As my article this morning indicated, Houston is now an expansion candidate for the Big East for the reasons I outlined. Even better is that Boise State has apparently gotten the Big East schools to also consider adding SMU. That gives Boise State three other western-oriented schools (with Air Force being the other one) in their division of what could be the new Big East.
There's a lot to happen before both parties sign on the bottom line. For one thing, Boise State has to either find a home for its other sports or convince the Big East to admit them as a basketball-playing school as well. Odds are that won't happen. Boise State's previous conference, the WAC, has already indicated they would be open to receiving the Broncos in those other sports. The West Coast Conference is another option although I don't pretend to know how receptive they are.
In summary, the chain of events I outlined this morning is beginning to happen. Nothing is for sure until everything is signed. There are a lot of details to go over. The Big East has concerns about reaching that far--adding more western teams, however, lessens the travel for all involved. Perhaps Fresno State and Nevada can also come aboard, meaning that each school would only travel three times to the other division. I think that is very workable, and me one of the things the two parties are talking about as we move forward.
There's a lot to happen before both parties sign on the bottom line. For one thing, Boise State has to either find a home for its other sports or convince the Big East to admit them as a basketball-playing school as well. Odds are that won't happen. Boise State's previous conference, the WAC, has already indicated they would be open to receiving the Broncos in those other sports. The West Coast Conference is another option although I don't pretend to know how receptive they are.
In summary, the chain of events I outlined this morning is beginning to happen. Nothing is for sure until everything is signed. There are a lot of details to go over. The Big East has concerns about reaching that far--adding more western teams, however, lessens the travel for all involved. Perhaps Fresno State and Nevada can also come aboard, meaning that each school would only travel three times to the other division. I think that is very workable, and me one of the things the two parties are talking about as we move forward.
