Memphis Tigers March to Big East Coming to a Crawl

There has been so much excitement about the Memphis Tigers heading to the Big East.

Big East images pop out of the side of the Memphis athletics website. There is a newsletter/website to educate fans about the conference. If you check out the basketball team’s poster schedule, you will not even see a C-USA image. You will find the Big East logo along with the Tigers logo and the text July 2013 Big East Bound.

But what in the world is happening to the Big East conference?

Just as the excitement continued to build about Memphis transitioning to the Big East, news come out that the Notre Dame Fighting Irish would be leaving. I thought to myself. “That’s O.K.”

Then announcements come out that the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and Louisville Cardinals will also depart. “Wait a minute.”

You heard the rumors. Seven schools are collectively seeking to leave the conference.  Then the official announcement came.

The seven Big East schools that don’t play major college football have decided to leave the conference and pursue a new basketball framework. The schools: DePaul Blue Demons, Georgetown Hoyas, Marquette Golden Eagles, Providence Friars, St. John’s Red Storm, Seton Hall Pirates and Villanova Wildcats.

The presidents of the seven, non-FBS schools made the announcement Saturday, saying it was a unanimous vote.

That was the announcement of all announcements. “I cannot believe this.”

Is anyone left in the conference?

At this point, it doesn’t even matter. I’m just as confused and horrified as anyone else.

At least the Memphis athletic director seems to be keeping it together.

“We are confident and united in our efforts as a 13-member conference of comprehensive programs and national universities to build a better program,” Tom Bowen read from a statement provided by the Commercial Appeal. “Stability or instability will always be kind of at the forefront of the dynamic we’re faced with. But here at the University of Memphis we’re excited about being part of the Big East Conference as a comprehensive member.

“We wish well our brothers from those other seven schools, and we look to forward to competing in the Big East in 2013.”

For now, there’s not much more to say. Memphis is heading to what’s left of the Big East.

Patosha Jeffery is the Memphis Tigers Featured Columnist at Rant Sports. Follow her on Twitter: @patoshajeffery and add her Google + to your circles.