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by MattStark

Last Post 11 days, 3 hours Ago


Tigers, Big East Bound?
May 14, 2008 | 9:04 PM
Category: Sports
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Featured On: MyFoxMemphis

Ever since the Memphis Tigers got left behind in the Great Bum Rush to leave Conference USA-- also known as the Big East expansion in 2003-- Tiger fans have had one singular goal. To follow their old rivals from Louisville, and Cincinnati to the greener pastures of the Big East.

And here's where it gets interesting.

Sources have confirmed to FOX13 Sports that University of Memphis officials have been in serious talks with the Big East about joining the conference.

How about them apples?

If and when it happens, the University of Memphis will the jackpot. Big time.

As a member of a BCS conference, the revenue sharing they would be entitled to, blows away anything they receive from Conference USA.

Consider this. In football alone, the Big East received over 18 million dollars to divide among it's 8 football members following the 2006-2007 season. Conference USA meanwhile had to split 18 million dollars with 4 other Conferences, comprised of 51 schools. The Tigers take of that, came to a mere 353 thousand dollars.

Talk about living in a different tax bracket.

So what do you think?

Obviously this would move would benefit the Tiger Football program more than any other. What would it mean though for Tiger hoops? John Calipari has proven that he can prosper as the Big Fish in a small pond (3 straight 30 plus win seasons), would he enjoy knocking heads in the rugged and tradition rich Big East Conference?

This brings up a whole lot of questions and avenues to explore, but to avoid turning this into the worlds longest blog entry, I'll end it now with this--Would you have any reservations about the Memphis Tigers joining the Big East, or is it a no-brainer to leave C-USA in the dust?

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Member Comments Total Comments: 30
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TripleA
May 14, 2008 | 9:22 PM

Yes, it's a no-brainer. Ask Coach Cal. He would day the same thing. This would be big. Sorry C-USA, but we gotta go!
nief17
May 14, 2008 | 10:34 PM

NO BRAINER! It would increase recruiting, ticket sales, and school enrollment. We want the Big East!
beanburrito
May 14, 2008 | 11:53 PM

Win/Win.
The Big East would solidify it's status as the #1 BBall Conf. and it's football members could recruit the deep south with all its talent better.
HornLakeTiger
May 15, 2008 | 12:08 AM

It's not even a question. We pack our bags and be ready the moment they give us the green light.

Conference USA has been great for us, but there's not a school in this league that wouldn't jump at the opportunity to be a member of a BCS league.
jdenni
May 15, 2008 | 8:08 AM

Memphis brings nothing to the table. They want to capitalize on the hard work of others..Nothing but revenue seekers.
TripleA
May 15, 2008 | 8:42 AM

Jdenni, Memphis brings nothing to the table? Are you for real? How about a b-ball team that went to the NC game, and the E8 the two years prior? How about a football team that has gone to 4 bowls in the past 5 years? How about a baseball team in the NCAA toruney? How about a $180M endowment? How about a rabid fan base? This new blog needs a comnmon sense filter.
snakester
May 15, 2008 | 8:57 AM

I agree with TripleA. This would leave the BE with a bloated 17 team BBall conference though. I think its timegive the irish the boot.
UMTGRBBallFan
May 15, 2008 | 9:44 AM

I have my reservations about joining the Big East. I think the idea is great but for US Tiger Fans who like to go on the road to watch our tigers play whether is be basketball, football or any other sports. You are talking about an investment since the closest school in driving distance is Louisville. The next school within range is close to doubling those miles and hours on the road. I think you will see a huge decrease in attendance at away games and that would be a shame. I would love to see if we can begin talks with the SEC, it's a no brainer for travel, affiliation...Oxford just miles away, Arkansas is just 2 hours, 3 hours for Vandy... the list goes on and on for that being the right fit, after all this area is considered SEC country right? Almost all our good football players from the area go to SEC schools on average right? 2 out of 3 of the biggest colleges in Tennessee are in the SEC.
TripleA
May 15, 2008 | 10:25 AM

UMTGR, all good points, but my understanding is we have tried numerous times to crack the SEC & get blocked by Ole Miss & UT for recruiting reasons. Big 10 supposedly won't allow schools in states not contiguous to current members, no word on ACC or Big 12. Also, travel would be more, but right now we go to ECU, UCF, Texas & OK, and we will pull in much more money. In b-ball, do you not think Memphis will draw on the road? And they will draw at home if they were playing Eastern Michigan, or whomever. There may be fewer Memphis fans on the road, but the upside is better.
WVUFanatic
May 15, 2008 | 10:37 AM

I'd love for Memphis to join the BE. We need a 9th football team, the Tigers B-Ball team is fantastic and it would open up the south for recruiting. It's a no-brainer for Memphis and for the BE. This WVU fan would welcome you with open arms.
WVUFanatic
May 15, 2008 | 10:41 AM

I also agree with snakester.....boot the Irish! They don't help the BE as far as B-Ball and they won't become a football member. So I say "Hit the road Irish"!
NUScratch
May 15, 2008 | 11:51 AM

The BE doesn't need bandit school with slime ball coach and near zero graduation rate to tarnish its image. The BE already took an image hit when WVU hired Huggins. Memphis under Calipari is barely a step ahead of the NCAA investigators. It's just a matter of time until he's caught.

World Wide Wes is now the face of the Tigers. Imagine that, a guy who get paid by prospective agents looking to sign future NBA players, is now an Ambassador for Memphis. How is he different from the guy that received money from agents looking to represent OJ Mayo?? What kind of car is Tyreke Evans driving these days?? Check the police report of the incident where his cousin shot and killed a kid in Chester.
NUScratch
May 15, 2008 | 12:01 PM

UPDATE ACCORDING TO A BIG EAST SPOKESPERSON:

Its not going to happen!!

I [Adam Zagoria] called Big East spokesman John Paquette to track down these rumors that Memphis might join the Big East and he categorically denied them.

"No truth," Paquette said by phone from Rhode Island. "I saw the clip. It's a TV report with no named sources. No one from the University of Memphis. No on-the-record sources. We've been down this road. We are not talking about expansion with any institution."
GeekInPhilly
May 15, 2008 | 12:12 PM

Paquette is right. Until you give some credible sources, this story is just a rung below sensationalism.
TripleA
May 15, 2008 | 12:20 PM

NUScratch, if you really are Adam Zagoria of Zag's Blog and a sportswriter for the Herald News in NJ, you must be proud of your post calling Memphis a bandit school with a slime ball coach, etc. Lots of good sources behind all that slander, too, I'm sure!
NUScratch
May 15, 2008 | 12:32 PM

That was a quote from Zagoria's blog. Sorry if the post didn't come thru that way. I have no affiliation with Zagoria. See url below. He is a generally pro Rutger's University writer. http://njmg.typepad.com/zagsblog/2008/05/big-east-not-e
x.html

I do stand by my post however! What is the graduation rate on the Memphis BBall team? What happened at UMass when Calipari was there according to the NCAA? He left just before the sh_t hit the fan! Calipari himself calls WW Wes an Ambassador for Memphis?? It's not slander if its true. Besides Calipari is a public figure.
NUScratch
May 15, 2008 | 12:39 PM

Triple A,

If you do check into it, you'll find that Tyreke's cousin was sitting in Tyreke's new SUV when he shot the victim. Tyreke was driving. Luckily for Tyreke he's a hero in Chester so he's got a teflon coating. Of course, neither Dorsey nor Roberts were choir boys in high school either. How many incidents have occured on Basin street involving MU players since Calipari arrived?

Where there's smoke there's fire and Calipari is surrounded by enough smoke to cook barbecue for every one in TN.
NUScratch
May 15, 2008 | 12:39 PM

Triple A,

If you do check into it, you'll find that Tyreke's cousin was sitting in Tyreke's new SUV when he shot the victim. Tyreke was driving. Luckily for Tyreke he's a hero in Chester so he's got a teflon coating. Of course, neither Dorsey nor Roberts were choir boys in high school either. How many incidents have occured on Basin street involving MU players since Calipari arrived?

Where there's smoke there's fire and Calipari is surrounded by enough smoke to cook barbecue for every one in TN.
GeekInPhilly
May 15, 2008 | 12:52 PM

NU, I mean no offense, but you need to get all your facts straight because your ignorance is showing.

First, I live in Philadelphia and have followed the Tyreke Evans story very closely. I wasn't at the crime scene and I'm going to go out on a limb and say that you probably weren't either. Evans has cooperated fully with police in the investigation/arrest/prosecution of his cousin for murder. Evans hasn't been charged - and won't be - because police determined that he did nothing wrong.

Secondly, the NCAA cleared John Calipari of any wrong doing while at UMass. If you've got evidence to the contrary, perhaps you should contact Josephine Potuto who chairs the NCAA Committee on Infractions.

Thirdly, it's Beale Street...not Basin Street.

Be careful, NU...you're jealousy is beginning to show.
TripleA
May 15, 2008 | 1:28 PM

Thank you, Geek, for beating me to the punch. Here's another one for you NUScratch. Calipari arrived in 2001. Since then 15 of the 17 b-ball players who have become seniors ahve graduated. Most of the rest dropped out to sign pro contracts. Even with that, the overall grad rate is around 60%, better than average. Next time, bring a few real facts that can't be so easily refuted if you want to slur the good name of a coach or a player or an entire university.
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MattStark

I love this job so much I'd do it for free, but thankfully I don't have to- because my kids gotta eat.

Member Since: 10/18/2006


 

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