Andy Katz Spreading Big East Love

[Tugg Speedman]

Big East bearing down for brutal 2008-09 season

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/columns/story?columnist=katz_andy&id=3376459

As an aside, I did not know this.  I thought the conference used some kind of formula.

One of the key in-conference scheduling decisions will come this spring. The Big East moved to an 18-game league schedule this past season. Every team played each team once and three teams twice.

The Big East, along with ESPN and CBS -- the two TV partners for the Big East -- will determine which three teams that each team will play twice.

[jficke13]

It kind of makes sense that TV would be involved. But I think that TV won't just up and ignore existing rivalries. We're likely to see ND, Pitt, Louisville twice because existing rivalries will kick up the attendance and ratings and make the fans happy at the same time.

[Tugg Speedman]

It kind of makes sense that TV would be involved. But I think that TV won't just up and ignore existing rivalries. We're likely to see ND, Pitt, Louisville twice because existing rivalries will kick up the attendance and ratings and make the fans happy at the same time.

I hope you're right because our "natural" rival is DePaul.  Right now I would rather play one of those other teams (all pre-season top-ten) than DePaul.

[Skatastrophy]

I hope you're right because our "natural" rival is DePaul.  Right now I would rather play one of those other teams (all pre-season top-ten) than DePaul.

While I agree with you from a strength-of-schedule standpoint, it's fun having a home-and-home with Depaul because it's the only BE team that's within after-work road trip distance.  It's quite a bit of fun going into hostile territory and causing a ruckus

[MUinOH]

It kind of makes sense that TV would be involved. But I think that TV won't just up and ignore existing rivalries. We're likely to see ND, Pitt, Louisville twice because existing rivalries will kick up the attendance and ratings and make the fans happy at the same time.

Since we just had ND and L'ville twice on the last sched, I'll be surprised if we do again next year.  They'll probably change it up, maybe throw Cincy in there.