Figured I'd chime in here. There is no arguing that Butler and Xavier were the top 2 choices to be added to the Big East. However, for the 3rd team, I obviously think Creighton was the best choice of the rest of the prospective schools. I've posted this before, but I figured I would do it again for people who have no idea what Creighton is about.
First and foremost, basketball has made 9 NCAAs in the last 16 years. So for those who think we are just about Doug McDermott, he has only been here 3 years. So not only do we make it to the NCAAs over 50% of the time over the last 16 years (not a bad sample size), we boast top 10 attendance. 15K over the last decade, 17K this year. 12,500+ season ticket holders, 4 million dollars earned a year just from the "Jaybackers" club. Basketball success is there, support is there. 18,111 fans during our annual "Pink Out" game last month.
As for academics? #1 by US News and World Report for midwest universities with Doctoral programs in Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Law, OT/PT, Philosophy and a Business School (equates to rich alumni).
Olympic Sports and facilities? How about...
1. Soccer is our most successful sport. I think we've made the NCAAs like 19 out of the last 20 years. Only college team to have someone drafted by the MLS every year and we've made two straight College Cup's (final four). We also play at one of the best venues for college soccer, Morrison Stadium. The Big East will be an excellent soccer league.
2. Women's basketball is on an upswing as well. We made the NCAAs last year and almost upset St John's. This year, we are in the semifinals in our conference tournament and if we make the finals, we likely will get an at-large if we don't win it.
3. Women's volleyball is also doing really well. Made the NCAAs last year and made them again this year. Both times winning a game. Women's basketball and volleyball play at a brand new arena specifically for these sports (DJ Sokol Arena).
4. Men's baseball has also made the last two NCAAs and have won games in the tournament. We also play at the home of the College World Series (TD Ameritrade Park). It's early this year, but our RPI is currently 16 (9-3). I can definitely see the Big East hosting the baseball tournament at the home of the CWS which will only lift the conference profile in baseball.
5. Lastly, it was announced that there will be a brand new Basketball Practice Facility built that will be completed in 2014.
Lastly, the issue of travel I think is just an excuse. Alot of these Big East teams were already going down to Florida for games. The distance is almost the same to Omaha. There are also direct flights to the majority of the new Big East as well. The campus is about 10 minutes from the airport. It is alot easier to get to Creighton than it is to get to the University of Nebraska which is in Lincoln.
That is why Creighton is a great fit for the Big East.