If you supported Larry Williams previously, how can you now??

[Aughnanure]

Might be cool to actually try to wrap your head around Larry's logic...floating the Gonzaga model, dissing the A-10, tout 2 A-10 teams that left their small pond/big fish arrangement....

Why mention the Gonzaga model then?  What's the point?  There is nothing about that model that has any merit/leadership/vision....MU has worked hard to go from MCC, to Great Midwest to Conference USA to Big East...and this guy EVEN FLOATS the idea of going backward as a possible scenario??

Shut up shut up, you can be president just shut up!

[JD]

I'm inclined to agree with Ners, i don't think it was a wise move by LW to even suggest MU is above the A-10 conference or wouldn't go there.  Yes i know "listen to the convo" but if you read the article (the one chicos posted) that can be construed as MU is too good for the A-10 conference, so F*** them.  

I see what Ners is saying, not everybody is going to listen to the audio.  

[MerrittsMustache]

Still waiting for someone to explain Larry's all over the place comments on the matter.  Would you be willing?
Maybe Guns?  PTM?  Reinko?  Any of my other haters here....please, just lay out a logical explanation for Larry's all over the place, contradictory comments of the last 24 hours:

1)MU could consider the Gonzaga model - big fish in small pond
2)Watered down Big East is better than current A-10
3)Yet there are 2 very good teams in the A-10 that are not Catholic schools - Butler and VCU - so not just restrictive to Catholic only schools
4)Butler and VCU just left the Big Fish in small pond model
5)Today, word comes out that Gonzaga wants to be a part of the C7, A-10, or whatever shakes out after all of this is done - yet another school who doesn't want to be a big fish in a small pond.

Please for the life of me, help me understand how you defend our A.D...when he makes such dense comments?  

"That may mean we're in another association where you use the Gonzaga model where you're the biggest, baddest dog in the shallow pond, think I got my analogies screwed up there, but you get the point."

Just to reiterate, he didn't say that the "Gonzaga model" is ideal or that he's pushing for the "Gonzaga model." He said that with all the conference realignment, Marquette may end up in a situation like that but, regardless, he wants to ensure that MU basketball keeps its elite standard.

[Logi4three]

Sounds like he is floating a new league made up of the Catholic 7 plus Butler and VCU as a viable alternative to movement to A-10 or staying in Big East.  Could just be posturing for better leverage in negotiations with either of those leagues or could be seriously floating such a new conference.  Either way, his comments do not bother me at this early stage in the game.

[ChicosBailBonds]

I'm inclined to agree with Ners, i don't think it was a wise move by LW to even suggest MU is above the A-10 conference or wouldn't go there.  Yes i know "listen to the convo" but if you read the article (the one chicos posted) that can be construed as MU is too good for the A-10 conference, so F*** them.  

I see what Ners is saying, not everybody is going to listen to the audio.  

MU IS ABOVE the A-10.  The idea has already been shot down.  Read the article, it IS NOT HAPPENING.  The sooner we get the silliness out of our heads about a 21 team league the better.  IT IS NOT HAPPENING.  Some A-10 schools are worth it, merging the Big East with the A-10 is not happening today, tomorrow, ever if the C7 are driving this.  There is no there there and that's all that LW is saying as well as others.  McNamara clearly stated that as well.  It's a preposterous idea, much more preposterous than the Gonzaga model.

Talk about diluting the value of our program, let's lump ourselves in with 20 other schools in which many of them are mid major programs if we're lucky.  That's not what G'Town, Nova, MU and others are going to do.  If it takes blunt talk (though I would argue LW was more than diplomatic) to state that and get it through everyone's head, then that's what it takes.  End that silly 21 team speculation right now. 

[Dr. Blackheart]

I have to wonder if making this meeting public was a bit of a power move. Certainly these guys have been talking for months if not years about this. Having a "public meeting" might motivate some schools outside of the Catholic 7 to declare their intentions and loyalty.

Well I have seen similar comments from the other schools...none of them supporting the hybrid BE...in fact, chipping away at it. These schools have clearly made a decision to split if they are going so public. No comments about staying and supporting the current model from any of them...just about the new. I still think you can use the leverage of leaving internally and keep this out of the press for future media dealings. They clearly have stepped over the line in the sand.

As to playing to the school alums...this has only caused more of a firestorm of questions. Don't see it placating anyone.

[Goose]

LW was hired to do a job and it appears he is woking on the conference moving forward. While I have little firm opinion of LW, I have zero problem with what he said or how he said it. We are better than A-10 and LW has deliver a conference that reflects us being better. If we end up in top tier conference than LW and Fr. P get kudo's....if they are big fish in small pond I will be very disappointed.

[JD]

MU IS ABOVE the A-10.  The idea has already been shot down.  Read the article, it IS NOT HAPPENING.  The sooner we get the silliness out of our heads about a 21 team league the better.  IT IS NOT HAPPENING.  Some A-10 schools are worth it, merging the Big East with the A-10 is not happening today, tomorrow, ever if the C7 are driving this.  There is no there there and that's all that LW is saying as well as others.  McNamara clearly stated that as well.  It's a preposterous idea, much more preposterous than the Gonzaga model.

Talk about diluting the value of our program, let's lump ourselves in with 20 other schools in which many of them are mid major programs if we're lucky.  That's not what G'Town, Nova, MU and others are going to do.  If it takes blunt talk (though I would argue LW was more than diplomatic) to state that and get it through everyone's head, then that's what it takes.  End that silly 21 team speculation right now. 

Hmmm... When did i say ANYTHING about all 7 schools going to the A-10?  Don't think i did chief.  I was taught never to burn bridges, I'm not saying LW did, however I've also heard that the A-10 might reach out to De Paul and MU since it makes sense.  

Yes we all know MU is above the A-10, but if Georgetown leaves and somehow gets into the ACC, wouldn't it be great to have a contingency plan?  

[Goose]

The wild card in the whole thing is Georgetown and possibly St. John's. I have sneaky feeling that Georgetown is thinking bigger and keeping all options on the table. I would be joined at the hip with Georgetown until this all shakes out. In today's world I would not trust anyone.

[GGGG]

Well I have seen similar comments from the other schools...none of them supporting the hybrid BE...in fact, chipping away at it. These schools have clearly made a decision to split if they are going so public. No comments about staying and supporting the current model from any of them...just about the new. I still think you can use the leverage of leaving internally and keep this out of the press for future media dealings. They clearly have stepped over the line in the sand.

As to playing to the school alums...this has only caused more of a firestorm of questions. Don't see it placating anyone.

Well, it is leading to entertaining threads on discussion boards.

But seriously, I find it reassuring that they are looking at all options.  I assume that most others would feel the same way.  (Except Nova-Ners and Hoya-Ners of course.)

[bilsu]

The reality is that you are in a small pond, if you are not in a BCS football conference.

[Benny B]

The reality is that you are in a small pond, if you are not in a BCS football conference.

If the "big pond" is Onondaga Lake or the Cuyahoga River, perhaps MU is better off in the small pond.  At least it's stable.

[lab_warrior]

Thanks for providing context, Sultan and Guns. Always helpful, though most folks just like to grab onto a word or a sentence and beat the you-know-what out of it.

Charming that someone thinks this thread is a "debate."

It's kind of a nice throwback-- a peek, again, into Ners' special Bizarro MUScoop.  Lots of straw men, ad hominems, and general screeching without any and/or massively cherry picked quotes/evidence.

[ZiggysChestHair]

Still waiting for someone to explain Larry's all over the place comments on the matter.  Would you be willing?
Maybe Guns?  PTM?  Reinko?  Any of my other haters here....please, just lay out a logical explanation for Larry's all over the place, contradictory comments of the last 24 hours:

1)MU could consider the Gonzaga model - big fish in small pond
2)Watered down Big East is better than current A-10
3)Yet there are 2 very good teams in the A-10 that are not Catholic schools - Butler and VCU - so not just restrictive to Catholic only schools
4)Butler and VCU just left the Big Fish in small pond model
5)Today, word comes out that Gonzaga wants to be a part of the C7, A-10, or whatever shakes out after all of this is done - yet another school who doesn't want to be a big fish in a small pond.

Please for the life of me, help me understand how you defend our A.D...when he makes such dense comments?  

How about this for an explanation:  At this point of time, with a lot of unknowns, Marquette is considering ALL their possible options, and thus taking the time to evaluate where each might lead.  Through this, they will be prepared to make the best decision to keep Marquette at an elite level when the time is right. 

LW is not saying we are doing any of the above, but yes, we should be prepared for the possibility of each.

[MU82]

The wild card in the whole thing is Georgetown and possibly St. John's. I have sneaky feeling that Georgetown is thinking bigger and keeping all options on the table. I would be joined at the hip with Georgetown until this all shakes out. In today's world I would not trust anyone.

Except, obviously, Georgetown.

[Goose]

MU82

Agreed. Would not trust them and would be keeping closest eye on them.

[TJ]

and you harp on one sentence that you take out of context.

Isn't that kinda what Ners does?

[Rudy]

I listened to the comments live and then re-read them. I have no problem with what Larry Williams said or how he said it. It gave me good comfort to know that he holds our program in such high regard.

Bob

[NersEllenson]

At the end of the day...it was absolutely stupid to make comments about even considering the Gonzaga model...talk about not having a big vision for your program...that shouldn't even be in the discussion...publicly.

You don't act like a big shot, and a valued property, while simultaneously making statements that you could also potentially be a big fish in a small pond conference.  Its the ultimate hypocrisy.  How so many here refuse to acknowledge this is comical. 

Only way MU ends up in a small pond conference is if LW/Admin screw it up.  And no - I wouldn't consider the A-10 with the other C7 schools small pond...nor would I consider the C7 and adding Xavier, Butler, VCU in any kind of way small pond.  Small pond = Horizon.

Everyone agrees MU is/should be viewed as an elite program - why cheapen it with even broaching the small conference scenario??  Just another public relations mistake in Larry's world.

[Aughnanure]

MU IS ABOVE the A-10.  The idea has already been shot down.  Read the article, it IS NOT HAPPENING.  The sooner we get the silliness out of our heads about a 21 team league the better.  IT IS NOT HAPPENING.  Some A-10 schools are worth it, merging the Big East with the A-10 is not happening today, tomorrow, ever if the C7 are driving this.  There is no there there and that's all that LW is saying as well as others.  McNamara clearly stated that as well.  It's a preposterous idea, much more preposterous than the Gonzaga model.

Talk about diluting the value of our program, let's lump ourselves in with 20 other schools in which many of them are mid major programs if we're lucky.  That's not what G'Town, Nova, MU and others are going to do.  If it takes blunt talk (though I would argue LW was more than diplomatic) to state that and get it through everyone's head, then that's what it takes.  End that silly 21 team speculation right now.  

Preach Chicos

[TJ]

What the hell is everyone freaking out about? Geez, some of you are being ridiculous on a simple quote.

The Gonzaga model works if you're in Spokane Washington and don't play football. All he's saying is that "The world's not ending. We will value and support our basketball program to success no matter where we are or what happens in this conference clusterf*uck"

Relax ya'll.

Not everyone.  Just Ners.

[Aughnanure]

Not everyone.  Just Ners.

There were a few others that Guns and Sultan had to talk off the cliff, but they got there by listening to Ners.

[TJ]

There were a few others that Guns and Sultan had to talk off the cliff, but they got there by listening to Ners.

Do you think Ners listened to the interview yet?  I was laughing as I saw the link posted over and over again in this thread.

[lab_warrior]

There were a few others that Guns and Sultan had to talk off the cliff, but they got there by listening to Ners.

Every time Larry Williams says something, Ners turns into Frank Grimes. GRIMEY!

http://www.youtube.com/v/rOgS8gTATv8&fs=1&source=uds

[ATL MU Warrior]

Do I actually have to read any of this thread to confidently state that this is even dumber than the infamous "slap of five" thread started by the same poster?

thanks