St. Thomas game on FS1

[The Sultan]

The path is not out of reach. But it is a LONG hike.

[TSmith34, Inc.]

They are in a one-bid league. They average 1,200 fans per game. They have won absolutely nothing.

So more than DePaul and Georgetown combined atm?

[Uncle Rico]

Good for St. Thomas.  Just because you set big goals doesn't mean you'll reach them, but good for them

[Jay Bee]

They're building a new baby arena for bball & hockey. Still tiny. They will be MM forever, but will be solid there

[Galway Eagle]

Dayton says hi

At least dayton has a legit history, not great compared to most Big East teams but still decent and large facilities with a large fan base and history with half the big east schools. They have an angle to sell themselves. St Thomas just has a media market. Their program in D3 was good by all means but hardly a D3 blue blood, if they came in with like 6 championships in the last decade I could see this mentality of "we know how to win and deserve a place with the big boys".

A Gonzaga esque ascendency is their only route. It worked for butler from 07-13 they went from barely relevant to invited to the A10 then Big East.

[Viper]

Keep investing in the program, hire the right coach, and keep some of the local talent in town. Mix in some good NIL mula.

Not saying it will happen, but that path is not out of reach.

MU playing in MSP once a year would be a very good thing for them...on a lot of levels.

the Badgers have a fence around MSP

[wadesworld]

the Badgers have a fence around MSP

And your mind.

[Badgerhater]

the Badgers have a fence around MSP

That is because the Gophers suck.  MU has also done okay in MN.

[TSmith34, Inc.]

At least dayton has a legit history, not great compared to most Big East teams but still decent and large facilities with a large fan base and history with half the big east schools. They have an angle to sell themselves. St Thomas just has a media market. Their program in D3 was good by all means but hardly a D3 blue blood, if they came in with like 6 championships in the last decade I could see this mentality of "we know how to win and deserve a place with the big boys".

A Gonzaga esque ascendency is their only route. It worked for butler from 07-13 they went from barely relevant to invited to the A10 then Big East.

Oh, I agree, it was more a reach back to Flyer18 or whatever that guy's name was that waxed on and on about how Marquette would be begging to join the A10.

[The Lens]

I'm happy to admit the Tommies (with the Zags) as long it keeps Dayton & SLU from getting any where near our conference.

ABD.

[🏀]

I'm happy to admit the Tommies (with the Zags) as long it keeps Dayton & SLU from getting any where near our conference.

ABD.

Amen, brother.

[warriorfred]

Weird that I am an Alum of both schools (undergrad Marquette). 

There is a relatively large and moneyed alumni base at St. Thomas.  It is a very good school with excellent facilities and probably a nicer campus than Marquette.

That being said, it is a small school in a market dominated by the University of Minnesota.  When I moved to St. Paul, people said, " I go to the "U"," or "I went to the "U"."

I would naively ask, "which "U"?"  This seemed to offend people.

The University of Minnesota is the be all, and end all, of higher education in Minnesota.

Yes, on paper, the Twin Cities sounds like a nice market for the Big East, but no one cares about anything other than the University of Minnesota.  Honestly, in Minneapolis and St. Paul, and the out state areas, pro sports probably come in second to the "U."

As much as I feel bad for my school, it will always be a distant, barely visible second place.

The Big East can do better when the ACC implodes.

[MattyWarrior]

They could replace the Blue Demons

[Jay Bee]

It is a very good school with excellent facilities and probably a nicer campus than Marquette.

Lol. No

[tower912]

My dad called me today to warn me about St. Thomas.  He watched them beat WMU In Kzoo and was impressed with their speed and efficiency.   I told him thanks.

[Herman Cain]

College Basketball needs strong mid major teams. That is part of the charm of The Big Dance.  So I believe it is fantastic that the Tommie Alumni base is solidly behind their D1 efforts.

It will take the Tommies many years to move up to the upper ranks in The Summit League. If they are eventually able to do that consisttntly , then record an upset or two in The Post season, they may be able to move up to The Missouri Valley.

[warriorfred]

Lol. No

The buildings at St. Thomas actually match and present a coherent campus.  Lalumiere Hall, by itself, disqualifies Marquette from having a "pretty campus."

[Badgerhater]

They did beat Chicago State tonight so they are a functional basketball team.

Looking at their schedule, with progress they could probably land in the Horizon League....but the Summit League equals easier travel to most of those schools.

Agree 100 percent that The U is the be all end all for non-hockey college sports in MN.

[The Sultan]

They did beat Chicago State tonight so they are a functional basketball team.

Looking at their schedule, with progress they could probably land in the Horizon League....but the Summit League equals easier travel to most of those schools.

Agree 100 percent that The U is the be all end all for non-hockey college sports in MN.

My guess is they'd target the Missouri Valley next.  Not sure the Horizon is much of a step up these days.

[Badgerhater]

The buildings at St. Thomas actually match and present a coherent campus.  Lalumiere Hall, by itself, disqualifies Marquette from having a "pretty campus."

Every campus needs an ugly Brutalist-style relic to remind college leadership to never make that mistake again.

[Badgerhater]

My guess is they'd target the Missouri Valley next.  Not sure the Horizon is much of a step up these days.

The Dakota schools will jump to the MVC when they get the chance.

[warriorfred]

Every campus needs an ugly Brutalist-style relic to remind college leadership to never make that mistake again.

Amen.

[PointWarrior]

DePaul will win the Big East season championship before St Thomas is added to the Big East. 

[warriorfred]

DePaul will win the  Big East season championship before St Thomas is added  to the Big East.

I cannot disagree with the wisdom contained herein.

[TallTitan34]

DePaul has 66 Big East wins in 18 seasons.

Shaka has 28 Big East wins in 2 seasons.