Hypothetically...

[Fordham_57]

In a previous thread I posed the question to the board as to whether they preferred the 10 team conference as it is now constituted or if they would prefer expansion to 12 teams. The board overwhelmingly expressed a preference for the present round robin 10 team set up.

The question is: if Fox hypothetically insisted on expansion to other markets, what would you think would be the IDEAL markets and targeted teams, and what would be the REALISTIC markets and targeted teams?

Of course they would have to be basketball only schools, but do you think we would want Catholic institutions only?

The premise, as I stated, is that Fox insists on expansion. Please stay within the parameters of the questions posed. Frank

 

[hallgrad80]

Fordham
I think the preference would be for private, not state supported schools with Catholic schools probably at the top of any list of potential candidates.

 

[HALL85]

I wouldn't suggest adding basketball only schools and those that provide natural geographic rivalries. Dayton and George Washington would be interesting .

 

[MBF72]

Fordham
I think the preference would be for private, not state supported schools with Catholic schools probably at the top of any list of potential candidates.

Hope we would not allow Fox to do this. If we expanded to twelve, would it mean two divisions and an unbalanced schedule or could we still play the other eleven schools twice, but cut down on two weak out-of-conference games that no one wants to pay top dollar to see anyway?

Don't know how arena seating capacities would come into play, but if we expanded I'd like to see St. Joe's and Richmond added.

 

[garyshu71]

No schools will be entering anytime soon is what I know. No one out there brings enough to the table is what I was told.

 

[statenman]

The BE presidents were very smart this time around in adding Butler, Xavier and creighton. It has less to do with their record and more to do with the arenas they play in, the great fan support and the schools dedication to winning.
Dayton and George Washington are a big step down compared to other BE teams IMO, although both schools probably have higher attendance numbers than schools like SHU. Dayton has great fans and great arena, but it just looks like a mid major program on TV.

 

[Pirate64]

The size of TV markets would be the first criteria for Fox.

St Louis and Dayton are good size. The schools fit.

Another thought: Duquesne in Pittsburgh. Those 3 would be in my on-deck circle- no rush.

Dayton's program is in good shape. The other two would have some catching up to do.

 

[garyshu71]

The size of TV markets would be the first criteria for Fox.

St Louis and Dayton are good size. The schools fit.

Another thought: Duquesne in Pittsburgh. Those 3 would be in my on-deck circle- no rush.

Dayton's program is in good shape. The other two would have some catching up to do.

Nope , won't be happening. Too small. From the horses mouth.

 

[HALL85]

Nope , won't be happening. Too small. From the horses mouth.

I think Fordhams question was posed as hypothetical. I agree that it's not happening because there is no reason right now to do it. Doesn't mean we can't debate it.

 

[SPK145]

No school that overlaps a current market so no St. Joe's or GW.

We don't have all catholic schools now so why would that be a limitation?

Private schools only.

St. Louis would be a great market to add but their program is now terrible.

Pittsburgh would be a great market to add as well but Duquesne just doesn't do it. Too bad, great history there.

Just don't see anything worth it.

 

[Pirata]

The arena situation could be fixed by moving to a local professional arena. For example Siena could play at the Pepsi arena in downtown Albany.

Not sure the Albany Metro is big enough market. Siena has a few tournament years but I'm also not sure they have the talent needed for the Big East.

 

[Fzacsattac]

Dayton and Wichita State.....George Washington would be my third.

 

[dmwisc&illinois]

What about VCU?

Richmond and Northern Virginia / Virginia Beach -Hampton Roads are big TV markets and very fertile recruiting grounds.

 

[andover joe]

Fzac, I think you're on it with Wichita, Dayton is in competition with X, geographically, so , TV wise, no go. So, I would say, Duquesne, and somebody down in So Va[VCU, ODU, Richmond].
I'd say Boston area, but there's nobody there to bring in[HC would be an alternative, but FB is in the way there

 

[sportsfantatic44]

Would only do it if you can get 2 of the following 3 Wichita, VCU, and/or Dayton.

 

[donnie_baseball]

Dayton and George Washington are a big step down compared to other BE teams IMO, although both schools probably have higher attendance numbers than schools like SHU. Dayton has great fans and great arena, but it just looks like a mid major program on TV.

Yeah, I'd hate to LOOK like a mid-major like Dayton, going deep into the NCAA tournament, and having a dedicated 10K seat arena for home games. SMH.

 

[PirateSal]

If it weren't for FB I would like to see BC and UCONN come back. but that wont happens so I would go for 2 areas that we aren't in St. Louis and Duquesne in Pittsburgh market.

 

[SetonHallPirates]

If the Big East ever had to expand I agree they should pick between Wichita State, VCU and Dayton. Not only have these schools been consistent for basketball but Wichita State and VCU would be huge additions for Big East baseball.

 

[SPK145]

If the Big East ever had to expand I agree they should pick between Wichita State, VCU and Dayton. Not only have these schools been consistent for basketball but Wichita State and VCU would be huge additions for Big East baseball.

2 of the 3 are public schools which open up the conference to different scrutiny/FOIA repercussions.

 

[hallgrad80]

If the BE were to expand it will never add two mid- western schools as it would upset the balance we now have with 5 east coast schools and 5 mid- western teams. Personally I don't want any state supported schools and there are plenty of private schools to chose from like SLU, Dayton, Detroit Mercey, St. Joes , Fordham, LaSalle, and more .

 

[Seton75]

I would like an alliance with other non fb schools who are hoops powers, like Gonzaga and wsu to name 2. Guaranteed games in the ooc. Adding cities without teams like sl is not good today imo and no teams besides them interest me. But zags are too far and I don't want to expand anyway.

The ten team league is not only perfect for scheduling, we are the only ones who have it. Most of the league could be ranked, it is safe to think at least 6 of us get selected. 7 or even 8 could be considered. Pretty good place to be. But we need a major March statement and soon!!

 

[Piratefan2009]

I would like an alliance with other non fb schools who are hoops powers, like Gonzaga and wsu to name 2. Guaranteed games in the ooc. Adding cities without teams like sl is not good today imo and no teams besides them interest me. But zags are too far and I don't want to expand anyway.

If the goal of the conference is to only draw private schools:

The Private school East-West conference for hoops supremacy would be a pretty cool. Take two from schools like Gonzaga, St. Mary's or BYU. Then split the conference up East-West (shuffle some of the midwestern schools to west), and then do a round robin in your home-turf group and 1 conference game from the other group.

Option 2 would be to wait until another big conference realignment. If the ACC ever blew up over football you might get a second shot at private schools like Notre Dame, or BC, or some other program left behind like Syracuse or Wake Forest. You have a football program problem there, but this is highly unlikely so it is really based on some huge change in how post season is done.

If the conference became open to public schools than that changes a lot. Certainly UConn would be top priority to own the Northeast. VCU or WSU an attractive choice.

 

[Bud Boomer]

I would sign up for St. Mary's and Gonzaga (two very solid brands with a natural rivalry and strong, entrenched coaches) in a heartbeat if it could be arranged logistically. Seems far fetched, but maybe not in this day and age. St. Mary's would also need to find a new place to play.

 

[SoCalBrett]

If Fox was to advocate expansion, I believe it would be based on media markets and potential for a team, not currently how the team is playing this year. The obvious is St. Louis, but the 2nd team is difficult to select. I haven't looked at it recently but St Louis has a great facility and solid fan support. Fox would want another media market. Boston is ideal, but would a team like UMASS be able to penetrate that market enough. Witchita State is a great program but is that media market big enough to help Fox. Dayton is a great program with great fan support, but it kind of overlaps other teams in the Big East (even though it has its own tv market). VCU is incredibly interesting but they bring competition to Georgetown and are they adding enough. Duquesne is not a big enough program to go after the Pittsburgh market. I don't think Rhode Island, Siena, or Buffalo bring enough to the table. If UCONN or BC were interested, either would make sense for a 2nd team (but the football question and I don't see BC leaving the ACC). I just don't think there's enough good options out there to force change.

After the above, I currently support keeping it the same way. I like the fact that every team plays everyone twice and it leaves enough room for non conference games.

 

[shu09]

The ten team league is not only perfect for scheduling, we are the only ones who have it.

The Big 12 has 10 teams and a true round-robin. It's also the best league in the country.