Folks I give you . . .

[stever20]

I give you something even funnier...

Lunardi's bracket math today includes DePaul being in the tourney as the auto bid(he takes #1 teams in conference). Giving us 8 teams in the tourney....

7 Villanova 2 seed
21 Seton Hall 6 seed
27 Providence 7 seed
28 Butler 7 seed
33 Xavier 9 seed
34 Georgetown 9 seed
38 St John's 10 seed
and 59 DePaul 15 seed

St John's is the 3rd team in with a PIG Bye.

1 thing when you're looking at RPI's- at least this version- the last at large team is #44. 45-68 all 1 bid champions. Looking at it- only Wyoming in the MWC would be a bid theif in addition to DePaul. So very possible the last at large team is #46.

[Boyee]

As a DePaul University alumnus, it makes me very happy to see DePaul in 1st place, especially as they haven't made the NCAA Tournament since 2004 and made a decent NIT run in 2007. They do have to play @ Villanova next.

[BEhomer]

Purnell is not getting a 5-year extension.

Purnell usually puts in some time to rebuild and then leaves to rebuild again. So my guess is that he will not be here for the new stadium....unless he lands some better recruits....which may just happen.

he's in his 60's now and not likely to find a better job than depaul. if he has any success this year, i can see him demand a longer contract and more security.

[Xudash]

As a DePaul University alumnus, it makes me very happy to see DePaul in 1st place, especially as they haven't made the NCAA Tournament since 2004 and made a decent NIT run in 2007. They do have to play @ Villanova next.

It all worked out for the best, from my point of view as a Xavier alumnus, when it comes to Xavier being in the Big East and with the 10 teams that comprise this conference. Having noted that, I've not liked DePaul for a number of years due to the stance it took in the early 80's, which was about being against the formation of what could have become a rather formidable league of midwestern Catholic schools, including ND, DePaul and X. Those were the Ray Meyer years when DePaul was on top.

I am glad to be associated with DePaul now, even though its recent basketball resume has been lacking. In my opinion, DePaul is very close to becoming formidable again IF it makes the right moves. From what I've read, the right moves include blowing out your current AD and blowing out Oliver Purnell. Not that OP is a bad guy, but he's just not the guy that DePaul needs to take it to the next level; a level that it used to know all too well. Imagine DePaul with Chicago as its backyard, with its new building, with a solid athletic administration and with an effective coaching staff.

On that note, I'll ask the question again: especially with the new building coming online, will DePaul's President act properly, firing the AD and Oliver Purnell and putting real talent in their place?

[murphy]

As a DePaul University alumnus, it makes me very happy to see DePaul in 1st place, especially as they haven't made the NCAA Tournament since 2004 and made a decent NIT run in 2007. They do have to play @ Villanova next.

It all worked out for the best, from my point of view as a Xavier alumnus, when it comes to Xavier being in the Big East and with the 10 teams that comprise this conference. Having noted that, I've not liked DePaul for a number of years due to the stance it took in the early 80's, which was about being against the formation of what could have become a rather formidable league of midwestern Catholic schools, including ND, DePaul and X. Those were the Ray Meyer years when DePaul was on top.

I am glad to be associated with DePaul now, even though its recent basketball resume has been lacking. In my opinion, DePaul is very close to becoming formidable again IF it makes the right moves. From what I've read, the right moves include blowing out your current AD and blowing out Oliver Purnell. Not that OP is a bad guy, but he's just not the guy that DePaul needs to take it to the next level; a level that it used to know all too well. Imagine DePaul with Chicago as its backyard, with its new building, with a solid athletic administration and with an effective coaching staff.

On that note, I'll ask the question again: especially with the new building coming online, will DePaul's President act properly, firing the AD and Oliver Purnell and putting real talent in their place?

Have to take issue with your re-write of the early 80's - Xavier only starting having winning records (other than in the 60's) around 1986 (when they started capitilizing on Malcom X connection and attracted some decent recruits. Also the Midwest Catholic league would have included UD, Xavier, ND, Marquette, Depaulll, maybe Duquense, Detroit.

[RDinNY]

Malcolm X connection?

[murphy]

Malcolm X connection?

in the late 80's early 90's it became very popular for young adults to wear shirts and hats sporting the letter "X" in remembrance of Malcom X and his legacy as a civil rights icon, especially appealing to teenagers. A number of good athletes began to associate Xavier and "X" with this logo and were attracted to attend Xavier to have the opportunity to showcase "X" (Malcolm) . Xavier coaches and administration quickly understood the connection and branded the team with the X name, logo everwhere. This marketing strategy was a success and snowballed as the better athletes that were attracted increased the skill level of the teams and as the Xavier teams advanced in the NCAA the X symbol was out there on national TV and the cycle continues to this day.

[DudeAnon]

Have to take issue with your re-write of the early 80's - Xavier only starting having winning records (other than in the 60's) around 1986 (when they started capitilizing on Malcom X connection and attracted some decent recruits. Also the Midwest Catholic league would have included UD, Xavier, ND, Marquette, Depaulll, maybe Duquense, Detroit.

Nobody knows Xavier's history better than Dayton fans.

[Bill Marsh]

I give you something even funnier...

Lunardi's bracket math today includes DePaul being in the tourney as the auto bid(he takes #1 teams in conference). Giving us 8 teams in the tourney....

7 Villanova 2 seed
21 Seton Hall 6 seed
27 Providence 7 seed
28 Butler 7 seed
33 Xavier 9 seed
34 Georgetown 9 seed
38 St John's 10 seed
and 59 DePaul 15 seed

St John's is the 3rd team in with a PIG Bye.

1 thing when you're looking at RPI's- at least this version- the last at large team is #44. 45-68 all 1 bid champions. Looking at it- only Wyoming in the MWC would be a bid theif in addition to DePaul. So very possible the last at large team is #46.

He must be going out on a limb and is picking them to win the BE tournament. No at-large team should be seeded #59. If he's picking them at-large, he's lost his marbles.

[stever20]

I give you something even funnier...

Lunardi's bracket math today includes DePaul being in the tourney as the auto bid(he takes #1 teams in conference). Giving us 8 teams in the tourney....

7 Villanova 2 seed
21 Seton Hall 6 seed
27 Providence 7 seed
28 Butler 7 seed
33 Xavier 9 seed
34 Georgetown 9 seed
38 St John's 10 seed
and 59 DePaul 15 seed

St John's is the 3rd team in with a PIG Bye.

1 thing when you're looking at RPI's- at least this version- the last at large team is #44. 45-68 all 1 bid champions. Looking at it- only Wyoming in the MWC would be a bid theif in addition to DePaul. So very possible the last at large team is #46.

He must be going out on a limb and is picking them to win the BE tournament. No at-large team should be seeded #59. If he's picking them at-large, he's lost his marbles.

His policy is to select teams that are leading the conference as the auto bid team. So that's why DePaul is like this right now.

Also he had 4 teams in that wouldn't have been in due to this. DePaul, Wyoming, St Mary's, and UTEP. So that would take it up to 47 being the last at large team in. BTW, with that, he would have 4 in for the AAC(UConn then the next to last team in).