Mid Majors are what make the Tourney Great

I often get so sick of hearing the expert commentary weeks leading up to the tournament.  They project who they believe deserves to be in the tournament and who doesn’t.  ESPN, in order to push it’s agenda, often highlights only schools from power conferences and make excuses as to why mid majors don’t belong.  They often talk about how the mid majors are not deserving because they don’t have the strength of schedule, no quality wins, bad losses or records against the top 50.  They use whatever they can to push their agenda.

For instance, let’s take Drexel, a team from the Colonial that won 19 of its last 20 games.  Many “experts” said that Drexel didn’t have the strength of schedule and pointed to a bad loss to Norfolk State as a reason why Drexel did not belong in the dance.  Rewind back to yesterday and what happened?  Lowly Norfolk State pulls off an upset of Missouri, a number 2 seed.  So much for the theory of a bad loss.

I am a huge fan of VCU who made the amazing run to the Final 4 last year.  Despite what the Rams did last year, they also lacked the respect because they had bad losses.  Forget about the fact this is a team that lost 5 major contributors from last year and 60% of its offense.  Forget about the fact that there is only 1 senior, 2 juniors and a bunch of sophomores and freshman that make up the 9th youngest team in the nation.  Forget about the fact that this team found its identity pretty quickly after the first 5 games.  They were not deserving of a bid because they didn’t play anyone.  If ESPN would turn its bracket busters into a true bracket busters and match up power conference teams with mid majors, then things might be more fair.  Instead, they select the matchups they want and hurt many mid majors in the process.

The tournament every year brings so much excitement.  There is a reason why it is called March Madness.  It’s the huge upsets like Lehigh and Norfolk State that make the tournament great.  It’s the runs by teams like VCU and George Mason years ago that makes the tournament so exciting.  If anything, haven’t we learned by now that mid major programs with great records deserve a chance to be in the tournament before mediocre teams from power conferences?

TCU to the Big 12

Breaking news…the Big 12 just voted to expand and has offered an invite to TCU.  TCU, who is currently a member of the MWC, was going to be leaving next season to join the Big East, but due to the instability of the Big East, they are likely to accept the invitation to the Big 12.  TCU has been chosen to replace Texas A&M.  The conference is waiting to hear what Missouri’s decision will be, but seems resolved to move on with or without the Tigers with a goal of reaching 12 members.  The SEC voted and did not have enough votes to accept Missouri into the conference – whom might have hurt themselves with the arrogant statement made beforehand that they wish they could get into the Big 10, but would accept an offer from the SEC if given.

The Big East on the other hand will be down to 6 football members.  The conference continues to talk about expansion, but several members are rumored to be candidates for the Big 12, ACC or SEC.  The MWC and CUSA are trying to work out a deal where they would each have 12 members and the conference champions would face each other for a BCS berth.  Notre Dame has made a decision to join the Hockey East, ending speculation of a possibility of waiting for the Big 10.  There are rumors of Notre Dame’s independence being in jeopardy because of the Big East football falling apart – but those rumors make no sense.  The only thing that threatens Notre Dame’s independence is the possibility of everyone going to Super Conferences eliminating the BCS.  There are still a lot of things that are uncertain at the moment, but there is one thing that is almost for sure – TCU will be accepting an offer to join the Big 12 and the landscape is still changing.

Conference Realignment Rumors – 9-26-2011

I’m trying to keep from posting too much on the rumors as things change so frequently now a days, I’ll try to limit to once per week unless something major happens.  Now that Texas A&M to the SEC is a done deal as the Big 12 members have released the Aggies and the SEC from any litigation worries, you have to wonder what will happen next.  It appears that we might see some moves by the Big 12 first, however, there are a lot of rumors in that area.  Texas legislature was pushing for universities from Texas to be admitted (Houston, SMU, TCU) but Big 12 members don’t seem to be interested in that move.  They are interested in expanding their base and are trying to work out something with BYU.  Also rumored is Boise St, while they do anything television-wise, they offer one of the most legit programs over the last decade.  If the Big 12 goes with BYU and Boise St, we could also see Air Force being targeted.  Everyone is waiting to see what Missouri will do – will they stay in the Big 12 or will they become the 14th member of the SEC.  If they stay in the Big 12, realignment could see Louisville, Cincinnati or West Virginia in the Big 12 – but without Missouri – there is too much geography between the current schools and the midwest/eastern schools.

The Big East is looking to expand and has expressed interest in the service academies as football only members.  Army has said they are not interested, mainly because they are afraid they will not be competitive.  Maybe they are also seeing through the Big East as it is not a very solid conference at the moment.  Air Force and Navy have expressed interest but it might take a while for Navy to move in this direction because they have already committed their schedule for several years.  Air Force’s interest seems difficult to understand other than being in a possible Automatic Qualifier conference.  Air Force is in Colorado and that is a long, long way from the Big East.  Plus, what would Air Force do with their other sports?  I think they only have 9, so maybe that is not much of a worry.  Where some big issues come with the Big East is that other members might be interested in other opportunities.  Connecticut has all but stated they want to be in the ACC, not the Big East.  Rutgers is another possibility for the ACC.  West Virginia, Louisville and Cincinnati also seem to have other options with the Big 12.  To top it off, the hybrid hasn’t worked in the past, so why do they want to continue down this road?  Recently, there has been a big push by the basketball powers for re-admitting Temple and allowing Villanova to upgrade their football program.  I just think things are extremely shaky for the Big East.

The ACC seems to have a lot of interest in Connecticut, but are in no hurry at the moment as they wait to hear from Notre Dame.  Also, the ACC has to be worried about teams being poached by the Big 10 and SEC.  We’ll see if anything happens in the near future.

Realignment Rumors on Sept 20th

Things just keep getting crazier and crazier and there is no telling where things might go.  Rumors are still abound about Oklahoma and Oklahoma St to the PAC12, but now Oklahoma has made a stance that if they were to stay in the Big 12, there would have to be major changes.  This makes me question whether the PAC12 is going to vote in favor of Oklahoma and Oklahoma St.  Why would Oklahoma all of a sudden change their mind and want to reform the Big 12, something they had given up for no hope?  They want Beebe, the commissioner fired and for their to be limitations on the Longhorn Network.

Other rumors that are that Notre Dame is actually pretty serious about the ACC.  They have also pretty much said they are not interested in the Big 10 because of the travel to the midwest, but more interested in the ACC and the northeast.  I think the plan is still to stay independent, but to find a league for their other sports now that the Big East is imploding.  This would also give them a fallback if the super conferences ever do happen.  So it is looking more and more like a strong possibility of Villanova and Notre Dame to be 15 and 16.

Other rumors are that the MWC and CUSA are talking about a merger.  Now that the Big East looks like it will be merging with the Big 12, there will need to be another automatic qualifier for the BCS – the MWC and CUSA are pushing for the winner of their combined championship to get that berth.  The MWC has offered an invitation to TCU and BYU to come back and join them.

Navy was set to join the Big East until Syracuse and Pitt had left for the ACC.  The Big East was also looking to pull in Air Force as well – but now with things in limbo, this isn’t happening.  West Virginia applied to both the SEC and the ACC and was rejected by both.  It appears Missouri is the targeted 14th team for the SEC, though the SEC denies making any contact.

Lastly, it is reported that James Madison University will be looking at upgrading from FCS to FBS in the next 2 years.  New players on the block in that time will be Charlotte, JMU and Appalachian St – if they can all find a conference that will accept them.

Texas and Oklahoma Next?

The regents for Texas and Oklahoma have met and have opened the door for them to join the PAC12.  Both regents have approved the option of leaving the Big 12.  Texas has been trying to work out the details of how they could work the Longhorn Network into the plan for the PAC16 – no details yet on that.  But it is looking more and more like we will soon be hearing that Texas, Texas Tech, Oklahoma and Oklahoma St will be joining the PAC12 soon to be PAC16.  It seems like they will be doing a pod system, with 4 teams in each pod.  Many of the teams want to be assured they will be able to go to California, so it looks like a possibility of splitting the California schools into different pods.  Rumor has it that each team would play the other 3 teams in their pod, then 2 of the 4 in each of the other pods for 9 games total.  It is also rumored they will take the top 2 teams from each of the 4 pods to the conference championship game.  If Texas does decide against the PAC16, then the PAC12/16 is likely to go after Missouri and Kansas.

There is now talk that the leftover Big East schools (South Florida, Connecticut, West Virginia, TCU, Rutgers, Cincinnati and Louisville) and the leftover Big 12 schools (Missouri, Baylor, Iowa St, Kansas and Kansas St) are talking about a merger.  That is twelves schools, but of course there are rumors of other teams like Connecticut and Rutgers to the ACC and Missouri and West Virginia to the SEC.  If the new conference were smart, they would try to invite Boise St to help solidify an automatic qualifier spot then take your pick of a handful of MWC or CUSA schools to get to 12.  It is pretty imminent that the football and basketball schools of the Big East are now going to part ways.

Other rumors – Apparently, I have heard the SEC is not interested in West Virginia at all and this seems to be a rumor that is confirmed by West Virginia officials.  I have also heard that the Big 10 is pretty much satisfied staying at 12 schools unless they can get Notre Dame.  There are still rumors of Notre Dame to the ACC but staying independent in football.  They would likely play 4 games with ACC football schools and all other sports would be in the ACC.  If this is the case, the ACC is rumored to take another non FBS football school with Notre Dame, such as Villanova or Georgetown.  There are still rumors of Texas to the ACC with either Notre Dame, or Texas Tech or Kansas, but that just seems very far fetched.

Big East and Big 12 about to Crumble

The ACC accepted Pittsburgh and Syracuse into the conference early this morning.  UConn is now pushing really hard to get into the ACC.  The rumors of the possibility of Texas and Notre Dame to the ACC for all sports but football is now about all dead.  So now the rumors are that UConn and Rutgers will be the next in the ACC.

There are also rumors of Texas, Texas Tech, Oklahoma and Oklahoma St to the PAC12 being revived.  Seems like we will hear something soon about this being a reality because Texas will be able to work something out with the Longhorn Network.

This all means that the PAC12, soon to be PAC16 and ACC will be at 16 schools.  The leftovers from the Big East are TCU, South Florida, West Virginia, Louisville and Cincinnati.  It is likely that West Virginia will be moving to the SEC, leaving 4 schools that will need a home.  The Big 12 leftovers will be Baylor, Missouri, Kansas, Kansas St, and Iowa St.  Could Missouri be heading to the SEC or will they get an invite to the Big 10?  Will the Big 10 expand beyond 12?  Will we hear something about Notre Dame to the Big 10 soon?  Is Kansas an option for the Big 10 or SEC?  Will the Big 12 and Big East leftovers come together and invite other teams from CUSA or will some of these teams go to the Mountain West?  We shall find out very soon.

Realignment Rumors on Mizzou

Missouri still hasn’t committed to the possible litigation against Texas A&M and the SEC.  This must mean they are ready to bolt.  It is rumored that Mizzou has pretty much given up hope on the Big 10 possibility.  There were many rumors about Missouri going to the Big East, but apparently, that would be their #3 option.  Number 1 would be the SEC, #2 would be the ACC.  Is it me or does Missouri, Texas, Kansas and Kansas St seem to be very odd for a conference known as the Atlantic Coast Conference?  Ok, never mind, back to reality, geography doesn’t matter.  Student athletes don’t really matter either, no matter how much they say it does.  It is basically about the $ and television options.

NCAA Conference Realignment Update

While Texas A&M waits in limbo because of the threat of litigation, mainly from Baylor, there has been a ton of talking outside of this.  Baylor has already been talking with the Big East and feels confident they could get a Big East invite.  It is expected that Oklahoma may be making an announcement by Monday, September 19th that they are leaving the Big 12.  Apparently, they will apply for membership with the PAC12 with Oklahoma St.  The PAC12 has stated they are not interested in expansion unless the landscape changes – basically meaning, we are not going to make the first move.  Rumors have been rampant that Oklahoma has now twice contacted the Big Ten, but have been turned down both times because of academic issues.

The biggest rumor that has finally gotten some legs on Northwestern’s and Orangeblood forums is that Texas and Notre Dame have approached the Big 10 with terms of their acceptance into the conference.  They want an 8 game schedule, as opposed to 9 so they can preserve rivalry games and other things.  Rumor has it the Big 10 is agreeable with these stipulations and could possibly see both Texas and Notre Dame joining by 2012.  Notre Dame hockey is still waiting to make an announcement of what conference they will be joining – W Michigan, who was waiting for Notre Dame, because they wanted to go with them has now stopped waiting and made their decision who they want to join.  It is also rumored that Missouri is now having meetings about their membership, would that be SEC, Big 10 or PAC12?

All I know is that things are going to start falling like dominoes very soon.  We will see what happens but it looks like Oklahoma is adamant now they do not want to be part of the Big 12.  Oklahoma St is attached to the hip of Oklahoma.  BYU has stated they would be interested in joining the Big 12 if Oklahoma stays, but it just doesn’t look like the Big 12 will have much of a chance now.

Realignment Will Begin?

Rumor has it that Texas A&M was approved to join the SEC and they will hold a press conference today to announce.  This will begin the shakeup as it is likely that Oklahoma and Oklahoma St will leave for the PAC12+2.  Oklahoma indicated they are not going to wait for Texas and are fine if the rivalry ends.  After this, it will be interesting to see if Texas decides to join the PAC12+2+2 bringing Texas Tech along or whether they will try to resurrect the Big12-5 or go independent.  Rumors have Kansas and Kansas St going to the Big East with either Iowa St or Missouri.  Missouri is a bit of a mystery as I have seen rumors of them going to the Big East or SEC though they covet an invite to the Big10.  That will leave Baylor out of the mix and joining either the MWC or CUSA, possibly with Iowa St.  But, this could be a huge sticking point – Baylor could litigate against the SEC and that would null the move of Texas A&M.  Is this the SECs way of saying we want to stay at 12 but don’t have the balls to say so?  This is going to get ugly.

Will there be expansion?  If so, who will the SEC pick up as their 14th school?  Missouri, an ACC team or a Big East team?  Or will they target 16 schools?  Will any other conference try to grow?  We shall find out soon.

NCAA Conference Realignment on the Horizon

I recently broached this topic a couple of weeks ago when I suggested that all hell was going to break loose.  You can read that post here.  Rumor has it that Texas A&M has all but decided to leave the Big 12 for the SEC.  Rumor also has it that the SEC is planning to offer an invitation to Texas A&M for 2012 and then another school in 2014.  While the rumors for the fourteenth school are not as solid (FSU, Missouri, or Virginia Tech), things appear to be imminent and will likely kick off a new series of expansion.

The Big 12 is looking to replace Texas A&M with someone like Houston or Louisville.  But if it is Missouri that leaves for the SEC, then that could spell the end of the Big 12.  Another potential loser could be the Big East, as if the ACC gets poached, they will likely target Big East schools.  Will the PAC12 look at the other Big 12 schools?  Will the Big 10 react?  One thing is for sure, the ACC should be proactive here and make a move soon.

Texas A&M has a meeting this coming Monday, August 15th – I’ll be watching earnestly as the excitement begins.