Conference realignment discussion - v. 2015

[billyjack]

sheg has been a good poster and is a Dayton fan.

[ChestRockwell85]

sheg has been a good poster and is a Dayton fan.

I would take Dayton. Dayton has a following, a great arena, a history of success and recent success. WHAT HAVE FORDHAM OR SIENA DONE? I mean, STOP.

I am sorry, again, if you met me in real life you would know I am a good guy who loves to talk hoops, but some of you need to STOP with the nonsense. We still have a lot of work to do as a conference. Adding Fordham or Siena or The Bonnies just makes us look like a mid-major. They do not make sense and they will not help the conference....at all.

I live in NY and I can't even tell you where Siena is located. I know it is a good school but please, PLEASE don't start acting like they can bring a valuable market or anything. If you say NYC you should leave the board immediately.

[billyjack]

sheg has been a good poster and is a Dayton fan.

I would take Dayton. Dayton has a following, a great arena, a history of success and recent success. WHAT HAVE FORDHAM OR SIENA DONE? I mean, STOP.

I am sorry, again, if you met me in real life you would know I am a good guy who loves to talk hoops, but some of you need to STOP with the nonsense. We still have a lot of work to do as a conference. Adding Fordham or Siena or The Bonnies just makes us look like a mid-major. They do not make sense and they will not help the conference....at all.

I live in NY and I can't even tell you where Siena is located. I know it is a good school but please, PLEASE don't start acting like they can bring a valuable market or anything. If you say NYC you should leave the board immediately.

There are only 5 schools (or 7 schools) that are on the table right now that would be great additions:
(alphabetically):
Dayton.
Gonzaga.
Richmond.
Saint Louis.
VCU.
plausible but unlikely longshots:
(alphabetically):
Davidson.
Wichita State.

But there are other (unlikely) schools that could easily enter the discussion if they pulled a "Butler 2010/2011" (or not even that extreme).
Like, if Siena made 2 straight Sweet-16's, they would absolutely enter the discussion.
They'd make the list of "plausible longshots".

There are around 13 schools which would enter the discussion in the unlikely event that they rattled off 3 excellent years in a row (say 1 Elite-8 and 2 Sweet-16's in the next 3-4 years). Each school is within 10 miles of an available 12,000 seat arena and most would be the top program in a major city and none would double-up a Big East market.

The most entertaining parts of this 68 page thread have been the extreme longshot discussions.
I was going to list these schools, but wanted to write a little about each first.

[ChestRockwell85]

sheg has been a good poster and is a Dayton fan.

I would take Dayton. Dayton has a following, a great arena, a history of success and recent success. WHAT HAVE FORDHAM OR SIENA DONE? I mean, STOP.

I am sorry, again, if you met me in real life you would know I am a good guy who loves to talk hoops, but some of you need to STOP with the nonsense. We still have a lot of work to do as a conference. Adding Fordham or Siena or The Bonnies just makes us look like a mid-major. They do not make sense and they will not help the conference....at all.

I live in NY and I can't even tell you where Siena is located. I know it is a good school but please, PLEASE don't start acting like they can bring a valuable market or anything. If you say NYC you should leave the board immediately.

There are only 5 schools (or 7 schools) that are on the table right now that would be great additions:
(alphabetically):
Dayton.
Gonzaga.
Richmond.
Saint Louis.
VCU.
plausible but unlikely longshots:
(alphabetically):
Davidson.
Wichita State.

But there are other (unlikely) schools that could easily enter the discussion if they pulled a "Butler 2010/2011" (or not even that extreme).
Like, if Siena made 2 straight Sweet-16's, they would absolutely enter the discussion.
They'd make the list of "plausible longshots".

There are around 13 schools which would enter the discussion in the unlikely event that they rattled off 3 excellent years in a row (say 1 Elite-8 and 2 Sweet-16's in the next 3-4 years). Each school is within 10 miles of an available 12,000 seat arena and most would be the top program in a major city and none would double-up a Big East market.

The most entertaining parts of this 68 page thread have been the extreme longshot discussions.
I was going to list these schools, but wanted to write a little about each first.

billyjack, every school you just named is in the conversation. I am OK with these schools. It is when people start throwing Siena and Fordham and St. Bonaventure and UAB into the mix I want to smack my head against the wall.

I apologize because I know I come off as a complete a$$ in a lot of my posts, but we need schools that help the Big East. To mention some of these other schools is insulting. I am sorry but it's true.

[pki1998]

There are only 5 schools (or 7 schools) that are on the table right now that would be great additions:
(alphabetically):
Dayton.
Gonzaga.
Richmond.
Saint Louis.
VCU.
plausible but unlikely longshots:
(alphabetically):
Davidson.
Wichita State.

But there are other (unlikely) schools that could easily enter the discussion if they pulled a "Butler 2010/2011" (or not even that extreme).
Like, if Siena made 2 straight Sweet-16's, they would absolutely enter the discussion.
They'd make the list of "plausible longshots".

There are around 13 schools which would enter the discussion in the unlikely event that they rattled off 3 excellent years in a row (say 1 Elite-8 and 2 Sweet-16's in the next 3-4 years). Each school is within 10 miles of an available 12,000 seat arena and most would be the top program in a major city and none would double-up a Big East market.

The most entertaining parts of this 68 page thread have been the extreme longshot discussions.
I was going to list these schools, but wanted to write a little about each first.

Would be interested in hearing who your 13 other schools would be. Personally I would love for Holy Cross to go on a run where over the next 10-15 years they become the cream of the crop of the Mid Majors. I like the idea of having another school in the New England. But say in a ten year period they made the dance 8 times in ten years with two trips to the NIT, make it to the round of 32 four times, and make two sweet 16 runs? They would definitely have to be in expansion discussions, maybe not a shoe in, but considered. The chances of Holy Cross ever doing that are about as good as Kate Upton asking me out on a date, but if they could raise the profile of their team to that level, I would welcome them into the league

[billyjack]

Right, I agree Rockwell.
There are really only those 5 schools.

Siena and the other extreme wildcards would need insane success over the next 3-4-5 years.
In the meantime, it's pretty entertaining discussing each of these teams.

By the way, no one thinks you're an ass...!

[sheg]

Thanks, Billy.

Chest, I'm not seriously suggesting Siena. I only mentioned them because they're one of the more visible northeast privates and I was trying to take a big picture view. There are actually a fair number of privates in the footprint that would seem to be great candidates but for a major flaw, usually on the court. For example, Fordham - their academics are soooo good, that if I'm a president, I'd give them a lot of consideration (and then I'd realize that their pathetic performance and facilities make them a complete non-starter).

Since none of many excellent schools in excellent locations (Fordham, HC, BU, Duquesne) have any real chance, I'll ignore them.

There are only 5 schools (or 7 schools) that are on the table right now that would be great additions:
(alphabetically):
Dayton.
Gonzaga.
Richmond.
Saint Louis.
VCU.
plausible but unlikely longshots:
(alphabetically):
Davidson.
Wichita State.

Continuing the alphabetical theme lest I appear biased

Code: Select all

Historical Kenpom rankings. Rankings are in reverse order (2015 listed first, 2002 listed last). Kenpom rankings first published in 2002.

DAV     43   120   69    73   149   196    76     7    59   128   102   125   151   103
DAY     37    38   65    71   101    18    74    63   119   136   113    62    41    44
GON      7    22    5    20    35    46    14    27    51    34    26     9    34    24
RIC     55    93   87   117    40    41   112   139   277   245   164    33   103    74
SLU    298    35   16    17   129    87   137   150   125   122   150    81    80    92
VCU     28    17   20    38    42    51    46    58    52    98   131    73   112   111
WSU     10     5   17    13    25    69   132   153    70    29    53    58   136   163

But there are other (unlikely) schools that could easily enter the discussion if they pulled a "Butler 2010/2011" (or not even that extreme).

Butler was often that good all along. It was their final runs that put them more on the radar (but they had some wins even before that). Their Kenpoms (again, in reverse order, 2015 listed first):

Code: Select all

20   104   38   111   33   9   40   19   19   64   148   119   35   26


[_lh]

sheg has been a good poster and is a Dayton fan.

I would take Dayton. Dayton has a following, a great arena, a history of success and recent success. WHAT HAVE FORDHAM OR SIENA DONE? I mean, STOP.

I am sorry, again, if you met me in real life you would know I am a good guy who loves to talk hoops, but some of you need to STOP with the nonsense. We still have a lot of work to do as a conference. Adding Fordham or Siena or The Bonnies just makes us look like a mid-major. They do not make sense and they will not help the conference....at all.

I live in NY and I can't even tell you where Siena is located. I know it is a good school but please, PLEASE don't start acting like they can bring a valuable market or anything. If you say NYC you should leave the board immediately.

There are only 5 schools (or 7 schools) that are on the table right now that would be great additions:
(alphabetically):
Dayton.
Gonzaga.
Richmond.
Saint Louis.
VCU.
plausible but unlikely longshots:
(alphabetically):
Davidson.
Wichita State.

But there are other (unlikely) schools that could easily enter the discussion if they pulled a "Butler 2010/2011" (or not even that extreme).
Like, if Siena made 2 straight Sweet-16's, they would absolutely enter the discussion.
They'd make the list of "plausible longshots".

There are around 13 schools which would enter the discussion in the unlikely event that they rattled off 3 excellent years in a row (say 1 Elite-8 and 2 Sweet-16's in the next 3-4 years). Each school is within 10 miles of an available 12,000 seat arena and most would be the top program in a major city and none would double-up a Big East market.

The most entertaining parts of this 68 page thread have been the extreme longshot discussions.
I was going to list these schools, but wanted to write a little about each first.

Outside of Gonzaga, none of those 7 would be "great" additions. The BE might have to take two of them but none of those teams are anywhere close to "great additions". If they were, the BE would have already invited them.

UCONN may not be on the table but they are they only realistic "great addition" out there.

If those 7 are the only one's to really choose from, choose none.

[Hoopfan]

Hoopfan, you ever been to Fordham's gym? You think St. John's would add them? VCU, St. Louis, Dayton, Gonzaga we can make a case for. Siena or Fordham, are you kidding?

What school do you root for? Don't avoid the question, just answer it. Mid-major mentality has got to go.

Never been in and never plan to visit fordhams gym but i think you missed the sarcasm in my post. I've already said I'm a dayton fan previously and i wish Fordham wasnt in A10. Whether any of us think BE should expand eventually or not....it has to happen so who is the most viable candidates is all this thread can, and is, discussing.

[Butlerfan28]

Thanks, Billy.

Chest, I'm not seriously suggesting Siena. I only mentioned them because they're one of the more visible northeast privates and I was trying to take a big picture view. There are actually a fair number of privates in the footprint that would seem to be great candidates but for a major flaw, usually on the court. For example, Fordham - their academics are soooo good, that if I'm a president, I'd give them a lot of consideration (and then I'd realize that their pathetic performance and facilities make them a complete non-starter).

Since none of many excellent schools in excellent locations (Fordham, HC, BU, Duquesne) have any real chance, I'll ignore them.

There are only 5 schools (or 7 schools) that are on the table right now that would be great additions:
(alphabetically):
Dayton.
Gonzaga.
Richmond.
Saint Louis.
VCU.
plausible but unlikely longshots:
(alphabetically):
Davidson.
Wichita State.

Continuing the alphabetical theme lest I appear biased

Code: Select all

Historical Kenpom rankings. Rankings are in reverse order (2015 listed first, 2002 listed last). Kenpom rankings first published in 2002.

DAV     43   120   69    73   149   196    76     7    59   128   102   125   151   103
DAY     37    38   65    71   101    18    74    63   119   136   113    62    41    44
GON      7    22    5    20    35    46    14    27    51    34    26     9    34    24
RIC     55    93   87   117    40    41   112   139   277   245   164    33   103    74
SLU    298    35   16    17   129    87   137   150   125   122   150    81    80    92
VCU     28    17   20    38    42    51    46    58    52    98   131    73   112   111
WSU     10     5   17    13    25    69   132   153    70    29    53    58   136   163

But there are other (unlikely) schools that could easily enter the discussion if they pulled a "Butler 2010/2011" (or not even that extreme).

Butler was often that good all along. It was their final runs that put them more on the radar (but they had some wins even before that). Their Kenpoms (again, in reverse order, 2015 listed first):

Code: Select all

20   104   38   111   33   9   40   19   19   64   148   119   35   26


Sheg-

I am curious, can you take the last 5 years and rated the 7 possible candidates and the 10 current Big East teams in order? You hear so many comments about teams that "aren't worth it" but I am willing to bet some of them could easily be in the top 3rd of the league.