From Xavierhoops

[DomJamesToTheBasket]

"From a very reliable source: Kansas and Kansas St. have been invited to join the Big East. If they accept the invitation the conference will stay as it is now. If they decline the basketball only schools will form their own conference and XU WILL be invited along with Butler. They may consider other schools, but XU and BU WILL be invited as the 1st 2 additions."


Take with a large grain of salt....but interesting.

[Golden Avalanche]

"From a very reliable source: Kansas and Kansas St. have been invited to join the Big East. If they accept the invitation the conference will stay as it is now. If they decline the basketball only schools will form their own conference and XU WILL be invited along with Butler. They may consider other schools, but XU and BU WILL be invited as the 1st 2 additions."


Take with a large grain of salt....but interesting.

This doesn't seem to account for the real possibility of UConn and either Rutgers/WVU leaving the conference as well. In that case, wonder what happens. I don't see it going down as a two for two swap. We'd be incredibly lucky if that was to happen.

[MUCam]

It makes sense. The key to survival is being able to effectively market the brand to the television networks in general, and dare I say, ESPN specifically.

Adding Kansas and Kansas State (unlikely, in my opinion), solidifies the "premier basketball conference" title that the Big East has enjoyed. Going to an all-basketball premier conference, could potentially accomplish the same goal.

Keep in mind that the Big East Network is affiliated with ESPN. For years, ESPN has pimped out Big East basketball (whether warranted or not), because a pimped out product is a better sell on television. ESPN also produces telecasts for the Big 12 and the Kansas Jayhawks basketball program. Unfortunately, it is also tied to the "ACC Network." However, it is generally understood that the Big East Network has been its biggest draw for ESPN during the basketball season, especially with the Big East tournament.

We need to be in a conference that can sell itself effectively to ESPN. ESPN is a pimp and will do everything in its power to promote us. If that means a reduced network deal to begin with, so be it. Make ESPN's profit tied to our conference's prestige and attractiveness to the general public and we will be in good hands. Adding Kansas and Kansas State is one way to accomplish that. Going for a premier b-ball only conference is another way to accomplish it.

Either way, football schools or not, the biggest deal is remaining attractive to ESPN. That means retaining the Big East brand and the Big East tournament.

[Marqus Howard]

I'm guessing Nova wouldn't be one of the basketball only schools, would it?

[dw3dw3dw3]

I just don't think ESPN marketing could take the basketball only conference to something other than the 5th best conference in the land behind ACC,BigTen,Pac16,SEC.

The top 4 Marquee teams would be Gtown, Nova, ST Johns, MU/Depaul/Xavier... that just doesn't do it for a network. You are arguably taking away the top 4 teams of the current BEast in UConn,Pit,Cuse,Ville

Steering players or over promoting that conference would just dilute their other properties.

The Big East needs Kansas and should be willing to overpay a bit to get them.

[MUCam]

I don't necessarily disagree, although ESPN would sure push that basketball only conference over the Big Ten, with whom they have a beef over the Big Ten Network.

You need Kansas / Kansas State to really make it work, but if they won't come, you have to go with the next best alternative. Hell, I'd even ask ESPN for input. Make them think its their baby and they will sell it as long as it can reach the appropriate markets. Will it ever exceed the Super-4 Conferences? Doubtful. But that doesn't mean it won't be profitable to ESPN during the basketball season.

[GGGG]

Ugh...really?  Asking ESPN for advice?

Shoot me now...

[MUCam]

Ugh...really?  Asking ESPN for advice?

Shoot me now...

Right, because in this day and age where principal and historical significance rules over money, asking a major money player makes no sense.

Trust me, it makes me sick, but it is your only chance. I gave up on Sportscenter approximately 10 years ago, because the ESPN network has become a glutonous monster. That said, if that monster can help keep Marquette relevant, I'd gladly play Faust.

[dw3dw3dw3]

Well he goes to Maryland and we aren't going to the ACC... teal

[dw3dw3dw3]

Right, because in this day and age where principal and historical significance rules over money, asking a major money player makes no sense.

Trust me, it makes me sick, but it is your only chance. I gave up on Sportscenter approximately 10 years ago, because the ESPN network has become a glutonous monster. That said, if that monster can help keep Marquette relevant, I'd gladly play Faust.

Exactly this... historical significance and like mindedness is secondary. Money is first and if you have to build something that you are trying to sell (a new conference), it's probably a good idea to ask your customers (ESPN,Fox,Versus,etc..) what they want.

[Litehouse]

The combination of KU and K-State bball is just as good as the combination of Pitt and Syracuse.
It's Kansas, it's Kansas.

[DomJamesToTheBasket]

Ugh...really?  Asking ESPN for advice?

Shoot me now...

It's a sad state of affairs when you consider asking a tv network for advice,  but it is absolutely the right move.

[GGGG]

I know....i just hate ESPN.

[Marqus Howard]

I know....i just hate ESPN.

Better than ending up on Versus, like was mentioned in the JS article just posted.

[bilsu]

I suspect Uconn and Rutgers do not leave, if the Kansas schools join.
I feel more confident now that the football leagues are going only to 14.
ACC will not lose anybody and will stand pat with Syracuse and Pitt..  Oklahoma and Okl St to Pac 10. Missouri to SEC. Big 10 will hold out for Texas and Notre Dame now or in the future. What would upset the apple cart would be Texas committing to any other league than the Big 10.

[Litehouse]

I think the ACC is holding out for ND and Texas also.  They aren't going to add Rutgers and UConn when there's still a chance they can get those 2.  If they had to, ND would take the ACC over the Big Tweleven.

[avid1010]

In the end, I think we need to go with a basketball only conference.  I keep looking at all the different scenarios, and it seems like there is going to be a level of instability with the football conferences for years to come.  Whatever D1 schools that don't find a home in a super-conference will jump at the first chance they get.  If the BEAST were to take/get a school like Kansas, I could almost see a scenario where the other BEAST teams would hope their football program didn't develop into anything more than it already is because they'd then draw interest from a super-conference that hadn't gone to 16 teams yet.  

A basketball only conference would play well with recruits, would provide stability for the schools, and would offer a uniqueness that I think would play very well with fans of the universities and even offer a bit of an edge to big college basketball followers.  Maybe it's not a great comparison, but when you look at fans of unpopular sports in the US they are often very compassionate about their sport because of its lack of popularity.  There may be a window for an all basketball conference to gain a lot of support from those who are sick of the greed of football messing things up for all.

[PaintTouches]

From Andy Katz' Twitter:

"Pac-12 will not expand beyond 12."

[Marqus Howard]

From Andy Katz' Twitter:

"Pac-12 will not expand beyond 12."

Which leads me to believe that the Big 12 will not fall apart either, unfortunately.

[muhs03]

From Andy Katz' Twitter:

"Pac-12 will not expand beyond 12."

Interviewed pn ESPN moments ago:

-PAC stays put.
-aTm might now be allowed to leave to go to SEC
-Does SEC stay at 13 or add Mizzou?
-The BE has the option of adding ECU, UCF and the service academies.
-UConn may be saying they are committed to the BE but they want the ACC badly.

[Warriors10]

From Andy Katz' Twitter:

"Pac-12 will not expand beyond 12."

Let TAMU go to SEC
TCU or BYU goes to the Big 12
Missouri well I don't know...

[VegasWarrior77]

Right, because in this day and age where principal and historical significance rules over money, asking a major money player makes no sense.

To quote John McEnroe: "You cannot be serious!"

[GOO]

I'd rather see Memphis get an invite.  At least they bring some good hoops to replace Syracuse.
If the buy out isn't made 30K, how long before Rutgers and UConn look at leaving?

[Litehouse]

I'd rather see Memphis too, especially now that Calipari is gone.  Maybe bring in the service academies for football, that would definitely increase the likelihood of congressional inquiries if everything goes to hell.

I don't get the infatuation with UCF, but whatever, sunbelt markets, blah, blah, blah. But good God, just say no to ECU.

[brewcity77]

I'd rather see Memphis too, especially now that Calipari is gone.  Maybe bring in the service academies for football, that would definitely increase the likelihood of congressional inquiries if everything goes to hell.

I don't get the infatuation with UCF, but whatever, sunbelt markets, blah, blah, blah. But good God, just say no to ECU.

Fastest growing university in the nation, alumni base set to double in next 15-20 years, over 50,000 students, top-20 media market in rabid college football state, both Jordan boys playing hoops there, 3 bowl appearances last 4 years, UCF is a no-brainer.

Just look at where there athletics were 15 years ago and where they are now and it's ludicrous. Add in their insane growth and it becomes clear that it's not just a "good run". They're on the come.