A10 adding George Mason

[BMoreX]

Jeff Goodman ‏@GoodmanCBS 4m

George Mason will announce it's heading to the A-10 tomorrow, source told CBSSports.

[Masterofreality]

Bad addition.

Fordham-esque

[paulxu]

GW's back yard. Maybe they're counting on Richmond bolting.

(staying in the east)

[OTRMUSKIE]

When Fordham goes to a final four then you can say GM is like Fordham. GM is nothing like Fordham. They are a decent team that will stay around or above 500'inthe league. I like the pickup

[GoMuskies]

Until they dump Fordham, nothing else they do matters.

[OTRMUSKIE]

Until they dump Fordham, nothing else they do matters.

Agree and plus 1

[coasterville95]

This doesn't surprise me at all - wasn't George Mason the runner-up in the Temple/Charlotte) replacements??

[OTRMUSKIE]

Yes they were going to come with VCU or they were going to come before VCU, can't remember

[xubrew]

When Fordham goes to a final four then you can say GM is like Fordham. GM is nothing like Fordham. They are a decent team that will stay around or above 500'inthe league. I like the pickup

If they get rid of Paul Hewitt, they may rise to the level of being half way decent again.

Two years ago, Jim Larranaga was coaching George Mason. They finished the regular season ranked in the top 25, made the NCAA Tournament as a #8 seed, and won a game.

They had all their starters returning the following year and seemed poised to be a top twenty team. The problem was that they lost Larranaga and added Paul Hewitt. He took over a very good program that was trending up and whose cupboards were stuffed full, and completely wrecked them. They should have easily been a tournament caliber team who was well in position to get an at-large the past two years, and they fell a few hundred miles short of that.

It's a recognizable brand name, but I think their program is in bad shape with no signs of getting better. They have potential, but they need the right personnel, and right now they just don't have it. It's not the worst choice in the world, but it's far from a slam dunk.

[Masterofreality]

When Fordham goes to a final four then you can say GM is like Fordham. GM is nothing like Fordham. They are a decent team that will stay around or above 500'inthe league. I like the pickup

GM is a one year wonder. Other than that, like Fordham, they are nondescript.

George Mason is yesterday's news. At this point, they are no more of a name than Jacksonville University, who also made a Final 4..in 1970.

Butler and VCU have pushed Mason off the Cinderella podium.

[_LH]

GM is a one year wonder. Other than that, like Fordham, they are nondescript.

George Mason is yesterday's news. At this point, they are no more of a name than Jacksonville University, who also made a Final 4..in 1970.

Butler and VCU have pushed Mason off the Cinderella podium.

The best thing about this news is that is really does not matter to me or XU anymore since we are now in a much better situation. If the A10 added George Mason last year or if XU was left behind, I would be totally against adding them.

Why does the A10 need to add any schools?

[DC Muskie]

I like Mason, but I'm not sure why the A10 felt they needed to add them. I guess to get to 12? Is UMass in the league next season?

Next years A10 is:
Fordham
SBU
The Fightin' Martellis
LaSalle
Duquesne
Richmond
VCU
SLU
URI
UMass
GM
Dayton

[Masterofreality]

The best thing about this news is that is really does not matter to me or XU anymore since we are now in a much better situation. If the A10 added George Mason last year or if XU was left behind, I would be totally against adding them.

Why does the A10 need to add any schools?

Because they can't just be satisfied with being the Atlantic 10

[Masterofreality]

I like Mason, but I'm not sure why the A10 felt they needed to add them. I guess to get to 12? Is UMass in the league next season?

Next years A10 is:
Fordham
SBU
The Fightin' Martellis
LaSalle
Duquesne
Richmond
VCU
SLU
URI
UMass
GM
Dayton

Yeah, UMess is still in for basketball. They are in the MAC for football and have a scheduling agreement for 4 Bball games with MAC teams. They would love to hook up with the America Metropolitan Conglomeration of Northern Southeastern Institutions of the Southwest 12, however.

[DC Muskie]

Well I guess if you are going to get to 12, GM is as good addition as any.

Now everyone gets to make the conference tournament.

[xubrew]

GM is a one year wonder. Other than that, like Fordham, they are nondescript.

George Mason is yesterday's news. At this point, they are no more of a name than Jacksonville University, who also made a Final 4..in 1970.

Butler and VCU have pushed Mason off the Cinderella podium.

You need to give Paul Hewitt his proper due for the role he played in knocking them off the podium.

[coasterville95]

You're forgetting GW - if the George Mason move is for next season that will put them at 13, unless they know of one more departure this season. Or they have another replacement in the wings to get back to the 14, that way when they lose two next year they will stay at 12.

13 would be weird for scheduling, and for being the lone sole team that gets to play with their crib toys while the other 12 are at Barclays.

[DC Muskie]

You're forgetting GW - if the George Mason move is for next season that will put them at 13, unless they know of one more departure this season. Or they have another replacement in the wings to get back to the 14, that way when they lose two next year they will stay at 12.

13 would be weird for scheduling, and for being the lone sole team that gets to play with their crib toys while the other 12 are at Barclays.

How could I forget GW?!

Actually, it's not that hard.

So the A10 will have to add another one.

Good lord thank God we are gone.

[PMI]

Bad addition.

Fordham-esque


GM is a one year wonder. Other than that, like Fordham, they are nondescript.

George Mason is yesterday's news. At this point, they are no more of a name than Jacksonville University, who also made a Final 4..in 1970.

Butler and VCU have pushed Mason off the Cinderella podium.

I must've missed Fordham's "one year wonder." I know I missed Fordham's sell outs. Mason probably isn't going back to the Final Four anytime soon, and it certainly isn't going to replace X or Butler, but it is not a bad addition. I'm not the biggest Hewitt fan, but the program as a whole certainly belongs. To put them down with Fordham is way off.

[SM#24]

Siena will be #14; or at least that's my guess.

[GoMuskies]

Siena will be #14; or at least that's my guess.

Siena's joining the Big East. Isn't that what Feinstein told us already?

[xu95]

Siena will be #14; or at least that's my guess.

I would bet to venture that is a pretty good guess.

[Svoboda]

It’s official: The Atlantic 10 has added George Mason. The news comes less than a week after Xavier and Butler bolted for the Big East. No surprise on this front, but for those who haven’t been keeping track, here’s the release: NEWPORT NEWS, Va.—The Atlantic 10 Conference Council of Presidents has unanimously voted to formally ...

More... (http://cincinnati.com/blogs/xavier/2013/03/25/a-10-adding-george-mason/)

[Masterofreality]

I must've missed Fordham's "one year wonder." I know I missed Fordham's sell outs. Mason probably isn't going back to the Final Four anytime soon, and it certainly isn't going to replace X or Butler, but it is not a bad addition. I'm not the biggest Hewitt fan, but the program as a whole certainly belongs. To put them down with Fordham is way off.

Ok, I'll put them with LaSalle.....oh, wait.

[Svoboda]

It's official: The Atlantic 10 has added George Mason. The news comes less than a week after Xavier and Butler bolted for the Big East.

More... (http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20130325/SPT0102/303250070)

[ammtd34]

The CAA made George Mason's spring sports ineligible for any league championships.

[LA Muskie]

Siena's joining the Big East. Isn't that what Feinstein told us already?

No. Feinstein said they would be in the discussion. And he was right. They were.

[GoMuskies]

No. Feinstein said they would be in the discussion. And he was right. They were.

Yeah, someone mentioned their name, and everyone laughed like hell.

[LA Muskie]

Yeah, someone mentioned their name, and everyone laughed like hell.
Not true. Simply not true. But it is true that -- other than media numbers -- everyone agreed they weren't a fit.

[GoMuskies]

Not true. Simply not true.

I know. Some people actually said "Who?" and waited for the others to stop laughing.

[LA Muskie]

I know. Some people actually said "Who?" and waited for the others to stop laughing.

Say what you want. I have it on very (exceptional) authority that they were briefly but seriously considered.

[GoMuskies]

Some of those old guys were confused and thought it was April 1st.

[xubrew]

You're forgetting GW - if the George Mason move is for next season that will put them at 13, unless they know of one more departure this season. Or they have another replacement in the wings to get back to the 14, that way when they lose two next year they will stay at 12.

13 would be weird for scheduling, and for being the lone sole team that gets to play with their crib toys while the other 12 are at Barclays.

13 teams means you play everyone once and four teams twice. 14 means you play everyone once and three teams twice. I don't think it's that big of a difference.

[coasterville95]

Wow, did that statement on the CAA website reek of spite, mallice, and bitterness.

80% of the press release is cold hard matter of fact and spilling out in lurid detail all the sanctions that CAA im imposing on them.

Then a one line "We wish them well". yada yada.

Contrast to the A10 statement of us leaving - the We wish well came first, followed by almost a thank you for all we had done for them. Okay Butler got the "Thanks for using us to park your programs for a year" goodbye, but all in all much more professional than what Yeager of the CAA has done. Then again this is the second year in a row he is waving good bye to teams. But then, so it is for the A10.

[LA Muskie]

Wow, that is a horrible press release. Guess someone didn't get the "keep it classy" memo.

[XUFan09]

Wow, did that statement on the CAA website reek of spite, mallice, and bitterness.

80% of the press release is cold hard matter of fact and spilling out in lurid detail all the sanctions that CAA im imposing on them.

Then a one line "We wish them well". yada yada.

Contrast to the A10 statement of us leaving - the We wish well came first, followed by almost a thank you for all we had done for them. Okay Butler got the "Thanks for using us to park your programs for a year" goodbye, but all in all much more professional than what Yeager of the CAA has done. Then again this is the second year in a row he is waving good bye to teams. But then, so it is for the A10.

Didn't they give sanctions to ODU and VCU last year too though? They sound pretty bitter about conference realignment in general.

[XUFan09]

I do admit that bitterness makes sense to a degree, considering what happened. The CAA was on the map and people were talking about them, as they had strong teams easily in the tournament (George Mason and Old Dominion) and a third, VCU, that got the last at-large bid before going all the way to the Final Four. Other teams were respectable too (Not Towson, of course). Then they lost VCU and ODU to other conferences, while George Mason fell big-time under the "care" of Hewitt. Now they aren't in the picture at all.

Yeah...that has to suck.

[paulxu]

There's talk now of Siena joining the A10. Maybe they're pumping up in anticipation of 2 more departures.

[xubrew]

George Mason, shooting a free throw up 2 with 26.5 seconds left.



Houston had four guys on the line. None for Mason. George Mason committed a lane violation. The shooter entered the lane early.






WE HAVE A PAUL HEWITT IN PROGRESS!!!

[xubrew]

For those that don't know, a "Paul Hewitt" is a figure of speech for taking a good thing and absolutely blowing it.

[STL_XUfan]

http://blackburnreview.com/2013/03/25/is-bernie-still-finagling/

[paulxu]

Is that anything at all like "and then Dayton pulled a Dayton?"

[coasterville95]

I can understand the bitterness, particularly when they have been the subject of numerous raids. However, there is a difference between internal biterness, and how you present yourself to the public in a press release.

[nuts4xu]

For those that don't know, a "Paul Hewitt" is a figure of speech for taking a good thing and absolutely blowing it.

Is this anything like pulling a "Munson" after the famous bowler Roy Munson?

http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/04ej62ObtOc9z/613x459.jpg?fit=scale&background=000000

[BMoreX]

Marcus Henry‏ @marchenrysports4h
Conference movement update: A-10 has Delaware, Davidson and N'Eastern in its sights @WUSBSportsRadio http://www.newsday.com/sports/colleg...ment-1.4900488 … via @Newsday

Marcus Henry ‏@marchenrysports4h
If, according to a source, the A-10 moves on Davidson, Delaware and Northeastern, the CAA needs to move fast @HofstraPride @WUSBSportsRadio

Don't know why Delaware would be considered. They have football. Unless the A10 decides to restart their football league.

[GoMuskies]

Richmond, Duquesne, Fordham, LaSalle, Rhody, Dayton (and maybe others) have football as well.

Northeastern has football, too.

[coasterville95]

UMass as well - remember there are rumors about them and the America's Cup Conference.

That would be 9, how many do they need to form a league? That would be interesting if the A10 gets back into football as a way to re-image itself.

[GoMuskies]

UMass is I-A (FBS), and the rest are FCS. Dayton cannot play with the likes of Delaware, Richmond and Northeastern, either. Dayton is non-scholarship, and their players would get killed. I think Rhody and LaSalle, at least, are in the same boat. This group of A-10 schools cannot play football together.

[SM#24]

Delaware would be interesting. The CAA is a very good FCS conference and I'm sure Delaware wants to keep football there; but would the CAA let it if Delaware decided to take all their other sports to the A10 ?
What makes it interesting is that Richmond and RI have their football teams in the CAA. So on the one hand, the CAA could give Delaware an "all sports or nothing" ultimatum; on the other hand, it would be quite hippocritical.

[BMoreX]

Delaware would be interesting. The CAA is a very good FCS conference and I'm sure Delaware wants to keep football there; but would the CAA let it if Delaware decided to take all their other sports to the A10 ?
What makes it interesting is that Richmond and RI have their football teams in the CAA. So on the one hand, the CAA could give Delaware an "all sports or nothing" ultimatum; on the other hand, it would be quite hippocritical.

Doubtful considering Yeager's past comments about CAA defections to the A10.

[paulxu]

The Blue Hens play good football (Joe Flacco).
So does Richmond...previous national champs in FCS.

[Masterofreality]

UMass is I-A (FBS), and the rest are FCS. Dayton cannot play with the likes of Delaware, Richmond and Northeastern, either. Dayton is non-scholarship, and their players would get killed. I think Rhody and LaSalle, at least, are in the same boat. This group of A-10 schools cannot play football together.

LaSalle wisely dropped football again, after an abject fail.

[El Shaqtus]

I know it's probably not much news here, but there is significant talk of the A-10 pulling a CAA on a couple schools this season.

[BMoreX]

I know it's probably not much news here, but there is significant talk of the A-10 pulling a CAA on a couple schools this season.

That's a shame. It's such a midmajor thing to do.

[coasterville95]

Sounds to me like the A10 is getting a bit tired of throwing Farewell parties for its members.

[El Shaqtus]

Sounds to me like the A10 is getting a bit tired of throwing Farewell parties for its members.

Yeah. At this point, I was hoping SLU would get kicked out. Now that would be cool.