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4-1-Zoo: TCU To Join Big East

Reports this morning state that TCU will join the Big East Conference in all sports effective July 1, 2012.

There is a news conference scheduled for 1 p.m. today to announce "a major announcement involving the TCU athletics program."

Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt and West Virginia coach Bill Stewart had little to say on the subject. Here are some quotes from conference coaches that did:

Charlie Strong:
"It will be great. They can come into our conference and be welcome, and I think would be a huge addition to our conference."
Greg Schiano:
"I don't think there is a big difference (travel-wise). I think it is a little different if you go tip to tip, if you go to [Los Angeles] or somewhere. But, I've always looked at it like a trip is just a trip."
This makes nine teams in the conference, which will allow each team to play eight conference games. That helps each school with scheduling.
This also creates a situation where 17 teams are in basketball and every other sport the conference provides. That makes things a bit tricky as far as scheduling goes.
Villanova still has an offer on the table from the Big East. If the Wildcats were to join the conference they would only be joining for football, as they are currently in the Big East in every other sport.

(Please stop back frequently as this story is sure to develop as the day goes on.)

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Chris Gates | Area 4-1-Zoo Blog
Twitter.com/Chris_Gates
Chris.Gates@cbsradio.com

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