Moving forward, do you want to be one of the haves, or not?
Even though a bunch of issues must be resolved, it really is that fundamental.
If Villanova's basketball team was doing what it did from 1989-2003, which is win three NCAA games, maybe the answer would be different. But Jay Wright's Wildcats have become a brand well-worth protecting. Ultimately, this could be as much about that as anything else.
There's something to be said for being an FBS football member, when the doors close at NCAA meetings. And even more so, if you're in a BCS conference. What if the Big East football schools go their separate ways? Or the six BCS football conferences break away and also have their own basketball tournament?
Can't happen? After what's already gone down, it would be foolish to think that anything's impossible. So, again, in any of those scenarios, which side of the equation do you want to end up on?
Yes, there are risks, mainly financial. Do they outweigh the potential downside of standing pat? Nova Nation hasn't gotten behind FCS football, but 20,000 go to South Philly four or five times each winter to watch hoops against the Syracuses and Connecticuts of your food chain. Because it's big time. Can that translate to BCS football? That's pretty much the multimillion-dollar conundrum.
The crystal ball says . . .
Villanova doesn't have to be Alabama. But is trying to be Boston College or Wake Forest such an unattractive alternative?
A lot of schools salivate about being in Villanova's position. How many get a first opportunity? When you have the most chips, you control the table. And, in this for instance, your destiny.
