Memphis to the Big East

M

Mean Gene

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 Big addition for the Big East?
2:04
PM ETMemphis Tigers TopEmailCommentsThe Big East could be close to adding an impressive school to its roster. According to mulitple news outlets, Memphis is nearing a deal to join the conference in 2013.

Such a move could benefit all parties involved and is being welcomed by some big-name coaches. It would bump the Tigers -- a school whose basketball program has really taken off in recent years -- to one of the most respected leagues in all of college hoops. Meanwhile, the Big East is facing the impending losses of some top tier programs like Syracuse and Pittsburgh in the near future. While Houston, SMU and UCF are on the way to replenish the lineup, Memphis would become the cream of the incoming crop as far as basketball is concerned. It wouldn't completely offset the void left by the Orange and the Panthers (and possibly West Virginia as well), but it would be a big step back in the right direction.
 
Most younger posters may not remember this, but 1985 was the only year the Final Four was made up of teams from one conference.  




I'm positive there is some truthiness in that statement. 
 
 Memphis is a great addition. They certainly do help offset losses. Memphis is a good program with fantastic fan support. They will be a natural rival with Louisville down the line. This is the addition that bball fans waiting to see.
 
 Memphis is close to a deal to join the Big East in all sports in 2013, a conference source confirmed Tuesday, ESPN's Joe Schad reported.

The Big East will be adding Central Florida, Houston, SMU, Navy, San Diego State and Boise State in the coming years, and soon will lose West Virginia, Pittsburgh and Syracuse.

The Big East's plan has been to get to 12 football teams and eventually have a conference championship game. Memphis, plus incumbent schools Cincinnati, UConn, Louisville, Rutgers and South Florida, could get the conference to that point by 2015.

Memphis athletic director R.C. Johnson declined to comment when asked by CBSSports.com about the potential move.

Memphis is a member of Conference USA.
 
 1985 final 4 was madeup of 3 BE teams . I think Memphis was the 4th team, beating BC in the elite 8.
 
Great news, and importantly, it means the BE is taking bball seriously. With the addition of Memphis, the BE regains a top tier program, since we lost 2. Since I think UCF, and Houston are decent programs, overall we added an elite program and 2 decent programs, while losing 2 elite programs. I would rather go on a road trip to Memphis, Houston or UCF than Cuse or Pitt anyway. Memphis also gives the BE another huge market, and I think it will elevate their program, while it elevates ours. Now, when Lavin recruits the south, he can say you will be able to battle teams like Memphis, a premier program. In all fairness, I don't really see a huge difference between Memphis and Cuse/Pitt over the last decade. 
 
Great news, and importantly, it means the BE is taking bball seriously. With the addition of Memphis, the BE regains a top tier program, since we lost 2. Since I think UCF, and Houston are decent programs, overall we added an elite program and 2 decent programs, while losing 2 elite programs. I would rather go on a road trip to Memphis, Houston or UCF than Cuse or Pitt anyway. Memphis also gives the BE another huge market, and I think it will elevate their program, while it elevates ours. Now, when Lavin recruits the south, he can say you will be able to battle teams like Memphis, a premier program. In all fairness, I don't really see a huge difference between Memphis and Cuse/Pitt over the last decade. 
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Upstate:

I'm very pleased with the direction of the program and how can we not be? It has surpassed the past decade in all meaningful areas.

And speaking of teams leaving conferences. One never knows do one? is Boston College so jolly in the ACC?

The Big East will move on, with many fine programs - and the main thing for me - SJU is and will be relevant again. My focus is on the Red Storm not the Orange or the Panthers. Let them all go. Syraacuse will miss its Northeast rivals and the proximity to the Garden etc. Both may lose some of their respective grips on NYC kids. We'll survive and thrive.

Oh what do I know??? Maybe BC is thrilled.

all the best
 
 Memphis fans travel well. Now all the Big East needs to do is add TEMPLE!!

Any Elvis fans here? BTW, The song is traditionally played at University of Memphis Tigers home games by the school's marching band, the Mighty Sound of the South.

=youtube_gdata_player 
 
The replies to this espn column and many others show a lot of hate towards the BE. Is this a regional thing? Whats up with that?  
 
Like the pick-up of Memphis a lot for basketball side. Football was bounced up by Boise in lieu of WV and I think SMU and Houston are a close enough match-up with Pitt and Syr. in football-certainly will be bigger if in fact it opens up the Texas area for Big East recruiters-that remains to be seen.
I am more interested in the basketball side of things, so the idea of adding Memphis has made my day more enjoyable.
 
Like the pick-up of Memphis a lot for basketball side. Football was bounced up by Boise in lieu of WV and I think SMU and Houston are a close enough match-up with Pitt and Syr. in football-certainly will be bigger if in fact it opens up the Texas area for Big East recruiters-that remains to be seen.
I am more interested in the basketball side of things, so the idea of adding Memphis has made my day more enjoyable.
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SMU destroyed Pitt in a bowl 28-6. Houston beat Penn State this year in their bowl as well. The football league is unequivocally stronger. The bball league is slightly weaker without Syracuse, but Pitt while strong in-league, has been notoriously poor in the NCAA tourney. Adding Memphis changes things a ton on the bball side of things. League will be fine and stronger overall.
 
Great news, and importantly, it means the BE is taking bball seriously. With the addition of Memphis, the BE regains a top tier program, since we lost 2. Since I think UCF, and Houston are decent programs, overall we added an elite program and 2 decent programs, while losing 2 elite programs. I would rather go on a road trip to Memphis, Houston or UCF than Cuse or Pitt anyway. Memphis also gives the BE another huge market, and I think it will elevate their program, while it elevates ours. Now, when Lavin recruits the south, he can say you will be able to battle teams like Memphis, a premier program. In all fairness, I don't really see a huge difference between Memphis and Cuse/Pitt over the last decade. 
Click to expand...
 

Upstate:

I'm very pleased with the direction of the program and how can we not be? It has surpassed the past decade in all meaningful areas.

And speaking of teams leaving conferences. One never knows do one? is Boston College so jolly in the ACC?

The Big East will move on, with many fine programs - and the main thing for me - SJU is and will be relevant again. My focus is on the Red Storm not the Orange or the Panthers. Let them all go. Syraacuse will miss its Northeast rivals and the proximity to the Garden etc. Both may lose some of their respective grips on NYC kids. We'll survive and thrive.

Oh what do I know??? Maybe BC is thrilled.

all the best
Click to expand...
 

Syracuse will be playing more in the Garden in the immediate future then they have in the past few years as MSG management looks to fill the seats for College Basketball. Duke Vs Syracuse, NC Vs. Syracuse, will be in the garden. $ talks. Until we can put a consistent product on the court, and I too believe it is comming, the Garden will look for big games that will sell out.
 
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