Memphis

[Dawson Rental]

Memphis seems to be getting left out of the discussion, but I no longer think that the Big East can afford not to try to add them in spite of the fact that their football program needs a significant upgrade.  Unlike Villanova, they are Division I, and have the potential of big help from FedEx money.

[TallTitan34]

I hate to say it but LittleMurs may be right.  I have long been opposed to adding Memphis with their dirty program and coach.  But Memphis is an ideal school to fill a vacancy.

[Pakuni]

I hate to say it but LittleMurs may be right.  I have long been opposed to adding Memphis with their dirty program and coach.  But Memphis is an ideal school to fill a vacancy.

1. Dirty coach gone.
2. I'd question the sanity of anyone who'd rather see Marquette affiliate itself with the likes of St. Louis or Dayton over Memphis because of "academics" or any other off-court nonsense.

[Skatastrophy]

1. Dirty coach gone.
2. I'd question the sanity of anyone who'd rather see Marquette affiliate itself with the likes of St. Louis or Dayton over Memphis because of "academics" or any other off-court nonsense.

+1

And if Duquesne is mentioned one more time I'll probably make additional hollow threats. 

[TallTitan34]

Brain fart.  Don't know how I forgot about Calipari and Kentucky.

[KenoshaWarrior]

1. Dirty coach gone.
2. I'd question the sanity of anyone who'd rather see Marquette affiliate itself with the likes of St. Louis or Dayton over Memphis because of "academics" or any other off-court nonsense.

Totally agree!!

[bilsu]

I would take Memphis, because they are good in basketball. Baylor is good in basketball also. Not particularly fond of them either, but we are at the point where beggar's cannot be choosers.

[Mr. Nielsen]

Memphis football is really bad. They could be the worse team in Conf. USA and averaged 23,918 last season. It's only that high because they hosted Ole Miss last season. Which was there only big crowd.

[Dawson Rental]

Two years ago, Memphis' athletic director hired former Big East Commissioner Mike Tranghese to advise them on how to make themselves more attractive to a BCS conference.

Does anyone know why evidently they haven't made much progress?

Is the football stadium inadequate?

Its hard to see why they can't take the football program up a notch otherwise.  Unlike Villanova, they're already Division I.  They've been said to have some FedEx money ready to help out.  Why haven't they been able to make themselves more attractive?

Back when the Big East took much of Conference USA, it was said that Memphis was left behind because geographically the Big East didn't want to go farther southwest.  The invite to TCU obviously makes that a moot point.

[Nukem2]

Mempfis should be in the discussion.  Calipari is gone and Pastner is a stand-up guy ( who Buzz tried hard to hire ).  So the historical taint of "dirty" is gone.  Academically, I suspect things are much better.  Geographically, the fit is fine.  FB is the big question, but can the BE be that choosy...?  I say yes to the Tigers.

[NotAnAlum]

Even before Cal Memphis had a reputation of being a school that was easier to keep players eligible at than most.  It seems like most players stay GPA eligible these days at all schools.  Hard to make a case that Memphis is dirtier when applying the standard of UCONN and now St Johns.  Their football program may be weak but for a league who's solution is to try to get Villanova into D-1 it really looks like we are in the market for any football program that breathes and Memphis qualifies.  None at the BE office should have any expectation of their teams honestly playing for the BCS championship.  This should be about keeping enough teams to retain our BCS certification and trying to stay near the top from a Basketball standpoint to keep things like Big Monday and the BE Tourne in March making money.

[bilsu]

I have the impression that their is bad blood between Memphis and Cincy/Louisville going way back. Bring in Memphis and they will leave.

[Canadian Dimes]

aint nothin worse than a historically dirty taint!

[MerrittsMustache]

I have the impression that their is bad blood between Memphis and Cincy/Louisville going way back. Bring in Memphis and they will leave.

Agreed. There's a reason why Memphis wasn't included in the initial ConfUSA raid.