here we go again

[Marquette65]

BEAST is not finished w/ expansion   Word is  they are looking at UCF in spite of the protests from S. Flordia.  Additionally NOVA is seriously considering moving their football program up to BSC level. NOVA has a date in late April when they are suppose to make their decision.  However, the UCF invitation to join the BE is independent of the final decision from NOVA.

[Marquette84]

According to this article, the BE is also considering Maryland, UMass and ECU.

http://today.ucf.edu/13-reasons-why-big-east-should-add-ucf/

[GGGG]

USF is really, really dumb if they think blocking this is a good idea.

[jaybilaswho?]

does the continued expansion talk possibly bring negative side effects to the basketball only schools in the BEast (especially ones that are not soo geographically East)? I understand that these moves are based off of the football side of the conference, but I assume that they would also bring the Basketball teams. The addition of these other basketball teams would create an even bigger mega conference. At what point is the Big East tooo Big?

[wheresthecake?]

does the continued expansion talk possibly bring negative side effects to the basketball only schools in the BEast (especially ones that are not soo geographically East)? I understand that these moves are based off of the football side of the conference, but I assume that they would also bring the Basketball teams. The addition of these other basketball teams would create an even bigger mega conference. At what point is the Big East tooo Big?

Super conferences are the future of college athletics.  The conferences that are able to stay alive during all this reallignent will eventually have somewhere between 15-20 schools, possibly even more.  The way I see it, the Big East is just setting the pace for other conferences to have to keep up with.  So even though you might think it's getting too big, keep in mind the BEast will more than likely split into two divisions....hopefully something better than Legends and Leaders....

[jaybilaswho?]

Super conferences are the future of college athletics.

If this is true... I am not so sure I like the way the future is shaping up. Whats the ultimate goal? To have the BEast, Big Ten (11,12,14,15,20?) and the Pac Ten (11,12,14,15,20?) be the major conferences with major TV deals, leaving all the other schools to play in the shadows? Or will it eventually look like the European soccer leagues with subdivisions and a Premier league?

I think I am just afraid of change.

[MUBurrow]

There's a lot to be afraid of here.  My biggest fear is that the endgame is something like superconferences for the BEast, the Big10/12/whatever, the SEC, and the Pac 10+.  The Big 12 will get partitioned away bit by bit, or Texas will be enough to singlehandedly keep them afloat and they will absorb the SMUs of the world into an old big 12 superconference.  Worst for us, I think its rational to foresee a basketball only superconference, with the BBall only Beast schools, and all of the other best mid majors

[GGGG]

Super conferences are the future of college athletics.  The conferences that are able to stay alive during all this reallignent will eventually have somewhere between 15-20 schools, possibly even more. 

The Pac 12, SEC and Big Ten are in fine shape right now.  I think they are waiting to see what happens with the Big 12 and the BE.  Does Texas go independent?  If so, my guess is the B12 implodes and you'll see A&M and possibly OU head to the SEC.  Do the rest merge with BE?  Does the Pac 12 pick up the likes of Oklahoma State and Texas Tech?  Does the Big 10 pick up Mizzou and Kansas?

Undoubtedly this doesn't help MU though.  The status quo is just fine for us.  Any change only decreases our power within the conference.

[Hards Alumni]

so

I think it may be time to change our conference name to "The Really Big East".

[Skatastrophy]

Leaders and Legends

[jaybilaswho?]

Leaders and Legends

For names in a double division "Really Big East" I will throw in the suggestion of naming the divisions Fish (east coast teams) and Dairy (heartland teams)

[GGGG]

so

I think it may be time to change our conference name to "The Really Big East".

"The Really Big Somewhat East"

[KipsBayEagle]

The Big East is slowly turning into conference USA 2.0.  I understand the need to expand, but central florida?  really?

[thanooj]

The Big East is slowly turning into conference USA 2.0.  I understand the need to expand, but central florida?  really?

i would rather have maryland/umass type teams than central florida.

[KipsBayEagle]

It'll be a cold day in hell when Maryland leaves the acc to join the big east.

[GGGG]

Central Florida has a much, much better sports program than UMass.

[texaswarrior74]

It'll be a cold day in hell when Maryland leaves the acc to join the big east.

Agree 1000%.....ACC football is far better than BE and on the rise with FSU and UNC both re-surging and having highly regarded recruiting classes...plus other sports like lacrosse and soccer programs that are not even close.

Gary Williams has a tough enough time being competitive in the ACC, why would he want to jump into the BE fire?

Not happening...

[NYWarrior]

The Big East is slowly turning into conference USA 2.0.  I understand the need to expand, but central florida?  really?

I've been a fan of this for some time -- UCF would be a good fit for the Big East.  They have a good football program that would only get better in a BCS league.  They just won their league title and a bowl game while starting a bunch of freshmen and sophomores.

If they joined the conference UCF would have the best combination of facilities for any Big East school from Day One (for example, they were the first school in the state with an indoor practice facility for football).  The new hoops arena is quite nice and they made a bold hire in hoops by stealing Jones from Marshall.   They have a new baseball stadium, football stadium & basketball arena.  Football already holds 45K but can be expanded to 65K in one off-season.   They are building a new soccer and track/field complex today. They'll continue to invest.

As one of the largest universities in the nation (by student population), their alumni pool and support for athletics will only increase, most likely dramatically.  Plus adding UCF will force USF to get it's act together in hoops and create the natural rivalry USF has lacked -- also good for the Big East.

[BrewCity83]

For names in a double division "Really Big East" I will throw in the suggestion of naming the divisions Fish (east coast teams) and Dairy (heartland teams)

"SURF" and "TURF"

[KipsBayEagle]

I've been a fan of this for some time -- UCF would be a good fit for the Big East.  They have a good football program that would only get better in a BCS league.  They just won their league title and a bowl game while starting a bunch of freshmen and sophomores.

If they joined the conference UCF would have the best combination of facilities for any Big East school from Day One (for example, they were the first school in the state with an indoor practice facility for football).  The new hoops arena is quite nice and they made a bold hire in hoops by stealing Jones from Marshall.   They have a new baseball stadium, football stadium & basketball arena.  Football already holds 45K but can be expanded to 65K in one off-season.   They are building a new soccer and track/field complex today. They'll continue to invest.

As one of the largest universities in the nation (by student population), their alumni pool and support for athletics will only increase, most likely dramatically.  Plus adding UCF will force USF to get it's act together in hoops and create the natural rivalry USF has lacked -- also good for the Big East.

I see it the complete opposite of you.  Where you see it as strengthening the big east i see it as the big east putting one foot in its own grave.  If the big east expands yet again, you are creating an atmosphere where one of the original members (syracuse, pitt, etc.) will be more inclined to accept an offer from a league such as the acc.  While this rivalry is great for south florida, do you really think that a pitt, or a west virginia cares that we add ucf.  To be quite honest, adding these extremely regional schools decreases the brand name of the big east.  The big east, in an effort to keep itself alive, has actually shot itself in the foot by A.  forcing the acc to expand, and when they expand it will be at the expense of a major big east power and B.  By bringing in schools taht are grossly underqualified to join the big east.

[RawdogDX]

Who was the guy, last year, who kept telling me no conference would expand because it would mean less $ for all the schools already in?  I wish i could remember, but regardless: Eat it.

I'm not scared of any of your doomsday scenarios.  Big east wants 24 bball teams with 2 divisions.  That's fine.  All BBall only schools form a super club that will work out (because they will get their own tv station and stream it through xbox.  You really think kids will be watching cable in 10 years?).  Conferences bloat to the point where there is only one mid major and it is referred to as the 'Mid Major' conference, totally cool with that.  

Stop jumping at the shadow of change and give the guy a hug.

[JamilJaeJamailJrJuan]

does the continued expansion talk possibly bring negative side effects to the basketball only schools in the BEast (especially ones that are not soo geographically East)? I understand that these moves are based off of the football side of the conference, but I assume that they would also bring the Basketball teams. The addition of these other basketball teams would create an even bigger mega conference. At what point is the Big East tooo Big?

When you can't play everyone in one season. That means the Big East could add two more teams after TCU and still be okay. But, I think there is enough as is. Adding these teams only lowers the level of competition (minus maybe Maryland).

[NYWarrior]

I see it the complete opposite of you.  Where you see it as strengthening the big east i see it as the big east putting one foot in its own grave.  If the big east expands yet again, you are creating an atmosphere where one of the original members (syracuse, pitt, etc.) will be more inclined to accept an offer from a league such as the acc.  While this rivalry is great for south florida, do you really think that a pitt, or a west virginia cares that we add ucf.  To be quite honest, adding these extremely regional schools decreases the brand name of the big east.  The big east, in an effort to keep itself alive, has actually shot itself in the foot by A.  forcing the acc to expand, and when they expand it will be at the expense of a major big east power and B.  By bringing in schools taht are grossly underqualified to join the big east.

You realize that MU is an "extremely regional school" in the Big East, right? 

The Big East has demonstrated a willingness to expand into new markets for some time. They've met with success consistently.  Miami, VaTech. MU/DPU/Cincy/Ville/USF.  Now TCU.  The league has managed each expansion very well, improving the value of the brand consistently (just look at the value of the television contracts & now the addition of TCU's BCS points).  Meanwhile the league is working on a network.

The commish summed it up back in November:

"Membership -- quality membership and quality inventory -- drives value," Marinatto said. "We're certainly cognizant of the value that expansion and quality inventory would bring to a television partner."

This is a league that is comfortable with expansion & isn't done.  Will other leagues push for expansion too?  Of course -- big conferences are the future.

[wildbillsb]

"SURF" and "TURF"

Perfect!

[Marquette65]

some have asked what is the end game in all of this.  Very simple. The goal,  money driven, is to have 4 super conferences of 16 teams each and then to tell the NCAA to shove it.  These super conferences will each have their own TV contract.  Playoff in football( think BIG TV contract) and basketball.  Will create their on umbrella organization( think ncaa light) and go on their marry way.