Big East/SEC Invitational Going to 12-Game Format in 2011-2012

College Sports 2 replies 715 views
Azubuike24's avatar
Azubuike24
Posts: 15,933
Dec 11, 2010 3:15pm
http://www.zagsblog.com/2010/12/11/secbig-east-invitational-to-expand/

Although it won't have an odd amount of games and could potentially end in a six-six tie, the series will expand to include all 12 SEC teams and 12 Big East teams. Games will be moved to campus sites as well.
Little Danny's avatar
Little Danny
Posts: 4,288
Dec 11, 2010 10:42pm
Good. I am tired of watching matchups of just a a few teams. Hopefully this lineup will be more balanced for both conference--- I don't want to see one of the top teams in the SEC playing the 14th best team in the BE. I want to see UK v. Syracuse or something of that ilk, not UK taking on South Florida or whatever we've seen in the past.
Azubuike24's avatar
Azubuike24
Posts: 15,933
Dec 12, 2010 12:50am
I'd almost guarantee Kentucky ends up against Connecticut, Georgetown, Pittsburgh or Syracuse because that would be one of the highlight games. Same goes for Florida, Tennessee and then whoever they anticipate to be other good SEC teams that year. I could also see Cincinnati/Kentucky, but maybe in the future if UC raises it back up and the series continues.

With the SEC having 12 and the Big East 16, I could see the BE having the advantage depending on the match-ups because the bottom of the SEC would probably struggle with the bottom 6 of the Big East. For instance, this year, Auburn couldn't beat any BE team. Will be fun regardless. Here is what I'd love to see next year (trying to add in some common ties that might draw decent ratings/crowds).

Kentucky at Syracuse - Battle for attendance title, would be a monster crowd at the Carrier Dome
Louisville at Florida - Rick Pitino vs Billy Donovan (played for him) and Richard Pitino
Pittsburgh at Tennessee - Rematch of this year's game in Knoxville
Mississippi at Cincinnati - Clearly the Andy Kennedy back to UC angle would be good
Notre Dame at Vanderbilt - Two great academic schools who can also play on the hardwood
Mississippi State at Georgetown - Intriguing match-up here
South Florida at Arkansas - Stan Heath back to Fayetteville
Louisiana State at St. John's - It's not the 80's anymore, but these schools wish it was
Georgia at Marquette - No real intriguing storyline here, but I'd like to see it
Alabama at Seton Hall - No real intriguing storyline here
DePaul at South Carolina - Oliver Purnell coached in many Palmetto State rivalry games against the Gamecocks
Rutgers at Auburn - Nobody would care, but all 12 SEC teams must participate right?