Basketball Only Schools

[Clam Crowder]

When is someone going to take the lead and just present this option? Adding awful teams like Tulane and ECU does nothing for us. We need to get out, and we need to focus on having good programs in the same boat as us come with us. Big East basketball only schools, Catholic basketball schools, we need to do this before we get left behind.

[Bocephys]

I'm sure it's been presented ad nauseam both by and to people much smarter than anyone on this board.  Let's not pretend that our AD isn't aware of and actively trying to fix the current situation of uncertainty that surrounds the Big East.  If we can have 20 different message board posts on it, I assure you it's been discussed at the highest levels.

[Aughnanure]

When ACC kills the BEAST with Ville, Cincy and UConn.

[Big Papi]

Do you honestly believe our admin is in the fetal position in the corner of some dark room muttering No MAS???

I think all options have been and are being discussed.  And at this point in time, they have determined Tulane and East Carolina are our best option.  My guess is the admin has way more information than any of us do as far as what other universities are wanting to do at this point in time.  If there is no interest in a Catholic basketball league by Georgetown, St. Johns, Providence, Xavier, etc. do you still want to be in a basketball only league???  If you do then hello Horizon League.  I am sure they would take us and we would have a whole hell of a lot of stability BUT that is probably not our best option at the moment.

We are not in the driver's seat and it looks like some more dominoes need to fall before Georgetown, St. Johns and some other "Catholic basketball schools" will feel the need to form a basketball only league.

[Clam Crowder]

I don't know what hope anyone could be clinging to at the point. It's over, the Big East doesn't stand a chance of coming out of this with a good group of basketball schools

[ErickJD08]

Do you honestly believe our admin is in the fetal position in the corner of some dark room muttering No MAS???

I think all options have been and are being discussed.  And at this point in time, they have determined Tulane and East Carolina are our best option.  My guess is the admin has way more information than any of us do as far as what other universities are wanting to do at this point in time.  If there is no interest in a Catholic basketball league by Georgetown, St. Johns, Providence, Xavier, etc. do you still want to be in a basketball only league???  If you do then hello Horizon League.  I am sure they would take us and we would have a whole hell of a lot of stability BUT that is probably not our best option at the moment.

We are not in the driver's seat and it looks like some more dominoes need to fall before Georgetown, St. Johns and some other "Catholic basketball schools" will feel the need to form a basketball only league.

I believe there is always an argument to say that the pros have a handle on this.  But from my experience in the business world, there are alot of 'Yes' men in the business world and I think you need a true leader to really rally the schools together.  There is really a great amount of instability for basketball only schools and staying in the Big East (where most of the successful basketball only schools reside) does them really no good.  Sitting idle while schools get picked off or letting the conference just turn into crap does no good for us (the basketball only schools).  The Big East is making football decisions to try and keep football in the conference while we sit back and watch.  

There is definitely the mindset of "Let's sit back and see where the pieces fall, and then figure this out."  This strategy would be beneficial a couple of lucky schools and detrimental for most of the others.  I believe if the schools can rally together while they still have very solid respectible, high-revenue programs, they can develop a strong conference that can carry power in basketball decisions.  

Ultimately, everything comes down to money.  And schools like us, Georgetown, Nova, etc have alot of power money RELATIVE TO BASKETBALL (I know its nothing to football).  Just my thought.  I am in the boat that we need some leaders to step up and make some bold moves.

[Aughnanure]

I believe there is always an argument to say that the pros have a handle on this.  But from my experience in the business world, there are alot of 'Yes' men in the business world and I think you need a true leader to really rally the schools together.  There is really a great amount of instability for basketball only schools and staying in the Big East (where most of the successful basketball only schools reside) does them really no good.  Sitting idle while schools get picked off or letting the conference just turn into crap does no good for us (the basketball only schools).  The Big East is making football decisions to try and keep football in the conference while we sit back and watch.  

There is definitely the mindset of "Let's sit back and see where the pieces fall, and then figure this out."  This strategy would be beneficial a couple of lucky schools and detrimental for most of the others.  I believe if the schools can rally together while they still have very solid respectible, high-revenue programs, they can develop a strong conference that can carry power in basketball decisions.  

Ultimately, everything comes down to money.  And schools like us, Georgetown, Nova, etc have alot of power money RELATIVE TO BASKETBALL (I know its nothing to football).  Just my thought.  I am in the boat that we need some leaders to step up and make some bold moves.

Seems most media members, like Gottlieb, Bilas, etc, want us to create a national basketball conference. We just need ESPN, or Fox, or NBC to want it as well. I don't buy that such a conference would be forgotten, or treated like a mid-major - I think there's a oddity that would make such a basketball-focused conference a unique spectacle in the college game that it could pull it's financial weight.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

I believe there is always an argument to say that the pros have a handle on this.  But from my experience in the business world, there are alot of 'Yes' men in the business world and I think you need a true leader to really rally the schools together.  There is really a great amount of instability for basketball only schools and staying in the Big East (where most of the successful basketball only schools reside) does them really no good.  Sitting idle while schools get picked off or letting the conference just turn into crap does no good for us (the basketball only schools).  The Big East is making football decisions to try and keep football in the conference while we sit back and watch.  

There is definitely the mindset of "Let's sit back and see where the pieces fall, and then figure this out."  This strategy would be beneficial a couple of lucky schools and detrimental for most of the others.  I believe if the schools can rally together while they still have very solid respectible, high-revenue programs, they can develop a strong conference that can carry power in basketball decisions.  

Ultimately, everything comes down to money.  And schools like us, Georgetown, Nova, etc have alot of power money RELATIVE TO BASKETBALL (I know its nothing to football).  Just my thought.  I am in the boat that we need some leaders to step up and make some bold moves.

In business, it's always best to hope for the best but plan for the worst.

I have to assume that the attractive athletic programs are already talking to one another about how/where they are going to go.

Now, will those plans/relationships hold up? I don't know.

[Tugg Speedman]

One of the big stumbling blocks is the name of the basketball only conference.

Sure the Catholic basketball schools could leave.  But if they do not take the Big East name, that new conference (The National Catholic Conference?) would be greatly diminished in the casual viewers eyes.  And yes, practically everyone is a casual viewer.

[ErickJD08]

Seems most media members, like Gottlieb, Bilas, etc, want us to create a national basketball conference. We just need ESPN, or Fox, or NBC to want it as well. I don't buy that such a conference would be forgotten, or treated like a mid-major - I think there's a oddity that would make such a basketball-focused conference a unique spectacle in the college game that it could pull it's financial weight.

Totally agree.  I think if we pool our revenues and fanbases up, someone is going to want a piece of it.  I, too, think it would be a cool conference to watch.

[Aughnanure]

One of the big stumbling blocks is the name of the basketball only conference.

Sure the Catholic basketball schools could leave.  But if they do not take the Big East name, that new conference (The National Catholic Conference?) would be greatly diminished in the casual viewers eyes.  And yes, practically everyone is a casual viewer.

At this point, I don't care. I just want to be in a conference that makes sense. if naming it NBC gets NBC to pay us $1-2 million a year, I'm down.

How good is that Big East name now, are we running it through the mud too much? I do agree though, I would prefer to keep the name and the tourney at MSG.

[Dawson Rental]

When is someone going to take the lead and just present this option? Adding awful teams like Tulane and ECU does nothing for us. We need to get out, and we need to focus on having good programs in the same boat as us come with us. Big East basketball only schools, Catholic basketball schools, we need to do this before we get left behind.

Probably not until people stop starting new threads on essentially this same topic.

[GGGG]

Seems most media members, like Gottlieb, Bilas, etc, want us to create a national basketball conference. We just need ESPN, or Fox, or NBC to want it as well. I don't buy that such a conference would be forgotten, or treated like a mid-major - I think there's a oddity that would make such a basketball-focused conference a unique spectacle in the college game that it could pull it's financial weight.

Correct.  And don't think that this option hasn't been explored.  They need to figure out how to make the divorce happen with tourney credits and buyouts...and then figure out if it is worth the price vis a vis a new television contract. 

I don't interpret the lack of aggressive action with a lack of exploring all options.  It just might be that none of the options are very good....yet.

[Tugg Speedman]

At this point, I don't care. I just want to be in a conference that makes sense. if naming it NBC gets NBC to pay us $1-2 million a year, I'm down.

How good is that Big East name now, are we running it through the mud too much? I do agree though, I would prefer to keep the name and the tourney at MSG.

Conference names matters.  Otherwise the B10 should rename itself the B13 (or whatever the number is this week).  It doesn't change its name because it has value.

The BE name has value, a lot.

[MU82]

Oh good, another thread to address this topic for the gazillionth time!

[79Warrior]

I don't know what hope anyone could be clinging to at the point. It's over, the Big East doesn't stand a chance of coming out of this with a good group of basketball schools

Lots of money at stake with the fees paid by departing schools.

[honkytonk]

With massively escalating tv deals, we will always be behind the football schools. For athletic departments that wont emphasize football and choose basketball instead (like UConn, Duke, UNC, Cuse) we will be WAY behind. They have their alums like Dick Strong, too. In fact, they prob have several. Otherwise, their endowments wouldnt be more than double MU's.

[Litehouse]

Assuming UofL, Cincy and UConn leave, we should split it into the two eventual divisions:

North - Marquette, DePaul, Georgetown, Villanova, Providence, St. Johns, Seton Hall
South - Memphis, Temple, UCF, USF, SMU, Houston, Tulane

We could set it up contractually so everyone keeps their NCAA units within their divisions going forward.   We could all stay together for a few more years to ride out one more TV contract and collect the money from the exit fees and left-over NCAA units, like a divorced couple staying together for the kids.  Maybe start to bring in other schools like Xavier or Dayton to set things up for the future.

[downtown85]

This may sound crazy or off-the-wall but what about attempting something like the Premier League (Soccer) in the Britain by having an elite Basketball conference of like 20 teams (or two sub- conferences of 12 teams each) The key would be to have the two worst teams of the relegated (kicked out) each year. Two highly-ranked winning teams from all the other conferences would be selected at the end of the season to replace to two relegated teams.  Each school can stay in whatever conference they like for other sports but if they performed extremely well in basketball, they could be picked to be admitted to the basketball super conference.  Once the relegated teams get kicked out, they would go back to their regular conference.  

I think this would make the regular season really exciting both because there would be so much more to play for than just the NCAA tournament. (I would want to keep the tournament as well of course).  

Some of the teams I could see participating in the conference to start with would be:

Gonzaga
Georgetown
MU
VCU
Xavier
UNLV
Cincy
Memphis
Temple
Villanova
Butler
Creighton
Wichita St.
San Diego St.
St Johns
Louisville
St Marys
New Mexico
BYU

[honkytonk]

Assuming UofL, Cincy and UConn leave, we should split it into the two eventual divisions:

North - Marquette, DePaul, Georgetown, Villanova, Providence, St. Johns, Seton Hall
South - Memphis, Temple, UCF, USF, SMU, Houston, Tulane

We could set it up contractually so everyone keeps their NCAA units within their divisions going forward.   We could all stay together for a few more years to ride out one more TV contract and collect the money from the exit fees and left-over NCAA units, like a divorced couple staying together for the kids.  Maybe start to bring in other schools like Xavier or Dayton to set things up for the future.

7 football schools? LOL.

[Tums Festival]

The prevailing opinion on the Georgetown fan forum is the ACC in vulnerable to more defections to the Big Ten and SEC and that the Big East BB schools are in a good place for the moment. What options do we really have? The Big East is still one of the 6 major conferences basketball-wise and to do anything rash until more dust settles could be the worst of all evils.

http://hoyatalk2.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=24720

[john31]

What about a new B-ball only conference, you could call it the Big East/West and include teams from the West Coast(Gonzaga, Wichita St.,Creighton, etc..). Twenty or so teams total, maybe switch the divisions around every couple of years to keep things interesting. Have an excellent Conference Tournament that could alternate between NYC and LA.

[LloydMooresLegs]

This may sound crazy or off-the-wall but what about attempting something like the Premier League (Soccer) in the Britain by having an elite Basketball conference of like 20 teams (or two sub- conferences of 12 teams each) The key would be to have the two worst teams of the relegated (kicked out) each year. Two highly-ranked winning teams from all the other conferences would be selected at the end of the season to replace to two relegated teams.  Each school can stay in whatever conference they like for other sports but if they performed extremely well in basketball, they could be picked to be admitted to the basketball super conference.  Once the relegated teams get kicked out, they would go back to their regular conference.  

I think this would make the regular season really exciting both because there would be so much more to play for than just the NCAA tournament. (I would want to keep the tournament as well of course).  

Some of the teams I could see participating in the conference to start with would be:

Gonzaga
Georgetown
MU
VCU
Xavier
UNLV
Cincy
Memphis
Temple
Villanova
Butler
Creighton
Wichita St.
San Diego St.
St Johns
Louisville
St Marys
New Mexico
BYU

I LOVE THE CREATIVITY

[Litehouse]

7 football schools? LOL.

They have ECU to join them as football only to make 8. We're only talking basketball here. What's your problem?

[JTBMU7]

I think the hoops schools from the big east should approach the A10 about membership. They have a tourney in Brooklyn, multiple NCAA tournament programs, and could easily expand. Right now they have 16, add MU, GTown, St Johns, PC, Dpaul, SHU and Nova, then look for one more (SLU?) and have a true hoops conf. Scheduleng would be nuts but everyone will have 20 teams at some point. I think that could fetch some decent cash just on inventory of games alone. Not to memtion none of those schools have a viable football program that could threaten to leave anytime soon. Wishful thinking but this would be the best case IMHO at this point.

[Tugg Speedman]

This may sound crazy or off-the-wall but what about attempting something like the Premier League (Soccer) in the Britain by having an elite Basketball conference of like 20 teams (or two sub- conferences of 12 teams each) The key would be to have the two worst teams of the relegated (kicked out) each year. Two highly-ranked winning teams from all the other conferences would be selected at the end of the season to replace to two relegated teams.  Each school can stay in whatever conference they like for other sports but if they performed extremely well in basketball, they could be picked to be admitted to the basketball super conference.  Once the relegated teams get kicked out, they would go back to their regular conference.  

I think this would make the regular season really exciting both because there would be so much more to play for than just the NCAA tournament. (I would want to keep the tournament as well of course).  

Some of the teams I could see participating in the conference to start with would be:

Gonzaga
Georgetown
MU
VCU
Xavier
UNLV
Cincy
Memphis
Temple
Villanova
Butler
Creighton
Wichita St.
San Diego St.
St Johns
Louisville
St Marys
New Mexico
BYU

Relegation would never work in college sports (or in American professional sports).  Getting relegated to the second division is akin to a death sentence.  Donations dry up, the coach leaves and the AD gets fired.

Sure that all these things happen of you go bad anyway, but at least you're still in a big conference (league) which you can use to rebuild.  In a relegated situation you essentially become a mid-major (minor league) on top of going bad.  Look at the history of the EPL, relegated teams go away for a long time.

Besides look at the EPL in general, the economics are horrible and three teams have been champion in every season since it was created in 1992 but two (Man U 12 times, Chelsea 3 times, Arsenal 3 times, Blackburn in 1995 and Man City this year).

It is the most top heavy uncompetitive league in the world.  Not a good model to repeat.

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

The prevailing opinion on the Georgetown fan forum is the ACC in vulnerable to more defections to the Big Ten and SEC and that the Big East BB schools are in a good place for the moment. What options do we really have? The Big East is still one of the 6 major conferences basketball-wise and to do anything rash until more dust settles could be the worst of all evils.

http://hoyatalk2.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=24720

And in Scoop like fashion they celebrated getting to 100 pages on a thread!

[honkytonk]

They have ECU to join them as football only to make 8. We're only talking basketball here. What's your problem?

You kinda, sorta left that out of your original post.

Otherwise, love the idea. An 8 team football conference would be super awesome (didnt the BE already experiment with that?). 7 conference games. No conference championship. And then teams have to find FIVE buy games. That should be easy to do on an annual basis...especially for teams striving to strengthen their schedule so they can be included in a 4 team playoff....

[Litehouse]

You kinda, sorta left that out of your original post.

Otherwise, love the idea. An 8 team football conference would be super awesome (didnt the BE already experiment with that?). 7 conference games. No conference championship. And then teams have to find FIVE buy games. That should be easy to do on an annual basis...especially for teams striving to strengthen their schedule so they can be included in a 4 team playoff....

That would be great, since the best possible scenario would be to drive away all these weak football schools so we could be done with this crap.

[Blackhat]

Not the best time to have a couple of minor leaguers running things during this critical time at least for our athletic welfare.

They can barely keep from messing up relations with our own star coach.

[TJ]

In a perfect world, Big 12 or ACC - or even SEC - would be interested in adding non-football members and invite us.  Hitch your wagon to Georgetown and Villanova and hope for a miracle.  It's not likely, but its the best possible outcome, so hold out until it is impossible.  At that point a basketball only league might be the best (only) choice - that or asking the A10 to join. 

[MU86NC]

Not the best time to have a couple of minor leaguers running things during this critical time at least for our athletic welfare.

They can barely keep from messing up relations with our own star coach.

i think your stone cold wrong.... we need to stay very connected to ND and GT....

[Blackhat]

ND?   We aren't close to seeing them (ever) again.

They left us in the dust and I'm more worried about Pilarz and LW destroying MU b ball let alone doing something positive for MU athletics on a grand scale.

[Les Nessman]

I'm still unclear why "hitching our wagon to Georgetown or any other school" would benefit us or them? To be honest, I don't think I even understand what that phrase means or entails. Would we go in saying to another conference "it's the both of us or neither of us" ? Aren't we in the exact same position as them? It seems it would be easier to find a home for one homeless child than it would be for twin homeless children?

[TJ]

I'm still unclear why "hitching our wagon to Georgetown or any other school" would benefit us or them? To be honest, I don't think I even understand what that phrase means or entails. Would we go in saying to another conference "it's the both of us or neither of us" ? Aren't we in the exact same position as them? It seems it would be easier to find a home for one homeless child than it would be for twin homeless children?

Those two schools have a higher profile than ours, especially Georgetown.  So if anyone is getting a spot as a basketball-only member of a top league it will probably be them.  Rather than try to go it alone and hope that someone's happy to take their 3rd or 4th choice, maybe try to get a larger deal like that one that got us into the Big East in the first place.  Where we hitched our wagon to the other schools...

However, it's a different world now and it seems that the only rule is every school for itself.  So that idea is probably pointless anyway.

I still say that priority #1 should be trying to get into one of the top 5 conferences as a non-football member.  Big 12 might be the best shot, but I'd take any of them.  Hope that one of them thinks the Big East was on to something with an 18 team bball league.

Failing that, do your best to join or form the best basketball league that you can.  If this goes much further the A10 is going to be better than the Big East in most ways.

[honkytonk]

Those two schools have a higher profile than ours, especially Georgetown.  So if anyone is getting a spot as a basketball-only member of a top league it will probably be them.  Rather than try to go it alone and hope that someone's happy to take their 3rd or 4th choice, maybe try to get a larger deal like that one that got us into the Big East in the first place.  Where we hitched our wagon to the other schools...

However, it's a different world now and it seems that the only rule is every school for itself.  So that idea is probably pointless anyway.

I still say that priority #1 should be trying to get into one of the top 5 conferences as a non-football member.  Big 12 might be the best shot, but I'd take any of them.  Hope that one of them thinks the Big East was on to something with an 18 team bball league.

Failing that, do your best to join or form the best basketball league that you can.  If this goes much further the A10 is going to be better than the Big East in most ways.

Priority No. 1? So if they say no, then what is priority No.2?

[77ncaachamps]

If the big east goes basketball only, it should mirror the WCC.

But FB is the fracking cash cow...and it's MEDIOCRE FB tats really ruining the conferences.

Who gives a flying zip if big state college with a .600 record is going to the Trojan Condom Explosion Bowl in Las Vegas?!?!

Stupid...stupid...college FB!!! And them greedy turds!

The WU was right: C.R.E.A.M.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

Not the best time to have a couple of minor leaguers running things during this critical time at least for our athletic welfare.

They can barely keep from messing up relations with our own star coach.

Stop.

Cottingham was no more equipped than LW. Not many AD's have been through conference realignment, much less on this type of scale.

[Blackhat]

C-ham helped set up our contract with the BE in the beginning when we were moving on the right track.   

 The current predicament may not be avoidable but I'd be much more comfortable with having someone who built up (or maintained) much of our athletic success running the show.  He had also been able to form relationships within the conference which take time.   Current guy can't even get along with Buzz.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

C-ham helped set up our contract with the BE in the beginning when we were moving on the right track.   

 The current predicament may not be avoidable but I'd be much more comfortable with having someone who built up (or maintained) much of our athletic success running the show.  He had also been able to form relationships within the conference which take time.   Current guy can't even get along with Buzz.

MU has had historical athletic success in several sports under LW, so I think we can be comfortable with him "maintaining athletic success" so far, right? I mean, what does the guy have to do to make you more comfortable that he can maintain athletic success?

As far as relationship building, that is a valid point. However, MU's current President has strong ties to our most important ally, Georgetown, so we can at least be confident in that.

LW and BW relationship stuff is what it is. We've all heard and read the rumors. I don't know that it needs to be rehashed when we talk about conf. realignment.

[Tugg Speedman]

Those two schools have a higher profile than ours, especially Georgetown.  So if anyone is getting a spot as a basketball-only member of a top league it will probably be them.  Rather than try to go it alone and hope that someone's happy to take their 3rd or 4th choice, maybe try to get a larger deal like that one that got us into the Big East in the first place.  Where we hitched our wagon to the other schools...

They don't have a higher profile per say.  They play in a larger TV market that gives them a higher profile.

Their are only a handful of schools that transcend their TV market ... ND, Texas, Duke and maybe a few others.  The rest are hostage to their TV market.

And because Depaul is in Chicago, the third largest TV market, they are a big deal.

[ChicosBailBonds]

C-ham helped set up our contract with the BE in the beginning when we were moving on the right track.   

 The current predicament may not be avoidable but I'd be much more comfortable with having someone who built up (or maintained) much of our athletic success running the show.  He had also been able to form relationships within the conference which take time.   Current guy can't even get along with Buzz.

You are overselling the relationship angle with the former AD in a big way.  He was a reserved AD, not at the forefront of those changes.  Very smart guy, but hardly the one setting the strategy.  Setting up the contract was a boiler plate situation that every new member went through.  Sure, you fight for the margins on the impacts to your institution, but largely you took what they gave you or risked not granted membership.

The current guy demands a bit accountability and isn't a rubber stamp.

[Benny B]

You are overselling the relationship angle with the former AD in a big way.  He was a reserved AD, not at the forefront of those changes.  Very smart guy, but hardly the one setting the strategy.  Setting up the contract was a boiler plate situation that every new member went through.  Sure, you fight for the margins on the impacts to your institution, but largely you took what they gave you or risked not granted membership.

The current guy demands a bit accountability and isn't a rubber stamp.

Yep.  For Christ's sake, LW pulled a couple strings and got the team predicted to finish 7th in the Big East this year a chance to play on a carrier vs. the #4 team in the country.  Granted the game was never played, but how many blue bloods would have clamored for the opportunity to play on a ship - in South Carolina, no less - against Ohio State after UCONN pulled out.

The guy isn't the second coming, but you need to have a little faith in the leadership.  At least give LW a chance to screw the pooch before you start calling him minor league.

[TJ]

Priority No. 1? So if they say no, then what is priority No.2?

National Basketball Conference I guess.  But until there is no longer a chance that you could be part of a major conference, why close that door by creating a new 2nd tier conference?

(I did say that in the last paragraph of my post, by the way.  "Failing that...")

[TJ]

They don't have a higher profile per say.  They play in a larger TV market that gives them a higher profile.

Their are only a handful of schools that transcend their TV market ... ND, Texas, Duke and maybe a few others.  The rest are hostage to their TV market.

And because Depaul is in Chicago, the third largest TV market, they are a big deal.

So what you're saying is... they have a higher profile.  Unless you plan to move the campus to Chicago anytime soon, we're going to be behind Georgetown, Villanova, and even DePaul.  I'm not sure if DePaul actually brings the Chicago market that effectively, but that's for TV executives to worry about.

[TJ]

Priority No. 1? So if they say no, then what is priority No.2?

By the way, do you disagree?  What do you think the best move for MU would be?  If MU were offered a spot in the Big 12 tomorrow, do you think they should take it?  ACC?  Why not try to work toward that if there's even a slight chance it could happen?

[Hards Alumni]

By the way, do you disagree?  What do you think the best move for MU would be?  If MU were offered a spot in the Big 12 tomorrow, do you think they should take it?  ACC?  Why not try to work toward that if there's even a slight chance it could happen?

What he is getting at is that would be priority #1.  But it isn't going to happen.  We need to have priority #2 ready to go.

[Blackhat]

MU has had historical athletic success in several sports under LW, so I think we can be comfortable with him "maintaining athletic success" so far, right? I mean, what does the guy have to do to make you more comfortable that he can maintain athletic success?

As far as relationship building, that is a valid point. However, MU's current President has strong ties to our most important ally, Georgetown, so we can at least be confident in that.

LW and BW relationship stuff is what it is. We've all heard and read the rumors. I don't know that it needs to be rehashed when we talk about conf. realignment.

Correct hiring decisions was meant by "sustaining success", I should have clarified.  A monkey could have been hired and reaped the benefits of the Cord/C-Ham current coach's success.  Larry may soon get his chance to hire a coach if he can't find a way to get along with Buzz.  

Mediocre AD's aren't hard to find, another Buzz type coach is, well....with our increased stature in our brand new powerhouse conference it could be easy.

[M@RQUETTEW@RRIORS]

By the way, do you disagree?  What do you think the best move for MU would be?  If MU were offered a spot in the Big 12 tomorrow, do you think they should take it?  ACC?  Why not try to work toward that if there's even a slight chance it could happen?

You dont wait because there is a very small window up until Temple becomes a member that the BBall only schools hold the cards with the voting power to do what they want.  They can do things to keep the BE name and force the hand of the football schools.  But the time is now or never...

[StillAWarrior]

But until there is no longer a chance that you could be part of a major conference...

I think that many of us on this board think that that day has come.  And, the sooner that MU recognizes that and moves toward a strong basketball dominated conference, the better.

And, for what it's worth, I don't think LW and the administration are idiots.  I believe that they're probably working hard to make sure MU ends up in a good place.  I hope I'm right.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

Larry may soon get his chance to hire a coach if he can't find a way to get along with Buzz.  

Mediocre AD's aren't hard to find, another Buzz type coach is, well....with our increased stature in our brand new powerhouse conference it could be easy.

What is the wide world of sports does this have to do with LW's abilities to help MU in the conference realignment?

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

What is the wide world of sports does this have to do with LW's abilities to help MU in the conference realignment?

I love it when a Blazing Saddles reference is used.

[GGGG]

What is the wide world of sports does this have to do with LW's abilities to help MU in the conference realignment?

Shhhh....he's furthering his own narrative.

[ChicosBailBonds]

I love it when a Blazing Saddles reference is used.

+1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gj9uEeuDtQ

[ringout]

I love it when a Blazing Saddles reference is used.

We are lucky Blazing Saddles was made in 1974

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

We are lucky Blazing Saddles was made in 1974

Agree.  My friend and I had a discussion recently that this movie could never be made in 2012. 

[Benny B]

Agree.  My friend and I had a discussion recently that this movie could never be made in 2012. 

They could have, as long as they wrapped principal photography by October 10th.

[Pakuni]

Agree.  My friend and I had a discussion recently that this movie could never be made in 2012. 

Mel Brooks agrees.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/mel-brooks-blazing-saddles-couldnt-391362

[ringout]

Agree.  My friend and I had a discussion recently that this movie could never be made in 2012. 

The funny thing is, the movie rips racists to shreds. Most cannot get by the methods that Brooks used to do this.

[Benny B]

Most cannot get by the methods that Brooks used to do this.

Especially the Method-ists.  hahaha

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

The funny thing is, the movie rips racists to shreds. Most cannot get by the methods that Brooks used to do this.

I agree!

[TJ]

I think that many of us on this board think that that day has come.  And, the sooner that MU recognizes that and moves toward a strong basketball dominated conference, the better.

And, for what it's worth, I don't think LW and the administration are idiots.  I believe that they're probably working hard to make sure MU ends up in a good place.  I hope I'm right.

I believe you're right.  It may or may not work out in the end, but I firmly believe they are working hard toward that end.