If I am the Big XII, I take L'ville in a heartbeat over WVU. Football program is decent, but the basketball program adds a ton of credibility to the league. Also a better fit geographically. I can't believe the Big XII would tell WVU that they would be accepted and then get cold feet to go for Louisville. I thought the leadership was supposed to improve with Beebe gone.
They didn't tell WV anything. Sources said that WV had been told that...but Big 12 never made a formal announcement. Sounds like the media went too far...shocking. Just last week, the same tweeters were tweeting that Lousville to Big 12 was a sure thing.
Their program has been completely adrift since Petrino left. And they're still in the Eastern timezone, like WVU, albeit 400 miles closer. WVU basketball is nothing to sneeze at, either. If football is the key factor, it's WVU no doubt.
Nothing wrong with WVU hoops. They've actually been to the Final Four more recently than Louisville. Huggy Bear is a great coach. Plus, do you know what kind of damage Rick Pitino could do in 15 second increments during 1 night on 6th street?
Also, basketball is reliant upon coaching. You can turn a basement program into a contender by simply bringing in a good coach. If ISU offers Pitino 8 million per year, they'll be a perennial tournament team. With football, you need resources first and foremost. Simply put, you can build a basketball program overnight. Football not so much.
I dunno. Supposedly Mitch McConnell got involved to put the brakes on WVU. Jerky move by the Little 12 if this is true. http://espn.go.com/college-sports/s...nia-mountaineers-move-big-12-hold-source-says
Yes, but Louisville is the most profitable basketball program in the country with a much more rabid fanbase. There are only 20 schools with more profitable football programs then Louisville has for basketball and that counts for something.
You have to admit this is way different. Everyone was reporting it was a done deal with sources from both sides. It went on for an extended period of time (where the Big XII sources could have squashed it). In addition, no one seems to be backing off of what happened. I agree the media has been going way too far in reporting everything under the sun as true, but this seemed to be very different from almost all accounts. http://brett-mcmurphy.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/29532522/32950632
ChuckCarltonDMN Chuck Carlton Source suggested Big 12 might consider adding Louisville AND West Virginia to go to 11. Not great, but Big Ten lived with it for years.
extended period of time? it didn't even go 24 hours. no press conference had been scheduled by either WV or Big 12. EDIT: ChuckCarltonDMN Chuck Carlton For those curious how I could report WVU to Big 12 then have Louisville emerge, a mea culpa. Messed up. Good sources were wrong. Apologies.
ChuckCarltonDMN Chuck Carlton Might make sense now. MT @TweetsbyVamosi: @ChuckCarltonDMN Oklahoman's Barry Tramel suggested inviting ND's non-FB sports and BYU FB only
I'm seeing this as the final outcome. It will be one hellacious battle for the 12th spot. I've got my flame suit on and troll repellent at the ready.
ChuckCarltonDMN Chuck Carlton Realignment timtetable: Mizzou chancellor Deaton leaving Tuesday to address radiopharmaceuticals conference in India
Sounds like some political influence for Louisville??? ChuckCarltonDMN Chuck Carlton For those curious how I could report WVU to Big 12 then have Louisville emerge, a mea culpa. Messed up. Good sources were wrong. Apologies. @JHolihan John Holihan @ChuckCarltonDMN not your fault things happened last minute to change this thing around. Blame the call from Sen. of Kentucky EDIT: ralphDrussoAP Ralph D. Russo Sen. Rockefeller from WVa: "Big 12 picked WVU on the strength of its program -- period.Now media reports that poltical game may upend that." ChuckCarltonDMN Chuck Carlton Used rifle in campaign ad. RT @jaredwv: Sen. Manchin to have 6 p.m. press conf in Charleston to discuss conference realignment issues. ChuckCarltonDMN Chuck Carlton RT @jaredwv: Manchin will call for investigation whether any inappropriate/unethical actions were taken by members of Congress on decision. Manchin is a Senator from WV
lol, "investigation"... yeah... good luck with that. sorry, but anything goes here short of blackmail/extortion. thanks ncaa!
