Xavier AD says expanding to 12 schools within 5 years

[DudeAnon]

I think the new guys (Butler, X, Creighton) need to remember that we are the backup dates. If the C7 could have had their way, they would still be going out with the cheerleaders.

[ShoeSh1ne]

Large diploma mill state school

I don't want to derail the topic but I'd like to defend my school. I'm not saying it's on par with an Ivy league school, but it's not a diploma mill. VCU acceptance rate: 65%, Providence acceptance rate: 60%

limiTed brand recognition (one good season a few yrs ago, not much different than George Mason or Wichita state)

My intentions here were to stop at my previous statement, but I'm getting sucked into responding to this as well.

Let's talk recent history here, say 10 years. Anything more is irrelevant to this discussion.

Past 10 years:
-VCU has 6 NCAA appearances including 3 straight years of getting into the second round. Will appear again this year.

-Providence has 1 appearance and lost to Pacific.

My intentions aren't to get into an argument, I just think some things that you said were a little off base. We've had much more than "one good season a few years ago".

Edit: It appears as though some others have already came to defend the one season remark.

[Natty]

VCU I'm not a fan of they had a heavily senior team that played out of their minds, I know they've had a few big wins over the years but the fact that their fans are still bragging about beating duke however many years ago shows that they're below us.

It's not that VCU had one big run, it's that they had a big run, followed it up with two more NCAA tournament appearances (with wins in each), have KEPT their coach (despite everyone saying he's leaving every single season), and are now pulling top-100 players into their cupboard ....which in the past, has tended to have a net positive effect on a program, not the other way around.

The Rams will enter the season in the top-20/top-15 next season, and the talent is JUST STARTING to roll in (see: two 4-stars committed for next season with top-50 player Terry Larrier liking popping for the Rams in due time, perhaps Makinde London as well). The Rams are also scheduled to appear on national TV a minimum of 14 times next season, including at least 10 games on the ESPN family of networks (and that doesn't include ESPN3), which won't hurt their Q rating either.

If the Big East wants people to call them a "power conference" again they'll add the best hoops program when it's time to add. VCU may not make them a "power conference" this year (although it wouldn't have hurt to have an extra top-25 team in their opening season), but in a few years the Rams may be impossible to turn down if the Big East is looking to add the BEST basketball program available (and I'm of the opinion VCU passes Gonzaga as well).

[aughnanure]

Large diploma mill state school

I don't want to derail the topic but I'd like to defend my school. I'm not saying it's on par with an Ivy league school, but it's not a diploma mill. VCU acceptance rate: 65%, Providence acceptance rate: 60%

limiTed brand recognition (one good season a few yrs ago, not much different than George Mason or Wichita state)

My intentions here were to stop at my previous statement, but I'm getting sucked into responding to this as well.

Let's talk recent history here, say 10 years. Anything more is irrelevant to this discussion.

Past 10 years:
-VCU has 6 NCAA appearances including 3 straight years of getting into the second round. Will appear again this year.

-Providence has 1 appearance and lost to Pacific.

My intentions aren't to get into an argument, I just think some things that you said were a little off base. We've had much more than "one good season a few years ago".

Edit: It appears as though some others have already came to defend the one season remark.

FriarFan2 has trolled every poster here. Don't sweat it too much and don't think he represents Providence fans.

[GumbyDamnit!]

If Richmond is the best institutional and geographic fit, and I were King of the Conference for a day I would have a back room sit down with them. First I would tell them that we will consider them (and another school--most likely SLU) for admission in 2017 if they show a TRUE commitment to their hoops program.

Whisper in their ear that you'd like to see the following happen:
1. Hire a BIG time known coach who has a serious track record and can flat out recruit. Maybe a Ben Howland or see if a Bruce Pearl could come back behind the bench (with some contract stipulations). Could they lure Shaka away from VCU with a huge contract? Budget what a huge state school would pay their staff and top it if you have to.
2. Upgrade all facilities if needed and get butts in the seats. Generate some buzz around their progtram in and around Richmond. Market the crap out of the Richmond area with banners and events--whatever. Own central / southern VA. Do whatever you have to, in order to become the premier program in your own market.
3. Invest in your program. Hire great assitants that are tied into the AAU circuits, get them out on the road early and often and get in great players. With a few talented classes, Richmond could be a rising power.
4. Tap the shoulders of your alums and appeal to them to support he program at any/all costs so they can make the move to big time college athletics.

In 4 years they should be able to turn things around quickly. Just look how Providence and SJU have done turning their programs around in the same amount of time. Make this an incentive, and explain that you'd prefer to go with them but will bring in VCU if they can't turn things around quickly. Richmond has got the $ to pull it off. Their endowment is ridicuously large. They have alums that can help.

I'm all for making sure we don't bring in bball laggards (though to be honest, we're going to need more than 2 bottom feeders at 12 schools) but this list is so arbitrary. I mean this list is essentially - be better at basketball (well duh!).

Hire a BIG-time head coach? What current Big East school has even done that? Buzz was an assistant. Jay Wright came from Hofstra. I just don't think that's a realistic ask. Plus Mooney is still there and the program seems to be on the rise finally after the drop-off after the Sweet 16.

On the 2nd one, being part of the Big East would be the easiest way Richmond would "own" a piece of Southern/Central VA. But right now its hard to do that with a 25,000 enrollment state school sitting right next to you.

What the heck are you talking about? Of course we want them to prove that they are committed to excellence in basketball. Isn't that the point. They haven't been able to prove that yet, so hence, no invite. If they have had the success of the others they would have been asked to join last year, no?

What Big East schools have hired BIG time coaches? How about St. John's with Lavin? How 'bout when Loiusville grabbed Pitino? Point being if you have a shot at taking a BIG step forward you need to make a BIG splash and be aggressive. One Sweet 16 every couple of decades does not a desired program make. And please stop with the :"poor us, VCU is so big, we can't compete" crap. Cinncinatti is bigger than Xavier, Temple is bigger than Nova, URI is bigger than Providence, Maryland is bigger than G'town. Marq competes with Wisconson, Depaul with Illinois and Butler with IU and Purdue. Get over it and find a way to be the biggest draw in your own back yard. You're competing with VCU, not Kansas or Duke.

If they are not willing to make aggressive steps in the hopes of a college hoops pot of gold, then why would we want them. I want programs that are serious about their college hoops commitment, and we are in position of strength to demand that of our next 1-2 invitees. Creighton, Butler and Xavier seem to fit that mold. If Richmond doesn't feel the need to take steps to prove that it is serious about wanting to be a part of this league, then I vote for: "pass."

[aughnanure]

If Richmond is the best institutional and geographic fit, and I were King of the Conference for a day I would have a back room sit down with them. First I would tell them that we will consider them (and another school--most likely SLU) for admission in 2017 if they show a TRUE commitment to their hoops program.

Whisper in their ear that you'd like to see the following happen:
1. Hire a BIG time known coach who has a serious track record and can flat out recruit. Maybe a Ben Howland or see if a Bruce Pearl could come back behind the bench (with some contract stipulations). Could they lure Shaka away from VCU with a huge contract? Budget what a huge state school would pay their staff and top it if you have to.
2. Upgrade all facilities if needed and get butts in the seats. Generate some buzz around their progtram in and around Richmond. Market the crap out of the Richmond area with banners and events--whatever. Own central / southern VA. Do whatever you have to, in order to become the premier program in your own market.
3. Invest in your program. Hire great assitants that are tied into the AAU circuits, get them out on the road early and often and get in great players. With a few talented classes, Richmond could be a rising power.
4. Tap the shoulders of your alums and appeal to them to support he program at any/all costs so they can make the move to big time college athletics.

In 4 years they should be able to turn things around quickly. Just look how Providence and SJU have done turning their programs around in the same amount of time. Make this an incentive, and explain that you'd prefer to go with them but will bring in VCU if they can't turn things around quickly. Richmond has got the $ to pull it off. Their endowment is ridicuously large. They have alums that can help.

I'm all for making sure we don't bring in bball laggards (though to be honest, we're going to need more than 2 bottom feeders at 12 schools) but this list is so arbitrary. I mean this list is essentially - be better at basketball (well duh!).

Hire a BIG-time head coach? What current Big East school has even done that? Buzz was an assistant. Jay Wright came from Hofstra. I just don't think that's a realistic ask. Plus Mooney is still there and the program seems to be on the rise finally after the drop-off after the Sweet 16.

On the 2nd one, being part of the Big East would be the easiest way Richmond would "own" a piece of Southern/Central VA. But right now its hard to do that with a 25,000 enrollment state school sitting right next to you.

What the heck are you talking about? Of course we want them to prove that they are committed to excellence in basketball. Isn't that the point. They haven't been able to prove that yet, so hence, no invite. If they have had the success of the others they would have been asked to join last year, no?

What Big East schools have hired BIG time coaches? How about St. John's with Lavin? How 'bout when Loiusville grabbed Pitino? Point being if you have a shot at taking a BIG step forward you need to make a BIG splash and be aggressive. One Sweet 16 every couple of decades does not a desired program make. And please stop with the :"poor us, VCU is so big, we can't compete" crap. Cinncinatti is bigger than Xavier, Temple is bigger than Nova, URI is bigger than Providence, Maryland is bigger than G'town. Marq competes with Wisconson, Depaul with Illinois and Butler with IU and Purdue. Get over it and find a way to be the biggest draw in your own back yard. You're competing with VCU, not Kansas or Duke.

If they are not willing to make aggressive steps in the hopes of a college hoops pot of gold, then why would we want them. I want programs that are serious about their college hoops commitment, and we are in position of strength to demand that of our next 1-2 invitees. Creighton, Butler and Xavier seem to fit that mold. If Richmond doesn't feel the need to take steps to prove that it is serious about wanting to be a part of this league, then I vote for: "pass."

First, forgot about Lavin. Good job. but Pitino is NOT relevant since Louisville is not in the Big East. You're setting yourself up to be disappointed, that's all. None of these potential adds are slam dunks. Unless we're grabbing Gonzaga, they will all have question marks. And not every team can be a winner in this league. If we want Georggetown and Nova and Marquette and SJJU to be powers with great bids. Guess what? DePaul, Seton Hall, Butler are going to have give us a lot of their wins. Stop acting like we can't afford a bad team. Is the ACC considered a bad league because Clemson, BC, and Wake Forest suck? What about the B1G and Penn St, Iowa, Nebraska? Bottomfeeder teams help facilitate the success of a league just like the top teams do.

I just hate the "hire a big name head coach" like its just that simple. I mean "Tap the shoulders of your alums and appeal to them to support he program"? Everyone could be a "rising power to these easy directions.

[MUBoxer]

Pretty sure Iowa's supposed to be legit this year I'd say NOrthwestern Nebraska an penn state

[MUBoxer]

VCU I'm not a fan of they had a heavily senior team that played out of their minds, I know they've had a few big wins over the years but the fact that their fans are still bragging about beating duke however many years ago shows that they're below us.

It's not that VCU had one big run, it's that they had a big run, followed it up with two more NCAA tournament appearances (with wins in each), have KEPT their coach (despite everyone saying he's leaving every single season), and are now pulling top-100 players into their cupboard ....which in the past, has tended to have a net positive effect on a program, not the other way around.

The Rams will enter the season in the top-20/top-15 next season, and the talent is JUST STARTING to roll in (see: two 4-stars committed for next season with top-50 player Terry Larrier liking popping for the Rams in due time, perhaps Makinde London as well). The Rams are also scheduled to appear on national TV a minimum of 14 times next season, including at least 10 games on the ESPN family of networks (and that doesn't include ESPN3), which won't hurt their Q rating either.

If the Big East wants people to call them a "power conference" again they'll add the best hoops program when it's time to add. VCU may not make them a "power conference" this year (although it wouldn't have hurt to have an extra top-25 team in their opening season), but in a few years the Rams may be impossible to turn down if the Big East is looking to add the BEST basketball program available (and I'm of the opinion VCU passes Gonzaga as well).

Ok top 25 probably not top 15, and yes you had one big run that's what happens when you only have ever advanced to the second weekend once (not hating on that run at all I was cheering for VCU rather than butler to make the finals). All the other appearances besides last year aren't really anything to brag about I mean you weren't in a hard conference now if you'd been in the a10 during all those appearances I might respect them a little more. I know about the recruiting and if it continues then by all means but here's the thing college sports are cyclical and only a few teams have managed to be at the top for ages now ask yourself if where VCU is now do they belong in the same league as some of college basketball's winningest programs like Georgetown, Villanova, Marquette, and Saint Johns. VCU is no slouch but to me they aren't the storied type of program this conference is looking for.

The Big East wants tradition of excellence VCU would be tied with Butler at second to last in NCAA appearances last in sweet 16s, next to last in elite 8s, and third to last in final fours. It was a great run and that's it. Unless you make the tournament all these upcoming years and maybe add some sweet 16s or something.

[DumpsterFireA10]

VCU I'm not a fan of they had a heavily senior team that played out of their minds, I know they've had a few big wins over the years but the fact that their fans are still bragging about beating duke however many years ago shows that they're below us.

It's not that VCU had one big run, it's that they had a big run, followed it up with two more NCAA tournament appearances (with wins in each), have KEPT their coach (despite everyone saying he's leaving every single season), and are now pulling top-100 players into their cupboard ....which in the past, has tended to have a net positive effect on a program, not the other way around.

The Rams will enter the season in the top-20/top-15 next season, and the talent is JUST STARTING to roll in (see: two 4-stars committed for next season with top-50 player Terry Larrier liking popping for the Rams in due time, perhaps Makinde London as well). The Rams are also scheduled to appear on national TV a minimum of 14 times next season, including at least 10 games on the ESPN family of networks (and that doesn't include ESPN3), which won't hurt their Q rating either.

If the Big East wants people to call them a "power conference" again they'll add the best hoops program when it's time to add. VCU may not make them a "power conference" this year (although it wouldn't have hurt to have an extra top-25 team in their opening season), but in a few years the Rams may be impossible to turn down if the Big East is looking to add the BEST basketball program available (and I'm of the opinion VCU passes Gonzaga as well).

Ok top 25 probably not top 15, and yes you had one big run that's what happens when you only have ever advanced to the second weekend once (not hating on that run at all I was cheering for VCU rather than butler to make the finals). All the other appearances besides last year aren't really anything to brag about I mean you weren't in a hard conference now if you'd been in the a10 during all those appearances I might respect them a little more. I know about the recruiting and if it continues then by all means but here's the thing college sports are cyclical and only a few teams have managed to be at the top for ages now ask yourself if where VCU is now do they belong in the same league as some of college basketball's winningest programs like Georgetown, Villanova, Marquette, and Saint Johns. VCU is no slouch but to me they aren't the storied type of program this conference is looking for.

The Big East wants tradition of excellence VCU would be tied with Butler at second to last in NCAA appearances last in sweet 16s, next to last in elite 8s, and third to last in final fours. It was a great run and that's it. Unless you make the tournament all these upcoming years and maybe add some sweet 16s or something.

Tradition is the biggest mistaken assumption here. Tradition is dead and gone. It's over.

[SpiderFan]

It's still all conjecture at this point--credit the new Xavier AD with getting his name and this interview blasted out about the Big east and A10 boards. No such thing as bad publicity--I find it funny that some folks on here indicate that Richmond has "to turn their program around". Yeah Sweet 16 from 2011 is decades ago. And they're certainly not scheduling for a NCAA tourney berth with games at Florida, against UNC (and possibly Louisville depending on how the the games go), Wake Forest, Air Force, Belmont, Ohio & Minnesota. And they need to invest in the program too huh? You mean like the 20 Million we just put into the renovated Robins Center putting in 4 video boards, hospitality areas (hi donors), better seating, new concessions, et al.

I don't mind taking shots at the program since they do have things they need to improve upon, but at least be knowledgable before you comment on a school program's progress or lack thereof.

Well I think you need to "turn it around" in regards of being the best team in Richmond. Richmond could make the choice much easier for us if they could be beating VCU at the time we call on them.

We've split the last 4 meetings with them including last year when we played twice. Trust me we want to beat them twice every year and vice versa. If you're commenting on whether we "own" the city we never will since they have way more alumni then we do, especially that stay local. Most of our student body is from the NE and they tend to go back there or somewhere else(its tough being in demand ) But I wouldn't say every team in the BE owns their city necessarily--the competitors may be different sports or pro teams in some cases. Xavier vs Cincinnati, Butler vs Indiana/Purdue, Marquette vs Wisconsin, St. John's vs Knicks, SLU vs Missouri/Kansas, etc and on down the line. I wouldn't say Villanova "owns" Philly either.