Marquette and six other universities may leave Big East

Marquette and six other universities will reportedly announce in the next day or -two whether they’ll stay with the Big East or start a conference in which basketball is the top sport.

ESPN says it’s becoming more likely that the basketball schools will break apart from the Big East, which has put a new emphasis on football recently.

Marquette does not have a BCS football team. Neither does St. John’s, DePaul, Georgetown, Villanova, Providence and Seton Hall. They recently met to discuss a possible breakaway from the Big East.

Marquette officials had publicly toed the Big East line of loyalty until the conference admitted Tulane last month. Marquette Athletic Director Larry Williams told ESPN-Milwaukee that the Big East invited Tulane “without any diligence to what effect that would have on our basketball product.”

Williams said the Big East was home when Marquette joined the league in 2005. But he said the home has changed, and Marquette and the other basketball schools must decide if they still fit in.

Golden Eagles basketball Coach Buzz Williams said he’s been giving “politically-correct” answers for months. He said that now he doesn’t know what to think about the conference issues and alignments.

Pointers up-end Warhawks

The UW-Whitewater men’s basketball team will probably lose its No. 2 national ranking in Division III next week, after falling to No. 7 Stevens Point at home, 72-61.

The Pointers rallied during the second half Wednesday night without their senior star Tyler Tillema. He left in the opening half with a knee injury.

Pointers Coach Bob Semling said his players showed their resilience in the wake of Tillema’s injury. Stevens Point secured its victory with a 12-0 run in the second half.

The Warhawks dropped to 3-1 in the conference and 7-1 overall. Point improved to 3-0 in league play and 8-0 overall.

Tags: wi sports, sports, proam