Will Big East stay at 10 or grow to 12 in 2014?

[Flyer01]

it would be nice to be the sole BE team in Ohio and not have one just up the road to recruit against.

If Dayton doesn't get an invite I doubt Xavier is what is stopping them. They don't seem to have the same relationship from an administrative standpoint as X-UC and as far as the recruiting issue I think that's overblown. The value of a heated league rivalry that draws a great amount of community interest on both sides would seem to outweigh any perceived recruiting hit Xavier would take with Dayton in the Big East. Xavier has never had a problem getting the players they wanted out of the surrounding area and Cincinnatti isn't an area that Dayton is able to take players from Xavier now. From a recruiting standpoint Ohio State will always be the biggest disadvantage in the state of Ohio regardless of league affiliation.

[flyerfever]

From time to time X and UD have knocked heads pursuing the same recruits. UD has been a bridesmaid in that endeavor more times than naught. So, I don't think X is concerned about losing out to UD in recruiting. They get who they want. Now, it appears, with Arch Miller, our recruiting is at a better level. I do know that if Mack is in the living room with a family and talks about the TV exposure and the X experience, and Miller comes in the next day to extoll the virtures of a UD experience, UD will be at a disadvantage.

UD will be a fine addition to the new conference for lots of reasons already mentioned. Either way we just have to win more games.

[BillEsq]

God, its tough i just wish they would make some sort of "official announcement", it looks like 10 first but i still wouldn't be surprised if we end with 12 by 2013.

Administrator? If all of our teams are put on hold for a year or two do we have to remain off the board? or will you create one for us ... maybe the purgatory of hoops or something...

[BillikensWin]

God, its tough i just wish they would make some sort of "official announcement", it looks like 10 first but i still wouldn't be surprised if we end with 12 by 2013.

Administrator? If all of our teams are put on hold for a year or two do we have to remain off the board? or will you create one for us ... maybe the purgatory of hoops or something...

I hope it's only purgatory. 1-bid league in the future is a different religious construct.

[admin]

God, its tough i just wish they would make some sort of "official announcement", it looks like 10 first but i still wouldn't be surprised if we end with 12 by 2013.

Administrator? If all of our teams are put on hold for a year or two do we have to remain off the board? or will you create one for us ... maybe the purgatory of hoops or something...

I still think SLU and Dayton will be in and I would guess we should know sometime soon. If the schools are joining, they'll make the A10 aware shortly to start the clock and reduce their exit fee.

[Birdfan30]

Why not put Dayton in the west division and Xavior to the east . I understand Cincy is 50 miles west of Dayton, but give the eastern schools an amazing program in Xavior to start new rivalries. I would love to have a divisional round robin, non division home every other year with 2 non divisional rivalries. 18gm schedule

east: Gtown, Nova, Seton, Providence, StJ, Xavior

west: Marq, Depaul, Butler, Creighton, StL, Dayton

Doesn't Dayton feel more like a mid west team anyway. Just an idea. Either way when the eastern teams play Xavior, Dayton is a perfect travel partner.

This makes Marquette the Big Dog in the west division.

[xu95]

If 11 and 12 aren't picked by June 30th, I don't think Dayton's chances are very good. I would be surprised if Butler or Xavier voted to include them in the league.

[podcast411]

If 11 and 12 aren't picked by June 30th, I don't think Dayton's chances are very good. I would be surprised if Butler or Xavier voted to include them in the league.

I can understand your logic for X voting no - recruiting overlap. But what is your logic for Butler?

Seems if the vote is between Richmond and Dayton - Butler would rather have a school closer to them for all their sports and one they already play in the same football league with. Not sure I follow your logic - or maybe you are just assuming you know what Butler would do based on your own bias.

[cm5yz6]

If 11 and 12 aren't picked by June 30th, I don't think Dayton's chances are very good. I would be surprised if Butler or Xavier voted to include them in the league.

I agree. With a voting Xavier and Butler, it looks more like Richmond will be added when it is expanded to 12.

[GumbyDamnit!]

Put me in the camp that just takes a breath for a year or two to see what we have before we start jumping at adding other teams. Who knows what continued realignment brings? What if Uconn decides to drop down in football? What if the ACC breaks apart with UNC splitting for the Big10 or SEC and teams like Wake Forrest and Duke decide that they no longer want to have football drive the bus, and they want the stability of a BB-centric league? Stranger things have seemed to happen lately. I'd like to take it a day at a time...

I've been saying this since Day 1 but I would LOVE to see a 15 team league that has an East, Midwest and West Divisions.

East:
Nova
Gtwn
Prov
SJU
S Hall

Midwest:
X
Butler
Marq.
St. Lou
Depaul

West:
Creighton
Gonzaga
St. Mary's
San Fran
TBD

Play everyone in your division twice to build great regional rivalries, and then the others in the 2 outside divisions once for 18 total games. Travel wise you make one trip out west (or east if you're a west coast team) and play 2 games on a Saturday--Monday or Friday--Sunday. What's the real difference between packing up and going to a game out to Nebraska or going and doing 2 on the west coast at Gonzaga and then SFU in one shot? Either way you're jumping on a plane. When I think of expansion I want teams that excite me (Gonzaga), not so-so programs like Dayton and Richmond. National league with teams built for the national stage that gets everyone's attention. How bout a Sunday afternoon national TV doubleheader on Fox with Butler at G'town at 1:00 and Nova at Gonzaga at 3:00? Let's think out of the box and figure out a way to get the Zags in this thing.