aj_arete

Excellent analysis and here's my question. Do you see this league as a 1- or 2-bid league?

I actually think SLU can benefit with Gordon leaving. Chemistry is important, plus I think an early favorable schedule in the A-10 could work in SLU's favor. They can build confidence and emphasize more spacing. Of course, that means Isabell will be a key and will definitely have to step up his game. Also, Thatch looks like one who could grow into a good one.

I think SLU would have a better chance at getting a home-and-home with Mizzou. With Mizzou already playing a neutral court game with Illinois, it might be a hard sell to get Mizzou to come back to St. Louis twice in one year when they don't go to KC for one game.

I have DirecTV, but they said that they're in a contractual dispute with FS2, so it's unavailable. I'm in SW Georgia, but curious how others are able to watch it on DirecTV.

I don't have a subscription to the Post, so appreciate the insight.

Link: https://www.stltoday.com/sports/college/slu/macon-named-associate-head-coach-by-slu-s-ford/article_55139735-b5de-5172-bbeb-76d335917d1b.html With this promotion, that leads me to this question. When looking at the assistants under Ford, what are each of their strengths? Is Tate the ace recruiter? Tactically, is Macon the one most often turned to? Who works with the frontcourt? backcourt? Would you say that overall the staff under Ford is above or below A-10 standards?

Talk to Derrick Goold, who's the Cardinals beat writer and he says he's not a fan either. However, they devote blogs and articles because there are more clicks. SLU is a better program than DePaul, but still both are similar. I would guess that there are more articles on the Illini than DePaul. That's because they have had more historical success. Now if SLU can get into the postseason a couple of times, then I think you'll see more articles. Maybe one day they can be like Gonzaga, who I would imagine gets more press than the University of Washington in Seattle, but that's just a guess.

Thanks! I'll do that.

Outside of Gordon, Thatch, and Isabel. Don't know much about the Maryland graduate transfer and maybe one or two players. I went to www.slubillikens.com, but they don't have the current roster. I believe Wiley scored 4 or 5 ppg and is a shooter, so maybe he makes the rotation. However, what about the other guys? Could they be rotation players or not?

That might be able to work. Maybe include Loyola-Chicago and then try to attract two other Power 5 regional teams and that could work.

I get that, but how do you spend beyond the athletics budget without dipping into the general fund?

Do they still aspire to be in the Big East? I thought administration was content with the A-10. That's on the AD. Can he get enough alumni on board and boost their giving? As a university faculty member myself, I wouldn't want SLU athletics dipping into the general fund to boost the recruiting budget.

First, I don't see national TV being interested in SLU-Mizzou, SLU-Illini, or SLU-SIUC. They're barely interested in Mizzou-Illini. We need to start achieving Xavier or Gonzaga success before drawing interest in Power 5 conferences. I think the key is getting in good tournaments and then knocking off some big names there. Then qualify for the NCAA and then make runs to multiple Sweet 16s. That would raise the profile.

I would look at our fund-raising and see how it compares to other A-10 programs. Our spending should match the level of resources. I would wildly guess we're in the top four of five in the A-10, though our spending should be in that area. If we're in the bottom half, then I would adjust our spending to be in that area. We're not Duke, so not giving Ford a blank check. As for charter flights, I think that's a high priority given the far outposts and getting rid of that would put us in a competitive disadvantage. I already think our facilities are among the top 2 in the A-10, so I don't think we need to add there. Next priority is giving Ford the dollars he need to recruit nationally, as long as we're seeing dividends from it.

Fair enough. I'm done defending Jose Ortiz. I'll agree he went too far.