The Big East is Not Done

With teams leaving the Big East, Lauren Dellipoali explains that there is still hope for the conference.

(AP Photo/Jessica Hill)

“Stick a fork in them, they are done.” That's what a lot of people are saying about the Big East now that West Virginia has been admitted into the Big 12. However, looking at the remaining teams, Big East Basketball may not be that bad off.

Still remaining in the conference will be top teams UConn, Louisville, Georgetown, and Villanova with teams like St. Johns, Cincinnati, and Marquette close behind. The conference will still have a lot of teams. Even after losing three teams there is really nothing to worry about.

Sure, people can complain about conference jumping for money. Purists like to have teams in conferences nearby where they play and since Syracuse and Pitt are not on the Atlantic Coast that bothers some people. The travel will possibly impact the student-athletes’ grades and could make it more difficult for family, friends, and fans to go support the teams. But those who think the Big East is going to turn into a mid-major because of the loss of three of their better teams are crazy.

Not every league is as fortunate as the Big East to have so many good teams that constantly make the NCAA Tournament, rank in the top 25, and contend for the national title every year. Not every league can put as many teams in the March Madness tournament year after year like the Big East does. That will change when these teams leave, but it won’t kill the Big East.

Teams like UConn, Villanova, Georgetown, and Louisville are still top tier teams and can compete with every team in the league. They will participate in the tournament and will be title contenders. Instead of being dubbed ‘the best conference in America’, the Big East will simply become an extremely good conference. It is not the end of the world for the Big East; it is simply a new direction for a conference that has become used to being dominant.