Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Looking forward: The Big West

The Big West is a California based conference and recently they lost their only private school, the University of the Pacific to the the all-private league the West Coast Conference.  As a part of the WAC/MWC/Big East shuffle the Big West is also gaining San Diego St and Hawaii which would bring their total membership to 10.  Ordinarily 10 is a perfect number, particularly for sports like basketball and volleyball where you can have a home and away with every member of your league.  The problem with the Big West is that Hawaii has no real travel partner to speak of out in the middle of the ocean and with Pacific gone UC Davis stands alone as the sole Northern California school.  Making them travel partners would result in some grueling road trips.  I think the Big West should consider adding at least one more member.  Of course, with this league is a somewhat delicate process.  Prior to the expansion, the league was split evenly between the UC system (UC Davis, UC Riverside, UC Irvine, and UC Santa Barbara) and the Cal St system (Cal Poly, Cal St Fullerton, Long Beach St, Cal St Northridge).  I am not sure how essential it is for the UC schools for the league to maintain a balance but when a school like San Diego St fell into their laps it was hard to say no.  I will explore a few of their options in order of how appealing they would be.

UNLV---The Big East is on the prowl for another western member and UNLV is probably the best candidate for them.  Personally I think the Big East would be foolish to add anyone else even if it were to even out divisions but the Big East never does what is preactical or make sense so this marquis basketball program could also land in the Big West's lap.

San Jose St---This would be a step down for the Spartans prestige-wise but should they be left out of the MWC when it finally decides to put the WAC out of its misery they would be a nice option.  They are also in Northern California and would be a great travel partner for UC Davis.   UPDATE--THEY GOT INTO THE MOUNTAIN WEST.  NO LONGER AN OPTION.

Sacramento St---This is the candidate that I think is A) most likely, and B) best long term decision.  Sacramento St is a geographic outlier in the Big Sky, a conference they are only in because of football.  Now that UC Davis and Cal Poly have affiliate membership with the Big Sky in that sport it makes sense for the Hornets to have the same deal and move to a conference home where league travel is more manageable.  Additionally they make an excellent travel mate for UC Davis.  The Big West will be patient though and be sure the first two options are exhausted before they send Sacramento St an invite.

Cal St Bakersfield---The Roadrunners transitioned from DII hoping to land in this league but an invitation has yet to materialize.  However I think they are Option #4 in the BW's list of priorities

UC San Diego---The Tritons are oversized in DII and want to make a move to DI and the BW but are weary of making the move and getting left as an independent like the Roadrunners.  As a UC school they would restore the balance between UC and Cal St.

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