(04-18-2011 09:31 PM)BigOwensboroCard Wrote:  I am asking everyone for their honest opinion and NOT what they think might or should happen with them ( ECU ) if the Big East comes a calling. Does ECU have a legitimate shot at becoming the #10 member of the football schools of the Big East as well as a full member??? I personally think now with the fiasco with Nova, and the Big East current presence with USF in Florida, and Houston no where near ready due to facilities and such the logical choice IMO is East Carolina. So again what do you think of their chances of becoming a member of the BE not just football only, but as a full member???

I think ECU definitely has a chance. I would not place them in the "no chance" category. They have plenty to offer, just their offerings are somewhat different than UCF's or Houston's.

Full disclosure: I don't want the Big East to expand, and ECU isn't my first choice for a 10th member, but they'd be my first choice of the CUSA options.

That being said I think realistically they have a less than 10% chance of being added for 2012 and I'd hazard a guess that either ECU or UCF is the front runner of the CUSA candidates depending on what exactly the conference is looking for and the unpredictable internal Big East politics.

The way you keep rephrasing your question makes it look like your fishing for a specific answer.


Yes ECU probably has the best fan base of the main expansion candidates, their season ticket sales reflect that. BUT, their market size probably has Big East execs worried. I am sure from a TV standpoint its hard to pass on Orlando and Houston when you start comparing percentage points and target demographics etc. Ultimately this round of expansion seems to be about large TV contracts. If this was 1995, ECU would be in hands down no question.

Unfortunately, this is 2011 and we live in a grey area where it is all speculation 24/7. 2011 is the year of the Chip Brown Twitter hero. Who is going to shock the sports world with the next twitter update?


Hopefully it is Houston, but if not... then I hope no one cause CUSA would suck if any of our 3 schools got left behind. It sucks, but if anyone knows what it feels like...it is UH.

(04-18-2011 10:21 PM)BigOwensboroCard Wrote:  Ok this is what I am asking with all that we know with Nova screwing up last week, Houston still gathering funds for renovations, and the Big East current presence in Florida... Does ECU look like a better option to the Big East when looking at ALL the potential candidates at face value??? Yes I know everyone has an argument for this team and that team, but I have always been a supporter of UCF, Houston and ECU to the Big East, but realistically with every thing we know does ECU have a better chance NOW at possibly becoming the 10th member of the BE???

(04-18-2011 10:49 PM)Frog People Wrote:  

(04-18-2011 09:31 PM)BigOwensboroCard Wrote:  I am asking everyone for their honest opinion and NOT what they think might or should happen with them ( ECU ) if the Big East comes a calling. Does ECU have a legitimate shot at becoming the #10 member of the football schools of the Big East as well as a full member??? I personally think now with the fiasco with Nova, and the Big East current presence with USF in Florida, and Houston no where near ready due to facilities and such the logical choice IMO is East Carolina. So again what do you think of their chances of becoming a member of the BE not just football only, but as a full member???

I think ECU definitely has a chance. I would not place them in the "no chance" category. They have plenty to offer, just their offerings are somewhat different than UCF's or Houston's.

Full disclosure: I don't want the Big East to expand, and ECU isn't my first choice for a 10th member, but they'd be my first choice of the CUSA options.

That being said I think realistically they have a less than 10% chance of being added for 2012 and I'd hazard a guess that either ECU or UCF is the front runner of the CUSA candidates depending on what exactly the conference is looking for and the unpredictable internal Big East politics.

Expansion is how YOU got to the BE

I'm sure you'll understand what I meant eventually.

(04-18-2011 11:01 PM)PirateTreasureNC Wrote:  

(04-18-2011 10:49 PM)Frog People Wrote:  

(04-18-2011 09:31 PM)BigOwensboroCard Wrote:  I am asking everyone for their honest opinion and NOT what they think might or should happen with them ( ECU ) if the Big East comes a calling. Does ECU have a legitimate shot at becoming the #10 member of the football schools of the Big East as well as a full member??? I personally think now with the fiasco with Nova, and the Big East current presence with USF in Florida, and Houston no where near ready due to facilities and such the logical choice IMO is East Carolina. So again what do you think of their chances of becoming a member of the BE not just football only, but as a full member???

I think ECU definitely has a chance. I would not place them in the "no chance" category. They have plenty to offer, just their offerings are somewhat different than UCF's or Houston's.

Full disclosure: I don't want the Big East to expand, and ECU isn't my first choice for a 10th member, but they'd be my first choice of the CUSA options.

That being said I think realistically they have a less than 10% chance of being added for 2012 and I'd hazard a guess that either ECU or UCF is the front runner of the CUSA candidates depending on what exactly the conference is looking for and the unpredictable internal Big East politics.

Expansion is how YOU got to the BE

Unfortunately I think ECU only has a 20% chance at best because of the quick fix big market target that the BE is looking for to seal their TV deal. I think they are total missing out on a golden goose .

It would only take putting the BCS label on ECU for them to dominate the whole state of NC in FB. 1.They are already only a half step behind UNC & NCSU 2. all the BCS schools in NC have their focus on BB . 3.ECU has beaten 5 ACC team in FB in the last 6 years (Beat NCSU in BB too) & some of their losses have been very close . 4. ECU is 2nd largest school & 2nd fastest growing in NC . 5. NC ranks #8-10 for FB recruits out of the 50 states (top 20% isn't bad if you own it) 6. ECU alraedy has great exposure through the state & even into parts of SC & VA

The states of Fla. & TX are FB dominated states already. If USF hasn't made a dent in FLa. why would one think UCF will . ECU can become the VT of NC .

So the BE could get Orlando or Houston but with ECU they can get the whole state of NC (not just the city of Greenville) to watch BE FB and mabe even BE BB . NC is a fast growing state with many people from northern states moving down. Heck half the kids at ECU are from NJ .

ECU is finally made a comitment to Basketball and our AD ( Terry Holland)is a BB lagend . We will be good in BB there are to many schools like VCU, Richmaond, Charlotte doing well . We have more to offer recruits then they do we just haven't maid the comitment in BB but now we are hell bent on being good at that too.

Mabe Im drinking too much purple juice .

(04-18-2011 09:31 PM)BigOwensboroCard Wrote:  I am asking everyone for their honest opinion and NOT what they think might or should happen with them ( ECU ) if the Big East comes a calling. Does ECU have a legitimate shot at becoming the #10 member of the football schools of the Big East as well as a full member??? I personally think now with the fiasco with Nova, and the Big East current presence with USF in Florida, and Houston no where near ready due to facilities and such the logical choice IMO is East Carolina. So again what do you think of their chances of becoming a member of the BE not just football only, but as a full member???

ECU has a better chance because there is now a possibility that Nova won't be taking one of the 3 expansion slots but I still think Nova is going to move up.

For me, I think ECU has a much smaller chance than I thought 2 weeks ago because of 2 reasons. TOGC on various threads has made me aware that Memphis is not a bad option. Previously I gave Memphis no chance. Also, if ESPN is influencing the BE on expansion options as they are negotiating their next TV contract, ECU has no chance. Because ESPN has Raleigh and all of North Carolina locked up till 2022-23 with their ACC contract. If ESPN has an influence you've got to figure Nova, UCF, Houston, Memphis and maybe Temple (if nova doesn't move up) are ahead of ECU. It sucks cause I'm in ECU's corner for getting in the BE.

The people with the most important opinion, ECU's administration, says no chance for the 10th spot so it stop there. Markets = TV contract money right now.

From things that have been drifting around from ECU Admin since TCU came in the equation (which changed everything), I would say 50% to 60% for all sports and 75& to 80% if BE goes the football only route.

(04-18-2011 10:58 PM)CougarMikeUH Wrote:  The way you keep rephrasing your question makes it look like your fishing for a specific answer.


Yes ECU probably has the best fan base of the main expansion candidates, their season ticket sales reflect that. BUT, their market size probably has Big East execs worried. I am sure from a TV standpoint its hard to pass on Orlando and Houston when you start comparing percentage points and target demographics etc. Ultimately this round of expansion seems to be about large TV contracts. If this was 1995, ECU would be in hands down no question.

Unfortunately, this is 2011 and we live in a grey area where it is all speculation 24/7. 2011 is the year of the Chip Brown Twitter hero. Who is going to shock the sports world with the next twitter update?


Hopefully it is Houston, but if not... then I hope no one cause CUSA would suck if any of our 3 schools got left behind. It sucks, but if anyone knows what it feels like...it is UH.

(04-18-2011 10:21 PM)BigOwensboroCard Wrote:  Ok this is what I am asking with all that we know with Nova screwing up last week, Houston still gathering funds for renovations, and the Big East current presence in Florida... Does ECU look like a better option to the Big East when looking at ALL the potential candidates at face value??? Yes I know everyone has an argument for this team and that team, but I have always been a supporter of UCF, Houston and ECU to the Big East, but realistically with every thing we know does ECU have a better chance NOW at possibly becoming the 10th member of the BE???

Not fishing at all just looking into what everyone thinks of ECU's chances of gaining BE membership from what we all know right now. I personally think ECU has a legitimate 50-50 shot, but that is my opinion, and was wondering what you and everyone else thought. I have never wavered from asking what are their chances from my first post to now so not looking for a distinctive answer just your thoughts on gaining membership.

(04-19-2011 05:47 AM)CatsClaw Wrote:  The people with the most important opinion, ECU's administration, says no chance for the 10th spot so it stop there. Markets = TV contract money right now.

The better question to ask is what are the chances ECU can be #12, and even those I would say aren't good. By the time that comes up UNCC will probably be ahead of us. If I sound bitter it's because I am.

I've always said: BE football has plenty of huge markets, what they DON'T have plenty of are large, passionate, eager to travel football fan bases that could pack a 65K stadium next year, every year, regardless of how they are doing.

Neither UCF or UH can come close to that any time soon. ECU is there already.

(04-18-2011 10:14 PM)piratefan1975 Wrote:  What more can I say?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCFB2akLh4s

This...

2011 ECU Football

In my opinion...

#10 - 10% chance as an all-sports member. 90% chance if BE is looking for football only (which I don't think it is)

If the Big East goes to 12...

#12 with Villanova - 10% chance or less. I believe the other two are UCF and Houston all sports invites. 90% chance if BE is looking for football only (which I don't think it is)

#12 without Villanova - 80% chance or better as an all sports invite. 90% chance if BE is looking for football only (which I don't think it is)

Well, I'm going to be the optimist here...

1) UCF's media attention has been smoke and mirrors...and regurgitation of the same article over and over with no actual credibility. ESPN likes pushing UCF because it would increase the BE Orlando presence and ESPN is owned by Disney...its a whole conflict of interest, but isnt ESPN the king of conflicts and putting entertainment before sport.

2) If we are talking market and potential, Houston is the winner. They need to get their facilities going but appear to have a plan in place. Additionally, the former USF Chancellor is now at Houston...which leads me to...

3) USF doesnt want UCF in the same conference. Why would they? UCF is just going to cut into their AQ pie in Florida. Additionally, the BE NEEDED a Florida presence, it is highly questionable that they NEED a 2nd.

Finally, I put ECU's chances at about 30% or so....the big question is whether the BE does their due diligence and ACTUALLY looks at the options available. I think any of the three can be justified, so I put them all at about 30% and Nova at about 10%....if they pony up with a plan for a 40,000 seat on campus venue within 10 years, then they go to about 90%.

Actually, the indications that ECU is in the mix for #10 are actually looking a whole lot better now that Nova's been given the run around. Of course, a lot of the discussions and things are going on behind the scenes so no one really knows, but the mood from some folks has completely changed in regards to the Big East.

I think the Big East may want to go the football-only route with #10 as a sort of probationary membership period, and then when they look at bringing in #11 and #12, they make #10 an all-sports member. That way, you don't have to come up with a new basketball format every single year until 2014.

No doubt, the Big East doesn't want to permanently have football-only members, but if they add a fb-only as #10, the basketball members will only have a single collective vote as represented by Notre Dame, from what I've been reading.

In my opinion, ECU should be #10.

My guess is that they are probably not the first choice among the Big East decision makers for the 10th spot.

I'd put their chances at 30-40%.


And UCFKnight10 .... jeez, that chick is smoking hot. Please post more often, but I may not fully understand your posts, as she is pretty distracting.






.

(04-19-2011 09:06 AM)Pervis_Griffith Wrote:  And UCFKnight10 .... jeez, that chick is smoking hot. Please post more often, but I may not fully understand your posts, as she is pretty distracting.






.

Here you go Pervis. WARNING! NSFW!

UCF Hottie

(04-19-2011 09:21 AM)MagicKnightmare Wrote:  Here you go Pervis. WARNING! NSFW!

UCF Hottie

Gracias ....




.

(04-19-2011 08:16 AM)10thMountain Wrote:  I've always said: BE football has plenty of huge markets, what they DON'T have plenty of are large, passionate, eager to travel football fan bases that could pack a 65K stadium next year, every year, regardless of how they are doing.

Neither UCF or UH can come close to that any time soon. ECU is there already.

ECU played Maryland in a D.C. bowl game last year and there was a total of 38K on hand. This isnt a long way to travel from North Carolina. They played Maryland which is right next door. Looking at the video footage there seemed to be about 10K ECU fans on hand. They have good attendance, but they aren't epic in any way.
In 2006 UH played the Liberty Bowl in Memphis against South Carolina. We brought 27K fans for that game and that was 600 miles away.
Enough of spouting that UH has no following. The past indeed is the past. In the year 2011 we almost sold out all home games with a less than stellar season and there is alot of momentum. ECU, UCF and my beloved UH all would make quality additions to the Big East.

(04-19-2011 09:28 AM)MattofNazareth Wrote:  

(04-19-2011 08:16 AM)10thMountain Wrote:  I've always said: BE football has plenty of huge markets, what they DON'T have plenty of are large, passionate, eager to travel football fan bases that could pack a 65K stadium next year, every year, regardless of how they are doing.

Neither UCF or UH can come close to that any time soon. ECU is there already.

ECU played Maryland in a D.C. bowl game last year and there was a total of 38K on hand. This isnt a long way to travel from North Carolina. They played Maryland which is right next door. Looking at the video footage there seemed to be about 10K ECU fans on hand. They have good attendance, but they aren't epic in any way.
In 2006 UH played the Liberty Bowl in Memphis against South Carolina. We brought 27K fans for that game and that was 600 miles away.
Enough of spouting that UH has no following. The past indeed is the past. In the year 2011 we almost sold out all home games with a less than stellar season and there is alot of momentum. ECU, UCF and my beloved UH all would make quality additions to the Big East.

Matt, you need to back up and try again. Nice try. But everyone knows your info in incorrect.

(04-18-2011 10:21 PM)BigOwensboroCard Wrote:  

(04-18-2011 10:07 PM)UCFKnight10 Wrote:  

(04-18-2011 09:53 PM)BigOwensboroCard Wrote:  

(04-18-2011 09:38 PM)UCFKnight10 Wrote:  

(04-18-2011 09:31 PM)BigOwensboroCard Wrote:  I am asking everyone for their honest opinion and NOT what they think might or should happen with them

What are you asking then?

Well UCF I want you to keep those attractive sigs of yours coming, but really the Big East already has a presence in Florida with USF, and the fiasco with Nova just proves that they are not serious in moving up IMO. Also not to mention Houston who is still gathering funds to renovate their existing stadiums, and to me it just looks more attractive to bring in ECU who can IMO make the jump and compete right out of the gate with a new market moderate size it may be, but filling their house each and every week with 50K plus is amazing especially when we are talking about CUSA competition. Also I like UCF, but at this time I would go with ECU for they are the safe pick that just makes since in so many ways.

Um...okay. Your question still doesn't make sense though. Your opinion is what you think will happen.

Ok this is what I am asking with all that we know with Nova screwing up last week, Houston still gathering funds for renovations, and the Big East current presence in Florida... Does ECU look like a better option to the Big East when looking at ALL the potential candidates at face value??? Yes I know everyone has an argument for this team and that team, but I have always been a supporter of UCF, Houston and ECU to the Big East, but realistically with every thing we know does ECU have a better chance NOW at possibly becoming the 10th member of the BE???

Just to clarify, Houston is not gathering funds for renovations of the football stadium. It is looking to build a new football stadium. We are renovating the basketball arena.