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BYU to leave Mountain West
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LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL
Updated: Sep. 1, 2010 | 8:03 a.m.
Two weeks after inflicting serious damage to the Western Athletic Conference by swiping two of its members, the Mountain West Conference has suffered a major blow of its own.
Brigham Young's decision to become independent in football and join the West Coast Conference in other sports became a reality Tuesday, a day after rumors of the defection began to circulate.
BYU has called a news conference for today, but the Cougars and both affected conferences issued statements confirming the move, which will take place after this academic year.
"They made a decision they think is in their best interest, so be it," UNLV athletic director Jim Livengood said. "It's not one I would've made. They've got smart people there, and they've been checking the landscape. I think it's extremely tough to be independent in football. I appreciate their long-term relationship with the Mountain West, and I wish them good luck."
The Mountain West appeared as if it might keep BYU after the Cougars' effort in mid-August to join the WAC was thwarted when the MWC invited UNR and Fresno State. The moves crippled the WAC but only delayed BYU's exit, despite the Mountain West's negotiations to improve the Cougars' TV package.
Now the Mountain West has decisions to make. It could continue talks with Conference USA to form a partnership in which the league champions play each other, perhaps with a Bowl Championship Series berth on the line.
The Mountain West, which will be at 10 schools after all the shuffling, could also pursue Conference USA schools such as Houston and Tulsa to reach 12 members, the amount required to play a league championship game in football.
But Livengood said the Mountain West needs to "kind of settle in" before deciding its next move.
There is plenty to absorb with BYU's departure, but Livengood said it was "too early to have that conversation" about whether UNLV should continue to play the Cougars beyond this academic year.
"There's no animosity," Livengood said.
Rebels basketball coach Lon Kruger said he would welcome future games against BYU, saying the Rebels have "always had great battles with them."
Football coach Bobby Hauck said he wasn't aware of the BYU news because he had been preparing for Saturday's season opener against Wisconsin.
As for the Cougars' football independence, Hauck said it will be "interesting to see how it goes."
Another affected party is the MAACO Bowl Las Vegas, which has included BYU in its game the past five seasons.
Executive director Tina Kunzer-Murphy didn't rule out the Cougars being involved in the game beyond this season, but it's unlikely they would be invited because the bowl is close to finalizing four-year contracts with the Mountain West and Pac-10 conferences.
"It's sad news for us because of our relationship with BYU, and it's a huge loss for the Mountain West Conference," Kunzer-Murphy said.
Contact reporter Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2914.
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It's all about MONEY!!! BYU is starting a new hi-def TV channel and BYU sports is going to be anchor. Plus, they can now work a lucrative TV deal with ESPN for exclusive rights to their football games. They won't have to share the obscure "The Mtn." with the MWC anymore. Stop talking about the competitiveness of the WCC, just ask Kansas how much men's basketball means in the long run, it's all about college football, TV revenue, and exposure!! BYU just hit a HOME RUN!!
THIS IS A JOKE!!!LOL byu going independent and playing in the WCC? WOW! THEY SURE WANT TO WIN BADLY!!! SUCH A JOKE!
Despite what the local Mormon population thinks this is the worst case for BYU. Number 1 they don't have the national base or the cache of Notre Dame. Being independent will cost them more than a few football games. They will play weak competition from the WAC and then have few tough games each year starting with Notre Dame in 2011. The Irish attract talent and fans from all over the United States unfortunately for BYU the will be a poor sister to the other Independents. Winning the WAC does not add to strength of schedule and that is what determines bowl invites. Good Luck and I hope the MWC will invite them back
UNLV plays in the "Sewer Bowl" and BYU plays in a on campus stadium that they fill every game. Hint Hint Hint.
Anybody that thinks moving to the West Coast Conference is a good move for a basketball program is flat out dumb. Some of you can't really be serious.
Next year BYU plays five WAC schools and the year after they play four WAC schools. Almost makes BYU a WAC school doesn't it? BYU is loading up on the kind of opponents that are sure to get BCS attention and I'm sure the fans must be so excited about playing the likes of New Mexico State, Idaho, San Jose State, Utah State, Hawaii, and La Tech.
If Nevada, Boise, and Fresno got no credit for playing these teams, what makes BYU think they will?
Two lions outrank four cupcakes
John G: Far stronger? You're out of your mind. While Gonzaga & St. Mary's went further in the tourney than MWC teams...the MWC had four teams in the tourney: UNLV, SDSU, BYU & New Mexico. You are completely and unequivocally WRONG. Match up the teams and the MWC is FAR STRONGER.
John G - I don't see how you can say the WCC is a stronger BBall conference than MWC. Last year MWC sent 4 teams to NCAA's. WCC sent 2. MWC's RPI as a conference was #6 - WCC was #13, below the WAC as well. In 2008-2009 MWC was #7, WCC #15. The trend continues in 2007-2008. This may turn out to be a good move for BYU football, but basketball and most other sports just took a step backwards.
The WCC, overall, is a far stronger conference in basketball than the MWC. Yes, UNLV is a top team, but ranking the rest of the conference top to bottom, and the WCC usually fares better in the NCAA tournament. And Marlin--what do you care if they 'lock themselves into sports obscurity"? My sense is that you don't like BYU anyway, so this should be great news for you then. Looked at another way, it's one less loss we'll experience in football.
Go Rebels!