(01-08-2013 08:09 PM)davidnark Wrote:  

(01-08-2013 10:46 AM)johnbragg Wrote:  I'd say we're making a serious mistake with Saint Louis over VCU. VCU's history, even before the last few years, stacks up with any of the non-Xavier candidates, and VCU could easily be the dominant basketball program in the state of Virginia, 8M strong. SLU hasn't shown an ability to compete at a near-Big East level, except marginally under Majerus.

VCU would be my No. 10, never mind No. 12.

Do you realize that during the mid to late 90's, when SLU was in the Great Midwest/CUSA, they were top 10 in the nation in attendance, a top 25 team, and a regular NCAA team?

A "regular NCAA team" is kind of a stretch--4 NCAAs in 7 years. And 3 appearances in the other 63 years.

Quote:Do you know that they recently opened a brand new, on-campus arena and practice facility that is among the best in the nation?

That will help, but you seem to wildly overrate SLU's accomplishments.

Quote:Do you know that St. Louis is the largest market under consideration and that SLU has long been the only D1 program in that market?

I do know that. I also know that that has not translated into success comparable to anyone else remotely under consideration. No Final Fours. No Sweet Sixteens since Sputnik. Fewer bids than anyone mentioned except George Mason, who started playing in 1970 or so--and has a Final Four banner. Less basketball revenue than anyone but George Mason.

Quote:Did you know that SLU is the largest catholic school under consideration

Which conveniently leaves out VCU because it's a public school, but has over twice your enrollment.

Quote:and has the largest endowment of any school under consideration?

Richmond's endowment is twice as large as yours.

Quote:Sure, VCU and Butler have had great success in the last five years, but SLU may have the biggest upside over the long run.

SLU may have a great upside. Or you may stay in Missouri's shadow.

I'm sorry this sounds harsh. But Saint Louis has fewer NCAA tournament wins than anyone else being considered, fewer NCAA appearances than anyone but George MAson, 1 tournament appearance in the last 10 years, 1 conference title in the last 40 years. Saint Louis has not built a successful basketball program. TV market means much less than it did before cable TV dominated--it is no longer 1979. The TV money is earned on a national basis, and it is earned by programs that people watch because they've had high-profile success. St. Louis' 3M metro sounds impressive until you remember that it's 1/3 of a % of the national market.

i really think that st louis will get an invite as #4. Spot 5 will come down to dayton or richmond. (the 3 most likely locks IMO, Butler, Xavier and Creighton)

(01-08-2013 10:12 PM)gosports1 Wrote:  i really think that st louis will get an invite as #4. Spot 5 will come down to dayton or richmond. (the 3 most likely locks IMO, Butler, Xavier and Creighton)

If Richmond bounced Dayton, Xavier fans just might break the Internet trolling UD.

That's more like it!

Quote:The heavy favorites to join the seven are Butler and Xavier. Creighton and Dayton are also considered strong candidates. Saint Louis has been discussed for the final spot. Sources say that talk about VCU for that spot has intensified the past few weeks, although it's not clear how strongly VCU is being considered.

VCU does not fit the template of private and religious schools. But there's been discussion that it could be foolish to ignore VCU's basketball success for the past decade, modern facilities and rabid fan base. VCU brings more recent basketball success than half of the Basketball Seven and is of the same caliber of Xavier and Bulter in the past decade.

Read More: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/college...z2HUXmUQzf

I think more big stuff from this:

The Basketball Seven are thought to be seeking a 12-year deal. The amount that the schools will receive is still under negotiation, but it's believed to be in the neighborhood of $3 million per school. The league is still expected to grow to 12 teams, although the possibility has been discussed that the league could start at 10 schools and grow into a 12-team league

Read More: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/college...z2HUbZqgXv

No mention of a tiered system at all...

Also, I think reading this article, the new league will start this fall....

I'd have a difficult time imagining Richmond being taken over Dayton.

For one, Richmond's attendance suffered when they left CAA for the A-10. Dayton would throw a parade if the Flyers get into this new league... PR fiasco if the UR fans aren't excited.

More importantly, VCU has had more significant success of late than UR. Taking Richmond over VCU and Dayton would be a massive upset. What's the point of adding a market if the team you pick might not deliver it? You let the A-10 "Win" the Richmond market by keeping VCU?

Furthermore, there'd be zero reason to take both VCU AND Richmond. If you're going to take a second team in a market, you'd want to take Dayton for the future Cincy-Middletown-Dayton DMA, which would be about #16, rather than the Richmond market which is significantly smaller. (Obviously that principle is not favorable for the teams already in the C7; but Xavier doesn't have those objections, or the leverage to make their participation conditional if they did have those objections)