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The more I think about it, VCU should be the 12th team. Having watched them all year they are without a doubt the real deal. Not only are they gaining in star power, mainly Shaka Smart and "HAVOC" their team is damn good. You don't beat Butler by 30 points for nothing. Call me crazy but they might be the best team out of all the possible additions. Point being, VCU isn't going anywhere and will be in the tournament probably every year for a long time. Why wouldn't you take them?

I don't want to start a flame war. But VCU has 7 NCAA wins in the past 5 years. Obviously it is inflated because they are just recently a power, but why would you pass on adding a team that would be a yearly contender the Conference title vs another bottom dweller in Dayton or Richmond. Don't take offense to this Richmond and Dayton, its just the facts.

I understand them being a public school is an issue, I am going to call BS on that one. Its all about basketball, VCU is the best (possibly better than Xavier and Butler) and why wouldn't their location be an advantage similar to Richmond?

Its just my opinion, but passing on VCU would be a bad mistake, definitely when the conference is already bottom heavy. By tiers (in NCAA tournament success, which is my only metric):
1. Georgetown, Marquette
2. Butler, Xavier
3. The rest.

Don't want to flame, but when comparing programs among passionate fans it seems impossible not too. Simply put, ADD VCU!

This has been argued for months and you raise a completely valid point, like so many have before you... But it's not just about the current success of the basketball program. There's a lot that the AD's and Presidents are looking at when considering the schools they're going to add. Honestly, I just don't see VCU having shot, especially as of late. They haven't been mentioned in weeks and are falling more and more out of the discussion.

What effect would it have if VCU or SLU have a final-4 run?

No offense taken, but please don't call Richmond a "bottom dweller" in the A-10. Entering this year, only Xavier and Temple had more A-10 wins than Richmond in the past 5 seasons. Richmond made it to back-to-back A-10 title games in 2010 and 2011 and made the Sweet Sixteen in 2011.

XU85 wrote:What effect would it have if VCU or SLU have a final-4 run?

0 for VCU and probably 0 for Slu... I'm a slu backer and i think we have a real good chance of going deep this year. However i think the decisions, what ever they may be have already been made.

DudeAnon wrote: Don't take offense to this Richmond and Dayton, its just the facts.

I take offense and it is not a fact - just someone with gasoline looking for a fire. Go away - VCU = ZERO chance of getting in the new Big East. At this point all indications are it is between Dayton/Richmond for that 12th spot - if there is even a 12th spot.

VCU does not, as stated within this post, have any opportunity to join. The school just does not fit the profile---private, size, or background. I submit with the "reserve 16 games for next year" that the President's are looking at 12 scholls---yet regional balanced would be a thought----6 in the EAST and 6 in the MIDWEST. That leads to more suggestions of Richmond; less than 80 miles from DC; private, good standards, similar to all the members.

Then have a 6 team EAST (GU,P,SH, SJ,V, AND RICHMOND) == 6 PLAY EACH OTHER TWICE FOR 10 GAMES AND THE OTHER SIX ONCE FOR 6 GAMES; A 16 GAME SEASON. ONLY 3 LONG TRIPS AND KEEPS ALL OTHER SPORTS IN THE SAME REGIONAL FOREMAT. IT ALSO ALLOWS OF THE EAST/MIDWEST BALANCE THAT HAS BEEN MENTIONED. Dayton would be out ; the tv market almost overlaps with Xaiver's tv market.

12 team private school leauge with EAST/MIdwest balance makes sence---maybe a reach yet has many pluses to it.

If they do go to the East/Midwest divisions, what an advantage it would be to be in the East (at least in terms of conference record), unless of course St. John's and Providence really comes on. Of course that also means more opportunities to get quality wins if you're playing in the Midwest, but it also depends if Saint Louis can continue to get high level players to come in and replace the guys they currently have (which will depend on their coaching decision).

Marquette
Butler
Xavier
Saint Louis
DePaul
Creighton

Georgetown
Villanova
Providence
St. John's
Seton Hall
Richmond

I love how everyone has counted Dayton out already. BTW their TV market is one of the best country. I believe it will be dayton and stl for 11 and 12 spot but I can see the conference even adding more teams like Richmond down the road

augkash wrote:I love how everyone has counted Dayton out already. BTW their TV market is one of the best country. I believe it will be dayton and stl for 11 and 12 spot but I can see the conference even adding more teams like Richmond down the road

Maybe cause no one wants Dayton?