Ideal A10

[Billy Ken]

Just curious, but who else would everyone like to add to the A10? Creighton? DePaul? Marquette? What would be the dream conference for the Bills? Having Dayton, Xavier and Butler is a great start.

[cheeseman]

None of the BE schools you mention are a possibility so it does not make much sense to pine about them. Creighton apparently is since they inquired of the A10 - unofficially but if they were not having some interest they would not have done that. My problem is knowing what the A10 wants to do - do they want to expand their footprint to new areas - the Butler addition seems to indicate that but then this constant references to GMU and VCU muddies the water in that regard. So, what I want or anybody for that matter wants is irrelevant if the A10 wants to stay eastern centric - you posed two different questions, who would we like the A10 to add and what is the our dream conf for the Bills (the questions are at somewhat odds). The loss of UNCC and possibly UMASS actually gives the A10 a chance to reduce its size - sort of Branch Rickey's addition through subtraction idea. A twelve team conf would allow - 1. reduce travel for most of the schools in the conf 2. allow for at least 2 more non conf games that could allow all the schools to upgrade their schedules - you do not have upgrade your SOS by only adding BCS schools you can do it by adding good mid majors such as Murray State, Valpo, Belmont, VCU GMU - you could easily get home and home with these types of teams 3. it would allow all the teams in the conf to go to the conf tourney which could be a plus for ALL the schools.

[brianstl]

GMU was never offered a spot in the A10.

[slu72]

None of the BE schools you mention are a possibility so it does not make much sense to pine about them. Creighton apparently is since they inquired of the A10 - unofficially but if they were not having some interest they would not have done that. My problem is knowing what the A10 wants to do - do they want to expand their footprint to new areas - the Butler addition seems to indicate that but then this constant references to GMU and VCU muddies the water in that regard. So, what I want or anybody for that matter wants is irrelevant if the A10 wants to stay eastern centric - you posed two different questions, who would we like the A10 to add and what is the our dream conf for the Bills (the questions are at somewhat odds). The loss of UNCC and possibly UMASS actually gives the A10 a chance to reduce its size - sort of Branch Rickey's addition through subtraction idea. A twelve team conf would allow - 1. reduce travel for most of the schools in the conf 2. allow for at least 2 more non conf games that could allow all the schools to upgrade their schedules - you do not have upgrade your SOS by only adding BCS schools you can do it by adding good mid majors such as Murray State, Valpo, Belmont, VCU GMU - you could easily get home and home with these types of teams 3. it would allow all the teams in the conf to go to the conf tourney which could be a plus for ALL the schools.

I agree on VCU and GMU, we've got Richmond in VA. I don't see Murray ST. being compatible w/ the makeup of most of the A-10's academics. Yes, we've got 2 state schools in UMass and RI, but those are good schools from an academic POV. I like the addition of both Belmont and Creighton. Good geographics for the conference; TN and NE, plus they'd both fit in a western division. Agreed at this point the BE just doesn't want to die no matter how much of their bones get gnawed on, and the BB schools seem content to stay put despite the losses of flagship schools like WVU, Pitt and Syr. It will be interesting to see what they decide if the UL and UC bolt for the B12 as well, and then ACC picks up CT and Rutgers. But until that happens it's all moot.

[cheeseman]

GMU was never offered a spot in the A10.

I never said they did - all I said was "constant references".

[cheeseman]

I agree on VCU and GMU, we've got Richmond in VA. I don't see Murray ST. being compatible w/ the makeup of most of the A-10's academics. Yes, we've got 2 state schools in UMass and RI, but those are good schools from an academic POV. I like the addition of both Belmont and Creighton. Good geographics for the conference; TN and NE, plus they'd both fit in a western division. Agreed at this point the BE just doesn't want to die no matter how much of their bones get gnawed on, and the BB schools seem content to stay put despite the losses of flagship schools like WVU, Pitt and Syr. It will be interesting to see what they decide if the UL and UC bolt for the B12 as well, and then ACC picks up CT and Rutgers. But until that happens it's all moot.

Just so there is no confusion - my listing of the likes of Murray St and Belmont was not for the purpose of them joining the A10 but as possible non conf opponents if we drop to a 12 team conf.

[slu72]

Just so there is no confusion - my listing of the likes of Murray St and Belmont was not for the purpose of them joining the A10 but as possible non conf opponents if we drop to a 12 team conf.

Actually, Cheese, I like the idea of Belmont. Right now they're kind of a poor man's Butler but have definitely made strides. Be interesting to see if they can keep it going.

[brianstl]

Actually, Cheese, I like the idea of Belmont. Right now they're kind of a poor man's Butler but have definitely made strides. Be interesting to see if they can keep it going.

Put me in the Belmont camp, too. I think they would be nice target for expansion. They have proven to be committed to their basketball program, new facility, fast growing metro area, and would help ease the travel burden for SLU, X, Dayton, Butler and potential member Creighton.

[bk18]

Coming out from the grave for this one...

Any Big East team won't join unless the Big East breaks apart. DePaul, Marquette, etc. have no motivation to leave the big media market of the Big East and pay a $5 million penalty to join the A-10.

Belmont, UW Milwaukee, and Creighton would be good regional additions that could help create an East - West division. I'd really like to find a way to get rid of Fordham though.

Otherwise, our best option is to be where DePaul and Marquette land if the Big East breaks up.

[slu72]

So, replace Charlotte w/ Creighton, UMass w/ Belmont.

Here's your new and improved A-10:

East;

St. Joes

URI

LaSalle

Fordham

St. B's

GW

Richmond

West:

SLU

X

Dayton

Butler

Belmont

Duquense

Creighton

That would be a pretty strong lineup.

[brianstl]

It is intresting that with the addition of Butler and subraction of Temple the complete balance of power in the A10 is now east of the Ohio river. Since 2007 the now four teams east of the Ohio have gone to 14 NCAA Tournaments and the nine remaining teams east of the Ohio have totaled 4 bids since 2007.

[Cowboy]

It is intresting that with the addition of Butler and subraction of Temple the complete balance of power in the A10 is now east of the Ohio river. Since 2007 the now four teams east of the Ohio have gone to 14 NCAA Tournaments and the nine remaining teams east of the Ohio have totaled 4 bids since 2007.

-wow, interesting stat

-guessing those bids for the east are bonnies, stj and 2 for rich?

[brianstl]

-wow, interesting stat

-guessing those bids for the east are bonnies, stj and 2 for rich?

I was wrong on the number. It should be five.

St Joes, Bonnies, and GW with one. Richmond with two. I forgot about the Hawks in 2008. I think it is still pretty startling.

[brianstl]

VCU will bump the number of bids to 9 among ten teams.

[MusicCityBilliken]

I am happy with VCU but 'so-so' with Belmont. We had them as a buy game a few years back.

Also, check attendance, Belmont barely broke 2000. Even Fordham with its HS gym beat them. They would be dead-last in the A10 in that category.

[billiken_roy]

we (A-10) should not be hung up on number of teams. if the likes of umass or Richmond leave, if we cant replace with the likes of Creighton then we should shrink the conference. a 10 or 12 team conference is not a bad conference. i would much rather do that than add a Belmont. there are definitely good qualities to Belmont, but in reality they dont have a Creighton, Butler or even a VCU resume.

[Box and Won]

SLU. Bradley. A bunch of other teams.

[cheeseman]

Roy, I agree with you on that point - I would prefer a 12 team league - anybody who is so hot on Belmont can play a home and home non conf with them. I wonder just how many people in Nashville actually care about Belmont with Vandy there. So, I see no upside to having them in the conf. I am still not sure about 2 teams in Richmond - this does little for expanding the TV footprint for the conf but it looks like the decision has been made and at least it is not a rummy team.

[Clock_Tower]

Roy, I agree with you on that point - I would prefer a 12 team league - anybody who is so hot on Belmont can play a home and home non conf with them. I wonder just how many people in Nashville actually care about Belmont with Vandy there. So, I see no upside to having them in the conf. I am still not sure about 2 teams in Richmond - this does little for expanding the TV footprint for the conf but it looks like the decision has been made and at least it is not a rummy team.

Cheese. I agree with you as not liking two (2) teams from Richmond but am not sure Richmond will stay for long. Believe Richmond and UMass will both leave sooner than later for football, and if so, then we are back to one (1) team in Richmond. As to George Mason, no thanks.

As to Temple, sorry to see them leave but I would prefer Butler over Temple, in large part, due to geography for us. We certainly lost the best of the 3 Philly teams (Temple) and I'd much prefer Villanova, but twice in Philly is better than three times.

As to UNCC, I certainly won't miss them at all. They had a good teams in the past but not recently. Large, lesser name public universities (far behind UNC and NC State) which prefer "C" level football?? Goodbye. Won't miss you.

[Clock_Tower]

IMO, Creighton is the only Valley school I would really want added to the A10. I, though, admit to my local/St. Louis bias. From a naitonal or East Coast perspective, which Valley school would have the greatest appeal? Is Belmont more attractive than SIUC and/or Missouri State? Both have a had rather recent success, both have good/nice facilities and both truly support their programs.

[Box and Won]

Cheese. I agree with you as not liking two (2) teams from Richmond but am not sure Richmond will stay for long. Believe Richmond and UMass will both leave sooner than later for football, and if so, then we are back to one (1) team in Richmond. As to George Mason, no thanks.

As to Temple, sorry to see them leave but I would prefer Butler over Temple, in large part, due to geography for us. We certainly lost the best of the 3 Philly teams (Temple) and I'd much prefer Villanova, but twice in Philly is better than three times.

As to UNCC, I certainly won't miss them at all. They had a good teams in the past but not recently. Large, lesser name public universities (far behind UNC and NC State) which prefer "C" level football?? Goodbye. Won't miss you.

Have there been rumors of Richmond going FBS? That would be a huge capital expenditure for them. I know it's a wealthy school, but it still seems like it would be difficult for them to make the jump from FCS.

[cheeseman]

Cheese. I agree with you as not liking two (2) teams from Richmond but am not sure Richmond will stay for long. Believe Richmond and UMass will both leave sooner than later for football, and if so, then we are back to one (1) team in Richmond. As to George Mason, no thanks.

As to Temple, sorry to see them leave but I would prefer Butler over Temple, in large part, due to geography for us. We certainly lost the best of the 3 Philly teams (Temple) and I'd much prefer Villanova, but twice in Philly is better than three times.

As to UNCC, I certainly won't miss them at all. They had a good teams in the past but not recently. Large, lesser name public universities (far behind UNC and NC State) which prefer "C" level football?? Goodbye. Won't miss you.

Agree with you about Butler but Temple is still a loss - they got a lot of respect. We could have always gotten VCU so need to jump in right now - if Richmond is leaving and with UNCC leaving we would have been down to 12 teams without adding VCU - if those who insist that UMASS is leaving are correct then we can go after VCU then. Creighton fine but no other Valley teams in my opinion.

[Clock_Tower]

Have there been rumors of Richmond going FBS? That would be a huge capital expenditure for them. I know it's a wealthy school, but it still seems like it would be difficult for them to make the jump from FCS.

Box.

My bad. I saw Richmond was in the Colonial with UMass, understand that UMass is considering a change and just assumed the same with Richmond.

As to Richmond, frankly, I am not in the know either way. Maybe there are rumors and maybe not. Not trying start rumors.

[slu72]

I don't understand UNCC, UMass, or Richmond wanting to upgrade their FB programs. In UNCC's case why they even started one, other than they're a state school and it's taxpayer funded. I recall reading a report a few years back where there are very few schools, including the BCS'ers, whose FB programs break even all things considered, mostly equal scholarship $'s for women's programs.

I don't see a big bucks bonanza awaiting UMass, Richmond, or UNCC given the conferences they'll be playing in; UMass (MAC), UNCC (CUSA), and Richmond (?). None of those conferences have big money TV packages to my knowledge and the bowls they'll play in probably don't pay a lot either. Anyone see the advantages? If so, please explain.

[Cowboy]

I don't understand UNCC, UMass, or Richmond wanting to upgrade their FB programs. In UNCC's case why they even started one, other than they're a state school and it's taxpayer funded. I recall reading a report a few years back where there are very few schools, including the BCS'ers, whose FB programs break even all things considered, mostly equal scholarship $'s for women's programs.

I don't see a big bucks bonanza awaiting UMass, Richmond, or UNCC given the conferences they'll be playing in; UMass (MAC), UNCC (CUSA), and Richmond (?). None of those conferences have big money TV packages to my knowledge and the bowls they'll play in probably don't pay a lot either. Anyone see the advantages? If so, please explain.

-72, there are schools of thought that fball helps bball recruiting (take the kid to the game, escorts, party, tailgate, etc), helps school spirit, helps fundraising, helps identity, increases enrollment, etc