Memphis to the Big East?

[xudash]

Conference realignment refuses to die and figures it should rejoin the tumultuous party of collegiate sports:

https://www.heartlandcollegesports.com/2025/06/16/pete-thamel-conference-realignment-2026-college-sports/

Memphis football to the Pac12 and all other sports to the Big East.

Click bait?

Smoke with fire to follow?

What are your thoughts on the idea of Memphis joining the BE for basketball and Olympic Sports?

[GoMuskies]

I would be in favor of it.

However, with all of these schools in the league located in major metropolitan areas that are not all in the East, I have a bold suggestion: re-name the league the Metro Conference. Right? No one's ever thought of THAT one before!

[Xville]

I like it. UConn is going to leave when they can, so actively getting a decent bb program is an absolute must in my mind.

[drudy23]

Eh, I still prefer Duke.

[JTG]

I heard Matt Norlander say he was told something to the effect that it would be a cold day in Hell before the Big East Presidents vote for Memphis.

[Xville]

Eh, I still prefer Duke.

Sure but the only way that would even be a consideration is if the acc completely folds. Never say never but I don’t see that happening.

[Xavier]

I’d be shocked. I agree UConn is going to look elsewhere asap. If the ACC somehow folds like the PAC did, I can see some sort of acc/big east combo. Similar to ND who I guess is everything but football? Not sure how it would work. Just see a long shot to stay put if/when UConn bolts.

[MHettel]

So sick of this crap.

But, I suppose this is worth a reaction. I really hope UConn stays. I realize they will go if literally any chance opens up to land their FB team in a power conference.

So, Memphis would be #12. That’s kills the round robin schedule, which is fine by me. Let’s cut from 20 conference games down to 16. 2 6 team divisions. Play each division rival 2x, and then the opposing division 1x. That opens up 4 more non-con games for each team. Schedule 75% wins in those games and watch the SOS skyrocket.

Divisions: UConn, SHU, SJU, Prov, GT, nova

XU, DePaul, Memphis, cu, butler, marq

[paulxu]

That sounds like an old A10 schedule.

I like the round robin.

[xudash]

That sounds like an old A10 schedule.

I like the round robin.

And Xavier has no appetite for giving up any of its exposure to the eastern seaboard.

[MHettel]

That sounds like an old A10 schedule.

I like the round robin.

You gonna play 22 conference games? Thats a disaster for the SOS.

If Memphis comes, it’s 12 teams. Unless you assume UConn is gone.

It’s mathematically true that less conference games is better for SOS, as long as the non-com games you schedule are won at a better than 50% clip.

I’m looking to make a final 4 and at some point win a national championship. An improved SOS for the whole conference can increase our odds of that with more tourney appearances and better seeds.

The round robin schedule does nothing towards achieving that goal.

[paulxu]

I agree 22 would be too many.
20 seems OK with the season going out to 31 games with MTE's.

[xubrew]

Memphis is a basketball centric school that routinely underachieved. With that in mind, wouldn’t them joining the A10 make a lot more sense?

[xudash]

Fred Smith just passed away.

Likely not good for Memphis moving forward when it comes to funding support.