One commissioner is ringing alarm bells about a possible power conference takeover of the NCAA Tournament

[Halldan1]

What was behind Stu Jackson's warning shot?​

By Matt Norlander

One commissioner is ringing alarm bells about a possible power conference takeover of the NCAA Tournament

What was behind Stu Jackson's warning shot?

www.cbssports.com

 

[Seton75]

They want it all - isnt that pretty damned blatantly obvious?

 

[Section112]

Glad our former asst Commish is sticking up for us. Where is Val in all of this?

 

[NittanyPirate]

March Madness is about the Valparaiso’s, George Masons, VCUs, Saint Peter’s, FDUs, UMBCs, etc.

This March Ill be rooting for any low budget team that’s been screwed by the portal even more than I usually do.

The year March Madness doesn’t include true Cinderellas will undoubtedly be the last nail in the coffin in what used to be my obsession with all things college basketball.

 

[ivyhillparkk1963]

Won't watch minute of any of it

 

[jack 1970]

The Big East is going to have a hard time surviving in this climate.I like the idea of the Big East combining with the ACC.Evolve or die.

 

[wpc75]

They already took over football from ncaa. Basketball next. Title IX looming large in background.

 

[HALL85]

Student Athletes….LMAO

 

[CL82]

Glad our former asst Commish is sticking up for us. Where is Val in all of this?

Composing a sternly worded letter? That may not seem like much, but it'll probably be very sternly worded.

 

[hbkmyr]

I’d like to think the TV suits are smarter and know not to mess with a good thing. They’d basically have to let every p4 team in to keep the current format, no?

 

[CT Pirate]

Rapidly losing interest in college hoops. Have no interest in the Big Ten/SEC Invitational. It's been a great run with many times strapping on the dancin shoes as a Hall guy. Have no appetite for a first round Vandy vs Purdue play in. Power Conference take over would kill the Big Dance. They underestimate the appeal of the little school in the tourney. It would be a glorified Big Ten Conference Tourney. We know how well that tourney draws - they don't sell out. Imagine the anticipation of the Selection Show for the Power Conference Tourney. It could be done in a 60 second spot - all the Big Ten and SEC team are in. The bubble would be a thing of the past. Joe Lunardi would need a new gig (not exactly a bad thing) KemPom would be reduced to pom poms.

 

[CT Pirate]

Composing a sternly worded letter? That may not seem like much, but it'll probably be very sternly worded.

Bringing the voice of reason again. Val Ackerman is a lightweight. Shows me nothing. A puppet.

 

[Hall91]

Val probably looking for her next gig. Won’t rock any boats.

 

[Bluebeard]

Of the 4 leading this, they already have started demanding to lead this change. By giving the BE three last year, the Big Ten will do anything to win a NC. It's been 25 years since their conference last won. The BE has won 6 in that time.

 

[CL82]

Of the 4 leading this, they already have started demanding to lead this change. By giving the BE three last year, the Big Ten will do anything to win a NC. It's been 25 years since their conference last won. The BE has won 6 in that time.

I feel like that number is nine. 10 if you go back to 1999. Of course, that counts Louisville's championship, which has been struck from the books.

2024 UConn
2023 UConn
2018 Nova
2016 Nova
2014 UConn
2011 UConn
2013 Louisville
2004 UConn
2003 Syracuse
1999 UConn

(Granted, Louisville and Syracuse aren't a part of this iteration of the big east.)

 

[Bluebeard]

UConn. 2014 was AAC, right? 7 as I missed Cuse. And 8 the year prior to MS

 

[SHUSource]

I feel like that number is nine. 10 if you go back to 1999. Of course, that counts Louisville's championship, which has been struck from the books.

2024 UConn
2023 UConn
2018 Nova
2016 Nova
2014 UConn
2011 UConn
2013 Louisville
2004 UConn
2003 Syracuse
1999 UConn

(Granted, Louisville and Syracuse aren't a part of this iteration of the big east.)

All true, but if we want to give weight to the most recent span of that time, we can say four of the past eight championships have been won by the Big East. That is powerful. And it's also the problem here, for these "power" conferences. Imagine the Big Ten trying to hold sway over this conversation, a league that hasn't had a national championship since I was in my 20s. I am in my mid-50s now.

 

[CL82]

UConn. 2014 was AAC, right?

Frankly, I tried to forget about the American, to the greatest extent possible.

 

[SHUSource]

Frankly, I tried to forget about the American, to the greatest extent possible.

It really was a pretty good football league for a while before the real defections began. But as a basketball league, after being used to the Big East (and especially nowadays), I can see why you'd like to repress the memory.

 

[Burnsly]

If the trend continues at this rate I could see some of the more high profile coaches in the Big East leave for a P4 school very soon.

There does seem to be some push back in Washington but it's pretty hard for those guys to agree on anything in a timely manner.

https://www.axios.com/2025/01/28/ted-cruz-name-image-likeness-ncaa-nil