What's the next realignment domino to fall?

[bigdawg]

The A10 is down this year but let's be honest, SLU and Dayton aren't joining the Valley. It is a step down long term. They both publicly wanted to get into the BigEast when Creighton left so you can certainly assume any expansion discussion doesn't include them.

[squirrel]

The A10 is down this year but let's be honest, SLU and Dayton aren't joining the Valley. It is a step down long term.

I can see SLU seeing it that way. But if the call never comes for either of them, SLU was interested in remaining in an A10 that included Temple, Xavier, Charlotte; Davidson and George Mason, not so much. Undoubtedly they want in to the Big East, and so I still think they may hold out for that. However, I don't see their long-term A10 situation the way I did 3 years ago, and neither do they.

Historically yes, they have been entirely averse to the Valley, but I think they would listen if the right opportunity came...this *might* be it.

[Play Angry]

I'd be shocked, completely and totally, if SLU or Dayton were willing to jump ship and join the MVC.

But if they're willing, then sure, why not expand to include one of them + UAB. It probably nets out to close to a wash on unit dilution and upgrades the quality of the league, and there would be a slight cushion for stability in case WSU or SLU/Dayton gets the better offer their fans hope for down the road I guess.

[acepurple84]

Well even if they do join, don't look for them to stay long. Both joined the old MCC way back in the 80's for a few years. When they felt a better thing came available they left. They joined the Great Midwest Conference. If they came in and the Big East suddenly did to expand they will bail in a heart beat. The longest St. Louis was in any conference was the time they were in the MVC. Now its 4-10 years. At least Dayton seems to have found a home. But they were bouncing around there a couple of times.

[TheAsianSensation]

This is a tangent of a tangent, but the domino effect does hit the Valley:

I wonder if the Big East is waiting on UConn. Look at basketball in the American right now. Look at the RPIs and performance across the board from everyone not named UConn. I don't care what football means, that basketball situation is untenable. Period. Untenable.

If UConn can't find a home in a power conference, I wouldn't take them going to FCS/Big East off the table. I wouldn't be surprised if the Big East is holding off going to 12 exactly for that scenario. I think St Louis would be an obvious 12th in that scenario, but if they're not, I think they become a layup to relocate to the Valley.

Although, with the private/public seal being broken with UConn, the Big East could then easily add a public school, say one that would be a massive boost for basketball and bring a growing national following and respect, and who provides an immediate natural rival for what is currently a western outlier.

[BirdmanBB]

Or the AAC decides they need a geographical footprint in Illinois for recruiting/tv since they no longer have DePaul to serve that purpose and add a school that has football and basketball. I think if WSU had football, they wouldn't be in the valley right now.

[isumvc1]

If WSU had football they'd probably be in the AAC already I'd guess.

I forgot where I read it, but somewhere I saw Memphis might be the next member of the Big XII?

[uniftw]

If WSU had football they'd probably be in the AAC already I'd guess.

I forgot where I read it, but somewhere I saw Memphis might be the next member of the Big XII?

Memphis, Cinci (who should have been added with WVU and L'ville a couple years ago...the B12 screwed the pooch on that one), Colorado St and Boise State are all very much on the radar

[Cdizzle]

If WSU had football they'd probably be in the AAC already I'd guess.

I forgot where I read it, but somewhere I saw Memphis might be the next member of the Big XII?

If WSU had football, we would suck at football, and wouldn't be able to afford 2MM for Marshall, so we would probably suck at basketball too so no one would want us anyway.

Screw football. Go Valley. Go Shox.

[glm38]

If WSU had football they'd probably be in the AAC already I'd guess.

I forgot where I read it, but somewhere I saw Memphis might be the next member of the Big XII?

If WSU had football, we would suck at football, and wouldn't be able to afford 2MM for Marshall, so we would probably suck at basketball too so no one would want us anyway.

Screw football. Go Valley. Go Shox.

That's a brutally honest answer.