cincinnati, Temple, Houston, Tulane, South Florida, Central Florida, East Carolina, Memphis, and to now add some schools that make sense geographically, and that the larger conferences are looking to poach? Suggestions are Delaware (Football move to I-A), Massachusetts, Marshall, Buffalo, and VCU (Football move to I-A). This way the football can grow up together, the Catholic 7 are gone (Good Riddance), and the basketball can rest on national laurels of Connecticut, Cincinnati, Memphis, and VCU for a few years. Your thoughts? Poaching the best teams available no matter where / what they are doesn't seem to be working.

Adelson: I honestly do not think there is a need for the Big East to grow beyond 12 teams in football at this point in time. That may mean 10 for basketball, depending on what happens with East Carolina, but I think the focus has to be on football and not basketball at this point. There are some up-and-coming football programs coming into the mix. The big concern, of course, is what happens during the next round of realignment. Then I think the Big East does have to think about being a more regional league if it has to replace teams again. But all these programs you mention are going to be there if the league has to add teams again. I'd like to see what happens with the group assembled if it can stay together for more than a year.

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

Andrea Adelson ESPN Big East Blogger:

Practical short term advice for BE

Q&A

Mark in Meriden, Conn., writes: Andrea: Wouldn't it make more sense for the Big East at this point to redefine whom they wish to be? My suggestion would be an all sports conference with Connecticut, Cincinnati, Temple, Houston, Tulane, South Florida, Central Florida, East Carolina, Memphis, and to now add some schools that make sense geographically, and that the larger conferences are looking to poach?

Mari in Meriden obviously still stinging from The Miracle On Mockingbird.

[Water Pony]

Memphis AD comments on the Big East. The following comment was interesting, since I did not know an agreement has been signed at the recent Dallas BE meeting.

"Asked his gut feeling on when that will happen, Bowen said, "I actually have more than a gut feeling. There's a document called the mutual commitment agreement that was signed by all members of the Big East Conference that basically requires them to stay until June 30, 2015. So right now, in theory, they can't leave until June 30, 2015."

http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/20 ... confident/

[Charleston Pony]

I like the idea of the 10 member league playing all sports together for now (go ahead and extend the all-sports invite to ECU). Question is what to do when Navy comes in. Of course, there could be further defections by then, but I don't know if it's possible to add another school for football only, unless it's someone like UMass who currently plays MAC football and A-10 hoops. Would be nice to have that championship game, but only if it is played at the home of the highest rated program (neutral site would not be well attended)

It there are defections and Cincy and/or UConn leave, then schools like Tulsa, Marshall and USM have to be considered as we rebuild CUSA under whatever name this thing becomes

[mustangxc]

I really think Aresco needs to get back on the phone with Army. I think the league is at a level Army could compete in. They are in the east coast and are a national program, they would be in the same league as Navy, bring a national TV audience, increase attendance at away games, and come for football only thus they don't weaken rpi for basketball.

If not maybe add UMASS for all sports to strengthen basketball and keep ECU as football only.

[Charleston Pony]

I agree with the Army idea. Have a 10 member conference that competes in all sports (yes, that includes ECU) with Army & Navy playing football only

If/when Cincy and/or UConn bolt, have to look at Tulsa, USM, Marshall or whoever else might be an up and comer

[Water Pony]

I expect Tulsa to be in play for both BE and MWC, so that would allow both an Army invitation, plus a team such as UMass for all sports (currently MAC). UMass non-conference FB schedule is demanding and would give UConn a partner. It would be interesting if we could add Butler and VCU for BB too. We could reemerge has a BB conference, at the same time.

[Water Pony]

University of Tulsa expects BE invitation by the end of the month, while assuming MWC is their fallback:

http://www.tulsaworld.com/sportsextra/T ... TLIN401120

[Water Pony]

Tulsa's view of the world. West vs. East

http://www.tulsaworld.com/articleimages ... 202013.jpg

[Water Pony]

Another Tulsa article suggesting BE is the logical move. Interesting how their view their POV that the CUSA overacted too quickly, when they backfilled departure schools. You could say the same about the BE, when Tulane and ECU were invited.

http://www.tulsaworld.com/sportsextra/a ... LSAP531788

[Water Pony]

Latest reports suggest Tulsa and, perhaps, So. Miss would replace BSU and SDSU, which would require another school when/if Navy joins in 2015. Further, Rice and UTEP would be considered for MWC. Maybe staying at 10 for the moment is a good idea, unless preventing MWC from inviting Tulsa is a priority.

http://www.bcinterruption.com/2013/1/24 ... o-big-east

[NY Pony]

Maybe staying at 10 for the moment is a good idea, unless preventing MWC from inviting Tulsa is a priority.

I would hope having 12 in order to have a championship game would be a priority. We will have 10 in 2013 and 2014, but having a title game and another quality win may be the difference in determining which group of 5 team goes to the BCS access game. Certainly helped N. Illinois this year.