Profile of possible Catholic conference members

[icheights]

Baylor is a possibility too, IMO

[lurch91]

Detroit is a nice big market, but I can tell you after living in Detroit that 95% of the area's residents don't care about Detroit-Mercy.  The only school that matters to the Detroit media market is the University of Michigan.

I'd take Gonzaga over Detroit-Mercy, even with the travel.

[Pakuni]

I just find it hard to believe that perennial conference winners such as Butler or Gonzaga would see joining a water down Big East as a good idea. They do not need us and joining us could end up being a step back for them, if they do not win enough to get to NCAA tournament. I see Xavier as a possibility, but why should they leave a conference they are also having good success in?

If this logic were at work, most of this conference reshuffling wound't be happening. Nebraska, Utah, Texas A&M, etc., all were having "good success" in their respective former conferences, yet all jumpd at the opportunity to bail ... even though, in the latter two cases, it probably means fewer wins. Same with Pitt. That program had a decent shot at a BCS bowl every year in the Big East. In the ACC, they'll quickly be relegated to also rans.
None of this is about winning or on-field/on-court success. It's about money, mostly TV money. And for programs like Xavier, Butler, etc., there's a heck of a lot more TV money to be made in a conference with Villanova, Georgetown, St. John's  and Marquette, than there is with St. Bonaventure, LaSalle, Duquesne, Cleveland State, Youngstown State and Fordham.

[muwarrior69]

http://www.thenovablog.com/2011/9/19/2434449/acc-commissioner-john-swofford-villanova-acc

To me this is a long shot, but we are screwed even more if it happens.

Then we should apply for Big 10/12 whatever membership. How big is Northwestern compared to MU?

[Dish]

It has to be all basketball only (meaning no football) schools. You can't be put in a predicament of being in a conference with someone like Kansas, who will have one eye out the door from the get go.

I know they're not all Catholic, but I'm going with Catholic USA

My proposal: Four 4 team divisions (16 total teams)

West
Gonzaga
St. Mary's
(2 from Santa Clara, Pepperdine, Loyola Maramount, San Francisco)

Midwest
Marquette
DePaul
Butler
Creighton

Mideast
Villanova
St. Joe's
Dayton
Xavier

East
Georgetown
Providence
St. John's
Seton Hall

Schedule would be play division foes twice, everyone else once (18 game conf schedule). When going out west, teams from the east play both opponents on the same road trip (Thursday/Saturday schedule).

Get creative with the conference tourney. Have it some place exotic like Maui or St. Thomas (use it as a selling point to recruits).

[Hards Alumni]

Then we should apply for Big 10/12 whatever membership. How big is Northwestern compared to MU?

Size doesn't matter (ha!) but we don't really fit in.

As a side note, that article scared the pants off of me.

[JWags85]

Losing Villanova would be horrific.  A conference with Marquette, Nova, Gtown, and Xavier would have a hard time being considered mid major.  Thats 4 teams that more than likely will be top-25 year in and out.  Add SJU and Richmond who are both up and coming and potentially top 25 teams going forward and thats a strong base.  Thats not even considering Butler.  Its not the current BE, but its not the MCC or even old C-USA.

[muwarrior69]

Size doesn't matter (ha!) but we don't really fit in.

As a side note, that article scared the pants off of me.

If Nova is a fit for the ACC, then why are we not a fit for the Big 10? We certainly could compete in that conference and very well. Nothing ventured...

[Aughnanure]

It has to be all basketball only (meaning no football) schools. You can't be put in a predicament of being in a conference with someone like Kansas, who will have one eye out the door from the get go.

I know they're not all Catholic, but I'm going with Catholic USA

My proposal: Four 4 team divisions (16 total teams)

West
Gonzaga
St. Mary's
(2 from Santa Clara, Pepperdine, Loyola Maramount, San Francisco)

Midwest
Marquette
DePaul
Butler
Creighton

Mideast
Villanova
St. Joe's
Dayton
Xavier

East
Georgetown
Providence
St. John's
Seton Hall

Schedule would be play division foes twice, everyone else once (18 game conf schedule). When going out west, teams from the east play both opponents on the same road trip (Thursday/Saturday schedule).

Get creative with the conference tourney. Have it some place exotic like Maui or St. Thomas (use it as a selling point to recruits).

I like the conference tourney idea, but as long as the ACC doesn't steal the MSG's thunder -  I think sticking with that for as long as possible is the best option.

For your West division option, I wonder what opportunities schools like BYU, UNLV would have. St. Mary's should not be considered. San Francisco and Pepperdine have excellent all-around athletic programs though.

No way, you let St. Joe's in. Villanova doesnt want to share Philly. The only way we double-up on a market is through Xavier-Dayton and thats mainly because Dayton has proven they are a rabid and loyal fan base.

[Pakuni]

If Nova is a fit for the ACC, then why are we not a fit for the Big 10? We certainly could compete in that conference and very well. Nothing ventured...

Nova has a football program. Not one that today is ready to compete at a FBS level, but obviously much farther along than MU.
Why would the Big 1? want to add a non football member?

[Skatastrophy]

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/130122113.html

Catholic schools teleconference.  Discussing a possible Catholic conference?

[Guy Fieri's Dad]

I definitely think it's time to start thinking for ourselves. I've been fearing this for awhile, but didn't think it'd happen so soon. I really hope we can make a very, very inhospitable atmosphere when Pittsburgh visits in January. Regardless, I think either a 10-team or 12-team league is ideal. With 10, you get home-and-homes across the board and an 18-game schedule, with 12 you probably have 2 divisions for home-and-homes, games against everyone, and a 16-game schedule. The advantage is more media markets. So with markets in mind, here's my ideal 12-team conference:

EAST

St. John's (#1 New York)
Villanova (#4 Philadelphia)
Boston University (#7 Boston/Manchester)
Georgetown (#9 Washington DC)
Providence (#52 Providence/New Bedford)
Seton Hall (Reinforces NYC, Big East tradition)

WEST

DePaul (#3 Chicago)
Detroit-Mercy (#11 Detroit)
St. Louis (#21 St. Louis)
Xavier (#34 Cincinnati)
Marquette (#35 Milwaukee)
Notre Dame (#89 South Bend, but it is ND)

I realize there are a few non-traditional names on my list. First and foremost is Boston University. They've had some basketball success in the 2000s, but are more known for their hockey team. However, this is about market size. Without BC, we could really use a way to get back into a top-10 market. I considered UMass, who I think is much more desirable, but they are going D1 in football next year, so I left them out for the same reason I left Temple out (well, that and we already have the Philly market covered with 'Nova).

Next, I don't think anyone argues against Seton Hall or Notre Dame, but they don't exactly bring in major markets themselves. However, both are also current Big East teams and I don't want to leave anyone out in the cold like the football schools are doing to us. Guess I'd call it a conscience. In addition, SHU reinforces New York (since Newark pretty much shares the same media market) and Notre Dame reinforces Chicago as well as the state of Indiana. They'll be an added draw wherever our league is on television.

Detroit-Mercy may not be a popular pick, but they do bring a big television market. They have a coach and some players that are up-and-coming, and frankly, I weighed them against a school like Butler and they just make a little more sense. I know Butler is hot right now, but if Stevens leaves, what happens to them? They're just a weak sister, whereas UDM would seem to have more of a chance of surviving and thriving in this conference when you consider their media market.

Other schools I considered, and that would have to be considered if the league were larger (or if ND bolted to the Big Tweleven) were UMass, Duquesne, George Washington, Dayton, Butler, Cleveland State, Creighton, and Gonzaga. The reasons I left teams out were D1 football (UMass, Temple), overlapping TV markets (George Washington, Dayton), not enough long-term value (Butler, Cleveland State), and simple distance (Creighton, Gonzaga).

What you have there IS A LEAGUE NOBODY WOULD GIVE A CRAP ABOUT!

Did you watch the Marquette Boston game last night...No I was too busy pulling my toenails out.

[brewcity77]

What you have there IS A LEAGUE NOBODY WOULD GIVE A CRAP ABOUT!

Did you watch the Marquette Boston game last night...No I was too busy pulling my toenails out.

Oh yeah, maybe I should focus my efforts on convincing Marquette to start football.

[Guy Fieri's Dad]

Maybe you should.

[GGGG]

Is a Marquette / Boston game any worse than a Marquette / Rutgers game???  Nope.

[bilsu]

I did not realize that DePaul was that much bigger than us.

[Pakuni]

Is a Marquette / Boston game any worse than a Marquette / Rutgers game???  Nope.

Yep.
Rutgers is an improving program that's played in a major conference for two decades, averages 5,600 fans per game (not good, but I could name Big 1?, ACC and Pac-12 teams that draw worse) and even has a small history of NCAA success, i.e. the 1976 Final Four. Also gives MU an occasional presence in an area with lots of talented high school hoopsters.
Boston U. basketball isn't even the biggest winter sport on its campus - not even close -  plays in a low-major conference and averaged a whopping 979 fans per game last year.

[Aughnanure]

If we're trying to get Gonzaga and make a national conference...assuming BYU, Notre Dame stay Indy.

West
Gonzaga (Washington)
UNLV (Las Vegas)
BYU (Salt Lake City)
San Francisco (San Francisco)
Pepperdine (Southern California)

Plains
Memphis (Memphis)
Marquette (Milwaukee)
Wichita St (Wichita)
St. Louis (St. Louis)
Creighton (Omaha)

Midwest
Notre Dame (Everywhere)
Xavier (Cincinnati)
DePaul (Chicago)
Butler (Indianapolis)
Dayton (Dayton)

East
Georgetown (DC)
Villanova (Philadelphia)
St. John's (New York)
Providence (Providence)
Seton Hall (Newark)

[GGGG]

Yep.
Rutgers is an improving program that's played in a major conference for two decades, averages 5,600 fans per game (not good, but I could name Big 1?, ACC and Pac-12 teams that draw worse) and even has a small history of NCAA success, i.e. the 1976 Final Four. Also gives MU an occasional presence in an area with lots of talented high school hoopsters.
Boston U. basketball isn't even the biggest winter sport on its campus - not even close -  plays in a low-major conference and averaged a whopping 979 fans per game last year.

<yawn>  Rutgers has been an "improving program" for the last 20 years.

[MerrittsMustache]

I'd rather have a smaller, stronger conference than a watered-down, national conference.

Marquette
St. Louis
Notre Dame
Xavier
DePaul
Butler
Dayton
Georgetown
Villanova
St. John's
Providence
Seton Hall

[muhs03]

People have been calling Rutgers a 'sleeping giant' for the past 30 years. Clearly, this giant overdosed on Ambien. Plus, we wont know for awhile how the new BE will appeal to recruits. Recruiting wont get stronger but hopefully it stays the same. One could make a case that it drops a bit across the conference. If that's the case, Rutgers will be sleeping a lot longer.

[humanlung]

Rutgers 1976 = Jammin' James Bailey.  

And that's about it for that program.

[Aughnanure]

I'd rather have a smaller, stronger conference than a watered-down, national conference.

Marquette
St. Louis
Notre Dame
Xavier
DePaul
Butler
Dayton
Georgetown
Villanova
St. John's
Providence
Seton Hall

Agree but 12 is the absolute lowest we can go. That may force us getting used to seasons where less than 4 teams get an NCAA bid. If we go to 16 it may be 6-7, maybe 8 in a great year. Thats big, because it'll hard for fans to stay interested and believe if they have to be top 3-4 to get a chance at the NCCAs (which will be owned by GTown, St. John's, Nova and Marq).

I think going to 16 and splitting into 4 pods/divisions gives fans something to fight for, instead of seeing their name listed 8th out of 2 teams.

Also, being THE national basketball conference can be something to sell the league on. It'll be hard though if UNLV, UMass and Memphis look other places b/c of football.

[Pakuni]

<yawn>  Rutgers has been an "improving program" for the last 20 years.

Rutgers at their very worst is still a better conference opponent for MU than the mighty Terriers and their 979 fans.

[MerrittsMustache]

<yawn>  Rutgers has been an "improving program" for the last 20 years.

And it's been a better program than BU that entire time.