Big East Conference Expansion Ideas and Discussion

[ohiohsbball]

Anyone want to throw in Mercer now? I think they are Baptist, but what the heck, they beat Duke. Flavor of the week club, here come the Bears.

Umass got thumped today, so I'm guessing they aren't a flavor anymore?

[DudeAnon]

This thread is, what, over 130 pages now? I have seen countless stats that would make every possible candidate seem like a perfect fit. From basketball, media, etc. I like VCU, but like I said, "Did you know Depaul has 46 NCAA tourney appearances to VCU's 24?"

I think most folks weigh the last 4-5 years as a stronger barometer to inclusion to statistic from 40 years ago (when VCU first started playing basketball).

To make sure it's not a fluke, I generally include VCU program stats from the last 10 years. If you don't want to read anything from the applicant schools, simple as skipping this thread.

Ok, heres one. Prior to Shaka being hired (2009), VCU had only won 1 NCAA tourney games in last 20 years.

[Gopher+RamFan]

This thread is, what, over 130 pages now? I have seen countless stats that would make every possible candidate seem like a perfect fit. From basketball, media, etc. I like VCU, but like I said, "Did you know Depaul has 46 NCAA tourney appearances to VCU's 24?"

I think most folks weigh the last 4-5 years as a stronger barometer to inclusion to statistic from 40 years ago (when VCU first started playing basketball).

To make sure it's not a fluke, I generally include VCU program stats from the last 10 years. If you don't want to read anything from the applicant schools, simple as skipping this thread.

Ok, heres one. Prior to Shaka being hired (2009), VCU had only won 1 NCAA tourney games in last 20 years.

Yup, prior teams would stumble in the postseason, but the last 10 years VCU is the only applicant program to post Top 100 RPI each season. They lost games in the NCAAs in OT, and by one possession.

I've steered clear of posting "program A is the best because our fans, blah blah blah" and have just used facts in this thread. Don't know how you could be annoyed by this, unless you just don't want expansion (a point I actually agree with).

[stever20]

This thread is, what, over 130 pages now? I have seen countless stats that would make every possible candidate seem like a perfect fit. From basketball, media, etc. I like VCU, but like I said, "Did you know Depaul has 46 NCAA tourney appearances to VCU's 24?"

I think most folks weigh the last 4-5 years as a stronger barometer to inclusion to statistic from 40 years ago (when VCU first started playing basketball).

To make sure it's not a fluke, I generally include VCU program stats from the last 10 years. If you don't want to read anything from the applicant schools, simple as skipping this thread.

Ok, heres one. Prior to Shaka being hired (2009), VCU had only won 1 NCAA tourney games in last 20 years.

I'm sorry but you can't just ignore what Shaka has done. VCU is a damn good program.

oh and about VCU- they have going into tonight in the seeded era of the NCAA tournament exactly the same number of wins as DePaul has in the same time frame. 12-12. Think we all know who is going to get #13 first.

Bottom line, if Richmond, Dayton, or SLU had VCU's basketball credentials, they would be in right now. It's all public/private and only public/private. Period.

[DudeAnon]

Yup, prior teams would stumble in the postseason, but the last 10 years VCU is the only applicant program to post Top 100 RPI each season. They lost games in the NCAAs in OT, and by one possession.

I've steered clear of posting "program A is the best because our fans, blah blah blah" and have just used facts in this thread. Don't know how you could be annoyed by this, unless you just don't want expansion (a point I actually agree with).

Meh, I like VCU, they aren't perfect though. Probably just grumpy, last one in the office. Time to hit the road. Catch you all for the night games.

[badnews24]

Hey, folks, new to the board. Long-time Friar fan. Don't read into the user name. Not a troll. Refers to one of our greats, Marvin "Bad News" Barnes, for those who don't know. Anyway, checking out the site here the last few days. Decided to join. Haven't read the entire thread, but a suggestion for expansion is Holy Cross. PC needs a partner in New England. SLU works with Creighton. The Cross still resonates with a lot of fans here and would get the attention of the Boston market. It has comparables (2,900 enrollment, $635 mil endowment) on the academic side. The DCU Center in Worcester holds about 12,000 and has hosted the tournament a few times. The historic nature of the program (1947 national champs, original invitee to the BE, etc.) and old rivalry makes it a fit for the conference and us, specifically. Lots of alumni, including several I know, would love it as well. There's still a passion for the hoops program there. Anyway, just a thought. Good to be here.

[billyjack]

Hey, folks, new to the board. Long-time Friar fan. Don't read into the user name. Not a troll. Refers to one of our greats, Marvin "Bad News" Barnes, for those who don't know. Anyway, checking out the site here the last few days. Decided to join. Haven't read the entire thread, but a suggestion for expansion is Holy Cross. PC needs a partner in New England. SLU works with Creighton. The Cross still resonates with a lot of fans here and would get the attention of the Boston market. It has comparables (2,900 enrollment, $635 mil endowment) on the academic side. The DCU Center in Worcester holds about 12,000 and has hosted the tournament a few times. The historic nature of the program (1947 national champs, original invitee to the BE, etc.) and old rivalry makes it a fit for the conference and us, specifically. Lots of alumni, including several I know, would love it as well. There's still a passion for the hoops program there. Anyway, just a thought. Good to be here.

Welcome Marvin.
Holy Cross vs PC was the top New England rivalry in the late 70's. That Chris Potter winning shot in 77 was high drama. PC actually owes much of its success to the Cross. Joe Mullaney played for the Crusaders in the early 50's, and his coaching at PC made us a powerhouse. Glad that we still get them on the schedule. Not sure they'd be interested in the Big East though.

[badnews24]

On the money BillyJack. Mike Vicens, too. Him and Hassett used to go at it pretty good if memory serves me correctly. Anyway, I'd like to see the BE reach out to gauge the Cross' interest. Like I said, the Friars could use the partner. You're right, though, it's a matter of HC wanting to spend the cash. They do have it, and I think being back in a top conference would almost instantly rekindle the interest in the program by the kids and alums.

[Xudash]

On the money BillyJack. Mike Vicens, too. Him and Hassett used to go at it pretty good if memory serves me correctly. Anyway, I'd like to see the BE reach out to gauge the Cross' interest. Like I said, the Friars could use the partner. You're right, though, it's a matter of HC wanting to spend the cash. They do have it, and I think being back in a top conference would almost instantly rekindle the interest in the program by the kids and alums.

Welcome. In my opinion, your idea is creative and not without merit. I'm not originally from the Northeast, though I spent a couple of years in Connecticut, but I have to respect some of the history and traditions of the sport in that area. Holy Cross certainly is a fine school. The key to considering HC is its administration. Specifically, it would have to be willing to make sustainable investments in it's athletic program, and it otherwise most likely would have to consider relaxing its admissions policy.

Yet, beyond all that, if the BE presidents think in the same manner as most around here, the school will never make the cut, because the majority thought process is to add the most proven, appropriate programs available, if there even is a push to add schools.

[Jet915]

SLU hired a new president. Dr. Fred Pestello. He was president of LeMoyne College and previously worked as a provost at Dayton.