BREAKIING: It's Official, Butler, Xavier And Creighton Join The "New" Big East Conference. Fox Sports New TV Partner

The new Big East Conference has a TV partner and three new schools to join the Catholic 7.

Butler and Xavier have informed the muckety mucks at the Atlantic 10 Conference they are withdrawing to join the new Big East.

“I wish Xavier University and Butler University all the best in their new conference." A-10 commissioner Bernadette McGlade said Wednesday in a statement released by the conference.  "Xavier’s departure is unfortunate. Butler’s departure is a by-product of the chaotic conference realignment environment. BU’s association with the A-10 has been a fun ride this year; no regrets from the Atlantic 10 for providing a home for them during the 2012-13 season."

Creighton leaves the Missouri Valley Conference, the Blue Jays home since 1977.

Here's the announcement of Creighton's withdrawal from the MVC by University President the Rev. Timothy Lannon.




Those three join former original Big East members St. John's, Seton Hall, De­Paul, Georgetown, Marquette, Providence and Villanova to form the basketball centric conference July, 1st.

Most importantly the new Big East has a media partner with Fox Sports.  Here's that announcement.




The A-10 can absorb the loss of Butler and Xavier, still many good teams in large media markets in that conference.

Creighton has been the big dog in the MVC the last few years.  The Valley will remain one of the best mid-majors in college basketball.  Wichita State is a solid program and no doubt will fill the void on the national scene left by Xavier.

High School Teammates Meet In NCAA Tournament: Doug McDermott & Harrison Barnes

They were teammates in high school in Ames, Iowa who went their separate ways. Harrison Barnes of North Carolina and Doug McDermott of Crighton.

As Ames High School teammates the pair led the Little Cyclones to a pair of undefeated seasons.

Barnes was the top high school recruit in the country, McDermott was on high way to Northern Iowa but ended up at Creighton where his dad is the head coach.

Here is a feature on the two from WOWT-TV in Omaha, Nebraska.



Creigton and North Carolina is a match-up of two of the highest scoring teams left in the NCAA Tournament. Their stars are a big reason why. McDermott is averaging 23points per game and eight rebounds for the eighth-seeded Blue Jays. Barnes is leading the top-seeded Tar Heels at 17 points.

Harrison Barnes believes the Tar Heels need to be focused against the Blue Jays. (Thanks WRAL-TV

OSG Buzzer Beater: UNI's Anthony James Shoots Down #13 Creighton At The Buzzer

A great Missouri Valley Conference game Saturday in Cedar Falls, Iowa. #13 Creighton got all it could handle at UNI's McLeod Center and then some as the Panthers Anthony James nailed a 3 point shot at the buzzer for a 65-62 win.

Here's the game winner. (Thanks unipanthers.com)



James led Northern Iowa in scoring with 16 points, 14 coming in the second half.

National player of the year candidate Doug McDermott totaled 18 points, 12 rebounds.