Sporting News CBB Preview

[Red]

Creighton would be rebuilding in the MVC after McDermott is gone no matter what league they are in. Saying they are losers leaving the Valley is almost a slap at us because it infers that they could do better as a weaker team here than in the Big East.

[AngryShock]

I'm not sold that the Big Priest will be a Top 6 conference. CU definitely gets more money and probably more exposure, but that's assuming people get FS1. I know they've reached deals with some cable and satelite companies, but is it on a basic package or some special package with them? I honestly have no idea as I haven't looked into it as I simply don't give a s*** about FS1.

[Khan4Cats]

I'm not sold that the Big Priest will be a Top 6 conference. CU definitely gets more money and probably more exposure, but that's assuming people get FS1. I know they've reached deals with some cable and satelite companies, but is it on a basic package or some special package with them? I honestly have no idea as I haven't looked into it as I simply don't give a s*** about FS1.

They may be a Top 6, but will that matter if it is really only the Top 5 BcS Football Conferences that appear in the media and public eye? ACC, B1G, Big XII, SEC, PAC may just freeze out everyone below them if there is any shake out on the football side of things, which may leave the Priest looking at the 'next best' but still on the outside of the 'club'. In that sense, it may be more likely that they fall back into the mix with the rest of the 'mid-major' conferences such as the A-10, CAA, Remnants of C-USA, Remnants of Big East, MVC, and a few others. (I know a couple of those shun the mid-major label, but I think the delineating line becomes even more clear over the next few years between the haves, almost haves, and have nots)

[Valley_Fan]

I don't think we will know where the Big East sits until they get at least a year under their belt. Personally, I think year-in and year-out they will have 5 - 7 teams out of 10 on the bubble or better. That is better than most of the BCS leagues. Just depends on how Butler and Creighton respond with their recruiting. If they don't step it up, it could be just 3 - 5 teams and a completely different story.

[CBB_Fan]

Creighton isn't a winner or a loser yet, and the verdict won't be in for at least 5-10 seasons. We can speculate one way or another, but it is impossible to know exactly what their situation will bring.

My personal belief is that they lost out on an easier bid but gained significant national attention and money. That should lead to improved recruiting, but that recruiting advantage remains to be seen. It is possible that a conference move will make them less consistent but raise their ceiling (possibly to finally winning two games in the tournament???).

[Cdizzle]

Creighton isn't a winner or a loser yet, and the verdict won't be in for at least 5-10 seasons. We can speculate one way or another, but it is impossible to know exactly what their situation will bring.

My personal belief is that they lost out on an easier bid but gained significant national attention and money. That should lead to improved recruiting, but that recruiting advantage remains to be seen. It is possible that a conference move will make them less consistent but raise their ceiling (possibly to finally winning two games in the tournament???).

But will they be able to win the league tournament? Obviously that's the only thing that matters.

[Redbirdfan21]

Just my $0.02 on Fox Sports 1... their nightly highlight show called Fox Sports Live is pretty good. I have hated ESPN (as many have) for a while so I am happy to make that switch. They anchors are pretty good and the panel of "experts" they have is played just enough to be entertaining, and not so much that it's annoying (IMO). Give it a try for a few nights if you haven't. FS1 as a whole is lacking on live sports (a lot of racing and UFC) but with CFB and CBB starting, that will only get better as well. I believe it is on most standard cable packages (was formally the Speed Channel) which I don't believe was on many Sports specific packages only. Of course it has room to improve but not a bad first month IMO

[Ali]

Do we really need another thread about Creighton?

[AngryShock]

I'm not sold that the Big Priest will be a Top 6 conference. CU definitely gets more money and probably more exposure, but that's assuming people get FS1. I know they've reached deals with some cable and satelite companies, but is it on a basic package or some special package with them? I honestly have no idea as I haven't looked into it as I simply don't give a s*** about FS1.

They may be a Top 6, but will that matter if it is really only the Top 5 BcS Football Conferences that appear in the media and public eye? ACC, B1G, Big XII, SEC, PAC may just freeze out everyone below them if there is any shake out on the football side of things, which may leave the Priest looking at the 'next best' but still on the outside of the 'club'. In that sense, it may be more likely that they fall back into the mix with the rest of the 'mid-major' conferences such as the A-10, CAA, Remnants of C-USA, Remnants of Big East, MVC, and a few others. (I know a couple of those shun the mid-major label, but I think the delineating line becomes even more clear over the next few years between the haves, almost haves, and have nots)

The MWC is still going to be better than the Big Priest and maybe even a couple of the BCS conferences. But someone said as long as they're a Top 6 conference it's a good move for CU, or something along those lines. I'm not saying it's good or bad, but I don't think the Big Priest is as strong as some think. Improved exposure is good if you can keep winning. Being in the Big East didn't do a lot for DePaul or Seton Hall and it got more exposure than the BP will. CU still has to win, and when they lose Doug and Gibbs they take quite a hit. Unless they have young guys that are ready to step up and fill that void, they're going to fall pretty hard.

And I don't see 7 in consideration on any given year. Georgetown and Marquette definitely. Butler and Xavier most likely. That is if Butler can continue with a new coach. Hit and miss are going to be Creighton and St. John's and highly doubtful are Providence, Seton Hall and DePaul. I suppose I could give you four or five on any given year, which isn't bad, it's not like the BCS conference you describe as they'll get higher seeds. I could see two BP schools getting good seeds and then the rest are iffy.

Lets not forget that the BP isn't near as strong in conference as the former BE. They're losing most of their fire power at the top and it will show. We'll have a better idea in a couple of years, but outside of the money that FS1 threw at them, I don't think it's a slam dunk move or conference long term. At least when talking about basketball strength. It's a slight step up from the MVC, but still well behind the Big 12, 10, ACC and MWC. And behind the SEC and PAC as well.

If MVC schools would step up and build something, we could easily compete with what they put on the floor. I keep hoping a few of our fellow schools will increase their level of recruiting and funding and I'm still waiting.

[Red]

I agree with FS1 having the potential to be better than ESPN based on the product itself. I would be 100% in favor of the Valley trying to get some games on the network if we could.