What We Learned from the Big East Spring Meetings

What an eventful day in Ponte Vedra Beach Florida.(I must admit that I miss Ponte Vedra but that's another story for another day) But man there is so much to talk about and so little time because there could be so much more info to learn about tomorrow.

First order of business is that the Big East plans on waiting until September of 2012 to work on its new TV deal. Which is smart because apparently there are 3 Networks battling to earn the rights to broadcast Big East Football and basketball.

And because of the 3 Networks battling to earn those broadcast rights, the Big East has put Expansion Plans on hold for now. (That news must be devastating for those that wanted the Big East to expand yesterday-figuratively speaking)

I have no idea when we hear about Big East expansion again. I think we'll be hearing from Villanova again by May of 2012. Don't take my word on that, its just a hunch.

So now, what about the BYU chatter last week. I don't know, its looking more and more like BYU is really off the table as they are locking up its schedule for the long term. And I must admit, that its good for them. I hope they-BYU- succeed as an Indy.

I do think its good to wait and hear what the 3 Networks have to say. Each one might have different projections for every school that could be added. Rushing to 12 would be a mistake right now because we'd be stripping ourselves of negotiating power.

Its also looking like the Big East is working on plans for a 17 team Tournament for March or 2013. Its going to be interesting to see how 17 teams are put into brackets. Or does the Big East simply bring in 12 teams. I think we'll hear more info on this down the road.

Jim Calhoun predicted that the Big East could split 4-5 years from now. The only part I don't understand is why wait that long-esp when we're in the middle of a contract-when we could split now, while we are negotiating for a new deal.

I'm sure tomorrow will provide some valuable information for the Big East's future. Hopefully its as interesting as today.

Edit- It also appears that the Football Only's wanted to signed onto ESPN's first offer to prevent further expansion.

Thank you

I want to thank everyone that viewed this blog the past couple of days. I've received more views these past 4 days than any other 4 day period of me writing. I'd encourage everyone to reply to the posts and make this even bigger. Again thx.

Joey

Big East. 2 Conferences 1 Umbrella.

Football alignment

West
Cincinnati
Loiusville
Memphis
Brigham Young
Texas Christian
Colorado State

East
Pittsburgh
West Virginia
Syracuse
South Florida
Rutgers
Connecticut

Basketball (4 Pods)

West
BYU
TCU
CSU

Midwest
Cincinnati
Loiusville
Memphis

East
Pitt
WVU
Syracuse
USF
Rutgers
UConn

Catholic Hoops

West
Notre Dame
DePaul
Marquette
Georgetown

East
Seton Hall
Providence
St. Johns
Villanova

The reason why I separated the hoops side of things into pods was more for scheduling purposes and travel partners. For example lets look at the 2 western pods from the football side of things. The west would face the east pod of the catholics at home one year while they'd travel to the west pod the next year and the midwest would get the west pod of the catholics at home 1 year while they traveled to the east pod the next. And the same would apply for the eastern football schools when scheduling the hoops schools. Again sticking to the west for example purposes; you'd play home and home's against the teams in your pod and the other 3 teams in the west 1 time, and 1 pod from the east home one year and the other away the next. So say you're playing the east pod of the hoops at home, you're playing eastern Indies away. This leaves for 17 Conference games and would allow schools to schedule the appropriate crossover games to maintain specific rivalries with the catholic schools. I'd expect to see a 20 game schedule under this alignment.

I'd still have a 16 team playoff. And believe it or not I'd still leave the standings how the Big East currently does it and bring in the 16 best teams in the conference.

BTW if this idea is stupid, feel free to let me know. I'm just having fun with this current BYU rumor.

So is There Really Anything Going On Here...

So what exactly is going on here. For some reason I think it's more or less a blogger(Brett Richins) trying to get hits on his deepshadesofblue site. But then again something very well could be in the works. Earlier today he gave some fresh info to wvillustrated.

Richins seemed to indicate that if the Big East started talking All Sports then BYU would listen.

“This is pure speculation, but I would have to say that BYU would have to give very serious consideration if an opportunity came along similar to what TCU took advantage of and that is being a full member,” Richins said. “I think it would change the game if the Big East approached BYU (about full membership).”

He could be talking out of his ass while speculating or BYU just might consider the Big East for All Sports.

I do agree with Richins that you definitely have to work with BYU on the other 2 schools that would join the league. And it may or may not be someone that you really want to join the league. Remember last May when we heard about Texas's "Tech" problem when dealing with the Big 10.

We certainly will have to consider a Boise St., Colorado St. or an Air Force. Or you could add one of those with a Memphis to bridge the Ohio Valley schools with the western wing.


Could the Big East look like this in 2012?

West
Boise St.
Brigham Young
Texas Christian
Houston
Louisville
Cincinnati

East
Pittsburgh
West Virginia
Syracuse
South Florida
Rutgers
Connecticut

Only time will tell. I'm not holding my breath right now. And I do think that Brett Richins is simply trying to get hits for his site. But regardless, this is so much more interesting than talking about the normal candidates like UCF.

Stop The Presses It's Expansion Time

Extra, Extra, Read all about it, BYU turned down an Invite to join the Big East. Extra, Extra, Read all about it, BYU turned down an Invite to join the Big Least...OR NOT.

While it's great to hear that a different name has popped up in BYU rather than the normal flavors of the week; UCF, Villanova, ECU, Houston and Memphis. Each had their time to shine yada yada but this BYU thing has been interesting-whether its true or not.

Where is the major Press at? Did everyone(including myself) really buy a 2 paragraph thingy in a BYU fan blog?

I can see why BYU would love a move to the Big East and why they would be hesitant at the same time. There are millions of Mormons on the East Coast for one. BYU could market their BYU TV to the Mormons on the East Coast a little easier for one. But at the same time, games against Nebraska, USC, Wisconsin, and Notre Dame would be more appealing to even me than say WVU, Pitt, UConn, and Cincinnati. (I say this as a Pitt fan)

I think everyone can admit that there was some talks between the Big East and BYU. BYU probably said "thanks but no thanks" or something along those lines. Like I said the last blog, if the Big East is serious, then these talks will continue until BYU says yes or gives a stern no. Nothing out there indicates to me that BYU gave a stern no yet.

Now if this flirtation with BYU is really over-and I don't think it is. What is next for the Big East?

I'd assume that we'd either stay at 9 or add 1 of the usual suspects like a Houston for now and call it a day.

BYU Might've Said No to the Big East; So Now What

So Brett Richins reported that BYU said no during informal overtures with the Big East recently in this article.

The most amazing thing while this "maybe" big news, his ground breaking leak is stuck towards the bottom of his blog.

While I do consider him a credible source, just because of his work in the past. I'm just curious to why in the hell to he leak this. Is there most legit news ready to break in the future or what.

I do want all of this news to be true for many reasons. BYU does add a lot to the conference. They bring the most rabid fan base from the non autoqualifying ranks. And they are a known entity across the college football world. And on top of it, they have a very good football history.

The timing of this "leak" is what makes make think there is something to this rumor. Next week is the Big East Spring Meetings. Plus you had WVU' A.D. Oliver Luck and Louisville's President Dr. Ramsey mention that the Big East may expand to 10 or 12 teams in the very near future. I'm not saying that this supposed leaked and the Big East chatter from an President and A.D. are related either. It just makes you open your eyes to this "leak" a little more than you usually would.

My biggest question is. Say this rumor is true, what is next? I'd assume that either BYU would either be trying to gauge its own fans/alum's reaction. If they support they move BYU would make it. Another idea would be that BYU is posturing for an all sports invite so the Cougars could play Big East Basketball.

I have no idea where the Big East would turn if BYU completely turned them down. Right now I really want to assume the Big East stays at 9.

That's simply because it really appears that the Big East just doesn't like the Conference USA options out there. Look at it this way, if Villanova is still the favorite to join after the 9 month flirtation, when will an UCF look attractive to the Big East.

At this point, I really think its BYU or nothing, until the next realignment of course. So sit back, grab yo popcorn and enjoy the ride. It could be fun filled excitement or as boring as that chick flick your girlfriend forces you to watch.

Conspiracy Theorists find the wrong times to talk

Its a joke man. All of this 9/11 inside job bs needs to stop. And the fact that they came out the woodwork this past few days pisses me off a little. Let the people remember that sad day in September.

I'll be the first one to admit that some things feel off with our way of life. But come on, you people think that the government would pay people off to keep some secret while they knocked down the towers. Don't you think this info would've leaked? How do we not know that Bin Laden goons didn't plant explosives in those buildings as well? The only thought that came to my head that could side with the looneys is, how in the world did building 5 or 7 fall down hours later.

Look I totally understand that there has been "red flag" ops in the past. And there may very well be some in the future.

But man, back the heck off and let the people celebrate is all I'm saying. Raining on the parade just makes yourselves even dumber.

Face it, there is no Illuminati out to get us. There is no elitist class trying to enslave the human race.

I do think that the bankers across the world need to be under a bigger microscope indeed.

But you morons that talk and talk and talk and talk and listen to Alex Jones, really needs to shut the fuck up and grow up. Thinking for yourself is a good thing, questioning the government and its intentions is a good thing. Claiming that the government blew up the towers and this Bin Laden thing is a PR stunt is fucking moronic.