(01-10-2013 05:34 PM)Lord2FLI Wrote: (01-10-2013 05:12 PM)NJRedMan Wrote: (01-10-2013 05:08 PM)gosports1 Wrote: (01-10-2013 03:26 PM)Lord2FLI Wrote: (01-10-2013 03:12 PM)thegalen Wrote: See: Connecticut, University of
Sure, but UConn also had Pitt, and that's not even addressing all the animosity those two schools hold towards the Catholic schools (and maybe vice versa).
What animosity?
What
I'm with you, what animosity?
Honestly, I don't know, UConn I picked up from UConn people and what their women's basketball coach said while the administration didn't even offer an apology. Pitt, I can't put a finger on exactly what it was they did, was shortly after they were invited to the ACC. Regardless, doesn't look like anyone wants to discuss my query anyway, looks like it's just add VCU and hope nothing happens I guess. I'll slink off back to where I came from.
I'm probably the biggest non-affiliated VCU backer around here, so I'll take it.
There is an idea that "fit" is terribly important in conference formation and management. A lot of it trickles down from the SEC and Big Ten and PAC, where they have the luxury of passing over good candidates because, well, they don't really fit the profile of what we're looking for as an institution. See PAC-BYU, see Notre Dame rebuffing the Big Ten, see Big Ten requiring AAU membership. But even at that level, you have your Vanderbilts and USCs and Northwesterns.
Fit also plays a big role at the bottom of the ladder. In the Big West or WCC, there's no money anyway, so why bother with an awkward mix? Just affiliate with like-minded institutions--religious and privates over here, UC's and Cal State's over there.
But I think it plays much less of a role in the middle range. I believe that, from the relaunch of the league through the first few seasons, we're going to be fighting a propaganda/PR battle over whether we are a "midmajor" or not. Butler and Xavier cut against the midmajor perception--they're major programs in midmajor or minor conferences. Dayton, Saint Louis and Creighton are arguable. VCU, with their shiny new Final Four banner, helps us there. And, looking at their track record, I think the Final Four is a reflection of a strong program over time, not just lightning in a bottle.
I actually think having a non-Catholic, non-private helps with some important audiences. We're working on a three-level audience. Alumni and boosters, t-shirt fans and general basketball fans. For the last two groups, I think it's a disadvantage to be tagged closely as a "Catholic league." The more "Catholic" the league is, the fewer a Protestants in Philadelphia buy Villanova gear. The more "Catholic" the league is, the less interest a non-Catholic basketball fan outside the northeast is going to be interested in watching.
As for the UConn women's coach, I don't think that was a pre-existing animosity--it was a reaction to teams leaving, good riddance, get out, we don't need you.