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Post by GBPhoenix1 on Apr 12, 2012 18:20:03 GMT -6
I like the two division idea.
I like kicking out YSU as long term I just don't think they have the institutional commitment to winning in men's hoops.
I am not sure adding Oakland makes the league any closer to a two bid league. If you get several in the Oakland level I am sure that would go a long way towards making the league a consistent top 10 league. To get over the hump though I think the league needs to get a couple of A10/MVC/Belmont/Murray State type teams to inch closer to two bids on a regular basis.
Let's not forget that organic growth could happen in the league and a clear number two could arise. Just my general thoughts on the trends and possibilities of each league member: CSU is trending up in performance but might be close to their ceiling
YSU had a good year but is mostly trending to stay as a bottom feeder
Detroit has access to talent and is trending up. Yet I think a lack of facilities and a top coach will limit them
WSU has the facilities and the fan base although hasn't really been trending up. The right coach could win consistently here
Valpo has a little name brand and some success. Not sure about how high their ceiling is
UIC should be a number 2 but I see this program as a mess
LU despite a bad year has the facilities and the market. Could trend up
uwm is solid but I don't see Jeter getting over the hump
GB is trending up and has everything in place. I think they are going to be top tier with this team, the question is can they can keep bringing in the recruits long term to be the clear #2 in the league?
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Post by phearthephoenix on Apr 20, 2012 16:20:41 GMT -6
Latest update: Report: George Mason and VCU to Atlantic 10According to the New York Post's Lenn Robbins, George Mason and Virginia Commonwealth will join the Atlantic 10 on May 1. Robbins mentioned Butler was "probably" joining as well.
The Atlantic 10, which loses Temple to the Big East in 2013, further widens its eastern footprint with the additions of Mason and VCU. Butler would add a Midwestern component to go along with Saint Louis, Dayton, and Xavier.
It has been rumored several times that the aforementioned schools could potentially join arguably the nation's best non-Big Six basketball league.
George Mason and VCU have each made a Final Four appearance, and back-to-back national title appearances by Butler are certainly a strong indication of a quality program.
Stay tuned as this story develops Link
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Post by shooting the J on Apr 29, 2012 17:42:20 GMT -6
David Woods breaks down the financial challenges of the proposed Butler move.I understand Butlers desire to improve itself through its conference affiliation. however, the more I learn about this move the more I think they're rushing into a bad decision. The longer this drags on, the more I think Butler might be just using the A-10 to leverage a better deal with the Horizon League, or are trying to organize a new conference that would include the best mid-western mid-major programs now playing in the A-10, MVC, and Horizon I thought this part of the article was surprising: Broadcast rights money for all four schools studied was negligible. The A-10 gets more games on TV, but it looks like there not make any money on them. Slicing the pie so many more times doesn't help either.
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Post by phearthephoenix on May 1, 2012 12:23:47 GMT -6
More from David Woods: Atlantic 10 needs ButlerAnd from ESPN: Butler debating move to Atlantic 10Also, the CAA exodus continues with news today that Old Dominon will be joining Conference USA along with 5 other schools (including Charlotte from the A10). That makes 4 schools (potentially) leaving the CAA: Georgia State, Old Dominion, and most likely VCU and George Mason
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Post by gbbrl97 on May 1, 2012 21:38:43 GMT -6
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Post by shooting the J on May 2, 2012 6:18:42 GMT -6
Katz saying this kills the HL is idiodic. The HL will rank higher in its 1st year without Butler than it did this year, lead by Green Bay, Cleveland St, and Oakland. The HL will add a good program in Oakland that will improve with its HL affiliation.
The CAA has routinely finished just ahead of the HL in conference RPI rank, but that conference will be on life support. The CAA will become a conference focused on football. I wouldn't be surprised to see YSU join that league because of football. That would give the HL another chance to improve itself. The WAC has also finished ahead of the HL, and that conference is also falling apart.
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Post by stillaphoenixphan on May 2, 2012 9:01:28 GMT -6
Katz saying this kills the HL is idiodic. The HL will rank higher in its 1st year without Butler than it did this year, lead by Green Bay, Cleveland St, and Oakland. The HL will add a good program in Oakland that will improve with its HL affiliation. The CAA has routinely finished just ahead of the HL in conference RPI rank, but that conference will be on life support. The CAA will become a conference focused on football. I wouldn't be surprised to see YSU join that league because of football. That would give the HL another chance to improve itself. The WAC has also finished ahead of the HL, and that conference is also falling apart. Many good points. I too would look at this as a chance to improve the HL. Adding Oakland and another quality school if YSU leaves will improve our ratings. Like you said 2 conferences with higher ratings than the HL are falling apart, this is a chance for the the HL to move up as a mid/major.
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Post by phearthephoenix on May 2, 2012 12:30:57 GMT -6
I was listening in on the Commish conference call just now, a few tidbits:
- Process wont be decided by bloggers (probably a shot at blackpanther) - Baseball has a two year window to get another team before they lose their autobid - One school can veto an invitation to another school if it is within 25 miles (looks like Oakland is right around that 25 mile range from UDM), but the veto can be overridden with a unanimous vote from other members. - HL headquarters will remain in Indianapolis - Wont disclose the exit fee Butler will pay - All of Butler's NCAA tournament shares stay with the HL to be divided among current members - 5,000 capacity minimum is a rule, tho they are flexible and have given waivers. Commish even brought up GB possibly playing at the Kress as an example
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Post by shooting the J on May 3, 2012 7:06:38 GMT -6
Here's Rob Demovsky's article on Butler's departure and its impact on Green Bay's attendance. Good read, the numbers he presents are undeniable. The Butler game draws hue crowds and is the funnest game of the year. Green Bay always has a big group of prospective recruits in house for this game. However, I wonder if the attendance for that game skewed a bit by that game usually being the "free game" in 5 game ticket packages? Rob also presents the idea that this opens the door for someone to become the new Butler. Cleveland St., Green Bay, and Valpo appear the be best positioned for this. Green Bay's loaded squad should be heavily favored to win the Horizon League's 1st post-Butler championship. This article details the Oakland Grizzlies interest in joining the Horizon League.
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Post by shooting the J on May 3, 2012 7:19:03 GMT -6
Here's a link to the blog Grizzlies Den by Paul Kampe of the Oakland Press. His most recent entry includes audio of yesterday's Horizon League Conference Call. Grizzly fans want in to the Horizon badly.
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Post by phearthephoenix on May 3, 2012 9:52:32 GMT -6
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Post by phearthephoenix on May 10, 2012 8:59:24 GMT -6
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Post by phearthephoenix on May 29, 2012 14:51:12 GMT -6
David Woods tweets that Butler will be joining the A10 this season instead of of the 2013-2014 season. That makes me think we're going to play this season with only 9 teams in the conference
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Post by gbbrl97 on May 30, 2012 6:27:45 GMT -6
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Post by shooting the J on May 30, 2012 7:06:00 GMT -6
While I'll greatly miss the Butler games, this opens the door wide open for Green Bay to return to the Big Dance. The timing couldn't be better.
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