NEWPORT, R.I. (AP) -- Commissioner John Marinatto says the Big East is stronger "in every way" than it has ever been in its history.
After months of speculation about whether the Big East would be shrinking - or growing - the conference is set to begin its 20th football season with its membership intact.
Nobody is coming. Nobody is going - at least for now.
Considering there was legitimate concern Big East football would be poached into oblivion as other conferences expanded, maintaining the status quo has to qualify as a surprising victory for Marinatto and his conference.
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