SEC vs Big East challenge

[mattvols]

SEC, Big East to hook up in basketball

By News Sentinel staff
June 14, 2006

The SEC finally has a men’s college basketball showcase deal with another conference.

After failed attempts to strike an agreement with the Big 12 Conference, the SEC has announced a deal with the Big East Conference, starting in 2007-08.

According to the three-year deal, four teams from each conference will meet each year, giving all 12 SEC teams one shot during the terms of the contract.

The format calls for two doubleheaders per year at neutral courts, one in Big East territory and one in SEC territory.

All will be televised by ESPN or ESPN2.

"I think it’s great for both leagues,’’ said Tennessee coach Bruce Pearl.

"We’ll only get an opportunity to play once every three years, but I’d love to see it become an annual event.’’

The rotation and dates will be announced later.

The Big East has 16 members for basketball, meaning four teams will be left out.

 

[Freak]

Pearl probably single handedly put that deal together. :lol:

 

[Vol423]

The Big East is tough from top to bottom. That should be a good matchup.

 

[volhoopsfan001]

It's a small step towards something good, but I don't like the setup. It's no Big 10 - ACC challenge, that's for sure. I mean you only play one game in the 4-year deal. Every SEC team, since there are less teams than in the Big-East, should be playing a team from the Big-East during every year of the contract. Anyway, maybe during the 4 years, this will be considered a success and it will be decided that more of this good thing is needed, and it will be expanded to include more games each year to where each team would play at least every-other year. Hopefully, it is a step in the right direction. The SEC needed something like this in basketball, especially coming off a year where the conference had two teams in the Final 4.