ESPN is reporting that East Carolina has formally applied to the Big East.  If they come that is 16 in Bball. 

According to several sites Navy and Air Force are still on the table as possible football only members.  That would put the BE at 9 Football members.  That's not bad, not great, but i can live with that. 

I would say don't stop there, have Villanova make the jump and raid C-USA a little more for C Florida and Memphis.  giving the BE 18 Bball and 12 Fball members, that way we can have a Fball conf championship game.  of course if UCONN does find a new home (its pretty obvious they are ready to abandon the BE ship) we are looking at taking another mediocre CUSA team for 12 Fball members (i suppose Houston would be the most desireable, but that is streching the conference even more geographically--but at this point i don't really think mileage is a concern for Mariotti and company.)