I’ll hit on the disappointing, but frustratingly predictable loss to Georgetown later. For now, the spectacle that is Big East, um, growth.

I don’t think anyone really thinks John Marinatto is a good commissioner of the Big East. The only debate really seems to be whether he is thoroughly incompetent or merely completely overmatched. The addition of Memphis — without even making them come to the Big East for the 2012 season — should have resolved the issue into the category of thoroughly incompetent. But in case anyone had any lingering doubts, the press conference today should be the clincher.

Temple joining is not the issue. It makes sense. Heck it is more reasonable than elevating Villanova at this point. Er, what?

The BIG EAST Conference Board of Directors also unanimously voted to continue working closely with Villanova University regarding its FBS football future and, in doing so, take into account its longstanding relationship and many contributions to the Conference over the past three decades to give all due consideration to a football membership application.

The Conference also fully supports the extensive, thoughtful and thorough process that Villanova is utilizing to evaluate its football program. To validate the BIG EAST Conference’s support of Villanova and its potential admission as a football program, the Conference has committed to offer financial assistance to cover future costs incurred by Villanova to exploring BIG EAST football membership.

In addition and to further demonstrate its support and consideration, the Conference will pledge to waive the football entry fee if Villanova is admitted within the next three years into the Conference as a football playing member, provided that it satisfies the Conference’s requirements for membership and the NCAA’s requirements for membership. We are confident that Villanova’s process will result in an outcome that’s in the best interest of the University and its accomplished athletics program.

I suppose it may be the cost of getting Temple into the Big East and resolving the schedule problems for the football schools in 2012, but given the money the Big East is giving up to help Villanova, then maybe it would have been cheaper to just pay Boise State’s exit fee from the MWC?

Well, at least Temple will pay their way into the Big East and out of the MAC and A-10.

Wait, what?

The MAC was particularly ornery, given that it would be losing a member about six months before the start of its gridiron season, and demanded the standard exit fee of $2.5 million be increased to $6 million.

“It’s been no secret that Temple has wanted to be in the Big East across the board for many, many years,” MAC commissioner Jon Steinbrecher told the Associated Press.

Temple will share that cost with the Big East, which will foot half of the bill and provide an interest-free loan for the remainder, which Temple will pay off over three years.

And apparently the Big East will also help pay off the exit of the A-10. You have a school that even the conference they are leaving knew how desperately they wanted back into the Big East. And Marinatto’s best deal was to pay half their enhanced exit fee and provide an interest free loan for the other half?

This on the heels of taking an equally desperate Memphis program — that has the backing of Fed Ex money — but failed to negotiate to get them into the Big East for 2012 despite everyone knowing how necessary that was.

Hell, by the time Pitt and Syracuse leave, the Big East could very well be paying their way into the ACC. Not that even Marinatto would tip his hand that badly after all the posturing about keeping Pitt and Cuse for 2 years. Right? Right?

Asked when he would have those conversations with Syracuse and Pitt, Marinatto told SNY.tv, “Hopefully, soon. Our membership is very pleased with where we’ve landed…so I hope to engage in conversations with both Pittsburgh and Syracuse very soon.”

Marinatto had previously maintained that both schools wouldn’t be able to depart until June 2014, 27 months from when they announced they would leave.

“We really haven’t had detailed conversations [with Syracuse and Pitt] but at this point in time we’re ready to have that conversation,” Marinatto said

Good, god. This is to the benefit of Pitt, and I’m offended by the level of incompetence and idiocy he demonstrates.