Big East expansion rumors; Memphis and UCF?

Given all the College Conference expansion rumors out there I think this one makes the least sense. The Big East is one of the best College basketball conferences out there, and its football program has really improved over the last ten or so years. I fail to see how adding a couple of Conference USA school to the mix would gain them anything. Sure Memphis and the University of Central Florida has much improved both their basketball and football programs recently, but I fail to see how their addition to the Big East adds anything to the conference as a whole.

Being that I live in Big Ten country, I already don’t like what the Big East does. They have 16 member schools, and one associate member, yet only eight of those school (Cincinnati, UConn, Louisville, Pittsburgh, Rutgers, South Florida, Syracuse, and West Virginia) play in their football conference. sure some of those programs have gained some national prominence, but I think the Big East should focus on adding their already members to the football conference if improving that is their goal.

On the basketball side of things the Big East is great. They account for 40 Final Four appearances, and 10 national titles. Those numbers are fourth best amongst the big college conferences behind only the ACC, Big Ten, and Pac 10. All 16 full member schools have made it to at least one final four save South Florida. I don’t see how adding Memphis or Central Florida improves on that.

Of course the Big East has firmly denied the rumors, and that makes a lot of sense given all of the above reasons. However the number one rule in everything is where there is smoke there if fire, and right now the Big East has a lot of smoke. They may need to add Memphis and Central Florida if the Big Ten is successful in convincing Rutgers and Pittsburgh to join their emerging super conference.

Related Links:

•The Business of College Football
•MTR College Sports.com