Big East Impacting WCC?
5 posters
Page 1 of 1
Big East Impacting WCC?
So we've laughed about the Zags' whining that the WCC is a "junk" conference, dragging down their RPI. With the pending implosion of the Big East, there are seven Catholic non-football schools that may break off on their own. I saw this bit of speculation:
Full article: http://espn.go.com/college-sports/story/_/id/8742607/seven-catholic-schools-leaning-leaving-big-east-sources-say
One of the original issues for the BE schools was the dispersed nature of the new schools being added. I'm not sure how combining with schools in Spokane and Moraga works for DePaul, Georgetown, Marquette, Providence, St. John's, Seton Hall and Villanova. It's a long way from R.I. to Spokane.Brey also said the discussion among the Catholic schools was to make it a national Catholic conference with Xavier, Saint Louis, Dayton, Creighton, Gonzaga and possibly Saint Mary's as well.
Full article: http://espn.go.com/college-sports/story/_/id/8742607/seven-catholic-schools-leaning-leaving-big-east-sources-say
Guest- Guest
Re: Big East Impacting WCC?
Gonzaga is in a position to demand a lot of concessions from the WCC in return for not leaving. Most of the league's credibility is based on the Zags being in the conference.
NoPoNeighbor- Playmaker
- Number of posts : 1403
Registration date : 2012-02-04
Re: Big East Impacting WCC?
All the commenters on the Zags blog are foaming at the mouth to leave the WCC behind: http://www.slipperstillfits.com/2012/12/12/3758586/report-gonzaga-would-love-to-part-ways-with-the-wcc
NoPoNeighbor- Playmaker
- Number of posts : 1403
Registration date : 2012-02-04
Re: Big East Impacting WCC?
let 'em go. They've been dragging down the women's soccer conference RPI down for years.
Geezaldinho- Pilot Nation Legend
- Number of posts : 11849
Location : Hopefully, having a Malbec on the square in Cafayate, AR
Registration date : 2007-04-28
Re: Big East Impacting WCC?
Huge hypothetical here: Let’s say this “Catholic League” really happens, and they look west to add some teams and make this a national profile. The teams you have would be Georgetown (Washington DC) Villanova (Philadelphia), St. Johns (New York), Marquette (Milwaukee), Seton Hall (New Jersey), Providence (Rhode Island), DePaul (Chicago). Maybe throw in Xavier (Cincinnati), Saint Louis, Dayton (Ohio), Creighton (Omaha, NE), Gonzaga (Spokane), and Saint Mary’s (Moraga). Here is a google maps with those schools mapped out:
I guess my point is that Gonzaga and Moraga are way way way out of the way. I know that there are schools that travel a long way to be in a conference. Heck even San Diego State and Boise State are joining the Big East (football) soon, but it seems like thats a long long way from the rest of the pack. That leads me to my question which is twofold. First, and I know just how far fetched this is, is there any way in which if Gonzaga bolts for this holiest of holy conference, is there any way in which Portland could be invited as well. And Second, is it something that would even be good for Portland
Like I said, I fully understand that the immediate answer is NO WAY IN HELL. The only reason the main group is leaving is because Tulane is hurting the league RPI, and Portland sure as hell wouldn't be adding anything to the strength of schedule.
But it would make sense for Gonzaga to have a traveling partner, and Moraga is a little far for a travel partner as is Omaha. Also, Portland being included in a large basketball event has happened before. Look at the 16 team mega tournament scheduled in a couple of years in Portland. We are by far the team with the smallest profile, but it happened. In addition Portland has some great recruits recently and adding UP could open a small pipeline for the east coast schools. Finally I'm not sure if this will help any but Larry Williams, as we all know, is at one of the seven schools, and I don't know how he left Portland (I mean I'm not sure his opinions of the athletic department when he left; if it was on good terms or bad) but if Portland ever came up as an option to join, I'm sure the first person they would all look to is Larry and if he remembers UP fondly, he would be a great person to have in our corner. In addition, UP has shown upgrading athletic facilities is a big priority and expansion is also a priority. Portland is really in a great position when it comes to potential to expand/improve the campus/facilities. Just a few points.
If it would be good for UP, that I'm unsure of. Truthfully if Gonzaga left, I wouldn't be surprised if Seattle joined. I'm not sure how the WCC would fair in terms of Basketball. If someone would step up to fill their void and the WCC reputation would remain, or if the profile would fall and the whole conference would suffer (in terms of basketball). How would the other sports be impacted? Obviously Cross Country would be fine. But would soccer suffer? Would the distance that they all have to travel hurt the student athletes? Would we just become the punching bag in basketball? I'm not sure. Any thoughts?
Again, I'm not saying we should or shouldn't go. and I'm not even saying we have 0.00001 percent chance of even being included, I'm just bringing up a hypothetical to see what everyone thinks.
I guess my point is that Gonzaga and Moraga are way way way out of the way. I know that there are schools that travel a long way to be in a conference. Heck even San Diego State and Boise State are joining the Big East (football) soon, but it seems like thats a long long way from the rest of the pack. That leads me to my question which is twofold. First, and I know just how far fetched this is, is there any way in which if Gonzaga bolts for this holiest of holy conference, is there any way in which Portland could be invited as well. And Second, is it something that would even be good for Portland
Like I said, I fully understand that the immediate answer is NO WAY IN HELL. The only reason the main group is leaving is because Tulane is hurting the league RPI, and Portland sure as hell wouldn't be adding anything to the strength of schedule.
But it would make sense for Gonzaga to have a traveling partner, and Moraga is a little far for a travel partner as is Omaha. Also, Portland being included in a large basketball event has happened before. Look at the 16 team mega tournament scheduled in a couple of years in Portland. We are by far the team with the smallest profile, but it happened. In addition Portland has some great recruits recently and adding UP could open a small pipeline for the east coast schools. Finally I'm not sure if this will help any but Larry Williams, as we all know, is at one of the seven schools, and I don't know how he left Portland (I mean I'm not sure his opinions of the athletic department when he left; if it was on good terms or bad) but if Portland ever came up as an option to join, I'm sure the first person they would all look to is Larry and if he remembers UP fondly, he would be a great person to have in our corner. In addition, UP has shown upgrading athletic facilities is a big priority and expansion is also a priority. Portland is really in a great position when it comes to potential to expand/improve the campus/facilities. Just a few points.
If it would be good for UP, that I'm unsure of. Truthfully if Gonzaga left, I wouldn't be surprised if Seattle joined. I'm not sure how the WCC would fair in terms of Basketball. If someone would step up to fill their void and the WCC reputation would remain, or if the profile would fall and the whole conference would suffer (in terms of basketball). How would the other sports be impacted? Obviously Cross Country would be fine. But would soccer suffer? Would the distance that they all have to travel hurt the student athletes? Would we just become the punching bag in basketball? I'm not sure. Any thoughts?
Again, I'm not saying we should or shouldn't go. and I'm not even saying we have 0.00001 percent chance of even being included, I'm just bringing up a hypothetical to see what everyone thinks.
DTLegend- Pilot Nation Regular
- Number of posts : 385
Age : 36
Location : Sacramento
Registration date : 2008-04-16
Re: Big East Impacting WCC?
A. Gonzaga would fight like heck to exclude us. We are who they are trying to get away from; a school without a national profile and tournament history (recent or otherwise).
B. We would have the same ridiculous travel issues, without the private jet. The costs and logistics would kill us.
C. Who would the soccer, baseball, volleyball, rowing and women's basketball play? I sure as heck would not support allowing GU's other sports programs to remain in the WCC if their MBB leaves. So I wouldn't expect that for our programs, either.
D. Punching bag? I'd think so. I relish the thought of reading the GU boards the first season they lose more than one or two games in their new conference, which they will do.
E. Many of our recruits get to play in front of family in the WCC. I doubt that would be the case in Philly, D.C., NYC, etc.
I am sure it would not be good for UP.
Whether it would be good for GU is unclear. I doubt it. It seems short-sighted to me. But all this conference realignment madness is short-sighted and only about money. If GU decides to go, I echo Geezer: don't let the door hit you in the a$$ on the way out.
B. We would have the same ridiculous travel issues, without the private jet. The costs and logistics would kill us.
C. Who would the soccer, baseball, volleyball, rowing and women's basketball play? I sure as heck would not support allowing GU's other sports programs to remain in the WCC if their MBB leaves. So I wouldn't expect that for our programs, either.
D. Punching bag? I'd think so. I relish the thought of reading the GU boards the first season they lose more than one or two games in their new conference, which they will do.
E. Many of our recruits get to play in front of family in the WCC. I doubt that would be the case in Philly, D.C., NYC, etc.
I am sure it would not be good for UP.
Whether it would be good for GU is unclear. I doubt it. It seems short-sighted to me. But all this conference realignment madness is short-sighted and only about money. If GU decides to go, I echo Geezer: don't let the door hit you in the a$$ on the way out.
Guest- Guest
Re: Big East Impacting WCC?
Yeah, I think I agree with that, and honestly, I don't really logistically how this whole thing would work, but I guess thats up to the AD's from those schools to try to figure out.
DTLegend- Pilot Nation Regular
- Number of posts : 385
Age : 36
Location : Sacramento
Registration date : 2008-04-16
Re: Big East Impacting WCC?
BYU would bolt the moment that Gonzaga leaves. If St. Mary's leaves, too, we'd be down to 7 members and would be BEGGING Seattle U. to join the conference.
NoPoNeighbor- Playmaker
- Number of posts : 1403
Registration date : 2012-02-04
Re: Big East Impacting WCC?
The Big East's impact on the WCC could be more than we expected.....from ESPN:
Always want to have the best man in charge, but on the other hand you can't hold a good man back!
IMO Zaninovich came to the WCC at the right time, and if he leaves, he will have left a much better WCC than when he arrived.The new Big East presidents are expected to meet in the next week to interview four or five finalists for the commissioner's job. Creighton athletic director Bruce Rasmussen said Thursday the 10 athletic directors haven't been told of the finalists, but Rasmussen is hopeful West Coast Conference commissioner Jamie Zaninovich is one of the five and gets the job. "We need a commissioner who has been successful, who has the background, who has the knowledge that can make decisions,'' said Rasmussen. "Jamie Zaninovich would be a tremendous person to put in that position.'' Rasmussen said the new Big East must hire a commissioner who has held that job, especially in a landscape where having a powerful figure is important amid a changing and aggressive college sports landscape. Zaninovich has long been rumored as a candidate and when asked at the Final Four in Atlanta, Zaninovich had no comment. Zaninovich is on the men's basketball selection committee, but would probably lose his spot if he left his West Coast position since the committee has a national balance.
Always want to have the best man in charge, but on the other hand you can't hold a good man back!
DoubleDipper- Pilot Nation Legend
- Number of posts : 11491
Location : Flying, Golfing, or at the Game
Registration date : 2011-11-03
Re: Big East Impacting WCC?
You cannot blame Zaninovich moving up, if he does.... but it would be a big loss for the WCC. He has been critical to growth of the conference, the moving of the basketball tourneys to Vegas, and the vastly improved television contracts.
_________________
Run 'Em Aground Pilots!
PilotNut- Administrator
- Number of posts : 4259
Age : 51
Location : The 503
Registration date : 2007-04-28
Re: Big East Impacting WCC?
I wonder if Larry Williams has anything to do with BigEast 2.0 going after him.
Geezaldinho- Pilot Nation Legend
- Number of posts : 11849
Location : Hopefully, having a Malbec on the square in Cafayate, AR
Registration date : 2007-04-28
Re: Big East Impacting WCC?
Yea, that was my initial thought....but it turns out a number of AD's think highly of Zaninovich after getting to know him from his work on the NCAA basketball selection committee.PurpleGeezer wrote:I wonder if Larry Williams has anything to do with BigEast 2.0 going after him.
DoubleDipper- Pilot Nation Legend
- Number of posts : 11491
Location : Flying, Golfing, or at the Game
Registration date : 2011-11-03
Re: Big East Impacting WCC?
The Commish may be sticking around
http://collegebasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/05/17/wcc-commissioner-jamie-zaninovich-agree-to-three-year-extension/
http://collegebasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/05/17/wcc-commissioner-jamie-zaninovich-agree-to-three-year-extension/
DTLegend- Pilot Nation Regular
- Number of posts : 385
Age : 36
Location : Sacramento
Registration date : 2008-04-16
Re: Big East Impacting WCC?
Good pick-up, DTL.DTLegend wrote:The Commish may be sticking around
http://collegebasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/05/17/wcc-commissioner-jamie-zaninovich-agree-to-three-year-extension/
I believe this is a win, win, win....it's definitely a win for WCC; it's a win for the fans; and it's gotta be a win for Jamie. He's got a great job in one of the best parts of the world without a lot of pressure except for what's self-imposed. To go to the Big East would be the opposite.... a meat grinder of a job under unrelenting pressure to perform from the fans and media.
Good move WCC and Jamie!!
DoubleDipper- Pilot Nation Legend
- Number of posts : 11491
Location : Flying, Golfing, or at the Game
Registration date : 2011-11-03
Re: Big East Impacting WCC?
What, no link to Westcoastconvo?DTLegend wrote:The Commish may be sticking around
http://collegebasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/05/17/wcc-commissioner-jamie-zaninovich-agree-to-three-year-extension/
Guest- Guest
Re: Big East Impacting WCC?
haha, I do have a full time job that doesn't allow me to blog during work, only post on here
DTLegend- Pilot Nation Regular
- Number of posts : 385
Age : 36
Location : Sacramento
Registration date : 2008-04-16
Page 1 of 1
Permissions in this forum:
You cannot reply to topics in this forum