ESPN, citing those ever-present “multiple sources,” say there is a movement to move the C-USA tournament from Memphis to Tulsa. Under the circumstances, that wouldn’t be a bad idea. Tulsa isn’t the most exciting city and fan support was so-so, but the BOK Center is one sweet arena. The big consideration here: You CANNOT give this tournament to Memphis or Orlando.

From Shreveport: Louisiana Tech will be near bottom in C-USA in budget. Herd fans, welcome the Bulldogs.

From Orlando … I’m just impressed the Sentinel is sending its UCF beat writer to Destin. That’s at least a 6-hour haul. (Although flying seems to be an economical possibility.)

On the Old Dominion front: The school’s Board of Visitors met and (allegedly) did not vote on the possible move to Conference USA. And big props to the Virginian-Pilot for mentioning (in one paragraph) that the school just might make a little money with the move.

My thought: Virginia Commonwealth’s move to the Atlantic 10 seals this deal. Sorry, Middle Tennessee.

And finally, Herd fans are advised to get cracking if they want to go to The Greenbrier Classic. With Tiger W. showing up, demand will exceed supply. A few differences: Daily badges don’t seem to be an option (actually, that’s standard across the PGA Tour) and Alumni badges will be the $495 instead of the discounted $395 available to MU fans last year. Nonetheless, a good time shall be had by all.

First from the Orlando Sentinel, Conference USA members are descending on Destin, Fla., on the “Redneck Riviera.” (I say that in jest; this is some of the best beach most of you have never visited.) Outgoing members are invited, which is how it should be. But please, please, would somebody else put together a bid for the C-USA basketball tournament?

From San Antonio, a good summary of UT-San Antonio’s bid to enter the league.

And, if you missed it, I talk about the good financial fortune of Marshall’s bowl participation.

Based on some of my feedback, there is sentiment for saying “phooey” on Old Dominion and hello to Middle Tennessee. The Nashville-based Tennesseean is keeping an eyeball on the issue. So is the Daily News Journal in Murfreesboro.

I figure the folks in Nashville could go to the Hampton Roads area and educate the media about Conference USA. As this Newport News columnist demonstrates, the folks there don’t quite get it.

So should a Herd fan lobby for MT over ODU? It’s more than a thought.

For the Tulsa perspective, here’s a good column from a good columnist at a good paper, the Tulsa World. Warning: The Golden Hurricane could DOMINATE C-USA football.

From Charlotte: The 49ers may take a short-term hit in basketball, though I think it’s a heck of an opportunity for them. Very good rival for Marshall, too.

From Shreveport, the coverage of Louisiana Tech’s C-USA party. Item to note: That school’s president has been there 25 years.

A question about conference stability from Birmingham.

A little jealousy out of Florida Atlantic? You make the call.

Have a good week … some preps in my future, and I’m sure there will be an MU-related surprise or two.

From Newport News, Va.: Top 10 reasons Old Dominion should join Conference USA (pretty funny).

From Louisiana Tech: I’ve always likened this fine school to Arnold Horshack in “Welcome Back Kotter,” screaming with its hand up for the teacher (i.e., C-USA) to recognize it. Of all schools to enter Friday, these guys appreciate it the most.

I tweeted a few others, including the University of Texas regents’ approval of UTSA to join C-USA.

Rounding up what they’re saying in the presumed new C-USA cities:

Denton, Texas — Good recap of the improvements North Texas has made in facilities, including its new football stadium.

Norfolk — Virginian-Pilot columnist Bob Molinaro declares that C-USA is not a good fit for Old Dominion. To which I say: Jump on this boat now, or possibly sink. Your choice.

(I’m biased toward ODU. Virginia Beach, with all that AYCE crab … what is there not to like?)

San Antonio — This school has the most upside, perhaps, but there are facility issues to tackle. Recognize any of the, Herd fans?

With MegaConference USA merger apparently toast, C-USA is getting aggressive on expansion. I think Marshall fans will like this if all cylinders fire.

As CBSSports’ Brett McMurphy reported today, the league is adding Florida International, Texas-San Antonio, Louisiana Tech, North Texas, Charlotte and Old Dominion.

I can amend that as follows: The first four are mortal locks. Everybody wants Charlotte, but needs confirmation that the 49ers’ can fast-track football like UTSA is doing. ODU is not a lock, but is an intriguing combination of a populated market, an ambitious 3-year football program and a renovated stadium with some history. Those two schools will bring some decent basketball, too.

(New: ESPN reports Charlotte tells Sun Belt to go pound sand.)

You’ve got some big enrollments, good-size metro areas (and back in the Metroplex, so the league office won’t move). And Marshall/ECU gets two  driveable road foes. Not sure if the football will be better, but that was to be expected. This is a pretty good (and quick) move.

Looks like Britton Banowsky, who gets a lot of grief at times, is earning his keep here.

We don’t think Vinny Curry will go in the first round, but we’ve got to keep our eye on it. … And with all the D-ends to be taken, expect insightful comments out of the ESPN crew anyway. Curry will at least sneak into the conversation at some point.

I’m in the office tonight, watching but probably not hearing everything. Drop me a tweet @dougsmock if you hear something interesting. I’ll drop a tweet here and there myself… Friday I will be at Laidley Field, but I should be following on  watchespn.com. I hope I hope.

Remember, it’s 8 tonight, 7 Friday. Noon Saturday, though it won’t go that far. #MrGetFlee99 is a hot property.

The schedule, since you really have to dig for it elsewhere: Round 1, 8 p.m. Thursday, Rounds 2-3, 7 p.m. Friday, Rounds 4-7, noon Saturday.

Curry likely will be picked during the Big Green dinner (“Evening With the Pros”), which will provide a really dramatic moment. And I’ll be stuck at the Gazette Relays. C’est la vie. …

As the pundits see it … first, from NFL.com:

Charlie Casserly puts Vinny atop the list of potential second-round steals. Unfortunately, a good-looking video locked up on me, never to play again.

Chad Reuter’s full seven-round mock draft has him going 49th to the Chargers, though they have played a 3-4 defense and am not sold on Curry being best used as a stand-up rusher. But I also see rumblings that the Bolts may end up in the 4-3 in the near future.

But mock drafts are guesses, obviously.

Mike Mayock of NFL.com likes Curry even more, putting him 30th on his top 100. While that’s not a mock draft, it does mean you’d better keep the draft on Thursday night, just in case. Mayock puts Curry as the 4th best defensive end, a spot above West Virginia’s Bruce Irvin.

From ESPN:

The Scouts Inc. analysis, which gives Curry a grade of 85. He gets special praise for his instincts and motor, which won’t surprise any Herd fan.

Todd McShay’s Mock 6.0 is in, and he has Curry going 38th to the Jaguars.

From CBS Sports:

Curry’s profile page, and his 48th spot (Patriots) on Rob Rang’s Mock. … The Patriots seem to need fresh blood at D-end. Pat Kirwan has Vinny 43rd to the Seahawks.

Just sent a story on the development of LBs Armonze Daniel and Deon Meadows. Interesting thing about Daniel: Not only did he get a lot of first-team reps, he was plopped at end a play or three, hand down and all. You know you’ve arrived when DC Chris Rippon starts toying around with you.

Last full-contact go before Green-White Game, and there was some fun pitch-and-catch. Cato and Shuler lit it up in 7-on-7 and full-team plays, and Shuler went up for an impressive one-hander on a short pass. … Jordan Jeffries and Gage Niemeyer continue their battle at left tackle, with the rest of the 1-line being Josh Lovell, Channing Smith, Chris Jasperse and Garrett Scott. … B. Frohnapfel threw, but may have gone a pitch or two too far… He had one knuckle away from him for an easy pick.

Gator Hoskins was looking to turn the corner for a big gain on a short pass when his hamstring betrayed him. He returned for field-goal drills and such, but I’m not sure he caught an other pass. …

Thursday’s pratice may go to practice, which would mean I’d miss it. Will be at the Gazette Relays on Friday, game Saturday. Hope to see you there.

This shall be a long, long, long weekend for the defense:

SCRIMMAGE STATS

Rushing: Ward 15-155, 2 TD; Cato 5-18; Rodriguez 24-83, 1 TD, 1 fumble; B. Frohnapfel 2-0; Total 46-256.

Passing: Cato 17-27-1, 244, 4 TD; B. Frohnapfel 20-28-1, 199, 3 TD; total 37-55, 443, 7 TD.

Total offense: 101 plays, 699 total yards.

Receiving: Shuler 13-169, 4 TD; E. Frohnapfel 4-78 1, 1 TD, King 4-32; Booker 1-42; Garrett 3-61; Wilkins 3-8, 1 TD; Alston 3-19; Evans 1-13; Kelson 4-20, 1 TD; Wilson 1-1.

Defense: McKelvey 16 tackles; Roush 6; Daniel 7; Hunter 4; Carter 4, 1 tackle for loss, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery; Bazzie 4, 2 sacks, 1 int; Sparrow 4, 2 tackles for loss; Smith 3, 1 tackle for loss; Arrington 3, 1 sacks; Dunston 3, 1 pass breakup, 1 int.