Since the Big East got "Big" a few years ago I've always wondered if they would eventually split into a Catholic basketball league and a public football league. With these new additions (whenever they arrive) you could see that happen. Two big questions come up in that situation:

 

1) What does Notre Dame do? Can an major independent survive in the era of super-conferences? And if they must be in a conference, does the Big Ten work better for them than the Big East?

 

2) Can the basketball only league survive? Certainly schools like Villanova, Georgetown, and St. John's would generate interest and some TV money, but part of the allure of those schools are when they play teams like Syracuse and Pittsburgh. They wouldn't be playing conference games against each other in a split.

 

If there is a basketball/football split, I think you might still end up with the two Big Easts aligned in some way, most likely through scheduling. Both sides would play their regular conference games, but they would be matched with other schools in the opposite league to provide quality opponents for TV and for their fans/arenas.

 

The basketball conference would definitely survive, but it might fall closer to the A10 than the current Big East as far as exposure. That said it would still make money and be alright.

The general consensus is the Super Conferences are the first step in breaking away from the NCAA and creating a playoff system.

The basketball conference would definitely survive, but it might fall closer to the A10 than the current Big East as far as exposure. That said it would still make money and be alright.

 

You might even see a couple schools like Xavier and Dayton invited into that basketball only league.

 

HT, I think I'm getting way ahead of myself here!

This is something I haven't followed terribly much, but I'm assuming adding Texas A&M is a money thing for the SEC. Is this an accurate assumption? I'm not sure what else A&M, WVU or Mizzou could add to the conference.

This is something I haven't followed terribly much, but I'm assuming adding Texas A&M is a money thing for the SEC. Is this an accurate assumption? I'm not sure what else A&M, WVU or Mizzou could add to the conference.

 

A&M likely gives team access to recruiting in Texas to some extent, but certainly the TV sets in DFW and Houston are very appealing and will increase the amount of money paid for broadcasting rights. That same reason is why I think the SEC would look at Missouri (St. Louis/Kansas City) over West Virginia (?).

Since the Big East got "Big" a few years ago I've always wondered if they would eventually split into a Catholic basketball league and a public football league. With these new additions (whenever they arrive) you could see that happen. Two big questions come up in that situation:

 

1) What does Notre Dame do? Can an major independent survive in the era of super-conferences? And if they must be in a conference, does the Big Ten work better for them than the Big East?

 

2) Can the basketball only league survive? Certainly schools like Villanova, Georgetown, and St. John's would generate interest and some TV money, but part of the allure of those schools are when they play teams like Syracuse and Pittsburgh. They wouldn't be playing conference games against each other in a split.

 

If there is a basketball/football split, I think you might still end up with the two Big Easts aligned in some way, most likely through scheduling. Both sides would play their regular conference games, but they would be matched with other schools in the opposite league to provide quality opponents for TV and for their fans/arenas.

 

Notre Dame will never join unless 1 - NBC cuts the from TV. or 2- the conference they join allows them to keep all of the NBC money.

 

That is why I think Texas goes independant.

 

As fro the Big East I think they can survive. Only if the can steal some Big 12 left overs Like Mizz., Kansas, Kansas St.

Notre Dame will never join unless 1 - NBC cuts the from TV. or 2- the conference they join allows them to keep all of the NBC money.

 

That is why I think Texas goes independent.

 

I think you are right, but what if four super-conferences of 16 teams each emerge and break away from the NCAA? Where are Notre Dame and Texas in that situation? Can Notre Dame/Texas afford to hold out with their own TV money if it ultimately cuts them out of a new association playoff system?

It is amazing how football controls all of collegiate sports. You do not see conferences trying to steal away Duke, North Carolina, Kentucky, Syracuse, etc.

 

Someone was on Mike and Mike a few weeks ago saying that the universities that really rake in the big bucks are those with hugely successful football programs - SoCal, OSU, Texas, etc. Football is the cash cow. He said that schools like UConn, Kansas, Duke (can't remember if he mentioned UK) that were basketball powerhouses but that stink on the gridiron weren't anywhere nearly as successful financially.

Sooner or later there's going to be about four meaningful football conferences - SEC, Pac (fill in the blank), Big (fill in the blank) and maybe the BAC (Big Atlantic Coast).

 

It will be interesting to see where Texas and their big TV deal lands.

 

That's an interesting thought. A playoff system including those 4 divisions would likely be almost as accurate and short as they could make it. Take the winner of each conferences own championship game. Then those 4 play in the final 4 and the 2 left standing play for the championship.

I think you are right, but what if four super-conferences of 16 teams each emerge and break away from the NCAA? Where are Notre Dame and Texas in that situation? Can Notre Dame/Texas afford to hold out with their own TV money if it ultimately cuts them out of a new association playoff system?

 

I am not sure. I we shall see. I hope they put they squeeze on ND.

Is the SEC wanting the lucrative Morgantown TV market?

Since the Big East got "Big" a few years ago I've always wondered if they would eventually split into a Catholic basketball league and a public football league. With these new additions (whenever they arrive) you could see that happen. Two big questions come up in that situation:

 

1) What does Notre Dame do? Can an major independent survive in the era of super-conferences? And if they must be in a conference, does the Big Ten work better for them than the Big East?

 

2) Can the basketball only league survive? Certainly schools like Villanova, Georgetown, and St. John's would generate interest and some TV money, but part of the allure of those schools are when they play teams like Syracuse and Pittsburgh. They wouldn't be playing conference games against each other in a split.

 

If there is a basketball/football split, I think you might still end up with the two Big Easts aligned in some way, most likely through scheduling. Both sides would play their regular conference games, but they would be matched with other schools in the opposite league to provide quality opponents for TV and for their fans/arenas.

 

There are plans in place to go up to a 20 team basketball league...

There are plans in place to go up to a 20 team basketball league...

 

Who might those 20 teams be? Could you see a situation where the ACC and Big Ten (and maybe SEC) take teams from the Big East, thus making a complete face lift of who participates in that league?

Split the SEC into three divisions

 

Pros

 

LSU

Alabama

Georgia

Kentucky

 

Cons

Tennessee

Florida

Mississippi State

Auburn

 

Little Brothers

Ole Miss

Vanderbilt

South Carolina

Texas A/M

Arkansas

 

:laugh:

Who might those 20 teams be? Could you see a situation where the ACC and Big Ten (and maybe SEC) take teams from the Big East, thus making a complete face lift of who participates in that league?

 

At this point who knows how it will al shake out, and honestly I am over all of the speculation being passed off as information. I do know there have been meetings on the Big East end to discuss taking a few Big 12 programs if that implodes and moving to 14-16 football schools and up to 20 in basketball.

 

I also know leaving the Big East isn't as easy as some would like to believe. After the last raid by the ACC all schools signed an agreement to give 27 months public notice before leaving to go along with a 5 million exit fee...