by mtkc12 » Tue Mar 25, 2014 6:52 pm
Three points to make for Dayton's inclusion--and what the Big East should really focus on (IMO):
1) Look at the very name of this website--Holy Land of Hoops. By its name, you are recognizing the religious identity of its members. If you go much beyond Butler, you start to lose that identity/tradition. Dayton is the only Catholic school still in the tournament (and one of only three private universities).
2) Football schools are the enemy. Schools with FBS programs will always put football first. The Big East needs to go back to its roots--to be a league that offers an alternative to the big football schools. Dayton is the only remaining school in the tournament that does not have a BCS program. While coaches will come/go, some schools have made a long-term financial commitment to field a very competitive men's basketball program. Dayton is one of those schools (along with every current Big East member).
3) Fans in seats matter. Dayton draws, both home and away. I don't know about you, but I'm much more interested in watching a game on TV where the stands are packed. Even if I don't care who wins, it's way more fun watching when I know it matters to a big crowd in attendance (Duke games being a great example). Dayton draws--that's why ESPN has basically given them an open invite to their holiday tournaments: Orlando (2011), Charleston (2012), Maui (2013), San Juan (2014). Watch the game Thursday--there will likely be 2000+ Dayton fans there on a Thursday night. Memphis is 8 hours from Dayton. New York is < 10. If Dayton would be lucky enough to join the Big East, you will have a lot of new fans in the stands to help replace the losses of UConn and Syracuse. If the Big East hopes to keep MSG, this matters. Watch the NCAA games on Friday night (esp. with UConn there) and it will remind you just how much this matters.
I write all of this because I know that the Big East is right for Dayton and firmly believe Dayton is right for the Big East. I also believe the Big East has to go beyond 10 teams for reasons explained elsewhere (fewer late starts/school, more members = greater chance of success, etc.), and that it should remain as a league of almost-exclusively Catholic schools (and I'm saying this as an Episcopalian)--to retain its unique identity/character.
At some point soon, Dayton is likely going to lose and we will all move on. I'm taking this moment in the spotlight, when discussions don't automatically turn to why X and Marquette fans hate all things Dayton, to "make the case for Dayton". Beyond the selfish argument for Dayton, I'm also trying to get you to realize that: 1) FBS schools are the enemy; and 2) The Big East should retain/build on its Catholic heritage (outside of Butler, which is a fine exception to this rule--kind of like Northwestern in the Big 10). Celebrate and build upon what got you here in the first place!
Good luck to the Big East, and good luck to THE University of Dayton!