Gonzaga to join the Big 12?

[PickSix]

But unless the money is dramatically different, would they leave the big east? A lot harder sell to pull them out of there when the big east is already a high-major and they have a bunch of their competition right in their backyard. If I were a UConn fan I'd hate that move.

In addition to $$$, Perhaps we could leverage cultural fit. Other than UConn, the Big East is entirely made up of small, private, and mostly religious institutions. We could provide them with other similar minded public institutions. I’m sure Yormark will pitch special events, exposure, and the like that a conference with our resources may be better able to pull off.

Will it work? IDK, but it’s worth a phone call.

 

[CoKane]

I haven't read this entire thread, so I apologize if this has already been mentioned.... but how long will Mark Few be there?

And if he retires.... does Gonzaga basketball become just another ho hum basketball school that nobody even cares about anymore?

Few is only 59. He's got another 15 years or so in him if he wants to

 

[Drew0311]

This is a pretty valid question.

If they're in the Big 12 I'm guessing that affiliation and the brand at least keep them competitive.

They are grooming Brian Michaelson for that job. He has been their a long time . Head assistant and top recruiter. Guessing they won’t drop that much.

 

[ripvdub]

I don't see the benefit. It would be a step back image wise. What other major conferences have a bball or fb only team? We would be seen as little brother, and while adding a top tier bball team, it just lowers everyone else.
What we "gain" in ncaa bball money, we lose by getting 1 or 2 fewer other tourney teams already in our conference.

 

[EnkAMania]

Few is only 59. He's got another 15 years or so in him if he wants to

Wow, I would have never guessed he was 59, looks 70.

 

[KnappShack]

This guy is my favorite.

 

[CoKane]

So a thought I had. It seems like SDSU is off the table since the G5 thing that came up. I guess Gonzaga dodges that due to not having football.

Instead of this being a ploy to possibly force Arizona's hand, could it possibly be something to help convince them? Nobody else makes sense as a travel partner there that isn't also a flight risk, and the buzz is that Arizona might be afraid to go alone.

Also, could we take a team or 2 from the Big East perhaps? Fox had their rights but it appears they want the SEC of basketball, which is us. Maybe Gonzaga is a part of that? Then we add a Big East school? Whos in the biggest market there? Villanova is in Philadelphia, that's a solid market to dip into.

 

[CoKane]

This guy is my favorite.

TBH I'd rather dump Colorado's ass and then grab Gonzaga if that's an option.

 

[HFCS]

I don't see the benefit. It would be a step back image wise. What other major conferences have a bball or fb only team? We would be seen as little brother, and while adding a top tier bball team, it just lowers everyone else.
What we "gain" in ncaa bball money, we lose by getting 1 or 2 fewer other tourney teams already in our conference.

I know OK St wasn't even allowed and had a .500 record. But at the end of the season all 10 teams were playing NCAA worthy basketball and every single game was of higher quality than the average second round NCAA matchup.

It's just a reality that if you're far and away the best league, some post season worthy teams are going to get squeezed. I'm sure over the decades that's been the case for some SEC teams getting bowl eligibility and probably part of why they still only play 8. At some point there's no benefit to having the #1 schedules by a mile. Hope if we load up basketball with additions like Gonzaga and Arizona we avoid the temptation to have some monster 20 to 24 game season where we are the best league but without the best records.

 

[CoKane]

So a thought I had. It seems like SDSU is off the table since the G5 thing that came up. I guess Gonzaga dodges that due to not having football.

Instead of this being a ploy to possibly force Arizona's hand, could it possibly be something to help convince them? Nobody else makes sense as a travel partner there that isn't also a flight risk, and the buzz is that Arizona might be afraid to go alone.

Also, could we take a team or 2 from the Big East perhaps? Fox had their rights but it appears they want the SEC of basketball, which is us. Maybe Gonzaga is a part of that? Then we add a Big East school? Whos in the biggest market there? Villanova is in Philadelphia, that's a solid market to dip into.

Also, this reminds me that Creighton story from a while ago that they told the Big 12 they'd add football if they got an invite to the conference.

 

[jsb]

Anything that kills the PAC 12 faster is good news for us.

 

[clonedude]

Can you even imagine adding Gonzaga and Arizona in basketball..... my gawwwd.

Conference would add a lot of $$$, but could we ever compete again in it??

 

[HFCS]

Anything that kills the PAC 12 faster is good news for us.

This feels like something they should've already done fwiw.

 

[I@ST1]

Can you even imagine adding Gonzaga and Arizona in basketball..... my gawwwd.

Conference would add a lot of $$$, but could we ever compete again in it??

No we couldn’t.

 

[IASTATE07]

Can you even imagine adding Gonzaga and Arizona in basketball..... my gawwwd.

Conference would add a lot of $$$, but could we ever compete again in it??

As long as it preps us to make a Final Four run. Just want to see that once in my life.

 

[HFCS]

Can you even imagine adding Gonzaga and Arizona in basketball..... my gawwwd.

Conference would add a lot of $$$, but could we ever compete again in it??

Hilton.

As long as the zebras stay exclusively loyal to KU I could live with that deal at that point.

 

[KnappShack]

Also, this reminds me that Creighton story from a while ago that they told the Big 12 they'd add football if they got an invite to the conference.

Didn't Blum say Creighton's NIL collective is strong and paying a nice wage?

Hate to say it, but ISU fans will be in tough competition for professional players...

 

[I@ST1]

As long as it preps us to make a Final Four run. Just want to see that once in my life.

I don’t know if we’d be able to make the tournament.

 

[CoKane]

No we couldn’t.

I mean, maybe? Kansas, Tech, Baylor, Gonzaga, and Houston seem like an impossible to breach gap, but Tech and Houston have older coaches. If those 2 go they're only a bad hire away from falling behind us. Also, TJ is recruiting at such as high level it might not matter.

 

[jsb]

This feels like something they should've already done fwiw.

And you'd think all things being equal, Gonzaga would want in the PAC 12. So you've got to think they don't think they'd get the money they would want with the PAC 12.