UMassHoops.com

[ibleedmaroon413]

i think this would be huge to add 3 recent ncaa tourney teams,would only boost our conference rpi,also i think the a10 would steal a couple extra tourney bids every yr....very excited
VCU, George Mason, Butler,creighton Eyeing Atlantic 10 As Expansion Continues

link:
http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/2012/3/25/2901943/vcu-george-mason-butler-atlantic-10-expansion

link:
http://aol.sportingnews.com/ncaa-basketball/story/2012-03-25/butler-vcu-george-mason-mulling-move-to-a-10

link:richmond coach chris mooney
http://www2.wsls.com/sports/2012/mar/22/tdsport01-urs-mooney-likes-idea-of-vcu-gmu-butler--ar-1784486/

link:
http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/2012/3/20/2887986/butler-basketball-atlantic-10-move-conference-realignment-horizon-league
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[xlgman]

I think it absolutely helps to solidify the conference's image as a very good basketball conference. It is also a proactive move that could really help to maintain that standing as the conferences continue to realign and grow. The fact is we are not going to be able to stay with the big boys if we do not grow and add good teams. These are some of the best options out there for us for sure.

The very unfortunate side effect, which may not be something we can avoid, is that the home-and-home series will essentially go away in favor of more unbalanced schedules and less longstanding rivalries.

With 16 teams there is no good way to create a 16 game conference schedule. I know a lot of schools would rather keep the 16 game conference schedule but the BCS leagues are seriously considering an 18 game conference schedule and/or partnerships with other BCS conferences that will further reduce the opportunities for non-con matchups with the likes of the A10. So going to 18 league games might be a proactive way to counter the inevitable move to fewer quality non-con games. I think every team in the A10 would gladly play teams like Butler, VCU, and George Mason in their non-con so it seems like it could work out. Basically, if we're going to eventually expand, this seems like a good time and good way to do it. It also gives the league some comfort room in case some teams bolt for "greener" pastures.

(4) 4 team divisions would allow for 3 home-and-home matchups within your division and 12 single game matchups for 18 total. There also seems to be a good geographical breakdown possible with the 16 proposed teams (West, South, Northeast, East).

If this happened and you factor in the 4 MAC games we have to do each year, we'd have very little control over our schedule.

[Refuse2Lose83]

In this day and age where conferences are becoming power conferences in large numbers. Anything which strengthens AND enlarges the a10 membership is good for the conference and UMass basketball.

Edit: If I've seen of Creighton being mentioned, but this would be awesome to have Creighton, Butler, VCU and George Mason! I'd be in heaven as a basketball fan getting to see these teams play in Amherst every other year. And talk about upping the sos and rpi!
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[Refuse2Lose83]

Would be cool to see 4 divisions like this:

NorthEast:
UMass
URI
St. Bonnie
Fordham

East:
St. Joe's
La Salle
Duquense
GW

Central:
VCU
Richmond
George Mason
Butler

MidWest:
St. Lous
Creighton
Xavier
Dayton

Or just have 2 divsions

East: UMass, URI, Fordham, St. Bonnie, La Salle, St. Joe's, Duquense, GW

West: Xavier, Dayton, Creighton, George Mason, VCU, Butler, St. Louis, Richmond

Or since I've only recenlt heard Creighton, they could have 3 5team divisions

East: UMass, URI, Fordham, St. Bonnie and I like St. Joe's but they might not want to split the 2 Philly schools so possibly Duquense or GW

Central: I'd think they'd keep the 2 Philly schools (La Salle and St. Joe's) and the 3 Virginia schools (VCU, Richmond and George Mason) together. This would force Duquense or GW into the West division.

West: St. Louis, Butler, Dayton, Xavier, Duq/GW

Man anyway you look at it I love it, and the west becomes really really strong. Not sure why Creighton would want to leave the Missouri Valley. More travel, pretty simlar talent among teams.
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[ibleedmaroon413]

link: from the richmond times dispatch not wanting these teams to leave the caa

http://www2.timesdispatch.com/news/2012/mar/25/tdsport01-in-college-sports-sometimes-loyalty-shou-ar-1792007/
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[69MG]

Can't say it any better than this:
"If VCU and George Mason left the CAA for the A-10, it would stink."
The CAA would be in shambles and it would be great (along with Butler) for the A10.

[ibleedmaroon413]

link:
http://www.cbssports.com/general/blog/brett-mcmurphy/18045227/vcu-george-mason-butler-in-discussions-to-join-atlantic-10

link:a10 16 team league
http://nycbuckets.com/2012/03/is-someone-joining-butler-in-the-a-10/
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[MikeUMA]

This is from the 27th, but I found it today...
http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/colleges/drexel/20120327_CAA_denies_George_Mason_and_VCU_bound_for_A-10.html

[jjmc85]

The CAA screwed over the former Northern A-10 football teams and ruined a great conference. I think paying them back in kind would be enjoyable.
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UMass Football: 22-3 at home when I was a student.

[ibleedmaroon413]

http://georgemasonbasketball.blogspot.com/2012/03/gws-ad-says-atlantic-10-additions-could.html
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[ShotPutNC]

^
The color scheme of that website is difficult to look at. I know it is their school colors but damn.

[ibleedmaroon413]

explains some of the hurdles needed to be passed for teams to join the a-10,and that the a10 should only add butler and not go to a 16 team league

http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/category/_/name/atlantic-10
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[Quinn]

For anyone interested in the CAA side of things, here's a quick article covering the CAA exit fee raise discussions, July NCAA payouts, etc that are the reason that VCU, GMU and the A10 have used 3rd parties rather than direct contact. Also why GA St. has to decide to stay until July to get their CAA money, or leave before July 1 in order to be eligible to play in the Sun Belt for the following season.

http://collegesportsinfo.com/2012/04/04/a-look-at-caa-realignment/
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[Quinn]

As for my opinion, yes, I think VCU and GMU are a perfect fit.

Let's face it, the Big East basketball schools WANT to be tied to Big East football, they aren't going anywhere and with the departures of Syracuse and Pitt, the football side WANT the non-football schools to help keep the region as their own.

In sum, a split, the same split that almost happened in 2003, is likely not going to happen since both parties need each other now more than ever.

That said, if there are no candidates for the A10 coming from the non-football Big East side, then VCU and GMU are ideal.

Why?

Because with Temple out, Philly is no longer the center of the A10 galaxy. In adding VCU and GMU, you lock up DC/VA (A10 HQ is now in Virginia) as the A10 base. And there are PLENTY of recruits in that area, many of which have made it to UMass (via Dunbar, etc).

In GW, GMU, Richmond and VCU, the region is locked up.

And yes, Temple for Butler is the ideal 1st change.

But Temple's loss is big for the conference. Butler might replace some of the power, but the A10 needs to do more to replace the "juice". Temple just carried much clout in defining the A10. There is NO single replacement that can do that, no offense to Butler. Butler helps build a bridge for Xavier/Dayton to St. Louis, which is important. But in VCU and GMU, as well as Butler, the A10 can bang the drums a bit...claim they have more Final Four schools than any other non-BCS conference, more than most BCS conferences.



One issue...for as great at 4 divisions would be, technically, a split into 2 divisions with 4 scheduling pods might be more ideal. In building rivalries, it's important to find balance: 1) home and home against regional foes via the pods, 2) standings rivalries with a greater pool of schools to increase the general mesh of the schools.



EAST DIVISION:
Northeast Pod:
UMass
URI
St. Bonaventure
Fordham

Southern Pod:
GMU
GW
VCU
Richmond


WEST DIVISION:
Central Pod:
St. Joe's
La Salle
Duquense
Charlotte

MidWest:
St. Lous
Butler
Xavier
Dayton


Yes, Charlotte would rather be in the southern pod, but as they are fully expected to leave the A10, and due to the need to focus more on keeping the DC/VA pod united, it's a move that has to be done.

Charlotte in the WEST division also ensures that the PA schools and the Midwest schools get at least the opportunity to tell recruits in the south that they will be competing (albeit in the standings, not the scheduling pods) with Charlotte, a southern team.

And the division lineup means the midwest schools need only fly east to Philly and Pitt, and in Philly they get 2 games for 1 trip, with Duquesne on the way home.


When Charlotte leaves, it's just as easy to find a new school to slot in, easy to move things around. For instance, if ODU could be convinced down the road (if the MAC invites them for FB only), then yes, maybe at that time you as GW to join the Central pod and ODU in the south. If it's a school like Siena, BU or other, then you move St. B to the Central pod, and free up a spot in the north.
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[MikeUMA]