Big East Conference Realignment v2018

[ArmyVet]

It's pleasantly quiet in this department, isn't it?

[GoldenWarrior11]

Since our reorganization in 2013, the Big East is entering the sixth consecutive season without any change in membership. The league went from 2005-2012 without any changes (until West Virginia left early for the Big 12). Cincinnati, Louisville, USF, DePaul and Marquette were added for 2005. Virginia Tech was added for all sports in 2000. West Virginia and Rutgers were added for all sports in 1995, with Notre Dame being added for Olympic sports at the same time. Miami was added in 1991.

There is much to be said about having a conference with like-minded institutions and stability. For the first time ever, the Big East can view expansion as a luxury to grow, rather than a necessity to survive. Not sure if/when any next additions will be made, but it will absolutely not be for a desire to backfill. Our unity is a huge strength, and we are at the top of the food chain for non-FBS conferences. We can be selective and proactive as we see fit.

[hortle]

we're lucky that we inhabit a unique position among the power conferences. as long as the schools with tradition and the new members continue to recruit at higher levels than in the past, we will continue to see success. I am not averse to adding uconn, but we should only do it if they agree to drop football. every other potential addition is just not worth it. its a fairly simple perspective for the conference. why add schools like vcu, dayton etc if they have the potential to devalue the league's brand.

[Fieldhouse Flyer]

Not much joy in Storrs these days. The football Huskies (1-5) are giving up almost 54 points per game in the 12-team conference. The basketball Huskies appear to be heading for another disappointing season, and there's more trouble coming their way.

American Athletic Conference 2018 Football Stats - American Athletic Conference – updated October 7, 2019

SCORING OFFENSE

12. UConn (6 games) ==> 20.3 points scored per game.

SCORING DEFENSE

12. UConn (6 games) ==> 53.7 points allowed per game.

ATTENDANCE

11. UConn (6 games) ==> 27,137 per game.

#94 Connecticut Huskies (# 7 in AAC) – CSM’s Top 144 Basketball Previews – August 5, 2018

Projected Postseason Tournament: CBI/CIT

UConn holds 1st practice day after NCAA violations announced - New Jersey Herald - September 29, 2018

STORRS, Conn. (AP) — UConn held its first practice under new basketball coach Dan Hurley on Saturday, a day after receiving NCAA notification of alleged recruiting and other violations during Kevin Ollie's tenure at the school. Hurley said everyone is aware of the off-the-court issues.

Hurley said the allegations are likely to have a greater impact on recruiting.

The notice of allegations, released Friday night by UConn with the names of recruits redacted, include numerous charges. The NCAA recommends the case be reviewed by a hearing panel of its Committee on Infractions "pursuant to procedures applicable to a severe breach of conduct."

[admin]

Just days away from v2019, although we've gotten a jump on things with the Uconn smoke thread. It's sure to be another interesting year.

[UD Flyer Fanatic]

Gang, I'll continue to post very sparingly in 2019 and pick spots where UD has some relevance. I wanted to close this 2018 expansion thread with an update of this which I posted some time ago. There are a couple programs that I am quite sure would fit in well when the BE decides expansion is right, and in many ways are peer institutions today. I trust my research is accurate.

Name……………………….NCAAT games all-time….Last 10 years…….Type………….Population……..USN ranking……..……..Endowment
Butler University…………..40………………………………..24……………….Private…………..5,145…….1/regional Midwest tied…....155MM
Creighton University…….34………………………………….8………………..Private…………..8,654…….1/regional Midwest tied………..526MM
DePaul University…………46………………………………….3………………..Private…………..22,769……………..119………………………..…..492MM
Georgetown University..76……………………….……....7………………..Private………….19,005………………22………………………..…….1.66B
Marquette University…..74………………………………….14………………Private…………..11,426………………89………………...………….626MM
Providence College………36…………………………………..6………………..Private…………..4,646……… 2/regional North……….……..221MM
St John's University………58…………………………………..2………………..Private…………..21,340……………..152…………………….……716MM
Seton Hall University……28…………………………………..4…………………Private………….9,801………………..119………………….………251MM
Villanova University…….100…………………………………27……………….Private………….10,967……………….49……………………….…..401MM
Xavier University………….55…………………………………..22………………Private…………..6,786………8/regional Midwest…….…….170MM
Expansion candidates
University of Dayton…….39…………………………………..11………………Private…………..10,882………………127…………………….…..525MM
St Louis University………..16………………………………….6…………………Private……………14,581………………106………………….……..1.15B
VCU………………………………29…………………………………16…………………Public…………….30,675………………157…………………….…..1.8B
University of Richmond..17………………………………….4………………….Private……………4,023………………..25/liberal arts………...2.3B
UCONN…………………………89………………………………..20………………….Public…………….27,600………………63……………………….…..440MM

[adoraz]

Wow, not that it means anything in regards to expansion (or even much in general?), but I'm sure by how low UConn's endowment is. Richmond is 2.3B (also very surprising) and UConn is 440M.

[GoldenWarrior11]

Seating Capacities

Butler - Hinkie Fieldhouse (9,100)
Creighton - CHI Health Center Omaha (18,975)
DePaul - Wintrust Arena (10,387)
Georgetown - Capital One Arena (20,356)
Marquette - Fiserv Forum (17,500)
Providence - Dunkin' Donuts Center (14,300)
Seton Hall - Prudential Center (18,711)
St. Johns - Madison Square Garden (19,812) + Carnesecca Arena (5,602)
Villanova - Wells Fargo (20,478) + Finneran Pavilion (6,500)
Xavier - Cintas Center (10,224)

Expansion Candidates
UConn - Gampel Pavilion (10,167) + XL Center (15,564)
Dayton - UD Arena (13,435)
Richmond - Robins Center (7,201)
Saint Louis - Chaifetz Arena (10,600)
VCU - Siegel Center (7,637)

2017 Attendance Figures (Total/Average)
Butler - 133,724 / 8,357
Creighton - 296,013 / 17,412
DePaul - 88,610 / 4,922
Georgetown - 144,143 / 8,479
Marquette - 233,169 / 13,715
Providence - 152,867 / 8,492
Seton Hall - 111,350 / 7,953
St. Johns - 143,632 / 8,448
Villanova - 146,591 / 9,772
Xavier - 164,520 / 10,282

Expansion Candidates
UConn - 144,591 / 8,505
Dayton - 208,291 / 13,018
Richmond - 107,389 / 6,317
Saint Louis - 100,675 / 5,593
VCU - 122,192 / 7,637

Conference Averages - Big East (2017)
Total Teams: 10
Total Games: 170
2017 Attendance: 1,702,400
2017 Average: 10,014

Conference Tournament Averages - Big East (2017)
Sessions - 5
2017 Attendance: 87,781
2017 Average: 17,556

Notes:
The only program that would elevate our average attendance figures (and not bring them down) would be Dayton, at least based on the 2017 attendance figures. However, one would assume that UConn's attendance would undoubtedly improve under Dan Hurley. Additionally, for a program like Saint Louis, they had 9,500 people attend their home game against Butler (which was the highest the program has had in several years). Finally, there is a little room of improvement for the average attendance figures at MSG for the BE Tournament (89% capacity). Ideally, we would add a team that would travel to watch each of the games, regardless of whether their team is playing or not (I believe this is where a strong case could be made for either UConn or Dayton). An expansion to eleven members also increases the amount of games in the BE Tournament by one, and would likely increase the amount of sessions from 5 to 6.

I also think that their respective stadium capacities ultimately hurt the candidacy of Richmond and VCU. Either of them would be the smallest main arenas invited into this configuration of the Big East.

[DudeAnon]

Ahh endowment comparisons. The ultimate dick measuring contest.

[Gopher+RamFan]

Seating Capacities

Butler - Hinkie Fieldhouse (9,100)
Creighton - CHI Health Center Omaha (18,975)
DePaul - Wintrust Arena (10,387)
Georgetown - Capital One Arena (20,356)
Marquette - Fiserv Forum (17,500)
Providence - Dunkin' Donuts Center (14,300)
Seton Hall - Prudential Center (18,711)
St. Johns - Madison Square Garden (19,812) + Carnesecca Arena (5,602)
Villanova - Wells Fargo (20,478) + Finneran Pavilion (6,500)
Xavier - Cintas Center (10,224)

Expansion Candidates
UConn - Gampel Pavilion (10,167) + XL Center (15,564)
Dayton - UD Arena (13,435)
Richmond - Robins Center (7,201)
Saint Louis - Chaifetz Arena (10,600)
VCU - Siegel Center (7,637)

2017 Attendance Figures (Total/Average)
Butler - 133,724 / 8,357
Creighton - 296,013 / 17,412
DePaul - 88,610 / 4,922
Georgetown - 144,143 / 8,479
Marquette - 233,169 / 13,715
Providence - 152,867 / 8,492
Seton Hall - 111,350 / 7,953
St. Johns - 143,632 / 8,448
Villanova - 146,591 / 9,772
Xavier - 164,520 / 10,282

Expansion Candidates
UConn - 144,591 / 8,505
Dayton - 208,291 / 13,018
Richmond - 107,389 / 6,317
Saint Louis - 100,675 / 5,593
VCU - 122,192 / 7,637

Conference Averages - Big East (2017)
Total Teams: 10
Total Games: 170
2017 Attendance: 1,702,400
2017 Average: 10,014

Conference Tournament Averages - Big East (2017)
Sessions - 5
2017 Attendance: 87,781
2017 Average: 17,556

Notes:
The only program that would elevate our average attendance figures (and not bring them down) would be Dayton, at least based on the 2017 attendance figures. However, one would assume that UConn's attendance would undoubtedly improve under Dan Hurley. Additionally, for a program like Saint Louis, they had 9,500 people attend their home game against Butler (which was the highest the program has had in several years). Finally, there is a little room of improvement for the average attendance figures at MSG for the BE Tournament (89% capacity). Ideally, we would add a team that would travel to watch each of the games, regardless of whether their team is playing or not (I believe this is where a strong case could be made for either UConn or Dayton). An expansion to eleven members also increases the amount of games in the BE Tournament by one, and would likely increase the amount of sessions from 5 to 6.

I also think that their respective stadium capacities ultimately hurt the candidacy of Richmond and VCU. Either of them would be the smallest main arenas invited into this configuration of the Big East.

VCU has had the largest attendance at the A10 tournament in Brooklyn, over Dayton. Dayton is a close second, though. VCU has plans to increase their attendance, since every game has been sold out since February 2011 (before the F4 run). Maybe use some of the $1.84 Billion endowment to do so.