Xavier AD says expanding to 12 schools within 5 years

[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.

[Natty]

VCU is good, but once Shaka leaves, what do they become?

Providence?

Although that would be unfair to Jeff Capel and Anthony Grant, the two coaches prior to Smart (one of which built Smart's Final 4 team) who both led the Rams to NCAA tournament appearances (and an upset win over Duke in Grant's case), coincidentally over a span in which your Friars didn't make the tournament at all. Also keep in mind both previous coaches bolted for "better jobs", one of which (Capel) was fired shortly after, the other (Grant) has been on the hot seat while Smart has become one of the hottest names in coaching (not to mention one of the most successful coaches in college hoops during his four seasons at VCU).

Also, what happens to Butler if Brad Stevens leaves? What happens to any team if their coach leaves? VCU has displayed an ability to win under three straight coaches now. How many other programs have been able to sustain the same level of success despite that much turnover? Also don't forget all the programs Shaka was a "lock" to leave for these past few seasons.

Anyway, it's a tired argument. Just know as the season tips the Rams will be a preseason top-20 (or top-15) team and your Friars will be a program living off ancient history and conference affiliation. Good luck this year in your quest to return to your first NCAA tournament in a decade!

[marq]

It just seems like the newest AD in the league didn't get the message that the Presidents likely don't want anyone talking about expansion as it would detract from everything happening in the present. He arrives in town and just starts shooting from the hip. Pretty funny actually.

[TheHall]

It just seems like the newest AD in the league didn't get the message that the Presidents likely don't want anyone talking about expansion as it would detract from everything happening in the present. He arrives in town and just starts shooting from the hip. Pretty funny actually.

So true...but on the other hand it does feel good to hear the conference taking a position of strength about the future as well, as opposed to a fear of future realignment like has been the case for the last few years.

[aughnanure]

VCU is good, but once Shaka leaves, what do they become?

Providence?

Although that would be unfair to Jeff Capel and Anthony Grant, the two coaches prior to Smart (one of which built Smart's Final 4 team) who both led the Rams to NCAA tournament appearances (and an upset win over Duke in Grant's case), coincidentally over a span in which your Friars didn't make the tournament at all. Also keep in mind both previous coaches bolted for "better jobs", one of which (Capel) was fired shortly after, the other (Grant) has been on the hot seat while Smart has become one of the hottest names in coaching (not to mention one of the most successful coaches in college hoops during his four seasons at VCU).

Also, what happens to Butler if Brad Stevens leaves? What happens to any team if their coach leaves? VCU has displayed an ability to win under three straight coaches now. How many other programs have been able to sustain the same level of success despite that much turnover? Also don't forget all the programs Shaka was a "lock" to leave for these past few seasons.

Anyway, it's a tired argument. Just know as the season tips the Rams will be a preseason top-20 (or top-15) team and your Friars will be a program living off ancient history and conference affiliation. Good luck this year in your quest to return to your first NCAA tournament in a decade!

That "ancient history" is still way more than you have ever got. Though I agree on the Butler thing, and why I was nervous about them - but still, again, way more achievements than VCU regardless.

Providence played in the Big EAST for the past decade against teams like Syracuse, UConn, Louisville, Georgetown, Notre Dame, Marquette, Villanova, Pitt, and Cincinnati. Want to switch places and tell me how well VCU would've done?

Just don't come on here and piss on other schools just when people have legitimate concerns/questions about VCU.

[aughnanure]

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.

[bluejayfanatic]

I think VCU has a great men's basketball program, but they do not belong in this conference and should not be on the Big East radar. VCU had some good teams before Shaka Smart and may very well have good teams after Shaka Smart. That's not what concerns me. What concerns me is that VCU is a large public school with possible football aspirations and is simply not an institutional fit. If VCU wants to get promoted from the A10 they should be paying attention to possible AAC non-football expansion.

[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.

[aughnanure]

I think VCU has a great men's basketball program, but they do not belong in this conference and should not be on the Big East radar. VCU had some good teams before Shaka Smart and may very well have good teams after Shaka Smart. That's not what concerns me. What concerns me is that VCU is a large public school with possible football aspirations and is simply not an institutional fit. If VCU wants to get promoted from the A10 they should be paying attention to possible AAC non-football expansion.

Comeon, don't bring that up. They ain't doing football any-time soon. But still, they aren't an institutional fit. Reading their board rip on Richmond students because their from the Northeast and not hometown Richmonders (?) is enough proof.

[yorost]

VCU is good, but once Shaka leaves, what do they become?

Providence?

Although that would be unfair to Jeff Capel and Anthony Grant, the two coaches prior to Smart (one of which built Smart's Final 4 team) who both led the Rams to NCAA tournament appearances (and an upset win over Duke in Grant's case), coincidentally over a span in which your Friars didn't make the tournament at all. Also keep in mind both previous coaches bolted for "better jobs", one of which (Capel) was fired shortly after, the other (Grant) has been on the hot seat while Smart has become one of the hottest names in coaching (not to mention one of the most successful coaches in college hoops during his four seasons at VCU).

Also, what happens to Butler if Brad Stevens leaves? What happens to any team if their coach leaves? VCU has displayed an ability to win under three straight coaches now. How many other programs have been able to sustain the same level of success despite that much turnover? Also don't forget all the programs Shaka was a "lock" to leave for these past few seasons.

Anyway, it's a tired argument. Just know as the season tips the Rams will be a preseason top-20 (or top-15) team and your Friars will be a program living off ancient history and conference affiliation. Good luck this year in your quest to return to your first NCAA tournament in a decade!

That "ancient history" is still way more than you have ever got. Though I agree on the Butler thing, and why I was nervous about them - but still, again, way more achievements than VCU regardless.

Providence played in the Big EAST for the past decade against teams like Syracuse, UConn, Louisville, Georgetown, Notre Dame, Marquette, Villanova, Pitt, and Cincinnati. Want to switch places and tell me how well VCU would've done?

Just don't come on here and piss on other schools just when people have legitimate concerns/questions about VCU.

VCU without Shaka might be iffy right now, but not any certain end. Losing a coach is always a risk, but they're raising their program along with him. They have enough exposure, name recognition, and backing to not simply assume they fall flat if Shaka leaves. Of course it could happen, but they certainly have more clout now than five years ago to ease the possibility. Every year he stays and takes them to the tournament the more stabilized their program is for continuing success. A couple more consecutive berths and they should be secure in searching for a coach they want. Add on that they should be one of the darlings of the A10's tv deal and their program will have ample opportunity to keep raising its profile in the short term,

I agree, though, pissing on a team already in the conference is pretty low. The whole expansion thing is about comparing teams we have a shot at adding, not at who those candidates may or may not be better than already in the conference. Ideally, we add a candidate that sits in the top of the conference. The hope is to improve the conference, so why knock programs currently down already in the group? Any conference will have down teams, it's just about impossible to avoid. Take the top ten teams in the country and throw them into a double round robin conference and two are almost certainly going to miss the tournament. Those two teams would still be great pieces to the conference. ...that's not trying to imply anything about the Big East before anyone jumps on me about saying our bottom teams are great, it's just to illustrate the point.

On Stevens vs Shaka, yeah, Butler has a stronger run to fall back on. VCU can get there soon to where I think there's limited concern. Since I think Shaka will not be leaving for a few years, now, I am willing to see the trigger pulled on VCU, I do think he'll continue to succeed at a high level. In two or three years, I am confident they will be a program we wouldn't pass up, that's the basis of me wanting them. I don't see the concerns as mitigated, not that it won't or can't happen, with the other programs.

I wish all four candidates well, though, they're all interesting programs. Whoever is added, I'll support them fully as conference mates.

I think VCU has a great men's basketball program, but they do not belong in this conference and should not be on the Big East radar. VCU had some good teams before Shaka Smart and may very well have good teams after Shaka Smart. That's not what concerns me. What concerns me is that VCU is a large public school with possible football aspirations and is simply not an institutional fit. If VCU wants to get promoted from the A10 they should be paying attention to possible AAC non-football expansion.

I just see this as prejudice, the same as when people sneer at private schools. So what? They're a closer fit than Richmond (I emphasize Spider fans, great school, better than most of ours, just different in academic structure involving grad school). It's great if we end up with all private, but not if we force it. Being public or private doesn't magically make two schools wildly different.

I think VCU has a great men's basketball program, but they do not belong in this conference and should not be on the Big East radar. VCU had some good teams before Shaka Smart and may very well have good teams after Shaka Smart. That's not what concerns me. What concerns me is that VCU is a large public school with possible football aspirations and is simply not an institutional fit. If VCU wants to get promoted from the A10 they should be paying attention to possible AAC non-football expansion.

Comeon, don't bring that up. They ain't doing football any-time soon. But still, they aren't an institutional fit. Reading their board rip on Richmond students because their from the Northeast and not hometown Richmonders (?) is enough proof.

As if their aren't people ripping on public schools here.