As a UM fan, I must say Yes. Not many schools can offer a strong program in FB and BB....and strong attendance in both sports.

1st) our BB program is a natural fit. Coach Cal (whether you love him or hate) attracts TV...you can never get enough exposure. Just ask those UL fans that can down for ESPN Game Day w/ Dickie V and co...the atmosphere was electric. We are among the tops in attendance (not just tickets sold). What we have coming back and w/ 1 of the top recruiting class, we should have a banner yr. Preseason NIT, I'm looking forward to meet Duke in the finals.

2nd) our FB is steady growing and Tommy West is now beginning to build a program. The last 2 yrs we avg over 40K+ and w/ Old Miss coming to town, this should easily swell to over 45K+. We are now getting respect from SEC.....OM are taking about a cancelling the rest of series and doing a buyout. Of course Frank Broyles/UA refuse to play us after we beat them 3 straight times. We are signing recruits that are normally reserved for UT. Also, we are stealing some of the top players in Miss and Ark.

3rd) We will bring in the Liberty Bowl. Last yr payout was approx 1.5M.....I believe this was in the top10 nonBCS bowl payout. Payout can go higher if the stakes are higher....like BE vs SEC.

4th) BE will attract a whole brand new market. Yes, we are in the SEC country, but not only we have a strong hold w/in the 100 mi radius, we are now have a strong present in West and Middle TN. Tigers fans living in Nashville are saying we are getting more and more props on radio and newspaper....this is big since we use to never get any coverage.

5th) I realize that location may be a sticky point, but we travel well (not as good as UL). However, going further N and NE will be a challenge.

6th) Last, UL, UC and UM belong together. We have a long history.

Memphis should be the 9th member of the EAC, but I am convinced that cultural bias will play a major factor in this decision and we are doomed because of that.

As far as the academics, as dougmat pointed out, the whole Tier 4 thing is due more to the previous President and his staff not filling out the paperwork rather than the school being a diploma mill or an academic joke. The current President is going to fix this and I wouldn't be surprised if Memphis is a Tier 3 in a year or two.

As far as geography, that is obviously a load of manure considering that South Florida is much further from the Big East's footprint than Memphis. Memphis is not all that far of a drive from our very old rivals Louisville and Cincinnati.

No point to go into basketball.

I can understand why there is concern over football. This year and especially the next will show whether or not Memphis has completely turned the corner in football. If we drift back to the hell of the mid and late 90's then I would certainly never expect even a look by the Big East football schools.

If the split does occur, when will it first be announced? I assume sometime in 2008. So we are more than likely only looking at 3 seasons of football and basketball before the proposed EAC members would meet and decide on expansion and who those candidates would be.

Until then, see you later.

JMSTiger Wrote:Memphis should be the 9th member of the EAC, but I am convinced that cultural bias will play a major factor in this decision and we are doomed because of that.

As far as the academics, as dougmat pointed out, the whole Tier 4 thing is due more to the previous President and his staff not filling out the paperwork rather than the school being a diploma mill or an academic joke. The current President is going to fix this and I wouldn't be surprised if Memphis is a Tier 3 in a year or two.

As far as geography, that is obviously a load of manure considering that South Florida is much further from the Big East's footprint than Memphis. Memphis is not all that far of a drive from our very old rivals Louisville and Cincinnati.

No point to go into basketball.

I can understand why there is concern over football. This year and especially the next will show whether or not Memphis has completely turned the corner in football. If we drift back to the hell of the mid and late 90's then I would certainly never expect even a look by the Big East football schools.

If the split does occur, when will it first be announced? I assume sometime in 2008. So we are more than likely only looking at 3 seasons of football and basketball before the proposed EAC members would meet and decide on expansion and who those candidates would be.

Until then, see you later.

This post is right on point. memphis only needs to keep improving in fb. Finish a couple of ranked seasons and Memphis would be a great addition.

By adding Memphis, even after the split this league would still be the best basketball conference.