Imagine the Big East, Coast to Coast NYTimes Article

[stever20]

If we really want to keep the balance why not just bite the bullet and invite VCU? They clearly are a program that can grow into a successful Big East program. I don't care that they are not private, they are a basketball school and one in a market we don't cover.

yeah there is no basketball reason at all whatsoever why they aren't in the Big East right now. And they've now answered the one major thing everyone threw at them with Shaka gone they didn't collapse.

[FenwayFriar]

I doubt BC has any intentions of dropping football. Something materially damaging to the ACC would have to occur before that ever hits their radar screen, insofar as BC can heavily rely on reasonably solid funding through its ACC affiliation.

Besides, I recall recently reading an article on BC that was about that institution sinking $200 million into capital projects involving athletics.

They are in competitive purgatory for sure, but they're not in financial retreat mode yet.

Yeah, no way they drop football. Despite their shrinking season ticket holder base, they would get absolutely crushed by alumni for that move.

UConn has a much better chance to drop football than BC. No way whatsoever BC drops football. They're building a $200m new indoor football practice facility. And even UConn won't drop football anytime soon. They put a lot of money and resources into that program and they believe it's their ticket to a F5 conference.

[adoraz]

If we really want to keep the balance why not just bite the bullet and invite VCU? They clearly are a program that can grow into a successful Big East program. I don't care that they are not private, they are a basketball school and one in a market we don't cover.

yeah there is no basketball reason at all whatsoever why they aren't in the Big East right now. And they've now answered the one major thing everyone threw at them with Shaka gone they didn't collapse.

I'll agree with Stever here. VCU should definitely be added.

[Hall2012]

If we really want to keep the balance why not just bite the bullet and invite VCU? They clearly are a program that can grow into a successful Big East program. I don't care that they are not private, they are a basketball school and one in a market we don't cover.

yeah there is no basketball reason at all whatsoever why they aren't in the Big East right now. And they've now answered the one major thing everyone threw at them with Shaka gone they didn't collapse.

I'd still hold off on saying that. Yes, they had a very nice year under Will Wade, but he had Shaka Smart's players and he runs the same system so there was little to no adjustment. Let's wait and see if he can keep this team towards the top of the A10 for a few years. Also, where will they be if they lose Wade? Between this season and the 2 he had a Chattanooga, he has attracted some high major attention.

[RetireFiftyTu]

Not exactly related to Big East expansion, but Wichita St, Dayton, St. Louis, St. Joe's, Richmond, George Washington, VCU, Davidson, Valpo, and Belmont should form their own conference. Basically the schools from the A-10 that are typically toward the top along with a few other quality mid-majors. I know this isn't going to happen for a multitude of reasons, but it would be extremely beneficial for these teams to do this. This league would probably be the best league outside the Power 5 and the Big East. Could occasionally be better than a Power 5 league. Would be a multi-bid league almost every year. Also would give teams like Wichita St, Valpo, and Belmont the opportunity to get an at-large bid every year. In the MVC, Horizon League, and OVC it's very difficult to get an at-large bid.

[UD Flyer Fanatic]

Not exactly related to Big East expansion, but Wichita St, Dayton, St. Louis, St. Joe's, Richmond, George Washington, VCU, Davidson, Valpo, and Belmont should form their own conference. Basically the schools from the A-10 that are typically toward the top along with a few other quality mid-majors. I know this isn't going to happen for a multitude of reasons, but it would be extremely beneficial for these teams to do this. This league would probably be the best league outside the Power 5 and the Big East. Could occasionally be better than a Power 5 league. Would be a multi-bid league almost every year. Also would give teams like Wichita St, Valpo, and Belmont the opportunity to get an at-large bid every year. In the MVC, Horizon League, and OVC it's very difficult to get an at-large bid.

Love the idea from a Flyer POV. The A10 bottom feeders will never muster the resources to satisfy. The BE seems quite happy with the status quo (and who can blame you) and to have an option that means not standing in the singles bar waiting for someone to ask you to dance is fine with me. And frankly it would put the BE on edge a bit knowing that they couldn't just saunter in and poach the best of the A10 at any time of their choosing. Love yourleague and schools- but there is something a little satisfying about that.

[stever20]

2 big issues with this:
1- tourney units.
Wichita- still has 1 from 2012, 5 from 13, 2 from 14, 3 from 15, 3 from 16
Dayton- still has 4 from 2014, 3 from 2015, 1 from 2016
St Louis- still has 2 from 2012, 2 from 13, 2 from 14
St Joe's- has 1 from 2014, 2 from 16
Richmond- has 3 from 2011
GW- has 1 from 14
VCU- has 2 from 13, 1 from 14, 1 from 15, 2 from 16(just from A10)
Davidson- has 1 from 2015(just from A10)
Valpo- has 1 from 13, 1 from 15
Belmont- has 1 from 13, 1 from 15(just from OVC).

2- auto bid into NCAA tourney. This would be a new league. So would take I think it's now 8 years to get a bid.

[Gopher+RamFan]

If we really want to keep the balance why not just bite the bullet and invite VCU? They clearly are a program that can grow into a successful Big East program. I don't care that they are not private, they are a basketball school and one in a market we don't cover.

yeah there is no basketball reason at all whatsoever why they aren't in the Big East right now. And they've now answered the one major thing everyone threw at them with Shaka gone they didn't collapse.

I'd still hold off on saying that. Yes, they had a very nice year under Will Wade, but he had Shaka Smart's players and he runs the same system so there was little to no adjustment. Let's wait and see if he can keep this team towards the top of the A10 for a few years. Also, where will they be if they lose Wade? Between this season and the 2 he had a Chattanooga, he has attracted some high major attention.

Will Wade fundamentally changed the system. Understandable that people who don't watch many VCU games think it might be the same, as the announcers still go "havoc, havoc!". It is focused on half court defense, since Wade believes that the full court press can be beaten by good guards and passing teams. He is instituting a pro style offense, that's why he brought in transfers to fit that system (Korey Billbury, Mo Hamdy). Big men used to leave the program (Justin touyo, Antravarious Simmons - who both played in the NCAA tournament this year), but Will is recruiting and bringing them back in.

VCU's offensive efficiency is the best it's been since 2013 (the same year Wade left the program to coach Chattanooga). One of Shakas most glaring problems was his offense and it is noticeable. I'm sure Nova fans remember last year in Brooklyn seeing their team crush the press and VCU having no answer and settling for threes. This year there was no reliance on the 3 ball, more inside out game and better offensive sets in the half court.

These reasons are why VCU finished at the top of the A10 regular season for the first time, and advanced to the championship game (which they have for the past 7 years). Shaka still hasn't won a regular season title (I'm not saying we've upgraded, but just wanted to highlight the vast differences in accomplishments).

Even though some of the players are still Shakas (7 the other 4 players Will brought in) - of those 7 players Will Wade was the lead recruiter for all except the Sophomore class, as he had left for Chattanooga. That's part of the reason he was hired, since he had a great familiarity with the current players and to make sure we didn't miss a beat this year.

So the questions already have arisen.... "And what will they do if they lose Will Wade?"

Will posters on this board keep moving the goalposts in regards to this? Before it was "wait until Shaka leaves" now it's Wade? Weve hired Capel III, Anthony Grant, Shaka Smart and Will Wade in succession. I firmly believe that we have great University and Athletic leadership that has put our program in a position to succeed. I hope we keep Wade a long time, he has roots in the area from being an assistant here for years. He is a Clemson graduate and from Tennessee - I'm sure he'll leave one day. I'm also sure he'll leave VCU in a great position moving forward, just like the others have.

Sorry for the novel length response.

[UD Flyer Fanatic]

Hey Ram Fan, don't cut to the front of the stag line. Maybe we should double date!

[aughnanure]

So the questions already have arisen.... "And what will they do if they lose Will Wade?"

Will posters on this board keep moving the goalposts in regards to this? Before it was "wait until Shaka leaves" now it's Wade? Weve hired Capel III, Anthony Grant, Shaka Smart and Will Wade in succession. I firmly believe that we have great University and Athletic leadership that has put our program in a position to succeed. I hope we keep Wade a long time, he has roots in the area from being an assistant here for years. He is a Clemson graduate and from Tennessee - I'm sure he'll leave one day. I'm also sure he'll leave VCU in a great position moving forward, just like the others have.

Sorry for the novel length response.

Where are people saying that? I think it's more...Wade has been there for 1 year, no one is fawning over him yet. Just like how Gard at Wisconsin will have to prove if he can keep Wisconsin going. Regardless, VCU's obstacles to BE inclusion go beyond trusting that the program will not become DePaul 2.0 or something. I don't think that's the big worry.