It is interesting stuff, and every time I try to envision a simple, brute-force solution, it’s difficult. For instance, let’s investigate what I’ll call the “BCS ultimate power play”. In this scenario, the 4 BCS mega-conferences split away entirely and decided to pay ALL of their scholarship athletes in the revenue sports. They leave the traditional basketball powers out of the equation entirely, betting that over the years the money their football programs generate will produce a BCS hoops regular season and tournament that will surpass the NCAA in terms of quality (since they can afford to pay more money for potential recruits). Let’s assume it works to perfection. Even in this idealized situation, what will happen to these 4 conferences over the years, once they’ve established unquestioned supremacy? Does their membership ever change? Once you’re in, are you in for the life of the university? And we still haven’t addressed the so-called minor sports. I know these are unnerving times for athletic programs like UA, but I’m definitely intrigued by what’s been happening even if it’s just out of morbid fascination. Hold on tight, the roller coaster is going up another hill