Gonzaga Reportedly Was Waiting for Big East Invite

[Aughnanure]

http://www.gonzagabulletin.com/arts_and_entertainment/article_d7f046c0-c5df-11e3-be30-001a4bcf6878.html?TNNoMobile

2. As we head into the The Summer of Conference Realignment, Part 2: One Year Later, it’s becoming clearer that GU isn’t going anywhere.

But Roth says it’s not his fault.  When the Big East Conference reformed in July 2013, he had GU Athletics ready to move to the new Big East along with the other “Catholic Seven” schools. He recognized that GU would be a perfect fit in every way with the other private, Catholic, similar-size, liberal arts schools from that conference.

One single problem threw a wrench in the gears: geography. As much as a program can request to join a conference, it eventually has to be invited by the conference, Roth said.  Unfortunately for GU, the Big East programs were not willing to fly their sports teams five or six hours to Spokane dozens of times every year, even if Roth was.

Roth says he likes to say that the only way GU would be accepted into the Big East is if teleportation is invented.

Anytime teleportation enters a discussion of conference realignment, things aren’t looking good.
And with a lack of a football team and no foreseeable way GU could re-establish its football program, don’t expect the Pac-12 to come calling, either.

For now, GU looks to be stuck in the ho-hum WCC. While it won’t do us any favors in terms of men’s or women’s basketball, at least the Zags won’t be constantly flying to the Northeast for every away game. That might qualify as low-level silver lining.

[ChicosBailBonds]

As was argued here many times over, geography is and will always be the main issue.  I hope GU admins weren't seriously think the Big East was going to ask them for an invite based on their locale.

Location, location, location.

[Aughnanure]

As was argued here many times over, geography is and will always be the main issue.  I hope GU admins weren't seriously think the Big East was going to ask them for an invite based on their locale.

Location, location, location.

Actually, I think it's about flying into Spokane vs a major city. Hard to fly Olympic sports in on commercial jets. Basketball travel is not a problem.

[GGGG]

I thought keefe said that Gonzaga had the invitation but turned it down.  Hmmmm....

[Coleman]

As was argued here many times over, geography is and will always be the main issue.  I hope GU admins weren't seriously think the Big East was going to ask them for an invite based on their locale.

Location, location, location.

Yeah but everyone here was saying Gonzaga didn't want to do it because of geography..

As I had always said, Gonzaga would have signed up in a heartbeat. The Big East should have got it done. It was a much bigger burden for the Zags to travel east every other game than for every other school to travel West once a season for each sport. If they were willing to take on that burden, there was no reason for them not to join, as far as the rest of the Big East is concerned. Lost opportunity.

[chapman]

Roth says he likes to say that the only way GU would be accepted into the Big East is if teleportation is invented.

Glad to see they anticipated my comment.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

http://www.gonzagabulletin.com/arts_and_entertainment/article_d7f046c0-c5df-11e3-be30-001a4bcf6878.html?TNNoMobile

2. As we head into the The Summer of Conference Realignment, Part 2: One Year Later, it’s becoming clearer that GU isn’t going anywhere.

But Roth says it’s not his fault.  When the Big East Conference reformed in July 2013, he had GU Athletics ready to move to the new Big East along with the other “Catholic Seven” schools. He recognized that GU would be a perfect fit in every way with the other private, Catholic, similar-size, liberal arts schools from that conference.

One single problem threw a wrench in the gears: geography. As much as a program can request to join a conference, it eventually has to be invited by the conference, Roth said.  Unfortunately for GU, the Big East programs were not willing to fly their sports teams five or six hours to Spokane dozens of times every year, even if Roth was.

Roth says he likes to say that the only way GU would be accepted into the Big East is if teleportation is invented.

Anytime teleportation enters a discussion of conference realignment, things aren’t looking good.
And with a lack of a football team and no foreseeable way GU could re-establish its football program, don’t expect the Pac-12 to come calling, either.

For now, GU looks to be stuck in the ho-hum WCC. While it won’t do us any favors in terms of men’s or women’s basketball, at least the Zags won’t be constantly flying to the Northeast for every away game. That might qualify as low-level silver lining.

This sort of shifts the blame a bit. Gonzaga could have joined. The BEast was willing to make them a basketball only member. But Gonzaga wanted the all or nothing deal. If Gonzaga is willing to park their non-revenue sports in the WCC or some other terrible conference and fly out for bball games, they will be able to join.

[GGGG]

This sort of shifts the blame a bit. Gonzaga could have joined. The BEast was willing to make them a basketball only member. But Gonzaga wanted the all or nothing deal. If Gonzaga is willing to park their non-revenue sports in the WCC or some other terrible conference and fly out for bball games, they will be able to join.

Why would the WCC take them without basketball?  What conference would?

[Aughnanure]

This sort of shifts the blame a bit. Gonzaga could have joined. The BEast was willing to make them a basketball only member. But Gonzaga wanted the all or nothing deal. If Gonzaga is willing to park their non-revenue sports in the WCC or some other terrible conference and fly out for bball games, they will be able to join.

Im 99.99% sure there's an NCAA rule that prevents that. Your basketball conference has to be the main conference for all of your sports.

[Coleman]

This sort of shifts the blame a bit. Gonzaga could have joined. The BEast was willing to make them a basketball only member. But Gonzaga wanted the all or nothing deal. If Gonzaga is willing to park their non-revenue sports in the WCC or some other terrible conference and fly out for bball games, they will be able to join.

Why wouldn't the Big East take them as full member?

The burden of travel due to geography is overwhelmingly on Gonzaga. I just don't understand this argument.

You are talking one event per sport per year (at most) that would require a trip to Spokane. And men's and women's teams could travel together, or even schools like DePaul and Marquette could travel together.

[MikeDeanesDarkGlasses]

The only way Gonzaga joins the Big East is if there is a mass expansion into the west.  Perhaps manifest destiny will propel the Big East to new heights if they add 6-8 teams from the West - creating a new Western division.  It truly would be the first conference to span the whole United States, thus having the largest TV market.  It wouldn't be hard to balance travel schedules out and if schools are concerned with travel, then schedule out of conference games that are closer to home to balance out long west/east coast road trips.

[Coleman]

The only way Gonzaga joins the Big East is if there is a mass expansion into the west.  Perhaps manifest destiny will propel the Big East to new heights if they add 6-8 teams from the West - creating a new Western division.  It truly would be the first conference to span the whole United States, thus having the largest TV market.  It wouldn't be hard to balance travel schedules out and if schools are concerned with travel, then schedule out of conference games that are closer to home to balance out long west/east coast road trips.

I like the vision, but the problem is...who do you add?

Who fits the profile out west, besides Gonzaga?

Sure, SLU is west of the Mississippi, but barely. Do you take St. Mary's from the WCC?

Beyond that, I'm not sure who is left.

[Aughnanure]

The only way Gonzaga joins the Big East is if there is a mass expansion into the west.  Perhaps manifest destiny will propel the Big East to new heights if they add 6-8 teams from the West - creating a new Western division.  It truly would be the first conference to span the whole United States, thus having the largest TV market.  It wouldn't be hard to balance travel schedules out and if schools are concerned with travel, then schedule out of conference games that are closer to home to balance out long west/east coast road trips.

Jesus Christ no, 6 freaking teams out west!? There simply isn't enough quality outside the Zags unless UNLV and BYU would want to come and then maybe you can add a mediocre 4th team (San Fran?)

[Coleman]

Jesus Christ no, 6 freaking teams out west!? There simply isn't enough quality outside the Zags unless UNLV and BYU would want to come and then maybe you can add a mediocre 4th team (San Fran?)

I like UNLV and BYU, but don't they both have FBS football? Isn't that a disqualifier?

[GGGG]

I like UNLV and BYU, but don't they both have FBS football? Isn't that a disqualifier?

BYU is independent in football and are currently WCC members.

Really what we are talking about is a merger between the BE and the WCC.  And that doesn't do the BE any good.  Gonzaga isn't worth it.  Hell, the BE doesn't think they are worth it on their own.

[Aughnanure]

I like UNLV and BYU, but don't they both have FBS football? Isn't that a disqualifier?

Well that's why it would be extremely unlikely. BYU is already in the WCC with Gonzaga actually and stores its football as an independent like Notre Dame. I could maybe see Big East adding both of them, but outside that...who are you really going to add that doesn't water down the conference?

[Coleman]

This is a possibility (however unlikely)... 14 teams. 7 in the East, 7 in the West

East Division
Providence
Seton Hall
St. Johns
Georgetown
Villanova
Dayton
Xavier

West Division
Marquette
Butler
DePaul
SLU
Creighton
Gonzaga
BYU

[GGGG]

Yuck.  9:30 PM start times.  No thanks.

[Aughnanure]

This is a possibility (however unlikely)... 15 teams. 7 in the East, 8 in the West

East Division
Providence
Seton Hall
St. Johns
Georgetown
Villanova
Dayton
Xavier

West Division
Marquette
Butler
SLU
Creighton
Gonzaga
BYU
UNLV
St. Mary's

Did we kick out DePaul, and why would we want that? Marquette becomes a west coast school almost. Imagine the game times!

[MikeDeanesDarkGlasses]

Yes, it will be difficult to add great teams, unless you poach them from bigger conferences.  

The thing I never understood about football is, why not separate basketball from football?  If you can send your bball team to a conference that generates more revenue, then go for it.  

[Aughnanure]

Yuck.  9:30 PM start times.  No thanks.

More like 11:30 for road games.

[Coleman]

Did we kick out DePaul, and why would we want that? Marquette becomes a west coast school almost. Imagine the game times!

Whoops. Missed them. Fixed it. Booted out UNLV for DePaul

[Les Nessman]

Why wouldn't the Big East take them as full member?

The burden of travel due to geography is overwhelmingly on Gonzaga. I just don't understand this argument.

You are talking one event per sport per year (at most) that would require a trip to Spokane. And men's and women's teams could travel together, or even schools like DePaul and Marquette could travel together.

Two schools traveling together wouldn't work at all. They'd have to travel together first of all, and then have to spend 4-5 days out in Spokane waiting for both teams to finish playing their games before flying back. The lodging for the extra days in Spokane would negate any discount that the teams would get by flying together.

[Aughnanure]

Yes, it will be difficult to add great teams, unless you poach them from bigger conferences.  

The thing I never understood about football is, why not separate basketball from football?  If you can send your bball team to a conference that generates more revenue, then go for it.  

Because it's an NCAA rule. Can't be in a conference JUST for basketball.

[Coleman]

More like 11:30 for road games.

No, it would be 9:30.

I wouldn't want it either. I'm just having a thought experiment here.