Coaching connections and the like have little if anything to do with the formation of the conference. I would think the fact that SLU, X and Creighton are Jesuit schools and that Marquette and Georgetown are also Jesuit schools would be a significantly more important factor in the decision making process. That said, I have heard nothing about MU supporting (or not supporting) SLU. From what I hear, SLU is up for potentially one of the two last spots with Dayton, X, VCU, etc. Also, keep in mind that the other Catholics could object to the number of Jesuit schools in the conference. There can be rivalry issues between the orders. Does the Franciscan university want a block of 5 Jesuits in the conference? I think this is a big consideration behind close doors.

From Marquette's perspective, they want the best possible conference and I bet Georgetown feels the same way. Put it this way, there are a lot of hard feelings between the MU athletic department and Dayton's athletic department over Dayton's cancellation of a return game a few years ago. I don't think issue will play a part in any decision made by the schools. The C7 are going to pick what they feel are the strongest athletic programs, that have a similar vision as to the role of a University and student athletes in D-1 athletics.

(02-20-2013 10:21 AM)bostonspider Wrote:  

(02-20-2013 06:41 AM)monroedoctrine Wrote:  If Georgetown wants Richmond in, I am kind of shocked. If Georgetown wants a Richmond team, however, expect it to happen. No offense to Marquette.

Looking at this from President John J. DeGioia's point of view, I am not really surprised Richmond would be very attractive. They are the most highly ranked academically of all the candidates, and would probably be second only to Georgetown in rankings in the new conference. I am sure the administrations are familiar with each other, especially as UR's former president, still a professor on campus, was VP of Georgetown prior. Richmond is undoubtedly wealthy, and has the ability through donors and athletic endowment to spend what is necessary to be competitive and thrive. Richmond is less than two hours from Georgetown, so the Hoyas get a close local rival, which is still in a separate media market. Richmond and Georgetown already play each other in many of the olympic sports. Richmond's athletic program has been quite strong in the A10, and the basketball team has been very competitive. Richmond will be bringing a men's lacrosse team to the new conference, which we know is important to Georgetown. Their coaches, JTIII and Mooney likely know each other fairly well because of the Princeton connection. Lots of little reasons that make it very understandable that Georgetown might want Richmond. I would think Marquette would have similar connections with some of the midwest candidates.

What rankings? Richmond isn't on the National Rankings fro USNWR. SLU and Marquette are the closest to Georgetown being in the Top 100. Creighton and Nova both dominate their regional rankings.

(not at all trying to argue Richmond's academics are not great)

(02-20-2013 11:26 AM)MU88 Wrote:  From Marquette's perspective, they want the best possible conference and I bet Georgetown feels the same way. Put it this way, there are a lot of hard feelings between the MU athletic department and Dayton's athletic department over Dayton's cancellation of a return game a few years ago. I don't think issue will play a part in any decision made by the schools. The C7 are going to pick what they feel are the strongest athletic programs, that have a similar vision as to the role of a University and student athletes in D-1 athletics.

Which is why I hope Dayton is the the expendable one here to get Richmond in. Creighton and SLU make too much sense imo and Dayton is too close to Xavier.

Mike Hunt's update effectively confirms what's been going around since last weekend: Richmond, UD, SLU, Xavier, and Butler.

However, I do agree that Dayton would seemingly be the most variable if Creighton got back into the conversation.

(02-20-2013 11:51 AM)Title Wrote:  Mike Hunt's update effectively confirms what's been going around since last weekend: Richmond, UD, SLU, Xavier, and Butler.

However, I do agree that Dayton would seemingly be the most variable if Creighton got back into the conversation.

No, it doesn't. It just repeated what was in the WaPo story said. There are probably multiple conversations about who to add, and how many and I don't think that's done yet. I think the story proved that Richmond is definitely a candidate - though maybe not Marquette's top choice considering the report before the update.

there's nothing in there confirming anything other than Siena and Detroit aren't a part of it. NOTHING.

(02-20-2013 11:44 AM)aughnanure Wrote:  

(02-20-2013 11:26 AM)MU88 Wrote:  From Marquette's perspective, they want the best possible conference and I bet Georgetown feels the same way. Put it this way, there are a lot of hard feelings between the MU athletic department and Dayton's athletic department over Dayton's cancellation of a return game a few years ago. I don't think issue will play a part in any decision made by the schools. The C7 are going to pick what they feel are the strongest athletic programs, that have a similar vision as to the role of a University and student athletes in D-1 athletics.

Which is why I hope Dayton is the the expendable one here to get Richmond in. Creighton and SLU make too much sense imo and Dayton is too close to Xavier.

Why is Dayton too close to Xavier? Was Providence too close to BC? Same distance.

(02-20-2013 11:40 AM)aughnanure Wrote:  What rankings? Richmond isn't on the National Rankings fro USNWR. SLU and Marquette are the closest to Georgetown being in the Top 100. Creighton and Nova both dominate their regional rankings.

(not at all trying to argue Richmond's academics are not great)

Richmond was ranked #1 in the South in the regional USNWR rankings for something like 11 years, until they were able to convince the Carnegie Foundation that they should be classified in the National Liberal Arts category (schools like the Amherst, Williams, Colgate, Bucknell, USNA, Middlebury). They are currently ranked 28th in the nation in that category. They would be the second most selective school after Georgetown.

(02-20-2013 12:08 PM)stever20 Wrote:  there's nothing in there confirming anything other than Siena and Detroit aren't a part of it. NOTHING.

Yes, you are right. 7 were named, he eliminated 2 leaving 5.

That probably means someone wholly new to the story, yet unnamed to maintain the intrigue, is what he was told.

Maybe Fresno State or something.

He was rehashing what the WP story had in it. Nothing more nothing less.

Also, it doesn't refute at all a possibility of going to 14 teams.