http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/cinn/sports/m-baskbl/auto_pdf/2012-13/schedule/schedule.pdf

Note: The Talented And Inherently Awesome Mr. Opper hasn't weighed in on this yet. When he does, ignore this.

When you're in a big-time basketball conference, the non-conference schedule serves three purposes: provide a gaudy record so you're ten games over .500 when ish gets real in January, build confidence for your new players, and sell a few tickets. This schedule manages to....

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It feels like this is becoming a semi annual tradition. Basketball and Spring Football end and I make an open call for contributors to help get the site through the dog days of summer. This summer is no different. So If you enjoy writing and/or have a deep and abiding passion for the Cincinnati Bearcats, or really even a passing passion would do. We here at Down The Drive would love to have you on board. And unlike the Joker I won't have you fight to the death with a snapped Cue. Instead all you have to do is shoot me an email at downthedrive at gmail dot com.

I propose the following for a new Big East conference. As of 2015 there will be 12 football schools in addition to 9 basketball only schools.

Football: Cincinnati, Boise St., UConn, Houston, Louisville, Navy, Rutgers, SDSU, SMU, USF, Temple and UCF

Basketball Only: Georgetown, DePaul, Marquette, Notre Dame, Providence, Seton Hall, St. John;s, Villanova

If possible, invite the following A-10 schools to join the above listed basketball only schools: Butler, Dayton, UMass and Xavier

Then, with 12 teams on both lists, basketball schedules could be the other 11 teams in your division, and 5 of the other schools, for a total of 16 conference basketball games. In football it would likely be 8 football games on rotating basis year after year, and allow for 4 non-conference games.

and they're only slightly convoluted. And by slightly I mean "extremely".

http://www.hoopscooponline.com/members/coachesrankings-2012.asp

No. 1 Mike Krzyzewski (Duke)

No. 2 Jim Calhoun (UConn)

No. 3 John Calipari (Kentucky)

No. 4 Roy Williams (North Carolina)

No. 5 Rick Pitino (Loserville)

No. 6 Bill Self (Kansas)

No. 7 Jim Boeheim (Syracuse)

No.8 Tom Izzo (Michigan State)

No. 9 Bob Huggins (West Vagina)

No. 10 Billy Donovan (Florida)

After the top 50, they rank the" 30 HEAD COACHES WHO ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF THEIR CAREER AND HAVE POTENTIAL TO MOVE ONTO OUR LIST OF THE TOP 50 HEAD COACHES IN THE GAME TODAY". which totally sounds like one of those headlines that you stretched out when you had a thousand word essay and got to 977 or so.

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We've got Cinci currently IN the NCAA Basketball tourney right now, with a 26.68% chance of receiving an At Large bid. They're also the last team from the Big East that we've got making the tourney. Check out our predictions up until Selection Sunday. We'll start updating them almost every day. Our statistical model is over 95% correct, and has out-picked Joe Lunardi 2 out of the past 3 years.

Big East March Madness Predictions

Thanks!

The opinions expr

we were 6-6 in the Big East and had just lost to St. John's in what i remember now as the sloppiest game in the history of organized basketball. we had lost three of four, everybody was yelling that Yancy Gates was useless, we were solidly on the bubble, had people kvetching about a weak non conference schedule, had upcoming games vs. Providence and Louisville, and everybody was questioning Cronin's coaching ability. everybody chill, we got this. 17 down, 5 to go, 8 remaining.

I believe that Mick has had a problem with his appeal to fans in his tenure here. That may be changing with the reponse to the fight during the X game. Mick's response was deemed not only appropriate, but showed his passion for UC. If Mick can keep that passion and demonstrate it more to fans, he may attract more people to the games.

I've thought Mick had a PR problem. There were no personalities to get fans excited. Bob HUggins was a big persona, and his players were fan favorites. That has been lacking since Huggs left Clifton. Is it back? I think so, but still needs cultivating. More public appearances by Mick (a la BK) could go a long way to develop a relationship between Mick and fans.

I attended a UCATS riverboat trip last summer and Mick was onboard, but you wouldn't have known it. There was no buzz. Somehow Mick needs to boost himself and his program.

I will not lie, I have never looked at Mick Cronin as an accesptional coach. He may have led the team to the NCAA, but I was never really sold...Until now!

I am really shocked at the lack of suspentions that were gave out!

After all, I sort of expected some of the players to miss conference games or even get kicked off of the team!

Coach Cronin has been the one bright spot in all of this. His respect for the sport and institution have given the Cats something positive to take from this. His stern comments and understanding that the players emberassed the school is what will allow this team to grow.

Hopefully as the year progresses they will be able to make a push for the tourney! Even if they can't get over the bubble, the Cats certainly have a coach for the long term!

http://www.courier-journal.com/article/2011312030126

When we were searching for a new AD, I suggested we try to attract an associate from UofL for the reasons included in the above article. Now that Mr. Babcock is here, I hope he can get us moving toward this level of success. We have great facilities, but need upgrades to both Nippert and the Shoe, if not replacements. While I really enjoy being on campus, Louisville is proving it can be done off c ampus as well, if not better.

http://m.usatoday.com/article/sports/51019966

According to USAToday, ESPN may be playing a large role in the recent round of NCAA conference jumping.  I believe it.  I also think the ESPN has a vested interest in certain marketable teams and matchups, and by involving itself in conference alignment is skirting a conflict of interest, or the appearance of impropriety.