Tidbit from ESPN

[MUMac]

So the "Rivalry" is simply the last game of the season? And this is a creative new marketing concept?

Wow!

VS

Creative? New? Nope. But having Fox Sports trying to market the Big East is a bad thing? Come on guys, it is an attempt to put the league's final games in a spotlight. So we complain and complain? Damn, there certainly is a lot of crotchety people on this board.

[TheSultan]

Creative? New? Nope. But having Fox Sports trying to market the Big East is a bad thing? Come on guys, it is an attempt to put the league's final games in a spotlight. So we complain and complain? Damn, there certainly is a lot of crotchety people on this board.

Exactly. They are going to try to drum up audiences for these games. For those complaining....what are your ideas?

[ValiantSailor]

Exactly. They are going to try to drum up audiences for these games. For those complaining....what are your ideas?

Not complaining, just confused. What's the difference between what's being proposed by FS1 and any last conference game of a season?

VS

[kneelb4zerg]

Not complaining, just confused. What's the difference between what's being proposed by FS1 and any last conference game of a season?

VS

There is no difference, except they are trying to draw attention to it. It's called "marketing"

[MUMac]

There is no difference, except they are trying to draw attention to it. It's called "marketing"

Correct. And I see that as good for the Big East. Marketing the last game of the season and putting the Big East in the spotlight is not a bad thing, IMHO.

[ValiantSailor]

There is no difference, except they are trying to draw attention to it. It's called "marketing"

Hey...I'm a Mac guy...I KNOW what marketing is! The marketing of the Big East - (BTW, it's not the New Big East, or NBE. We really should get away from that term. Our schools fought hard for the name; we shouldn't diminish their efforts, regardless of how ESPN refers to us.) - should describe something unique, different, or better. Pointing out the final conference game, that's going to change annually, doesn't do much for me - it's the same as every other school.

VS

[MUMac]

Hey...I'm a Mac guy...I KNOW what marketing is! The marketing of the Big East - (BTW, it's not the New Big East, or NBE. We really should get away from that term. Our schools fought hard for the name; we shouldn't diminish their efforts, regardless of how ESPN refers to us.) - should describe something unique, different, or better. Pointing out the final conference game, that's going to change annually, doesn't do much for me - it's the same as every other school.

VS

You are not the target market. The last game is not the target point. It is about driving up viewership and interest in the last game. That will, hopefully, drum up interest and viewership in the other games. It is not intended for the die hard fans of the various teams. They will be there or watch anyway.

Now, if this is the only marketing that FS1 does with the Big East your concern is valid. It is part of a larger marketing plan, I am sure.

[beerhere6]

Casual Hoya‏@CasualHoya6m
Per ESPN, Georgetown will face Villanova in Philadelphia in the final game of the season. Full schedule released today

[Phantom Warrior]

I think GTown versus Nova is the smart rivalry to push since both have been playing each other for decades in the Big East and both have been very successful over the past 10-12 years. Plus, both are likely to make the Dance this year.

I'm guessing we end up playing Creighton in our final game of the regular season as both teams are likely to challenge for the league championship this year and both could end up ranked in the Top 20-25.

I would also have Providence play St. John's, Xavier play Butler, and DePaul play SHU.

Those are my guesses.

[MU Viking]

I think those are great guesses PW. MU v Creighton makes senses from a Midwest and strength standpoint. PC v STJ = traditional BE matchup. Xavier and Butler are small schools geographically very close both coming from the A10. DePaul and SH are frankly likely the dregs of the conference this year.