Massachusetts on the sideline

[Dawson Rental]

I'm thinking that the Big East covered themselves for the loss of Louisville by already inviting East Carolina to join in football only.  Does anyone know why UMass got passed on?  Were objections by the basketball schools to the quality of their basketball team the problem?

[Groin_pull]

I'm thinking that the Big East covered themselves for the loss of Louisville by already inviting East Carolina to join in football only.  Does anyone know why UMass got passed on?  Were objections by the basketball schools to the quality of their basketball team the problem?

Compared to those powerhouse Tulane, SMU, and Central Florida hoops teams that were added?

[Tugg Speedman]

Compared to those powerhouse Tulane, SMU, and Central Florida hoops teams that were added?

Stop thinking about strength of teams, that does not matter.  It is about adding TV markets you do not have.  The Big East has the MA TV market thanks to Uconn.

Now if Uconn leaves, than Mass might be a good replacement.

[Groin_pull]

Stop thinking about strength of teams, that does not matter.  It is about adding TV markets you do not have.  The Big East has the MA TV market thanks to Uconn.

Now if Uconn leaves, than Mass might be a good replacement.

I get all that...I really do. Even if a tiny fraction of those TV sets will be tuned to the games. I guess ratings don't matter...it's all about adding content. I assume that's why baseball teams (which pull lousy ratings) are getting such huge local cable deals.

[ken8406]

Being from the Boston area, UMASS is barely on TV for basketball. BC is barely watched in basketball and football. UCONN's local coverage does not reach the Boston area unless the game is on ESPN. Sadly I believe the college hockey teams get more attention than the local football and basketball teams.

[slingkong]

Ken's right on.  BC gets football coverage in the Sunday sports section but no TV coverage, which is entirely dedicated to the pro teams.  Even the BC coverage isn't a whole lot more than what the local high schools get.  No one gets much coverage for basketball.  With both BU and BC being very good in hockey, that dominates the college sports programming and reporting.  Those teams played Saturday night and all TVs in the local yacht club were tuned to that with some occasional flipping to the SEC championship.

[unforgiven]

I'm thinking that the Big East covered themselves for the loss of Louisville by already inviting East Carolina to join in football only.  Does anyone know why UMass got passed on?  Were objections by the basketball schools to the quality of their basketball team the problem?

UMass aint crap. Shouldn't be part of any discussion.