SEC Hoops Coaches Talk Expansion
September 27th, 2011 04:53 PM║ Posted By: John Pennington ║ Permalink ║ Tags: Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, LSU, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vanderbilt
Conference expansion — except maybe in the ACC — is largely fueled by football and football-driving television contracts. But that doesn’t mean basketball coaches don’t have opinions, too.
ESPN.com’s Andy Katz caught up with a pair of SEC hoops coaches to get their take on the SEC’s current 13-team state.
Kentucky’s John Calipari: “I don’t think this stuff is done yet. I’ve said for months that there may be four conferences with 16 or 18 teams each. But I can tell you that the SEC at 13, 14 or 16 is going to be stable. We’re fine. If they’re going to add, I’d like us to go and get Virginia Tech, Maryland and Missouri to go along with Texas A&M. We’re not going to do anything at the expense of academics. You’re also going to see basketball step up in the next five years in the SEC.
Texas A&M is a great school academically, has a well-run athletic department and will fit well. Their fan base is ridiculous, just like all of us. The SEC is different. The SEC is about schools with strong fan bases and geography. We want the markets. There is no buyout in the SEC because no one wants to leave”
Vanderbilt’s Kevin Stallings: “I like the simplicity of an even number and I’m not sure it was completely necessary. I don’t think we’re finished seeing movement and if so, if we end up at 14 or 16, if that’s what the commissioner’s office said we need, then I’m fine with it. Our league isn’t going anywhere. We’re as stable as any league in college athletics and we have visionaries who run our league. If they think we’re better suited to be 14 or 16, then I’m OK with that.”
Interesting how coach cal put the academic twist on it. That would rule out a school like WVU. I wonder if any ACC schools would contact the SEC? I'm sure Mike would love for Vtech and NC State to give them a call.
Mr Sec how in the world is this expansion going to affect the Bball side.We just scrapped the divisions.
Do you see them being brought back or kept the same?
Rather go back to divisions if it goes to 14 maybe even at 13.
I don't think you need divisions in any other sport except for football. The reason is because in all the other sports the teams play each other so often that it really doesn't matter and in some cases the divisional alignment could actually hurt you if one division is significantly stronger than the other.
I believe in some other leagues they don't even allow all the teams into a post season tournament and there really is no reason you have to. I know the SEC drops a few teams for the baseball tournament. So I don't see things like that being a serious issue.
No ACC schools are interested in the SEC. Maybe if the SEC had moved faster they could have gotten one away from the ACC, but that ship has sailed. If the SEC is ever going to go to 16, it will be with the likes of WVU, Louisville and Mizzou.
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