davidnark Posted February 16, 2014 Share Posted February 16, 2014 I have no idea who Frank the Tank is, hut he wrote this: http://frankthetank.me/tag/espn/ To me, Big East expansion to 12 schools is inevitable and ought to have happened already. The fact that Xavier AD Greg Christopher mentioned St. Louis, Dayton, Richmond and VCU as the prime candidates isnt any surprise. SLU seems to be a lock its a perfect institutional fit in a large market (by college sports standards) with a competent on-the-court basketball team. As Ive stated previously, its really a matter of who comes along with SLU. I dont see the Big East being interested in creating a nationwide conference with schools like Gonzaga and BYU thats an interesting fantasy for those purely focused on the basketball product, but its a non-starter for all of the other sports. So, Dayton, Richmond and VCU are really the well-worn other candidates, with the Big Easts consternation on each of them being that they have major flaws from the conferences perspective (Dayton is in a smaller Midwestern market, Richmond has a small alumni base, and VCU would be the lone public school in a league of private institutions). Its also difficult to see many other schools outside of that group that could have both a Butler-like ascent and the institutional and market profiles that the Big East is looking for. The only ones that come to mind are Davidson (which has a small size like Richmond but has had more recent on-the-court success and is located in a college hoops hotbed) and Duquesne (great institutional and market fit, yet they have zero on-the-court credentials).If I were running the Big East, I certainly wouldnt see Davidson or Duquesne as panaceas that are worth holding off expansion for. University presidents have proven to be a strange bunch in conference realignment decisions, though. To me, SLU is a lock to get into the Big East when it expands (and I say when because I just dont see Fox being satisfied with the level of inventory and market coverage that the 10-team setup offers in the long-term), with Dayton as a slight front-runner for the 12th spot. Now, VCU might end up being too much to ignore if they have another Final Four run and, maybe more importantly, keep having fans showing up in droves in Brooklyn for the Atlantic 10 Tournament (as the Big East needs to maintain ticket buyers for its own tournament at Madison Square Garden). The public school profile is definitely a major problem for VCUs candidacy, though. That factor cant be underestimated with the Big East presidents. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slu72 Posted February 16, 2014 Share Posted February 16, 2014 Now if they'll just get off their presidential butts and expand in late April. I think Fox will push for either VCU or Richmond. Too much overlap w/ Cincy market. X might block 'me too. Or I could see the Zags for BB only. Stretch but these days in conference realignment any things possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MB73 Posted February 16, 2014 Share Posted February 16, 2014 That is well thought out and well written. I hope we get in, that would be a significant upgrade for our program. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slu72 Posted February 16, 2014 Share Posted February 16, 2014 And just might sway Tatum to stay home for his one and done year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRN Posted February 16, 2014 Share Posted February 16, 2014 Frank the Tank was on top of the Big Ten expansion when Nebraska was added. He has some good sources. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bonwich Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 Unfortunately, we have no president to be on top of this and probably won't until summer or later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeSmetBilliken Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 Unfortunately, we have no president to be on top of this and probably won't until summer or later. One thing I noticed after the game yesterday was that our interim president was out on the floor and it looked like he was being interviewed. Made me curious of the subject. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slu72 Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 Unfortunately, we have no president to be on top of this and probably won't until summer or later. This better be one of his top priorities, right up there with hiring the new guy. Pretty sure Chaifetz reminds of this every game. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Pelican Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 Unfortunately, we have no president to be on top of this and probably won't until summer or later. You might be surprised at how soon a leader is named... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old guy Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 Agree with Bonwich, we are going nowhere until a new president is appointed. How long it will take I do not have a clue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slu72 fan Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 I've been told the President and Trustees have been extremely supportive of the Athletic Dept. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old guy Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 This is probably correct but he is still an interim president. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
almaman Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 Bobby Knight's available Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slu72 fan Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 This is probably correct but he is still an interim president.[/quote I expect the search committee is looking for someone that among other things recognizes the value a strong athletic program can do to enhance other areas of a university. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old guy Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 I suspect you may be right Slu72, but they still need to reach a decision as to who they are going to choose for the spot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slu72 fan Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 Things are going great, everyone should be up beat and supportive. You young guys don't realize how special this is! Soak it up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlumniFan Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 You might be surprised at how soon a leader is named... Yep. And in the interim, Bill Kauffman has done an excellent job and has worked hard to get out and meet people. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bonwich Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 Yep. And in the interim, Bill Kauffman has done an excellent job and has worked hard to get out and meet people. Everything I've heard about him is that he's a gem. But as a caretaker, I'd wager his influence among the other prezzes in the Big East is minimal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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