Big East Linkage - May 18

Big East Linkage is a news roundup feature on BECB. Feel free to send us any relevant links, stories or posts you think might be interesting to readers at bigeastcoastbias at gmail dot com.

West Virginia Athletic Director Oliver Luck tells the Charleston Daily Mail that he thinks the Big East can learn a lot from the recent PAC 12 television deal. While he did not comment directly on Villanova, his comments indicate that he would like to see the conference take its time and get the right team(s) to maximize the next television contract. Luck also shoots down the idea that there's an imminent split between football and basketball schools.

The Smoking Musket has a fantastically written article explaining why West Virginia should indeed sell beer at football games. This comes on the heels of reports that the majority of fans don't want beer sold, and would go so far as to cancel their season tickets if it is allowed.


Rivals.com writer David Fox has a lengthy piece on new Pittsburgh head coach Todd Graham and his efforts to put his own stamp on the Panthers' football program.

Former Florida wide receiver Chris Dunkley is officially a South Florida Bull. He will sit out the 2011 season and be eligible to play in 2012. Adding to the parade of transfers, former Gator signee Mike Blakely took an official visit to South Florida and the Bulls are very much in the mix for his services as well.

On the flip side, South Florida lost guard Anthony Crater due to disciplinary reasons. Crater possibly ran afoul of the school's drug policy for the third time.

Rutgers released its post-spring depth chart today. Few surprises, if any.

VUHoops says the deadline for Villanova to get a yes or no on football is in fact June 1. He just wants it clear that the deadline was set by Villanova and not the Big East or the NCAA.