Big East Conference

[mu35577]

I know with the season in full swing this has been put on the backburner, but has anyone heard about the possibility of adding 2 more teams this offseason. I know initially that was the plan, with St. Louis, Dayton, Richmond etc.. all possibilities, but I remember hearing something in October that moving to 12 wasn't a for sure thing. Just wondering if anyone has any updates or when we could expect talks to pick up. Maybe this is something for the summer, I don't know.

[CreightonWarrior]

I know with the season in full swing this has been put on the backburner, but has anyone heard about the possibility of adding 2 more teams this offseason. I know initially that was the plan, with St. Louis, Dayton, Richmond etc.. all possibilities, but I remember hearing something in October that moving to 12 wasn't a for sure thing. Just wondering if anyone has any updates or when we could expect talks to pick up. Maybe this is something for the summer, I don't know.

I don't think it has been ruled out but the understanding I have is that it has been tabled for at least a couple years.

[MU82]

Makes sense to establish what we have for a year or three before adding more. I hope that's how the powers-to-be are thinking, too.

[Coleman]

I think SLU is in no matter what, but I'd like to see if they have staying power in the post-Majerus era. So far its looking good.

What do people think about UMASS? I know its a state school, but they are having a hell of a year, and it adds another east coast team. Also a decent amount of history and tradition there.

Otherwise, VCU, Richmond or Dayton are the other contenders for the 12th school.

[TallTitan34]

#ABD

[The Lens]

Otherwise, VCU, Richmond or Dayton are the other contenders for the 12th school.

UD fans just got hard at the notion of being contenders for ANYTHING

#ABD

[Benny B]

My understanding is that any action regarding going to 12 teams has been "tabled," but the topic is still very much open for discussion and consideration, and there were provisions within the FS1 contract negotiated specifically regarding if the BE should elect to expand to 12 or 14 teams (i.e. not a contractual requirement that the BE expand, but an outline of how the contract is to be amended should schools T, U, V, W, X, Y, and/or Z be added at some point.)

Speculation: The BE has identified several candidates for expansion and has had preliminary conversations with the powers-that-be at those institutions, the material portion of those discussions being that the BE is open to expanding but is being very selective and wants to see demonstrated commitment to the basketball program from the candidates.  Call it a "try-out" if you will... not in terms of performance, but in terms of how dedicated are you, [SLU, Dayton, Richmond, etc.], going to be to competing in basketball at a high-major level over the long term.

IMO -- I doubt anyone is added for 2014-15, although I think there's a 50-50 chance that two teams are added in 2015-16.  Barring the unforeseen or unlikely (e.g. G-Town adding FBS football and going to the ACC, B?G adding basketball-only members), I think it's a near certainty that the BE has at least 12 teams by 2016-17 season.  I also think the front runners are: Richmond, SLU, Dayton, Wichita St., VCU, and St. Joe's... I also think that some other schools, perhaps amongst the likes of NDSU, SDakSU, Belmont, Davidson, Bucknell, UMASS, Geo Mason, Indiana St., WKU, Loyola MD, St. Bonnie's, Valpo, Fordham, etc. have been mentioned but are not under serious consideration (i.e. extreme long shots) at this time.

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

I think SLU is in no matter what, but I'd like to see if they have staying power in the post-Majerus era. So far its looking good.

What do people think about UMASS? I know its a state school, but they are having a hell of a year, and it adds another east coast team.

Otherwise, VCU, Richmond or Dayton are the other contenders for the 12th school.

UMASS has football and they play in the MAC.

I almost think they go more than 12 and I have no specific reason at all why I think that?  In regards to VCU, Richmond or Dayton, I think a school who's an affilate member in a Big East sport has a chance to become full-time also (Denver?).

[willie warrior]

UMASS has football and they play in the MAC.

I almost think they go more than 12 and I have no specific reason at all why I think that?  In regards to VCU, Richmond or Dayton, I think a school who's an affilate member in a Big East sport has a chance to become full-time also (Denver?).

Should not go more than 12 schools.

[source?]

It is my opinion that they want to add SLU, but can't decide on #12 so they haven't pulled the trigger. The poor year the conference is having may make them consider moving on SLU+1, but I don't see it this off-season. Had we gone to 12 for this year we would miss out on the round robin, but would likely have at least one more tournament team with the possibility of 2 (SLU a lock, VCU probably in, UD probably just out, UR probably just out).

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

I think the conference will stall until they can find a way to feasibly lure Gonzaga out east

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

I think the conference will stall until they can find a way to feasibly lure Gonzaga out east

That's the problem.  That's obviously everyone's first choice, but to quote an old New England axiom "you can't get there from here" will never make it feasible.

[Coleman]

UMASS has football and they play in the MAC.

So they do. I thought they were FCS. Nevermind.

[Coleman]

I feel like if SLU is already assumed in, the 12th team is going to have to come from the East Coast. This would maintain the balance of midwest/east coast schools (currently 5/5). Thus Dayton is on the outside looking in, and its between VCU or Richmond.

[chapman]

SLU is #19 at 18-2 (5-0) with only losses to UW (6 points) and Wichita State (5 points).  They won in Dayton.

Richmond is 13-6 (3-1) and just pulled an upset on #13 UMass.  They also beat Dayton.

Solid auditions so far.

[source?]

SLU is #19 at 18-2 (5-0) with only losses to UW (6 points) and Wichita State (5 points).  They won in Dayton.

Richmond is 13-6 (3-1) and just pulled an upset on #13 UMass.  They also beat Dayton.

Solid auditions so far.

This is a theory that I think about every now and again; I've wondered from time to time if the presidents are stalling and praying that UR does something to justify taking them over Dayton and VCU. It might sound ridiculous, but when you think about it these are school presidents. Basketball is important, but so are academics. Adding UR and SLU gives the Big East 2 more highly ranked universities, both private, one non-Catholic (nice for Butler), endowments of $1.87 billion and $970 million (which would be ranked #1 and #3 in the conference respectively). Those two institutions add a lot of academic prestige to the conference, whereas VCU and Dayton would add much less.

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

Im a big fan of Richmond. The league should go no more then 12 though so if that means taking a couple of years to decide who would be the best fit I am all for that. No need to rush into things.

[River rat]

I am clearly on the outside looking in on this one, but I personally will never understand why we dont invite 2 of memphis, Uconn, or cinncinnati in and let them be 11 & 12 until they ultimately secure a better final resting place. 
It would be wonderful for BE basketball.
And everyone involved knows its a temporary waypoint that benefits both sides in the interim. 
i could see why maybe Uconn and the other 2 may not want to do it for football purposes, but they can probably find a place to house their football teams until they find a better ultimate resting place and it has to help the bball programs immensly until that point.
i just think it would be really good for the confernece and have no threat or downside to the future of the BE.

[Coleman]

I am clearly on the outside looking in on this one, but I personally will never understand why we dont invite 2 of memphis, Uconn, or cinncinnati in and let them be 11 & 12 until they ultimately secure a better final resting place. 
It would be wonderful for BE basketball.
And everyone involved knows its a temporary waypoint that benefits both sides in the interim. 
i could see why maybe Uconn and the other 2 may not want to do it for football purposes, but they can probably find a place to house their football teams until they find a better ultimate resting place and it has to help the bball programs immensly until that point.
i just think it would be really good for the confernece and have no threat or downside to the future of the BE.

Would the AAC let them do that and continue to play football in the AAC? I doubt it.

[mu35577]

but they can probably find a place to house their football teams until they find a better ultimate resting place and it has to help the bball programs immensly until that point.

And then when that happens, we're back in the same spot trying to fill teams in the BE. I would much rather have stability and get two teams with no threat of leaving. I'm all for SLU, but undecided on Dayton or Richmond at the moment

[Dawson Rental]

SLU is #19 at 18-2 (5-0) with only losses to UW (6 points) and Wichita State (5 points).  They won in Dayton.

Richmond is 13-6 (3-1) and just pulled an upset on #13 UMass.  They also beat Dayton.

Solid auditions so far.

Next year will be the real SLU "audition".  That's their first year without Majerus recruits dominating the team.  At the start of the year, SLU had six players who played in all 35 games last year, including three who started all 35 games.  All six players are seniors.  Next year Crews will be starting over with almost all his own players.  I'd be surprised if they get into the top 6 of the Atlantic 10 next year.

[Dawson Rental]

I am clearly on the outside looking in on this one, but I personally will never understand why we dont invite 2 of memphis, Uconn, or cinncinnati in and let them be 11 & 12 until they ultimately secure a better final resting place. 
It would be wonderful for BE basketball.
And everyone involved knows its a temporary waypoint that benefits both sides in the interim. 
i could see why maybe Uconn and the other 2 may not want to do it for football purposes, but they can probably find a place to house their football teams until they find a better ultimate resting place and it has to help the bball programs immensly until that point.
i just think it would be really good for the confernece and have no threat or downside to the future of the BE.

When the "new" Big East was being formed, there was talk that UConn and Cinci proposed that very thing.  If true, it was turned down, and now that the AAC has been put together that ship has almost certainly sailed.  Most scoopers couldn't understand why schools would form a new league for stability and then invite teams that they knew were going to eventually leave anyway.  Instability was what the Big East wanted to leave behind.

[GGGG]

I would be very surprised to see any expansion within the next couple of years.  I really don't see a compelling need for it unless Fox is clamoring for more product to chose from.

[GGGG]

I am clearly on the outside looking in on this one, but I personally will never understand why we dont invite 2 of memphis, Uconn, or cinncinnati in and let them be 11 & 12 until they ultimately secure a better final resting place. 

The AAC is their final resting place.  Unless more schools switch among the larger conferences, those schools aren't going anywhere.  Especially since those schools all will have access to the College Football Playoff, as well as access to the top paying bowls, through the selection committee process.

[tower912]

I anticipate this discussion will pop up until expansion actually happens.   IMO, there are certain things to keep in mind when discussing possible new teams.
1.   Football = Non-starter.
2.  State school = Non-starter     Though I think there would be a micron more flexibility on this one.
3.   There is no hurry.   
4.   Don't dilute the product.   IOW, No merge with the A-10, creating 3 divisions......yaddayadda
5.   The whole point of this configuration is stability.