Report: Two Big East Members Discuss Leaving To Start Basketball-Only Conference
By Mike Rutherford – College Basketball Editor
SB Nation
According to a report, two current Big East members have discussed the possibility of leaving the league to form a new one built around perennial basketball powerhouses.
Two current members of the Big East have had conversations about leaving the conference to start a new league built around traditional basketball powers, according to Brad Wolverton of The Chronicle of Higher Education.
….The discussions are preliminary and may not lead to any departures, but could signal dissatisfaction among at least some of the basketball schools with the league’s uncertain future or its choice of new members.
According to sources who were involved in the discussions at two Big East institutions, the colleges have discussed the possibility of a so-called Super Basketball Conference that could seek to add Butler, Temple, Xavier, or others. The sources were unwilling to publicly identify either institution because of the early stage of talks.
“I don’t think they’ve had serious talks about it, but I’d be shocked if they didn’t leave,” said a source close to the league. “They’re going to get there eventually, but someone’s going to have to lead them,” this person said. ….
This report, if accurate, is yet another hit to the stability of a conference that has already seen Pittsburgh and Syracuse accept invitations to the ACC and West Virginia bolt for the Big 12 over the past three months. Earlier this month, the Big East announced it was adding Boise State and San Diego State as football-only members and Houston, Southern Methodist and Central Florida in all sports.
Dilemma X 
December 21, 2011
Athletics