ND for a single season?

[WarriorHal]

What special treatment?  You mean because they are a powerful national brand that everyone wants to play you define that as special treatment?

They are the only college team with their own major TV network -- NBC. That's pretty special. Letting them into the new conference for one year only -- that would be pretty special, too.

[ATWizJr]

No.

[LastWarrior]

An unequivocal HELLLLLLLLL NO!

[MUFlutieEffect]

"If unable to join the ACC in 2013-14, the Fighting Irish would consider spending one season in the Catholic 7 league before moving to the ACC in 2014, a source said."

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/9000502/catholic-7-schools-keep-big-east-name-new-league-next-season-according-sources

I, for one, would be furious if the "new" Big East allows ND to play for a single season before bolting for the ACC.  Seems eerily similar to using the C7 & Co. as a minor league system before being "called up" to the Majors.

Looks like Swabrick just took it to a whole new level:

"If the Catholic 7 is leaving and forming its own conference for next year, they could certainly call us to want to explore our options. And if they were interested in accommodating us, it would certainly be a viable option. We have a lot of respect for those schools and know them well."
-- Notre Dame AD Jack Swabrick

http://espn.go.com/college-sports/story/_/id/9003784/notre-dame-athletic-director-jack-swarbrick-open-joining-catholic-7-league-one-season

Definitely seems like a "if they beg us, we'll consider it" comment.

[keefe]

Looks like Swabrick just took it to a whole new level:

"If the Catholic 7 is leaving and forming its own conference for next year, they could certainly call us to want to explore our options. And if they were interested in accommodating us, it would certainly be a viable option. We have a lot of respect for those schools and know them well."
-- Notre Dame AD Jack Swabrick

http://espn.go.com/college-sports/story/_/id/9003784/notre-dame-athletic-director-jack-swarbrick-open-joining-catholic-7-league-one-season

Definitely seems like a "if they beg us, we'll consider it" comment.

Pretty awful statement from Swabrick. What is humorous is the discussion now about Manti Teo possibly being gay and his having used the phony GF as a smokescreen for his true sexual hungers. If that turns out to be true, Swabrick will look the fool.

[slingkong]

I'd welcome the opportunity to beat them again but only with the understanding that they will receive only a portion of the Fox money, if any at all. Similar to the earlier talk about X, Butler, et al. receiving less money until costs are recouped - but more severe since it's not a commitment.

[tower912]

I want long term stability, not a fling.   And ND can do the wooing.   

[MerrittsMustache]

The C7 should request that ND send Swarbrick and all of their big wigs to a meeting to make their case to join the C7...and the the C7 will reject them...on TV...during a live show...hosted by Digger Phelps.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

It's not about spite. It's about stability. The C-7 was formed because of the instability caused by teams bolting for more money.

You are partially right.

The Catholic 7 plan was put in motion because of other schools leaving... but at this point it has nothing to do with stability and everything to do with $.

If ND wants to come along for a year, I think you do it because you might be able to make a little extra $.

[hairy worthen]

You are partially right.

The Catholic 7 plan was put in motion because of other schools leaving... but at this point it has nothing to do with stability and everything to do with $.

If ND wants to come along for a year, I think you do it because you might be able to make a little extra $.

You ar correct, it will make more money for a year and to a lesser degree improve S.O.S. and logistics of scheduling as Another 84 mentioned.  Is that worth the negative of a team leaving after a year and the public preception of that?  I am guessing Fox would have a strong opinion on ND in or out for a year.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

You ar correct, it will make more money for a year and to a lesser degree improve S.O.S. and logistics of scheduling as Another 84 mentioned.  Is that worth the negative of a team leaving after a year and the public preception of that?  I am guessing Fox would have a strong opinion on ND in or out for a year.

Well, are we talking "public perception" or "message board perception"?

The general public wouldn't really know or care. We (message boarders) are basketball crazy, so we notice things like this.

Most people have no idea... and ESPN would rather talk Tebow, or NFL draft, or argue if "Joe Flacco is elite" than comment on the Catholic 7 + ND.

Take ND for the year. Take the $ and run.

[Eldon]

According to Jersey Guy, this is all a moot point

Forget the part about Notre Dame being part of the Catholic 7 for a year. A large segment of the  Catholic 7 group really doesn't want the Irish as a one and done participant

http://ajerseyguy.com/?p=5408

[frozena pizza]

If they want to be in the league and they get no special treatment or financial bonus, I'd be happy to take them for a year.  This league needs competitive, brand name programs and like them or not, Notre Dame is one of them.  Look at the crowd we had for the ND game - clearly the best of the year.  I'm worried we will not get turnouts like that in the new league.  Oh, and we always seem to crush them at home, on national TV.

[hairy worthen]

Well, are we talking "public perception" or "message board perception"?

The general public wouldn't really know or care. We (message boarders) are basketball crazy, so we notice things like this.

Most people have no idea... and ESPN would rather talk Tebow, or NFL draft, or argue if "Joe Flacco is elite" than comment on the Catholic 7 + ND.

Take ND for the year. Take the $ and run.

I disagree. There has been quite a bit of press about conference realignment. ESPN is frequently reporting on it and there is negative perception about how the Big East crumbled in front of our eyes.  Some big names have spoken out against it including, Coach K, and Boeheim just off the top of my head.

I actually think the message board geeks would be ok with it. It is the general public who only has bits and pieces of information that would see it negatively.  I just think it is time to move on, and start the new conference with schools that are committed for the long term. Apparently the C7 members agree.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

I disagree. There has been quite a bit of press about conference realignment. ESPN is frequently reporting on it and there is negative perception about how the Big East crumbled in front of our eyes.  Some big names have spoken out against it including, Coach K, and Boeheim just off the top of my head.

I actually think the message board geeks would be ok with it. It is the general public who only has bits and pieces of information that would see it negatively.  I just think it is time to move on, and start the new conference with schools that are committed for the long term. Apparently the C7 members agree.

I guess we'll agree to disagree.

I do think ESPN reports on it, but they also spent almost half of sportscenter talking about the COMBINE.

The average American is a moron and wants to hear about Te'o's 40 time. With all of the conference shuffling at this point, I don't think think people really notice anymore. It will be a 45 second report on sportscenter followed-up with a "Who is more NOW"? segment.

[hairy worthen]

I guess we'll agree to disagree.

I do think ESPN reports on it, but they also spent almost half of sportscenter talking about the COMBINE.

The average American is a moron and wants to hear about Te'o's 40 time. With all of the conference shuffling at this point, I don't think think people really notice anymore. It will be a 45 second report on sportscenter followed-up with a "Who is more NOW"? segment.

The crap on espn is a whole other topic. Yes the average american is a moron, but there are some average americans on this board, (you not included, perhaps myself)

[Tugg Speedman]

The crap on espn is a whole other topic. Yes the average american is a moron, but there are some average americans on this board, (you not included, perhaps myself)

The politically correct phrase is "low information" as in "low information voter."

[Dawson Rental]

The C7 should request that ND send Swarbrick and all of their big wigs to a meeting to make their case to join the C7...and the the C7 will reject them...on TV...during a live show...hosted by Digger Phelps.

And Phelps has to have a "MU gold" colored highlighter with a matching tie!

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

The crap on espn is a whole other topic. Yes the average american is a moron, but there are some average americans on this board, (you not included, perhaps myself)

I say "average" because most American's don't care about college basketball... at all. They might fill out a bracket in their office pool, but they have no idea what conference X team plays in.

We all care A LOT, and scour the internet for information. The average person doesn't see or hear 1/100 of what we all read and hear about hoops.

ESPN, the sports network, spends more time watching guys do the shuttle run than they do discussing ANYTHING about college hoops. That's not an accident. They are pandering to the average joe six pack.

Therefore, I don't think there would be any significant PR hit for taking ND for a year. The average American would have no idea, and the average sports fan would hardly notice.

IF ND was willing, I say take them, take the $, and RUN.

[Warriors10]

IF ND was willing, I say take them, take the $, and RUN.

What $?  There is nothing out there saying the C7 will get more money if ND is in the conference for a year?

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

What $?  There is nothing out there saying the C7 will get more money if ND is in the conference for a year?

Well, MU just sold out the other day against ND.

ND could potentially bring in more television $ and will certainly bring in a larger gate at each arena.

[Dawson Rental]

If they want to be in the league and they get no special treatment or financial bonus, I'd be happy to take them for a year.  This league needs competitive, brand name programs and like them or not, Notre Dame is one of them.  Look at the crowd we had for the ND game - clearly the best of the year.  I'm worried we will not get turnouts like that in the new league.  Oh, and we always seem to crush them at home, on national TV.

Then they luck out with the help of two senior guards, win the conference title, and leave while the league is adding two new teams.  And the headline reads: "New Big East sees same old problems."

Hell, they don't even have to win the conference title.  The average sport's writer or blogger is looking for a tag line to draw the eyeballs in, and doesn't really know all the ins and outs of conference realignment, so we'll see the headline anyway.