Vote to Separate Could Be "Imminent" | Notre Dame Inclusion Still A Possibility

[Aughnanure]

DePaul among 7 Catholic schools set for Big East exodus

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/16971737-419/depaul-among-7-catholic-schools-set-for-big-east-exodus.html

"No decision was made after the meeting, but sources indicate a vote by the university presidents to separate could be imminent."

[Aughnanure]

AND THIS

"There is the possibility the Fighting Irish might yet opt to remain aligned with the dissenting Big East Catholic members since Notre Dame's conference affiliation is only for its non-football sports. Its football program remains independent."

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

AND THIS

"There is the possibility the Fighting Irish might yet opt to remain aligned with the dissenting Big East Catholic members since Notre Dame's conference affiliation is only for its non-football sports. Its football program remains independent."

WOW. That would be amazing.

Naturally, I'll give all of the credit to LW.

[Dr. Blackheart]

And this  

http://www.muscoop.com/index.php?topic=34799.0

[Aughnanure]

And this  

http://www.muscoop.com/index.php?topic=34799.0

Dammit Blackheart, Stop sabotaging me! 

My headline is better anyways. I assumed it was another thread about LW's quote that Ners made everyone freak out about.

[chapman]

Exciting news.  I like that they're getting serious enough to act.  And yes, if ND wants in you obviously take them.  Maybe their football success this year has made them think twice about to commitment to schedule five ACC teams that could actually lower their SOS from what it's been?

[drewm88]

While it's not as important (to me) as the BE name, outstanding tournament $, and MSG, Notre Dame could be team #8 that allows for an autobid right away if we were to form a new conference.

[MU82]

ND coming along sounds too good to be true, so it probably is.

Ah ... to dream!

[Skatastrophy]

ND coming along sounds too good to be true, so it probably is.

Ah ... to dream!

I agree 100%.

[Ellenson Guerrero]

ND coming along sounds too good to be true, so it probably is.

Ah ... to dream!

Screw ND. I wouldn't let them back in if we formed a catholic league. I would love to see the university that loves to call itself "America's catholic university" to be left out in the cold of a potential "Catholic League".

[Pakuni]

Screw ND. I wouldn't let them back in if we formed a catholic league. I would love to see the university that loves to call itself "America's catholic university" to be left out in the cold of a potential "Catholic League".

Your face is very upset about what you did with your nose there.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Screw ND. I wouldn't let them back in if we formed a catholic league. I would love to see the university that loves to call itself "America's catholic university" to be left out in the cold of a potential "Catholic League".

Teal?

A Notre Dame admission would be fantastic.  They're back and many people don't like that, but they are back.  Football playing for the national title, they just landed the #2 QB in high school earlier this week, their other sports are doing extremely well.  National following, big money...I would bend over backwards to get ND into the conference and wouldn't feel one bit guilty about doing it.  Any time you can be associated with Notre Dame is a GREAT THING, whether we want to admit it or not.

[🏀]

Teal?

A Notre Dame admission would be fantastic.  They're back and many people don't like that, but they are back.  Football playing for the national title, they just landed the #2 QB in high school earlier this week, their other sports are doing extremely well.  National following, big money...I would bend over backwards to get ND into the conference and wouldn't feel one bit guilty about doing it.  Any time you can be associated with Notre Dame is a GREAT THING, whether we want to admit it or not.

Yep. Love to hate them, but would love to have them.

Wouldn't want to waste a high-major OOC home-and-home with them either then.

[Ellenson Guerrero]

Teal?

A Notre Dame admission would be fantastic.  They're back and many people don't like that, but they are back.  Football playing for the national title, they just landed the #2 QB in high school earlier this week, their other sports are doing extremely well.  National following, big money...I would bend over backwards to get ND into the conference and wouldn't feel one bit guilty about doing it.  Any time you can be associated with Notre Dame is a GREAT THING, whether we want to admit it or not.

I didn't say it would be an economically wise thing to do for the new league, I just said I wouldn't let them in. My personal utility in excluding them would exceed whatever benefits they may offer.

[Goose]

Would be beyond shocked to see ND follow us into this league. If they wanted to it is no brainier, the answer is YES!

[TallTitan34]

Son of a bitch. I'd love to spite ND and leave them out but you have to take them.

[AZWarrior]

Screw ND. I wouldn't let them back in if we formed a catholic league. I would love to see the university that loves to call itself "America's catholic university" to be left out in the cold of a potential "Catholic League".

Hmmmm......That's not very "Christian" of you.   

Then again, screw em!

Although it would be good for the conference to have them.

Oh, but then again, it's Notre F-ing Dame.  Screw em.

[Blackhat]

You fellas are like Lloyd Christmas with blue tinted glasses on if you think ND would join up.   They'd rather be in the Big 12/Pac 16.

[Ellenson Guerrero]

Hmmmm......That's not very "Christian" of you.   

Then again, screw em!

Although it would be good for the conference to have them.

Oh, but then again, it's Notre F-ing Dame.  Screw em.

These are college athletic conferences. Its not like we have some religious obligation to allow ND to jump ship only to turn the other cheek and allow them to realign with us with no repercussions. My schadenfreude for ND in college athletics is not top on my list of concerns when I go to meet my maker.

[Lennys Tap]

If ND is willin' you take em in a heartbeat, but I'm close to certain they'd much rather hobnob with the Dukes of the world than  the likes of little old MU.

[MUBasketball]

Not to be a debby downer....but why exactly would Notre Dame renege on their ACC move to join a new non-football conference? Just because a bunch of the schools will be Catholic? Wouldn't an amazing basketball conference (and other sports too, I assume) be preferred to this potential non-football Big East?

Not that money matters to ND, but wouldn't they be subjected to a $50 million fee cancel on the ACC? (Perhaps not as much since they aren't officially members yet, but certainly a large fee regardless).

[JTBMU7]

i think one of their motivations to stay with the C7 schools is to keep all their non-football in the same place, including hoops. it can't be easy to change over scheduling on all those teams. not to mention they wouldnt owe a buy out or be seen as traitors(though we would all know better). Football could still keep it's 5-game deal with the ACC, if it wanted.

the bigger question is, once the B12, SEC and B1G get done raiding the ACC of UNC, Virginia, VT, GT, FSU and Clemson, is ND still going to want to be alligned with the leftovers?

[brewcity77]

Not to be a debby downer....but why exactly would Notre Dame renege on their ACC move to join a new non-football conference? Just because a bunch of the schools will be Catholic? Wouldn't an amazing basketball conference (and other sports too, I assume) be preferred to this potential non-football Big East?

Not that money matters to ND, but wouldn't they be subjected to a $50 million fee cancel on the ACC? (Perhaps not as much since they aren't officially members yet, but certainly a large fee regardless).

When I saw that in the article, I thought it was probably mostly pie in the sky. The only way I could see it is if Jack Swarbrick knows more about the conference re-alignment situation than we do.

Maybe he knows that UNC and Georgia Tech are on the verge of bolting for the B1G. Maybe he knows that adding Louisville wasn't enough to appease FSU and they're headed to the Big 12 with Clemson in tow. Maybe he knows that the SEC doesn't want to be the last to get to 16 and is ready to take NC State and Virginia. Again, who knows...certainly not me. But if they fear that the ACC they just joined is going to be less stable than a new basketball-centric Big East, it might be worthwhile for them to keep their Olympic sports and basketball here.

And of course, right now, this precise moment, is the one where ND might waver on that ACC commitment. Because right now, they have proven they can be a national contender as an independent. They don't NEED the ACC in football. They can keep their old rivalries and play who they want and still go to the BCS title game. Now in a few weeks, after 'Bama's given them the beatdown of a generation, they may change their tune. But at this moment? Well...it certainly doesn't hurt to let them know that if they do want in, they can come. Just don't be too public about it so you aren't embarrassed when they inevitably say no.

[nathanziarek]

Not to be a debby downer....but why exactly would Notre Dame renege on their ACC move to join a new non-football conference?

I'd say the only real reason is that this new Big East wouldn't ever pressure them to join up their football. It would offer some stability that even parking their basketball in a strong conference doesn't give them.

Still, think it's probably a pipe dream.

[brewcity77]

I'd say the only real reason is that this new Big East wouldn't ever pressure them to join up their football. It would offer some stability that even parking their basketball in a strong conference doesn't give them.

Agreed. What are their alternatives? They can form a football league with their new buddies, though in basketball they'll need severe beer goggles to convince themselves Tulane, Houston, and SMU are anything other than homely she-males. They could join up with C-USA, or park their football in the MAC and basketball in the A-10, but how is that a step up in any regard?

Honestly, aside from getting an invite to the ACC or better, I don't see any way that UConn, Cincy, Temple, and Memphis will get a better option than parking their football somewhere else and playing in a true big boy league for their other sports.