Sunday's BE Agenda

[Dr. Blackheart]

1.  Firm up UCONN, Rutgers
2.  Admit Temple

http://aol.sportingnews.com/ncaa-basketball/story/2011-09-30/big-12-puts-merger-on-hold-awaits-missouris-commitment

[Marqus Howard]

I'm usually not a Rick Pitino fan, but I appreciate his efforts in keeping the Big East together. I doubt that he has much say in the whole thing, but it's definitely better than nothing.

Also surprised that Temple is a bigger priority than Navy...

[Skatastrophy]

I was talking to a friend that works for the ACC.  The reason that Syracuse and Pittsburgh broke from the BEast is that they were fed up with Notre Dame not sharing football revenue.

While that sucks... at least they didn't break because of a systemic problem with the BEast (not that there isn't one).  Hopefully the bleeding can be stopped and we can get on with our lives.

[bamamarquettefan]

Agreed, Pitino and DeCourcey (who wrote the article and has been great in criticizing reallignment) are becoming my heros.

[brewcity77]

Temple would be a solid add. I'll be curious to see what their response is. I've been under the impression they aren't big fans of the Big East since they were forced out. I still think that's not enough, though. Need to add more football schools if we want to keep the hybrid viable. I think they need to get at least three firm offers out there to get football to ten. I'd really like to see UCF on that list too.

[Dr. Blackheart]

Agreed, Pitino and DeCourcey (who wrote the article and has been great in criticizing reallignment) are becoming my heros.

DeCourcey had it going on Twitter after he posted this article with fans.  To summarize (hope I got it all correct), UCONN and Rutgers (and WVU) have no place to go, but they need to get on board. UL and UC really don't want to compete with Texas and OU as they know they won't be successful, especially in football.  Feel BEAST is better fit for them, don't want to leave.  Temple vote is for full membership.  B12 has the $$ to keep Mizz, he feels Mizz would be mediocre in SEC football.  ECU maybe for football only.  Hoops only conference as preemptive strike?--Why force the divorce as there is more $$ in being the one divorced.  BE/B12 merger discussed but not likely.  Key is shoring up the public wafflers--UCONN, Rutgers (and less public WVU).

http://twitter.com/#!/tsnmike

[Dr. Blackheart]

I was talking to a friend that works for the ACC.  The reason that Syracuse and Pittsburgh broke from the BEast is that they were fed up with Notre Dame not sharing football revenue.

While that sucks... at least they didn't break because of a systemic problem with the BEast (not that there isn't one).  Hopefully the bleeding can be stopped and we can get on with our lives.

This makes more sense, considering that UND is hooked to NBC/COMCAST on football, and ESPN is hooked to the ACC.  I heard some rumblings that ESPN was a backer of the jump of SU and UP to the ACC after the BE extension deal was rejected.  Makes you wonder, but it also makes me wonder why the ACC was rumored to be waiting on ND then (floated to scare the other BE teams to jump and/or dissolve, and question ND's intentions)?  Obviously, ND is the most valuable player in the survival of the BE (or the demise). Sunday will be interesting.  UCONN and Rutgers don't seem to have a strong poker hand as no one else wants them--yet their strongest hand is the BE needs them to move forward.

[Tulsa Warrior]

There is a football equation that will work for the BE.  I think the Big East could come out of this with a better football package than piror to the exit of Syracuse and Pitt.  Louisville and Cincinnati are not a good fit for the Big 12 or ACC when you look at the overall athletic departments.  The two defector programs lose natural rivalries.  For basketball it may work for them.  As far as football goes there are real questions.  Pitts program will do well as long a Todd Graham is there but he has no loyalty to anything but himself.  Ask Rice and Tulsa about that.

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

This makes more sense, considering that UND is hooked to NBC/COMCAST on football, and ESPN is hooked to the ACC.  I heard some rumblings that ESPN was a backer of the jump of SU and UP to the ACC after the BE extension deal was rejected.

FWIW - Boomer & Carton discussed this on WFAN this week.  (Carton is a Syracuse grad and Boomer from Maryland.)  Both think the move is "fugazi".  Boomer said it's all ESPNs fault.  He thinks they told the ACC to go get "someone like Pitt and Syracuse" and we'll give you more money.

[77ncaachamps]

I wonder how much of Pitino's comments are genuine.

He may feel that way but at the same time, if he doesn't put something out there (smoke and mirrors), it may not allow Louisville to position themselves for a shift.

[Dr. Blackheart]

TCU AD reaffirms BE move on CBS Sports today, per Twitter.

[brewcity77]

TCU AD reaffirms BE move on CBS Sports today, per Twitter.

Excellent news for those that want to continue in a hybrid Big East. Hopefully TCU has some idea of what is coming out of tomorrow's meeting and is heartened by it.