VCU to the A10

[JimmyTwoTimes37]

2013

Brett McMurphy ‏ @McMurphyCBS
VCU joining Atlantic 10 in 2013, sources told @CBSSports http://cbsprt.co/KlGOFB

[xudash]

Didn't see that one coming.

[blueblob06]

Wow. Nice, back to 14 teams again.

[bleedXblue]

SWEET !

Welcome Shaka and crew !

[GuyFawkes38]

Part of me feels bad for the CAA and its remaining teams. It's a real conference with like-minded schools with great academics that have performed well on the court for the past 10 years.

But definitely good for the A10.

[X-man]

CBS Sports is reporting that VCU will join the league in 2013. Here is the link: http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/blog/brett-mcmurphy/19042989/vcu-joining-atlantic-10-in-2013. I am liking the league more each day!

[PMI]

Great news. VCU is a fantastic addition to the conference. Butler and VCU > Temple and Charlotte.

[DC Muskie]

This will end any talk of us joining whatever basketball schools in the BE figure out what they are doing right?

Sorry if I laugh while writing this.

Good move by us. Butler and VCU is really great.

[GoMuskies]

This will end any talk of us joining whatever basketball schools in the BE figure out what they are doing right?


[Insert witty reply here, the gist of which is "Absolutely not."]

[GrimeTime]

Nice... I do like that!

Butler and VCU will be a welcome addition to the A10 I think... 100 miles from Washington DC would make a nice two-game road trip against GW and VCU, and 100 miles to Indy for a near-to-home trip against Butler.

[boozehound]

Not a bad pick up, at all. Should be a significant upgrade from Charlotte in a somewhat similar geographic area (Mid-Atlantic).

[Xpectations]

Butler + VCU > Temple + Charlotte

[GoMuskies]

Anyone else worried these moves are reactive rather than proactive? None of our teams have made the Final Four since 1996 (if you can even count that now), so we grab two of the mid-majors who've been in the meantime (and apparently tried to grab the third one)? Butler and VCU have had pretty decent programs even if you take out the Final Fours, so I'm not overly concerned about adding them, but I'm not sure either is the grand slam we'd like it to be. It makes for a nice PR splash for the conference, though.

[waggy]

Go, while the A10 conference is much better than both the Horizon or Colonial in terms of strength/depth; financially it wouldn't appear to be much of a step up at all for either program. I think these additions were made, and the both programs coming in agree, that this particular line up is marketable for media rights.

[DC Muskie]

How does Richmond feel about another Richmond team in the A-10? Obviously that didn't matter. It would be interesting to learn their point of view of this.

[X-band '01]

I'm pretty sure VCU is a public university; they'll have a bigger enrollment and alumni fanbase that gives the A-10 a bigger reach into the Richmond market. Fans from both Richmond and VCU on the A-10 boards seem to agree that the Richmond media has given VCU more coverage in recent years due to the Rams' sustained success.

My feeling is that the A-10 felt VCU was in a better position to compete long-term than George Mason was. From a financial standpoint, I also believe this is the last season in which CAA teams will get the benefit of their 2006 Final 4 run in terms of NCAA payouts. In that regard, VCU should be getting a bigger piece of the pie from the A-10 units than they would from just their own units (and the CAA) in future seasons.

Now that it appears official, welcome to the A-10 VCU!

[Muskie]

Now I have to find a VCU logo...

[Hudson]

Anyone else worried these moves are reactive rather than proactive? None of our teams have made the Final Four since 1996 (if you can even count that now), so we grab two of the mid-majors who've been in the meantime (and apparently tried to grab the third one)? Butler and VCU have had pretty decent programs even if you take out the Final Fours, so I'm not overly concerned about adding them, but I'm not sure either is the grand slam we'd like it to be. It makes for a nice PR splash for the conference, though.

What programs would be a grand slam? To me Butler and VCU are complete grand slams. They will both be able to challenge X for the Conference title every year, and the A10 tournament just got a whole lot more interesting. All analysts are saying the A10 is the big winner in realignment, and that it's a scary hoops conference, and I completely agree. Because for the first time in a long time as an X fan I will be scared of our conference schedule, not just our non-conference schedule.

Now if we could just dump Fordham on the MAAC.

[Charlesbt4]

With the implosion of the Big East and the recent additions to the Atlantic 10, Temple University has to be questioning their decision to leave the conference, even though I know it was done with football in mind.

[X-band '01]

What programs would be a grand slam? To me Butler and VCU are complete grand slams. They will both be able to challenge X for the Conference title every year, and the A10 tournament just got a whole lot more interesting. All analysts are saying the A10 is the big winner in realignment, and that it's a scary hoops conference, and I completely agree. Because for the first time in a long time as an X fan I will be scared of our conference schedule, not just our non-conference schedule.

Now if we could just dump Fordham on the MAAC.

I'm not sure I completely buy that line. Xavier never played Temple twice, and there were occasional years in which Charlotte wound up on the schedule twice.

There will be years when Xavier plays Butler twice but I don't think it will happen every season like Dayton. VCU isn't likely to be a home-and-home except when competitive balance calls for it.

[X-band '01]

With the implosion of the Big East and the recent additions to the Atlantic 10, Temple University has to be questioning their decision to leave the conference, even though I know it was done with football in mind.

Even a watered-down Big East will give Temple more TV money than they were making in the MAC. When you add TV money and NCAA money that they'll get in the Big East, their move was a no-brainer.

UMass MIGHT be an option for the Big East if UConn finally gets their golden ticket into the ACC.

[SM#24]

Now I have to find a VCU logo...

Isn't there some by-law against having too many teams with the same nickname ?

[More Cowbell]

I see X being in a pod with at the least UD, SLU and Butler and playing each other A10 team once. That would be a tough conference schedule.

[GreatWhiteNorth]

I like the move. Welcome VCU.

[bleedXblue]

Give props to the Commish !

Lord knows we routinely beat her up.

Nice job !

[muskiefan82]

Isn't there some by-law against having too many teams with the same nickname ?

Are there any other Rams out there that need a conference?

[Hudson]

I'm not sure I completely buy that line. Xavier never played Temple twice, and there were occasional years in which Charlotte wound up on the schedule twice.

There will be years when Xavier plays Butler twice but I don't think it will happen every season like Dayton. VCU isn't likely to be a home-and-home except when competitive balance calls for it.

I think there's a chance we play Butler twice a year, not a very big chance, but still a chance. The Xavier-Butler rivalry will only get stronger from here. Butler has been a staple of our non-conference strength for a while, now that they are in conference our non-conference will only get stronger.

The Butler addition definitely impacts X more than VCU though.

Just think about it though, the A10 could quickly become a power 6 conference. The term "mid major" no longer applies. With the Big East falling there are years ahead where the A10 could get the most tourney bids. X, Butler, VCU, UD, and SLU have strong shots at the tournament. St. Joes, GW, and Richmond will come in and out. Duquesne, URI, St. Bonnies, UMass, and Lasalle are a tad more uncertain. Fordham is simply screwed and should vacate the premises.

[MCXU]

With the Big East falling there are years ahead where the A10 could get the most tourney bids. X, Butler, VCU, UD, and SLU have strong shots at the tournament.

This is unacceptable...

I don't know how else to respond.

[bobbiemcgee]

Give props to the Commish !

Lord knows we routinely beat her up.

Nice job !

Brooklyn, Butler and VCU all great moves. Keep it up, sista!

[Hudson]

This is unacceptable...

I don't know how else to respond.

I don't like it, but they have 5 straight 20+ win seasons.

[DC Muskie]

Isn't there some by-law against having too many teams with the same nickname ?

Not sure, but the SEC is made up of 7 Bulldogs and four Tigers I think.

[MCXU]

I don't like it, but they have 5 straight 20+ win seasons.

Still unacceptable.

[GoMuskies]

What programs would be a grand slam?

The NEXT "non-major" program to make a trip to the Final Four. Unfortunately, it's hard to know who that will be in advance.

[muskiefan82]

X, Butler, VCU, UD, and SLU have strong shots at the tournament. St. Joes, GW, and Richmond will come in and out. Duquesne, URI, St. Bonnies, UMass, and Lasalle are a tad more uncertain. Fordham is simply screwed and should vacate the premises.


This is unacceptable...

I don't know how else to respond.


Obviously, the poster meant the University of Detroit thinking that they came with Butler. It's just a simple misunderstanding as no one could possible believe Dayton has a strong shot at the NCAA tournament.

[Hudson]

Yes, of course I meant the good ole UD Titans.

[X-band '01]

Not sure, but the SEC is made up of 7 Bulldogs and four Tigers I think.

With reinforcements coming on the way from Mizzou.


Yes, of course I meant the good ole UDM Titans.

Fixed that for you.

[PMI]

Anyone else worried these moves are reactive rather than proactive? None of our teams have made the Final Four since 1996 (if you can even count that now), so we grab two of the mid-majors who've been in the meantime (and apparently tried to grab the third one)? Butler and VCU have had pretty decent programs even if you take out the Final Fours, so I'm not overly concerned about adding them, but I'm not sure either is the grand slam we'd like it to be. It makes for a nice PR splash for the conference, though.

I'm not worried about that at all. It is really hard for me to see a downside to adding Butler and VCU. Not even looking at the final fours, both have been strong programs for awhile and both have obvious staying power, having been good under several head coaches now. I really don't see how Xavier could've had a bigger "grand slam" as it relates to improving its conference schedule, other than maybe joining with the Big East basketball leftovers and taking some good A10 programs with them. It's not like the A10 offered these schools solely because they've been to recent Final Fours. They offered them because they're strong programs that can make noise most years. I think any way you slice it, the A10 is much better conference with these additions.

[GoMuskies]

I'm not so worried about downside. I'm just not necessarily that sold on the upside (at least with VCU). The league will certainly improve, but I'm just not sure it's going to be very dramatic.

[PMI]

How much better were we going to get than VCU? It's not like we were down to VCU and Kansas. I'm not seeing anyone whose excitement about these additions appears to be over the line. It's a good pickup, and I'm not sure there could have been a better realistic addition. That's not to say that we just became a 9 bid league, but we became a better league. VCU will immediately be one of the top programs in the A10, in my opinion.

[sgarcia]

I'm not so worried about downside. I'm just not necessarily that sold on the upside (at least with VCU). The league will certainly improve, but I'm just not sure it's going to be very dramatic.

The upside is Charlotte taking their 48-64 A10 conference record and leaving. It won't be a drastic improvement but an improvement nonetheless.

[Hudson]

I'm not so worried about downside. I'm just not necessarily that sold on the upside (at least with VCU). The league will certainly improve, but I'm just not sure it's going to be very dramatic.

It was going to be a very dramatic change if Butler and VCU weren't added. The fact that the league is not necessarily worse after losing Temple is very dramatic, and well done.

[GoMuskies]

How much better were we going to get than VCU?

I have no idea. I'm not offering up any names. All I'm saying is that it's really hard to say if VCU will add much from a quality standpoint. Maybe they'll be one of the best teams in the league. Maybe Smart leaves and they become Charlotte (ten years ago Charlotte was a much better program than VCU). Valpo or Detroit may turn out to be better programs over the next decade than VCU.

Again, I'm not "worried" about adding VCU or thinking we should have added someone else. I'm just not convinced it's a guaranteed huge boost to the conference either.

[PMI]

I have no idea. I'm not offering up any names. All I'm saying is that it's really hard to say if VCU will add much from a quality standpoint. Maybe they'll be one of the best teams in the league. Maybe Smart leaves and they become Charlotte (ten years ago Charlotte was a much better program than VCU). Valpo or Detroit may turn out to be better programs over the next decade than VCU.

Again, I'm not "worried" about adding VCU or thinking we should have added someone else. I'm just not convinced it's a guaranteed huge boost to the conference either.

Are you more worried about VCU staying good than Butler? I'm not. VCU has been good for longer than Shaka Smart's tenure. They got good under Mack McCarthy, were good under Jeff Capel, were good under Anthony Grant, and are still good under Smart. They've averaged over 23 wins a season for more than a decade now. They've averaged almost 27 wins a year over the past 6 years. They're every bit as appealing a program to the A10 as Xavier was when we joined many years ago. They're also near one of the best recruiting hotbeds in the nation and will only improve in that department in this conference. I really don't think there was a better slam dunk out there, Butler included. I guess they could slip and ala Charlotte when they come to the A10, but I think the chances of that are very low. More likely, we're looking at the program that's going to be fighting with us and a couple others for titles year in and year out.

[GoMuskies]

Yes, I am more worried about VCU than I am about Butler, and I'm less excited by their upside. And I could end up being completely wrong.

And there were certainly some probably well-founded concerns that Xavier would not be able to compete in the A-10 back in '95. Happily, we know how that turned out.

[PMI]

Not to keep re-hashing my point, because only time will tell anyway, but upon looking a little deeper into VCU's basketball history, it's been even more impressive than I realized. They've been around since 1968 and have only had 7 losing seasons ever. Every head coach it's ever had has had a winning record there. They've been a VERY tough out in the tournament in recent years and historically.

I think it's a better program than Butler with a higher upside and will make a lot more money. If I had to choose one of the two new additions to have a tougher time adjusting to the A10, I'd choose Butler. Not that I think BU will struggle badly or anything, but I think VCU comes from a better conference, is just as well-coached, and is in a better long-term situation financially and recruiting-wise.

[X-band '01]

Here's another little surprise about VCU - they've been as high as a 2 seed (1985) in the NCAA Tournament, although their best NCAA performance prior to making the Final 4 were 2nd round appearances in 1985 and 2007 (where they beat Duke and their all-star flopper Greg Paulus).

[GIMMFD]

We just added two of the best young coaches in college basketball into the conference, this league will definitely be more fun, and a roller coaster ride, now let's start another five peat run to welcome our friends in from Virginia and Indianapolis shall we?

[PMI]

Here's another little surprise about VCU - they've been as high as a 2 seed (1985) in the NCAA Tournament, although their best NCAA performance prior to making the Final 4 were 2nd round appearances in 1985 and 2007 (where they beat Duke and their all-star flopper Greg Paulus).

They also went to the second round in 1981, 1983, and 1984. Of course, I wasn't born yet for any of those, but what matters is that VCU is almost always a pretty good-very good team.

[DistrictBaller]

Thanks guys, VCU fan here. Appreciate the kind words!

We look forward to competing in the A-10!

[joebba]

http://bobmaconbusiness.com/images/Stripes_2.jpg

[GIMMFD]

Thanks guys, VCU fan here. Appreciate the kind words!

We look forward to competing in the A-10!

Yay more quality fans!! This is what the A-10 should be about!

[LA Muskie]

GoMuskies asked if this is reactionary. Yes and no. We probably wouldn't be adding teams if we weren't about to lose at least 2 (Temple and Charlotte). So to that extent it's "reactionary".

But we did lose those teams, and you can't look backwards. Like someone else pointed out, we will come out of this mini-realignment as a better conference than before. And we likely got the best two options out there. That's pretty amazing given the lack of a football footprint.

The A-10 staff and the university admin who played a role in this should be commended.

[sirthought]

I'm trying to think of higher-profile teams (grand slams) that we might have poached from another conference.

They'd need to really improve the league's competitiveness and media status. Fit geographically. The schools that come to mind are Georgetown, Marquette, and Notre Dame. Those would have been grand slams, but it wasn't going to happen.

To me, Old Dominion would be better than George Mason. Geographically strong rivalries and good competitive, well-recruited teams at ODU. But 14 is a good number of schools for the A-10.

Welcome VCU!


Between Butler and VCU, I think XU has their work cut out for them. I usually don't feel nervous with other A-10 schools, but these two schools have really good coaches who seem to get their kids to play extremely hard.

And Richmond and Indy are great markets for hoops fans. The A-10 really couldn't ask for much more.

Wouldn't it be awesome to see UMASS and Rhode Island improve? This league could really be something special.

[BMoreX]

Here's something interesting that I found on VCURamNation:


Matt Lincoln ‏ @MattLincolnTV
#VCU will officially announce as early as tomorrow that they are leaving the #CAA for the #A10. Still working on a year that it will start


A lot of people sayign that VCU might be trying to get into the A10 for this season. I don't really understand how this is possible, because I would expect the schedule to be (almost) complete and we have all the regular 14 schools still for this season.

[LA Muskie]

I'm trying to think of higher-profile teams (grand slams) that we might have poached from another conference.

They'd need to really improved the competitiveness and media status of the A-10. Geography has to fit as well. The schools that come to mind are Georgetown, Marquette, and Notre Dame. Those would have been grand slams, but it wasn't going to happen.

To me, Old Dominion would be better than George Mason. Geographically strong rivalries and good competitive, well-recruited teams at ODU. But 14 is a good number of schools for the A-10.

Welcome VCU!


Between Butler and VCU, I think XU has their work cut out for them. I usually don't feel nervous with other A-10 schools, but these two schools have really good coaches who seem to get their kids to play extremely hard.

And Richmond and Indy are great markets for hoops fans. The A-10 really couldn't ask for much more.

Wouldn't it be awesome to see UMASS and Rhode Island improve? This league could really be something special.
I agree a ton. The only thing I'd say is UMass improving probably won't help much because I think they'll be gone soon. But much of the A-10 (old and new) have some great coaching and I can see the following being (or becoming) pretty damn good for the foreseeable future:


Xavier
VCU
Butler
Richmond
St. Louis
Dayton
St. Bonaventure (yes, I think Schmidt will keep them there)
Rhode Island


That's a solid core of 8 of 14. Add in an average of 2 others (of the remaining 6) who will be good every year, and that's 10 of 14. You don't find too many conferences with that depth of quality year-in and year-out.

[LA Muskie]

Here's something interesting that I found on VCURamNation:



A lot of people sayign that VCU might be trying to get into the A10 for this season. I don't really understand how this is possible, because I would expect the schedule to be (almost) complete and we have all the regular 14 schools still for this season.
Anything can be changed before tickets go to print. And if I could get them in next year, I'd take them in a heartbeat. We call that a "white collar problem" in these parts.

[BMoreX]

I agree a ton. The only thing I'd say is UMass improving probably won't help much because I think they'll be gone soon. But much of the A-10 (old and new) have some great coaching and I can see the following being (or becoming) pretty damn good for the foreseeable future:


Xavier
VCU
Butler
Richmond
St. Louis
Dayton
St. Bonaventure (yes, I think Schmidt will keep them there)
Rhode Island


That's a solid core of 8 of 14. Add in an average of 2 others (of the remaining 6) who will be good every year, and that's 10 of 14. You don't find too many conferences with that depth of quality year-in and year-out.

I wouldn't be surprised if the A10 gets 3-4 teams minimum each season to the NCAA tournament. Maybe some years even get to 5.

[Nocalmuskie]

this thread is to important to not be on the main board ...

[DistrictBaller]

I don't think there is any question that this makes the A-10 the pre-eminent basketball-only conference in America.

The basketball being played at the top of this conference is going to be downright ridiculous. We're talking about coaches like Chris Mack, Shaka Smart, Brad Stevens, and Rick Majerus going at each other. This is gonna be fun!

[bobbiemcgee]

Here's something interesting that I found on VCURamNation:



A lot of people sayign that VCU might be trying to get into the A10 for this season. I don't really understand how this is possible, because I would expect the schedule to be (almost) complete and we have all the regular 14 schools still for this season.

hmmmm..... that would make 15 this year.

[BMoreX]

hmmmm..... that would make 15 this year.

Only way I could see that schedule working is play 4 teams twice and the rest once for an 18 game conference schedule. I don't want that.

[LA Muskie]

Only way I could see that schedule working is play 4 teams twice and the rest once for an 18 game conference schedule. I don't want that.

I don't think the admin would generally be in favor of an 18-game schedule long-term, but mostly that was because of the RPI effect. In this instance, for a single year, we would be getting 1 conference game of the quality we'd be looking to schedule in our OOC anyway. So as long as the extra home-and-away is a quality opponent, and it doesn't horribly f-up our OOC scheduling, it wouldn't be all that bad for us.

[waggy]

I think they posed the question to the coaches in regards to an 18 game conference schedule without giving the coaches any detail. If the conference were to have three 5-team divisions, where X plays Butler, Dayton Saint Louis and either Creighton or Duquesne home and home, and everyone else once, that that would be a pretty good schedule.

[Masterofreality]

Welcome VCU.

The A-10 now has a stranglehold in the gigantic, hugely media competitive and highly coveted Richmond, Virginia megalopolis!:D

Suck it, New York!!!!!

[paulxu]

Not sure, but the SEC is made up of 7 Bulldogs and four Tigers I think.

7 Bulldogs, 4 Tigers...and 1 http://www2.counton2.com/mgmedia/image/294/0/148863/gamecocks-logo/




http://img32.picoodle.com/img/img32/9/9/23/f_gococksm_ea5f9fa.jpg

[Roach]

While I'd still prefer to see Xavier join a league with all the non-football Big East schools + St. Louis, St. Joe's, Creighton, and maybe Dayton, I love the new A10 as an interim league. If the other conference never materializes, I'll be happy with the league now that VCU and Butler are aboard.

[bleedXblue]

This is a great league for X.

One that should place at least 2-3 teams in the tourney every year and one that Xavier can/should be able to contend for titles on a regular basis.

It now has 2 solid "regional" rivalries.

It has 3 of the best young coaches in America in Mack, Stevens and Smart.

If we could get rid of Fordham and GW, that would be icing on the cake.

[X-band '01]

Why GW? They're a charter member who's been up and down historically.

[coasterville95]

Allow me to add my welcome to VCU and Butler (and their associated fans, at least the rational ones)

Exciting times for the A-10, maybe the most exciting in what 6 years? (Whenever the SLU and Charlotte expansion took place). Landing Butler to replace Temple helped inusre stability, and instantly creates a great Midwest "region". Replacing Charlotte with VCU is a strong step in the right direction.

I know there are some that want the prestige of belonging to a "power" conference, even if that means a reconstituted Big East, and even as the Old Law ends as it seems the entire football landscape is changing. But, more and more the A-10 is looking like a basketball juggernaut. (I don't really follow the other sports enough to know what Butler and VCU add to the table there) Now, if only we could get the media talking heads to acknowledge that fact. Can you imagine, in the not too distant future, they may hand us a schedule and we look at the A-10 portion of it and go "That's downright evil! They didn't just give us back to back to back road games with SLU, Butler and Dayton, follwed up with that powderpuff home game with Fordham, only to go out to VCU and Richmond. "

So about the CAA - if VCU moves to the A-10 and Old Dominion moves to what is the latest rumour C-USA? There isn't going to be much left there, is there? You'll have George Mason as the big fish in a real small pond.

I can't imagine the commisioners of the Horizon and the CAA exactly like us (as a conference) at this point in time. Even less so in about 18 months.

[SM#24]

A lot of people sayign that VCU might be trying to get into the A10 for this season. I don't really understand how this is possible, because I would expect the schedule to be (almost) complete and we have all the regular 14 schools still for this season.
It's possible. You still go with a 16 game conf schedule. I'm sure everyone's non-con deals are too far along to move off of 16, so you play two teams twice (for X, Dayton & ??)and everyone else once.

[SM#24]

Yes, I am more worried about VCU than I am about Butler, and I'm less excited by their upside. And I could end up being completely wrong.

And there were certainly some probably well-founded concerns that Xavier would not be able to compete in the A-10 back in '95. Happily, we know how that turned out.


I think it's a better program than Butler with a higher upside and will make a lot more money. If I had to choose one of the two new additions to have a tougher time adjusting to the A10, I'd choose Butler. Not that I think BU will struggle badly or anything, but I think VCU comes from a better conference, is just as well-coached, and is in a better long-term situation financially and recruiting-wise.

Put me in the same camp as PMI; I have less concerns about VCU than Butler, and I do not have too many concerns about Butler.

I first became aware of VCU back in 1978 in the pre widespread conference days when I saw them lose to St. Bona's at the buzzer in the ECAC-South(?) tourney final for a bid to the NCAA's. They were also very competitive in the original Sun Belt which was a good conference at the time. VCU is good every year. I think the A10 affiliation will help their recruiting.

[DC Muskie]

My only concern with VCU is that it is based in Richmond. Richmond used to be the capital of the confederacy. If we are to believe that the south will rise again, I would be concerned that we will have to burn Richmond to the ground...

Again.

[Masterofreality]

I would be concerned that we will have to burn Richmond to the ground...

Again.

Dez Wells will handle that little chore....on his own when he's en fuego.

[danaandvictory]

VCU is now coming aboard immediately. Some extra work for the schedule-makers.

[BMoreX]

VCU is now coming aboard immediately. Some extra work for the schedule-makers.

SO Xavier will probably get Dayton and SLU twice.

Hope VCU comes to Cintas this season.

[GoMuskies]

Where do you see they are coming aboard immediately? Everything in the "regular" press is saying they would come aboard in 2013.

Press conference in an hour anyway.

[BMoreX]

Where do you see they are coming aboard immediately? Everything in the "regular" press is saying they would come aboard in 2013.

Press conference in an hour anyway.

Julian Coltre ‏ @J_Coltre92

@CAASports commissioner Tom Yeager confirms that VCU will leave THIS SUMMER for the Atlantic 10 (A10) conference.

[bobbiemcgee]

Julian Coltre ‏ @J_Coltre92

@CAASports commissioner Tom Yeager confirms that VCU will leave THIS SUMMER for the Atlantic 10 (A10) conference.

They won't be elgible for the CAA tournament, so maybe have to jump now.

[X-band '01]

15 teams is going to make for interesting scheduling - unless Temple suddenly decides they want to join the Big East a year early for all sports.

[BMoreX]

15 teams is going to make for interesting scheduling - unless Temple suddenly decides they want to join the Big East a year early for all sports.

I was thinking that myself. It might be possible; right now, the Big East is at 15 teams, so going back to 16 with Temple allows for the same scheduling.

If not, you just have teams play 2 others twice and everyone else once. So X probably plays SLU and UD twice.

[muskienick]

This is a great league for X.

One that should place at least 2-3 teams in the tourney every year and one that Xavier can/should be able to contend for titles on a regular basis.

It now has 2 solid "regional" rivalries.

It has 3 of the best young coaches in America in Mack, Stevens and Smart.

If we could get rid of Fordham and GW, that would be icing on the cake.

I think you must have meant Fordham and LaSalle, didn't you?

[XULucho27]

Is Temple a home game next year? I doubt we'd be lucky enough but if VCU turns out to be a home game that'd be a heck of a home conference schedule:

VCU
SLU
Butler
Temple
Dayton (to a lesser extent, still a fun home game nonetheless)

Those are 4 REALLY good games and 1 guaranteed win. :D

[GoMuskies]

Butler will come to Cintas, but it won't be a conference game.

[XULucho27]

Gotcha. Thanks for the clarification. Still a good slate of home games nonetheless.

[milehighmuskie]

I LOVE these additions. They make geographic sense, and they make the A-10 so much stronger. As an earlier post stated, VCU has a surprisingly solid history (only 7 losing seasons since 1968). Temple certainly has more name brand, and I loved the Philly market, but the on-court success of our new members cannot be questioned. We obviously know that VCU and Butler have made incredible tourney runs the last few years. If you go a bit further back and compare the NCAA tourney success of VCU and Butler vs. Temple and Charlotte, it's tough to argue the impact that these additions make. In the past 10 years, VCU and Butler have a combined 22 tournament wins. Temple and Charlotte have 1.

[paulxu]

If we are to believe that the south will rise again, I would be concerned

Be afraid. Be very afraid.