UCONN, The Big East and realignment

[Django]

If Yormark is only interested in B-Ball why doesn’t he go after the WCC or A10 chairman jobs (he has no chance to usurp Val)? Both those conferences could become major if they trimmed the stragglers and/ or even combined to make a super basketball mid major to compete against the B12 and Big East. His vision for the future of basketball is inspiring and is good for all basketball only schools, but trying to do it in a football conference seems like he’s wasting his time. Seems like the A10 has really pathetic leadership and it’s sad to see them dropping from the equation while teams like FAU go to Final Fours.

[GoldenWarrior11]

IMO, Yormark - as a basketball-first/NE sports executive - is positioning himself for an NBA executive role in a few years. Make no mistake, he out-maneuvered PAC leadership (which doesn't sound like it was very difficult) to secure a strong financial future (and superiority) for the Big 12 to remain a part of the P4 structure into the next decade. Having said that, he still works for and reports to the Big 12 Presidents. Per Norlander, Gonzaga doesn't have the votes to get into the Big 12, and there isn't overwhelming evidence/support that they'd be eager to jump to the Big 12 either. Yormark, per Norlander, also has said that UConn is not under consideration right now for Big 12 expansion (and, respectfully, why would they be - football does not add value).

This is very good news for the Big East, IMO. FOX and ESPN haven't confirmed the financial details for the Big 12 with the 4Cs on-board. They still need to work through that. Then, I'd imagine, it's a full court press with the Big East TV package.

Gonzaga was valued at $15 million as a basketball brand/valuation in the Big 12 discussions. They draw eyeballs, bring a portion of the West Coast and have an elite on-court performance in the past 15 years. In the Big East, they'd be behind only Villanova and UConn in the timeframe. My strong hope, for the financial, branding and viewership opportunities, is that a marriage between Gonzaga and the Big East becomes a reality. It means more money for each of the schools, and would only elevate the level and reputation of the conference for the foreseeable future. If FOX/BE/Zags can devise a way within NCAA guidelines for a basketball-only partnership, which sounds like it might be possible given parameters, it makes all the sense the world. With the WCC reportedly interested in Seattle and Grand Canyon and Cal Baptist, it sounds/looks like they are planning for a future without Gonzaga. If the Big 12 doesn't have the support for their addition right now, that really leaves only one other conference that could legitimately add them.

[Django]

I know everyone ignores the good ol’ RPI rankings but it’s pretty funny that the number 1 football conference is the one that no longer exists

I also find it funny that Independents are 7 and the AACK is P9!

Rank Conference (Teams) All Non-Conf Index Sos Sos Rk
1 Pacific-12 12 50-27 (65%) 29-6 (83%) 32.46 55.93 4
2 Southeastern 14 59-33 (64%) 34-8 (81%) 31.91 56.17 3
3 Big Ten 14 55-32 (63%) 32-9 (78%) 29.00 57.02 1
4 Atlantic Coast 14 53-34 (61%) 32-13 (71%) 28.14 55.46 5
5 Big 12 14 53-35 (60%) 41-23 (64%) 26.02 54.78 6
6 Mountain West 12 40-39 (51%) 24-23 (51%) 21.60 52.84 7
7 Independents 4 9-17 (35%) 8-17 (32%) 20.63 56.48 2
8 Sun Belt 14 51-35 (59%) 36-20 (64%) 19.91 50.57 9
9 American Athletic 14 37-47 (44%) 30-40 (43%) 18.49 50.64 8
10 Conference USA 9 27-32 (46%) 19-23 (45%) 18.01 49.23 10
11 Mid-American 12

http://realtimerpi.com/college_football ... f_Men.html