Big East Expansion: Mid-Carders-R-Us With Addition Of Memphis

by oaklandzoo12 on Feb 7, 2026 7:33 PM EST in Pitt Athletics

It really took the Big East this long to potentially invite Memphis? They've only been trying to get in since 2005.

Regardless, the Tigers may finally enter the Big East for 2013. So any idea of this ridiculous notion that Pitt and Syracuse can leave for the ACC for 2012 should end now because it probably ain't happening - not when the Big East could only have five members playing football for next season.

115, 114, 112, 96 - those awful numbers are Memphis' BCS rankings for the past four seasons. The Tigers have won just 11 games in the past 4 years, and one of those seasons they went 6-7. So yeah, adding Memphis football isn't all that tantalizing.

On the contrary, though, Memphis is pretty good at that whole roundball thing.

In the past four years, the Tigers have made two NCAA Tournament appearances. This season, they are 16-7 and hoping to make another one. They should be a good addition in this regard for the Big East.

This move will leave the Big East with 11 teams in 2013 if Pitt and Syracuse leave before that season begins. With Navy joining in 2015, the conference will then have enough for the coveted conference championship game that John Marinatto wanted so badly. The basketball side will then have 17 members for 2013, just like they would if Pitt, Syracuse, TCU, and West Virginia hadn't left in the first place.

Everybody wins.

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I’ll be happy when this entire thing is over.

by Splinterhead on Feb 7, 2026 9:09 PM EST reply actions

It won't be any time soon

At this point, it seems inevitable that Louisville will be going to the Big 12. Put it this way, the Big 12 assigned an expansion committee a few weeks ago to look at the possibility of expansion. Translation: this means the Big 12 is expanding to 12 teams. You won’t see the official move for a few months, but its going to happen. Cincy will probably go with Louisville.

by PittGuy on Feb 7, 2026 11:20 PM EST reply actions

I think it's a good move...

Memphis brings with it quality basketball, the Liberty Bowl, and Fed Ex money who had promised to spend money on a championship football or basketball tourney if I had read that correctly earlier on one of the endless number of Tiger expansion pages on google. Memphis also sits between the Texas schools and the Ohio River Valley/Great Lake teams too.

In regards to Louisville, they’re currently on the expansion committee with Notre Dame, South Florida, and Seton Hall. Memphis is their prize for a new leadership roll. I think their departure now comes down to the Big East television deal. If it’s comparable they stay, if not, they bolt! Though you can’t underestimate the feeling of “power” in a conference to it’s AD and President. The Jack Swarbrick (ND athletic director) led expansion committee has proven far more skilled at sealing the deals of membership than the committee when WVU was a member up until the defections last fall.

I like sports, movies, and music!

by jmacgregorny on Feb 8, 2026 4:49 AM EST reply actions