More important when adding schools? TV appeal or NCAA bids

[xman]

Lots of talk out there about adding certain schools because of the TV market that might come with it. SLU is a good example. They are in a good sized town, but not that many people really give a damn about the Billikens from what I've seen. Gonzaga on the other hand is in a smaller area as far as TV markets, but you can bet you money that when they come on TV people watch.

What should the C7 presidents look for when adding new schools? I think the priority should be:
1) TV appeal. Not how big the city is where they play, but will people watch them when they are on TV. Gonzaga and Butler fit that profile nicely.
2) NCAA bids. This is huge as the NCAA units are critical for this league to succeed. Xavier, Gonzaga, Butler, Creighton fit best.
3) Market size. I place this well below the other two personally.

Thoughts?

[Hoya]

My only thought is that TV appeal can be fleeting. Ten years ago would Gonzaga and Butler have topped this list? NCAA bids are dangerous too - would Gonzaga, Butler, and Creighton have as many if they were in a tougher league? Just something to consider.

[marq]

Strength of program!!!

Who is the better program - SLU or Creighton? It's not even close, Creighton is in the top 10 nationally for attendance and has a national POY candidate. All while playing in the Missouri Valley. No offense to my friends in St Louis, but you're not matching that anytime soon.

We need to add the best programs regardless of the variables - those change. Strength of the program and support from the town and school are most important.

[Jet915]

Agreed strength of program should be most important. Teams with a strong track record of success and support should be the 1st priority.

[courtjester]

I'm not saying that SLU should get in over Creighton, though I think they do because of location. However, Creighton's POY candidate is probably gone after this year, and he didn't choose to go to Creighton on its own merit. He went there because his father is the head coach. It's not like Creighton is getting 5 star recruits.

[Endicott]

I think you have to look at both and make an assesment based off of the future outlook of the team. Not to pick on them, but Creighton for example, without Doug Mcdermott is the interest there? Compared to Gonzaga and Butler who at this time, I really don't see any significant interest drop off over the years...In fact, you could say the interest stems from the coaches like Few and Stevens more than anything, two coaches I don't see leaving any time soon.

[Peter]

I just looked this up about Creighton. Pretty amazing if you asked me.

2011-12 Attendance Leaders (Final)

Rk. School Average
1. Kentucky 23,721
2. Syracuse 23,618
3. Louisville 21,503
4. North Carolina 20,159
5. Wisconsin 17,181
6. Creighton 16,665
7. Tennessee 16,543
8. Ohio State 16,511
9. Indiana 16,462
10. Kansas 16,445

[Jet915]

Sorry, Creighton is just not Doug McDermott. Do we have one of our best teams in a long time? Yes, of course, a POY candidate will do that. Do we get 5 star recruits? No, but we've had our fair share of 4 stars and most of our recruits are 3 star recruits. Of course when Doug leaves, we will not be as good but look at our track record. If you include this year, 9 NCAAs in the last 16 years (plus 5 NIT's). Do the math, Doug McDermott has only been here 3 years. We were successful before Doug McDermott came to Creighton.

Again, tell me what SLU has over Creighton. Only thing I can think of is a bigger "market." Yet Creighton draws 2-3x more fans then SLU does and SLU isn't even 1st or 2nd most important basketball team in Saint Louis. Aside from the fact that they have 1 NCAA in 10 years.

[BillikenRich]

I think you have to look at both and make an assesment based off of the future outlook of the team. Not to pick on them, but Creighton for example, without Doug Mcdermott is the interest there? Compared to Gonzaga and Butler who at this time, I really don't see any significant interest drop off over the years...In fact, you could say the interest stems from the coaches like Few and Stevens more than anything, two coaches I don't see leaving any time soon.

Creighton has been a terrific program for a long time but they as with conference mates SIU-Carbondale are one bad coaching hire and a few bad recruiting classes away from oblivion. There was a lot of talk in St. Louis locally that the Billikens should've joined the Missouri Valley Conference instead of the A10 when CUSA basketball imploded. Only the deranged support that premise now that it's Creighton and a bunch of losers in the Valley.

In any case The Billikens were also a bad coaching decision and a few recruiting classes from oblivion and are now on the road back with recent tourney success, great facilities, and a better tv market and all around better location than Omaha. Let's face it doesn't everyone wake up in the morning and thank God they don't live in Omaha?


PS SLU should really get a home and home going with Creighton. It's been too long since we've played each other.

[Jet915]

I think you have to look at both and make an assesment based off of the future outlook of the team. Not to pick on them, but Creighton for example, without Doug Mcdermott is the interest there? Compared to Gonzaga and Butler who at this time, I really don't see any significant interest drop off over the years...In fact, you could say the interest stems from the coaches like Few and Stevens more than anything, two coaches I don't see leaving any time soon.

Creighton has been a terrific program for a long time but they as with conference mates SIU-Carbondale are one bad coaching hire and a few bad recruiting classes away from oblivion. There was a lot of talk in St. Louis locally that the Billikens should've joined the Missouri Valley Conference instead of the A10 when CUSA basketball imploded. Only the deranged support that premise now that it's Creighton and a bunch of losers in the Valley.

In any case The Billikens were also a bad coaching decision and a few recruiting classes from oblivion and are now on the road back with recent tourney success, great facilities, and a better tv market and all around better location than Omaha. Let's face it doesn't everyone wake up in the morning and thank God they don't live in Omaha?


PS SLU should really get a home and home going with Creighton. It's been too long since we've played each other.

Sorry, I was born and raised in California, lived in Omaha, visited Saint Louis multiple times, lived in the south and now live in the northeast. I wouldn't risk my life living in Saint Louis over Omaha.