(02-10-2018 01:32 PM)quo vadis Wrote:  

(02-10-2018 10:41 AM)RutgersGuy Wrote:  

(02-09-2018 09:56 PM)mlb Wrote:  There is no reason for the Big East to expand unless TV tells them to for inventory. In that case I can't see any better options than Dayton and St. Louis. And if you base it on fan sport and local corporate support, it is easily Dayton. 13k a game, the arena keeps getting upgraded with new boxes and other expensive seats thanks to corporations wanting in, plus long term history... And a fan base who travels (in the A10 UD far outclassed XU in traveling to Atlantic City and Philly for the tourneys). It isn't close, really. I live in Dayton and work in Cincy... All UD all the time in Dayton during basketball season, hardly any XU stuff in Cincinnati and they are number 5 in the country right now. I'm still a firm believer that in all categories *except* on the court success (big exception) Dayton was a better choice than Xavier last go around. But the Big East got the publicity it needed with XU, so they chose well there.

I'm pretty sure the Big East is happy with their choice between the two. Cincy fans seem to always want to downplay their crosstown rival.

Xavier has been a perfect addition to the Big East. Couldn't be happier with them.

I don't disagree with either of you. I just think if you wanted to go with the bigger fan base that will be there no matter what (including eyeballs watching in TV), even during down times, Dayton is the easy choice. Market size and recent success is Xavier. Both count, just depends on which way you go.

On a side note, XU has lost a lot of their top faculty in recent years because the school is having cash flow issues. Where did those faculty go? Dayton. Dayton has more money, more deep pocketed alumni, and a larger fan base. At some point that will come into play... But Xavier has had a phenomenal run for the last 30 years.