AMDG: Jesuit Schools Land 8 Seeds in NCAA Tourney

[Avenue Commons]

Out of a 68 team field, Jesuit colleges/universities placed 8 teams in the tournament. Xavier, Saint Louis, Marquette, Gonzaga, Loyola (MD), Creighton, Georgetown and Detroit-Mercy all made the tournament.

In addition, fellow Catholic colleges/universities in St. Mary's, Iona, Notre Dame and St. Bonaventure are in the tournament. Overall, there are 12 Catholic colleges/universities in the tournament. That's almost 1 out of every 5 teams in the tournament.

[mileskishnish72]

And Presbyterian got no bid, despite their quality win.

[Avenue Commons]

As an aside, when you consider that Villanova had a down year and a resurgent Seton Hall landed just outside the bubble, there is reason for hope of a successful "Catholic Conference" if football forces the break up of the current landscape. The league could be made up of Catholic teams east of the Mississippi (Notre Dame, DePaul, Marquette, St. Louis, Dayton, Xavier, Villanova, Seton Hall, Georgetown) and maybe Creighton as well. Split it into two divisions "Midwest" and "East Coast." I know its not a new idea, just "thinking out loud."  

[AZWarrior]

Its a Catholic Conspiracy!  The stuff of novels, I tell you!!  

[warriorchick]

It's a little-known fact that St. Ignatius was a huge hoops fan.

[77ncaachamps]

West Coast and Mountain West isn't so deep and talent rich.

Gonzaga
Seattle
Portland
San Francisco
St. Mary's
Santa Clara
Loyola Marymount
San Diego
Creighton
... That's it?!?

[Avenue Commons]

As an aside, when you consider that Villanova had a down year and a resurgent Seton Hall landed just outside the bubble, there is reason for hope of a successful "Catholic Conference" if football forces the break up of the current landscape. The league could be made up of Catholic teams east of the Mississippi (Notre Dame, DePaul, Marquette, St. Louis, Dayton, Xavier, Villanova, Seton Hall, Georgetown) and maybe Creighton as well. Split it into two divisions "Midwest" and "East Coast." I know its not a new idea, just "thinking out loud."  

I forgot St. Johns.

And yes, I know SLU is west of Mississippi. I'll save someone the snarky post.

[hairy worthen]

Out of a 68 team field, Jesuit colleges/universities placed 8 teams in the tournament. Xavier, Saint Louis, Marquette, Gonzaga, Loyola (MD), Creighton, Georgetown and Detroit-Mercy all made the tournament.

In addition, fellow Catholic colleges/universities in St. Mary's, Iona, Notre Dame and St. Bonaventure are in the tournament. Overall, there are 12 Catholic colleges/universities in the tournament. That's almost 1 out of every 5 teams in the tournament.

shhh, the couch burners will catch on to the conspiracy

[AZWarrior]

This is going to be mentioned in Dan Browns' next book.   

[buckchuckler]

It's a little-known fact that St. Ignatius was a huge hoops fan.

Not just a fan, Dude could ball.

[muwarrior69]

Out of a 68 team field, Jesuit colleges/universities placed 8 teams in the tournament. Xavier, Saint Louis, Marquette, Gonzaga, Loyola (MD), Creighton, Georgetown and Detroit-Mercy all made the tournament.

In addition, fellow Catholic colleges/universities in St. Mary's, Iona, Notre Dame and St. Bonaventure are in the tournament. Overall, there are 12 Catholic colleges/universities in the tournament. That's almost 1 out of every 5 teams in the tournament.

I think Detroit will surprise some people. They're pretty good.

[brewcity77]

I think Detroit will surprise some people. They're pretty good.

Not saying it isn't possible, I think that there's a better than usual chance of a 15/2 upset this year, but being in the 15-slot isn't usually a good place to surprise anyone.

[Aughnanure]

West Coast and Mountain West isn't so deep and talent rich.

Gonzaga
Seattle
Portland
San Francisco
St. Mary's
Santa Clara
Loyola Marymount
San Diego
Creighton
... That's it?!?

Umm Creighton's in Omaha.

[Coleman]

As an aside, when you consider that Villanova had a down year and a resurgent Seton Hall landed just outside the bubble, there is reason for hope of a successful "Catholic Conference" if football forces the break up of the current landscape. The league could be made up of Catholic teams east of the Mississippi (Notre Dame, DePaul, Marquette, St. Louis, Dayton, Xavier, Villanova, Seton Hall, Georgetown) and maybe Creighton as well. Split it into two divisions "Midwest" and "East Coast." I know its not a new idea, just "thinking out loud."  

If you really wanna go that route...there's also St. Joe's, St. John's, Providence, LaSalle, Fordham, St. Bonaventure, Sacred Heart....lots to pick and choose from in the A-10 and Big East

The teams you listed plus the teams I listed would get us to 16. Perfect Catholic bball conference IMHO. Would have 6 NCAA teams this year. 7 if you include Creighton

[MU86NC]

Not just a fan, Dude could ball.

and dunk...

[Warriors 79]

The Jesuits:  "A teaching order of priests found at universities with really good basketball teams."

You mean that's NOT the official definition?

[AZWarrior]

Father Marquette did in fact carry a basketball with him when he and Joliet were exploring the North American wilderness.  Fact - I've seen the T-shirt.

BTW - if anyone feels like re-creating the T-shirt, I will absolutely buy one!

[dearest friend]

I got a kick out of this. A Jesuit shares the connections between March Madness and Easter.

http://thejesuitpost.org/site/2012/03/march-madness/

[mu72warrior]

and not a one named "Jumpin' Jesuits!"

[lurch91]

Only thing that would suck about this conference would be the TV contract.  Besides Notre Dame, Catholic schools just don't have the following/alumni/interest of the average American to make the broadcasters to care too much about broadcasting the games.

And yes, St. Ignatius had game.

[Coleman]

No doubt, this would be a major drop in revenue from the Big East as we know it. Although I think ND, MU, St. Johns, Georgetown, Xavier, and a couple others command pretty good alumni following.

But yes, some of the other programs would definitely be a step down in media attention and alumni engagement.

Would still be a pretty good basketball product though.

[AZWarrior]

and not a one named "Jumpin' Jesuits!"

That was my recommendation at the time of the name change.  I even wrote a letter to the prez of MU - who forwarded it to Cords, who actually took the time to write back.  Although he was NOT AMUSED".