Add Dayton and VCU

[Gopher+RamFan]

Leaving for an LSU is much different than an Ohio State or Arizona.

You're right. Maybe Wade is in a hurry. Maybe he didn't get along with their AD, which would be a huge red flag. Either way, VCU is in the "wait and see how they do" list with St. Louis IMO. The list is awfully thin now... like just uconn. lol

VCU will more than likely hire Mike Rhoades (took over a 7 win team at Rice and got them to 23 wins). He coached at Randolph Macon (DII) before joining Shakas staff at VCU before the F4 run.

VCU has 11 straight seasons of 24+ wins, only other program is Kansas, spanning 4 coaches. Of all the years for that to stop it might be next season - or it might continue. Heavily depends on if the new coach can keep some of the top 20 class.

[Warrior Ram]

Will Wade will now be going to LSU. VCU is a stepping stone for coaches and not a program we need.

Xavier fans can probably tell us what it's like being in VCU's shoes. This is a non-issue.

But I have to say, LSU..... I want to see VCU make the right hire and continue to be successful for a few years.

VCU has been down this road before. I'd like to think we'll be fine. As Gopher stated, expect us to hire Mike Rhoades and retain at least one or two of our incoming four-star recruits.

I do believe that an invite to the AAC or Big East would help us retain coaches. Perhaps an arena upgrade as well. We have all of the other pieces needed for long-term success.

[herodotus]

I was always under the impression that when Dayton was applying for A10 membership, Xavier was one of the ones that helped facilitate their admittance. This also occurred during a prolonged down period for UD bnasketball, when they didn't have a whole lot to offer. It also coincided with what became a golden age for Xavier basketball, as the program elevated to a whole other level I agree with Billyjack that Xavier should have veto rights when it comes to Dayton, and I understand that many Xavier fans want no part of Dayton being in the conference. But I'm not convinced that Xavier administrators, given the final say, would veto Dayton being admitted one day.

X did help Dayton enter the A10. Duquesne was the school that got X into the A10. By the way, apparently Duquesne is opening up the wallet to hire King Rice. maybe they're about to finally wake up. No excuse for a school that had their history in the independent days to accept becoming so crappy (this means you too DePaul).

[H.U.S.T.L.E.]

I was always under the impression that when Dayton was applying for A10 membership, Xavier was one of the ones that helped facilitate their admittance. This also occurred during a prolonged down period for UD bnasketball, when they didn't have a whole lot to offer. It also coincided with what became a golden age for Xavier basketball, as the program elevated to a whole other level I agree with Billyjack that Xavier should have veto rights when it comes to Dayton, and I understand that many Xavier fans want no part of Dayton being in the conference. But I'm not convinced that Xavier administrators, given the final say, would veto Dayton being admitted one day.

X did help Dayton enter the A10. Duquesne was the school that got X into the A10. By the way, apparently Duquesne is opening up the wallet to hire King Rice. maybe they're about to finally wake up. No excuse for a school that had their history in the independent days to accept becoming so crappy (this means you too DePaul).

Supposedly Duquesne is also exploring options on a $40 million upgrade to the Palumbo Center - looks like they're opening the wallet and about to try and take a leap.

[Savannah Jay]

Jaxalum...I love passion but how is every other fan base "talking about adding Dayton as casually as a playing a round at a local golf club" (or whatever analogy you used). For starters, the poll here shows 87% against the idea and 13% for it. While I know this is about adding VCU and Dayton (so maybe some are voting against VCU more than Dayton), the sense I get from other BE schools (reading thru the silly number of threads we've had about realignment) is the vast majority of posters on here don't believe adding Dayton to the conference adds anything other than a school with good basketball history. Not only from posters on here, but talking to them when the topic came up in NYC.

I haven't counted the responses, but it seems like most are posting here saying "we're good with 10 for now." Maybe you do not feel that is strong enough or we should say "we good with 10 for now but never Dayton because of X."

Switching gears a bit, I am curious about the number of folks who post about adding a school based on how good the basketball team is today. If you are making a decision that is permanent (or semi-permanent), I think you base the decision on factors that are permanent (or semi-permanent). That has nothing to do with coaches or team records the past few years. It has everything to do with like minded academics, the resources to compete, and adding to the footprint of the conference. Increasing the footprint is about reaching more TV sets and more applications to the member schools. To me, this is where Dayton or any Philly school falls short. It doesn't enhance the footprint of the league at all.

[BEwannabe]

Well i guess jaxalum has sealed the business case closed for a conference considering schools in close proximity. The ACC might want to reconsider the whole Tobacco Road notion.

[Bill Marsh]

Well i guess jaxalum has sealed the business case closed for a conference to consider schools in close proximity. The ACC might want to reconsider the whole Tobacco Road notion.

Yeah, I've never quite understood the whole territorial thing. Proximity breed great rivalries. As you say, Duke and Carolina. NC State has also won a NC in basketball in the modern era in that same market. Alabama and Auburn have done it in football. Michigan and Michigan State in basketball. Kentucky and Louisville are in different conferences but have thrived in close proximity with both winning NCs. Penn State and Pitt in football when both were Eastern independents. Miami and Florida in football. Georgetown and Maryland are practically next door, but both have won NCs in the modern era albeit from different conferences.

It seems to me that the rivalries make the interest in the market more intense, increases interest in general, and creates benefits for both programs. Just my take.

[Hall2012]

Dudeanon,

Right now, every other member school has a "BIg East" monopoly on their particular recruiting territory. The closest is X and Butler, who happen TO engage in recruiting wars for many of the same kids, and we are only two hours apart.

Actually this point is completely wrong. St. John's and Seton Hall are the closest as they directly share a recruiting territory. No Big East monopoly there.

[Bill Marsh]

Dudeanon,

Right now, every other member school has a "BIg East" monopoly on their particular recruiting territory. The closest is X and Butler, who happen TO engage in recruiting wars for many of the same kids, and we are only two hours apart.

Actually this point is completely wrong. St. John's and Seton Hall are the closest as they directly share a recruiting territory. No Big East monopoly there.

In addition, the only monopoly is within the conferencece. Providence is still competing against URI, BC, and UConn. Seton Hall is still competing against Rutgers. Villanova is still competing against Temple. Georgetown is still competing against Maryland. Xavier is still competing against Cindy as well as Dayton. Butler is still competing against IU, Purdue, and Notre Dame. DePaul is still competing against Illinois. Marquette is competing against UW. Creighton is competinga against Nebraska.

[Savannah Jay]

Creighton is competing against Nebraska.

And winning... : )