esayem Wrote:I just have the feeling the conference would be too big. If only ye could dump Marquette, DePaul, and the so called leeches, ND? Then add two all-sports.

Once in a blue moon I actually kind of agree with you.

Tranghese catches too much grief IMO. Sure he had to make some less then ideal moves but there were extreme circumstances he had to deal with. Under his watch the BE has held together and gained strength during troubled times. A few years ago keeping a BCS bid was not a certainty. Hard to blame him for trying to do what he feels is best for both FBS football and non-FBS football programs.

I think patience is what is needed for the BE. Nothing in big time college sports moves quickly. Now that the BE has gained strength lets see what happens over the next few years. If the BE does not secure a good bowl lineup and come up with a rational long term plan for the oversized conference then we should complain.

I know that as a WVU fan things have been particularly good but no BE FBS football program has too much reason to complain. Things are on the upside for all except for Pitt and Syracuse. With a strong BE and their great history there really is no reason to worry about them. I have no doubt that they will rise to the top of the conference at some point in the near future.

One thing that we have to give the non FBS football programs credit for is the Big East name. Without the long BE history there is little doubt the BCS bid would have been in even bigger jeopardy. I for one feel enough loyalty to all BE programs that whatever happens over the next few years leaves them all in strong standing. Of course the loyalty from the newer members will not be strong but hopefully it will at least be appreciated. I'd hate to see the BE do a "BC" to squads like Seton Hall and Providence.

The only thing about MT that really bugs me is his prioritizing of basketball above football. Football brings home the big bucks. The BCS affiliation keeps The BEast listed as a premier basketball conference. The Presidents may actually control the decision on expansion and splitting. But MT has a great deal of influence that is being wasted.

I think what he is doing is not prioritizing football. He probably is trying to find a way to keep non FBS football schools that were original BE members from slipping down a notch if they were forced out of the conference.

Right now my preference would be divisions with all schools keeping the Big East name. I don't know why that option does not seem to often discussed.

frogman Wrote:Yea- Why add Memphis. What do they bring to the table that Temple doesn't?

(1) Better fan support
(2) Better basketball
(3) The oldest and one of the best non-BCS bowl games
(4) Better football (4 bowls in the last 5 years - what has Temple done?)
(5) Better baseball (made NCAA Regionals last year)

Gray Avenger Wrote:

frogman Wrote:Yea- Why add Memphis. What do they bring to the table that Temple doesn't?

(1) Better fan support
(2) Better basketball
(3) The oldest and one of the best non-BCS bowl games
(4) Better football (4 bowls in the last 5 years - what has Temple done?)
(5) Better baseball (made NCAA Regionals last year)

Dont forget the China deal. we will be the only college bb team shown in China next year too.

ni ha

Gray Avenger Wrote:

frogman Wrote:Yea- Why add Memphis. What do they bring to the table that Temple doesn't?

(1) Better fan support
(2) Better basketball
(3) The oldest and one of the best non-BCS bowl games
(4) Better football (4 bowls in the last 5 years - what has Temple done?)
(5) Better baseball (made NCAA Regionals last year)

Actually over history, Temple and Memphis are pretty close in hoops. But other than that it is pretty accurate. I don't get the bowl game thing. Just because the city has the bowl game? So what.

CardinalJim Wrote:Mike just doesn't seem to get it. Notice the continued references to basketball.
CJ

From WVU Paper

I was wondering how long it would take the Cardinals fans to begin to whine about the Big East...They whined about The Metro Conference...whined about Conference USA...and now the Big East......hmmmmmm

esayem Wrote:

Gray Avenger Wrote:

frogman Wrote:Yea- Why add Memphis. What do they bring to the table that Temple doesn't?

(1) Better fan support
(2) Better basketball
(3) The oldest and one of the best non-BCS bowl games
(4) Better football (4 bowls in the last 5 years - what has Temple done?)
(5) Better baseball (made NCAA Regionals last year)

Actually over history, Temple and Memphis are pretty close in hoops. But other than that it is pretty accurate. I don't get the bowl game thing. Just because the city has the bowl game? So what.

Did Memphis ever play in the Sugar Bowl? Temple did. :ncaabbs:

Mike T is the commish of the BE Conference. There are 16 members who play BB and only 9 who play FB. Only 8 of them in conference. Which sport do you suppose he would focus on?

Make no mistake about it, if the FB schools leave it negatively affects the BB schools. The Big East name is relevant 12 months a year by the virtue of the FB schools keeping it in the news. Without the FB schools the BE name is relevant from Nov-Mar. The FB schools have spring FB which generates interest in April. Starting in June, the FB preseason mags come out and coverage of college FB lasts all summer long and then the season goes from Aug until New Years Day. FB is what keeps the BE name in the public consciousness 2/3 of the year.

Do you hear the A-10 being discussed in Oct? What about the MVC? The marketing value that comes from having your name being discussed year round is enormous. CUSA and the Sunbelt are better off because they at least get the brand name out there year round.

Good point Panth... that is why the A10 needs to reform a FCS conference or try to get a FBS conference with UB and Temple.

Shannon Panther Wrote:Mike T is the commish of the BE Conference. There are 16 members who play BB and only 9 who play FB. Only 8 of them in conference. Which sport do you suppose he would focus on?

The 8 FB schools bring in more revenue than the 8 BB schools. Now which schools do you think he is focused on?

I don't think that because Mike T has not brought in another "work in progress" FB school that he is underserving the FB schools. He has said there is no one that adds value and I think he is right. At home, the truth is that in the past three post seasons, in two of those seasons it came down to WVU to give the BE even one significant post season win.
Mike T knows we have work to do with what we already have.

frogman Wrote:

Shannon Panther Wrote:Mike T is the commish of the BE Conference. There are 16 members who play BB and only 9 who play FB. Only 8 of them in conference. Which sport do you suppose he would focus on?

The 8 FB schools bring in more revenue than the 8 BB schools. Now which schools do you think he is focused on?

I don't think that because Mike T has not brought in another "work in progress" FB school that he is underserving the FB schools. He has said there is no one that adds value and I think he is right. At home, the truth is that in the past three post seasons, in two of those seasons it came down to WVU to give the BE even one significant post season win.
Mike T knows we have work to do with what we already have.

Yet, through all your crowing, your coaches from both fb and bb have stated their position too. Sorry it doesnt match your opinion and that all it is. The fb schools are having trouble with the 12 game and nothing has helped either. The more the other BCS groups grab the other schools to play that 12 game, and the more isolated the big east fb become, the need is there reguardless of what you say. How long before a big east fb schools has to play 2 1AA games before you get the picture? Do you really think that a team who has to play 2 of those game is getting into the NC game? The other bcs schools have more money to buy those games against you. When Syracuse has to play that schedule, I bet you will be here fussying about this issue. I guess, until it happens to you, then you are fine with the set up. Just for you information, there are several Cuse fans that live in this area. The ones that I know of, would love for Memphis to be added, so that they can see a game without the expense of traveling too.

panite Wrote:Did Memphis ever play in the Sugar Bowl? Temple did. :ncaabbs:

It is true that back in the leather helmet days, Temple was ahead of Memphis, and I respect that. In the old days, C-USA's Tulane, Rice and SMU all played in several of what are now BCS bowl games, but it seems that recent history is what matters to most Americans these days. Again, Memphis played in bowl games 4 of the last 5 years, without the financial and perception advantages of full BCS membership.

Duke played in the Rose Bowl!!

Topcard91 Wrote:Duke played in the Rose Bowl!!

Navy played in the Rose Bowl too.

They also played in the Sugar Bowl LIKE TEMPLE!!!!!!!!!!!

They also played in the Orange Bowl.

And they played in the Cotton Bowl twice.

Navy to the BE - FB only. What the hell they are stealing our bowls anyway and they won't take any BB revenue as Patriot League members. :dance: :boat: