http://aol.sportingnews.com/ncaa-basketball/story/2012-12-15/catholic-basketball-schools-announce-big-east-departure
A few quotes that stood out:
"The common philosophical link is not religion," Georgetown coach John Thompson III told reporters Saturday. "It's basketball."
"St. John's would love to keep the Big East name," said Rev. Donald J. Harrington, the president of St. John's. "I would like to hear what the football schools think and then try to make a compromise."
"Conference realignment is a story that is still being told," Cincinnati athletics director Whit Babcock said in a statement. "Like our fans, students, donors and alumni, I will be glad when all of this is over."
"It's really premature at this time to know who might join what we're calling the core group of seven schools," Harrington said. "...We would estimate 10 or 12 members are probably where we would want to be, but we want to make sure we have the strength. That's the important thing."
Love the quote from JT III. Amen and preach on.
Read between the lines and I think there's also some strategic messaging here.
JTIII:
"We're not limiting ourselves to Catholic institutions."
Rev. Donald J. Harrington:
"The Big East brand name is still on the table."
Also interesting to see St. John's president mention a target of "10 or 12 members." If Xavier's in, we might not have long to wait for the new conference to come together.
I've always heard that 10 is the ideal size as it allows the home and home balance.
12 gives you a little more flexibility if some school decides to leave, then you're at 11 instead of 9. Just a little more stability if you get 12.
I support 12 assuming we are adding quality programs that will raise the competition level of the conference. I don't think we should add teams just to add teams.
Quote from: Marcus92 on December 15, 2012, 06:22:06 PM
Read between the lines and I think there's also some strategic messaging here.
JTIII:
"We're not limiting ourselves to Catholic institutions."
Rev. Donald J. Harrington:
"The Big East brand name is still on the table."
Also interesting to see St. John's president mention a target of "10 or 12 members." If Xavier's in, we might not have long to wait for the new conference to come together.
What's "between the lines" here? Seems pretty straightforward