Big East looks to expand (UH, UCF, TCU?)

[Charleston Pony]

Houston and ECU have both flirted with top 25 football in recent years, but Houston is in one of the top markets in the country, football rich state and Houston produces some hoops talent as well. Much stronger choice than ECU...and then...there is Memphis

[smupony94]

Houston and ECU have both flirted with top 25 football in recent years, but Houston is in one of the top markets in the country, football rich state and Houston produces some hoops talent as well. Much stronger choice than ECU...and then...there is Memphis

they don't need another basketball school

[CalallenStang]

Not sure why everyone thinks this is a bad move for TCU. Going to the Big East won't prevent them from joining the revamped leftover Big 12. If they will be an attractive add for the Leftovers in 5 years, they can leave the Big East at that time. Let's look at posibilities:

TCU still good in 5 years, stays in MWC:
They join the Leftovers.

TCU still good in 5 years, joins Big East now:
They join the leftovers, but with 5 years of BCS AQ conference recruiting and east coast media exposure and increased attendance and TV revenue

TCU sucks in 5 years, stays in MWC:
They are SOL

TCU sucks in 5 years, joins Big East now:
Still in a BCS AQ conference, still getting east coast media exposure, etc etc etc

IF TCU gets an offer, and if the Big East knows what they are doing, that offer is going to have the following provision:

"If TCU is to leave the conference by (year - I'm guessing 2015 will go here), they must repay all revenue distributed to them by the Big East Conference."

[skyscraper]

They will make TCU football only and move up Villanova to D1 in football.
Mark it down.

[Samurai Stang]

If the Big 12 and Big East both lose schools, it would seem more likely that the remaining schools will band together and form a single strong conference, leaving behind such schools as Iowa State and Baylor. This seems far more preferable for the strongest remaining Big 12 and Big East members than remaining apart apart and having two weak conferences.

[PoconoPony]

We should take note that the Big East is not a great football conference. When they had Miami, Virginia Tech and Boston College it was a very representative conference. With the defection of these schools the Big East has been relegated to the weakest of the BCS conferences. Their out of conference record the last 5 years is very average with West Virginia and Pitt anchoring the league with consistently winning teams, but even these 2 teams take their lumps when playing good outside competition. Yes, they added Cincy and Louisville at a time Louisville was in a free fall and Cincy peaked under Kelly and has again been relegated back to average this year. My point is that the Big East struck for BCS status at a time when the league was strong. If that decision were made today they would have a real problem making a case to be BCS.

[SMU89]

TCU may fear BE not able to keep AQ......ESPN Dallas.....

http://espn.go.com/blog/dallas/colleges/