Why not Cincy and UConn?

[xman]

I'll tangent off the other thread. Having two more Big East teams helps RPI and allows to keep the name. Plus there would be definite NCAA berths in many years. These two could drop their football into a different conference like CUSA or MAC.

Probably won't happen, but it would strengthen the basketball side of this new league.

[FlyerFan]

One word: football.

UConn threw a little mini temper tantrum when the ACC nabbed Louisville and had publicly announced that they want to leave the Big East. Cincy was known to be lobbying as well. In essence, they can't be trusted - they'll bail at their first opportunity.

Besides, Xavier already delivers the Cincinnati market.

[Jet915]

Why would you throw UCONN and Cincy a lifeline when you know they would just jump and run to the ACC at any seconds notice....plus, I never liked Calhoun.

[admin]

Why would you throw UCONN and Cincy a lifeline when you know they would just jump and run to the ACC at any seconds notice....plus, I never liked Calhoun.

Calhoun is gone.... but I never liked him either.

[Peter]

Tell them they can join for hoops with a $30m buyout if they ever want to leave.

[pki1998]

Tell them they can join for hoops with a $30m buyout if they ever want to leave.

I like this idea! There should also be a clause about playing games against the C7 league teams if they leave.

I think serious attempts to get Memphis UMASS, and Temple need to be made too. One never knows what will happen. It could be years before a conference makes the move to 16 teams. In the meantime, leaving a conference that includes UConn, Temple, Cincinnati and Memphis will undermind the C7 leagues chance of becoming the top of the non BCS conferences. Especially if they only concentrate on private schools. The following is a solid start to a conference:

Central Florida
Cincinnati
Connecticut
East Carolina (Football Only)
Houston
Memphis
South Florida
SMU
Temple
Tulane

Their top four teams stack up pretty favorably to the C7+Xavier and Butler League. But the bottom of the conference is pretty bad. Now imagine they add UNC Charlotte, UMass, to the conference to 12 teams for football. They could still add up to five none basketball Teams. If the C7 concentrates on only private schools, I coud see the Big east making a move on VCU, Rhode Island, George Mason, St Josephs, and Fordham (NYC Media Market Only). This league would be every bit as good as the C7 League, and have a pretty large fan base beceause most of the schools are large public schools with a Big Fan Base. This is why I think its critical that the C7 makes a play for some public schools, especially VCU since there is no threat of football. If Connecticut will come on board you have to take them becuase its worth the risk. I just hope Cincinnati is not smart enough to go the C7 since that would mean my Musketeers will be left in a depleted A-10.

Below is my ideal conference assuming that UConn & Cincinnati won't come on board

EAST DIVISION
Georgetown
Providence
Saint Johns
Seton Hall
Temple - (Have to sell them on the fact this conference will stick and will be much better than the Big East once Cincinnati/UConn go to the ACC)
Villanova
VCU

WEST DIVISION
Butler
Dayton
DePaul
Marquette
Memphis
St. Louis
Xavier

Creighton is probably a better programs than either St. Louis or Dayton, but I didn't give them the edge becuase of Geography, and the fact as a Musketeer fan I want to keep our traditional rivals. Adding UMass and Creighton to make a 16 team conference might not be a bad idea, but I like divisions. 14 teams gives you 19 confernce games, but trying to do divisions with 16 schools gives you 22 conference games which is just to much of your schedule.

[Dew]

Memphis? I'm not down with that. I wonder if a new league could impose academic requirements to put all the schools on an even playing field for recruiting. That would probably make things a bit more palatable.

[Edrick]

FBS sponsoring schools are not being considered and for good reason. This board is testament to it being a model doomed to fail.

Temple, Memphis, UMass, etc are as relevant as Hawaii to this.

[Jet915]

Seriously? Have you missed the last few years? There is a reason the C7 is breaking away from the Big East, they don't want a hybrid baskeball/football conference.

[Dew]

Seriously? Have you missed the last few years? There is a reason the C7 is breaking away from the Big East, they don't want a hybrid baskeball/football conference.

You're right, it won't happen. But massive buyouts could be used if the league wanted to add them to keep them on board.