VCU, George Mason, Butler in discussions to join A10

[PrivateO]

Earlier this week, Duquesne fired their head coach, Ron Everhart. In a leaked email to the school's board, the Duquesne President's letter discusses what Duquesne wants for its basketball future.

We are confident that we can find a new coach who will build on what Ron has accomplished. We have a great tradition, a virtually new home facility, the proximity and close relationship with the Consol Center, an effective AD, a core fan base that is hungry for a better product, and a strong University commitment to the program. While not a regular contender for leadership in our conference, Duquesne is no longer the doormat. The A10 conference itself is on the verge of a major improvement with the addition of new high quality university programs. All of this amounts to an exciting professional opportunity for a new coach.

Notice the plurality of "new high quality university programs." Lo and behold, three days later, Brett McMurphy of CBS has an article that shows Butler, George Mason, and VCU inquiring about joining the Atlantic 10. Temple will already be leaving for the Big East in 2013 and rumors are that Charlotte may be making a move to the Sun Belt for their football aspirations. And then there's always the possibility that UMass goes to the Alliance or some other conference to increase their football exposure.

http://www.cbssports.com/collegefoot...in-atlantic-10

While I don't like the look of a 16 team league nor the presumably 18 game conference schedule that comes with it, as a Xavier fan, I am ecstatic to hear the A10 is being proactive in conference realignment. Other than a Big East basketball split, aligning with basketball-focused schools is the best for Xavier.

West Pod: Xavier, SLU, Dayton, Butler
North Pod: UMass, Fordham, Rhode Island, St. Bonaventure
South Pod: Charlotte, Richmond, VCU, George Mason
East Pod: LaSalle, St. Joe's, Duquesne, George Washington

That is a truly solid conference that should garner 3-4 tournament bids every year. If only we could kick Fordham and LaSalle out and it would be a great conference.

I know that there are a lot of CAA fans here on OH. What do you think? Funny how this might work out, as about a year ago, I floated a similar A10/CAA merger:
http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/9347/conference.jpg

[waroriole]

Apparently, Charlotte is leaving for the Sun Belt, as they want to start an FBS football team in 2015.

[Goop]

As a VCU fan, I'm ok with this, but with a few reservations.

Obviously, this would be a better move conference wise for VCU. A basketball centered conference with multiple bids to the Big Dance every year, more exposure, SOS would be better, etc. The A10 has some great teams, and getting a chance to play those teams every season would be a great opportunity. The cons (which might be short sighted by me) would be the traveling. Travel costs and times would increase, but I guess that's the way it is. Also, right now we have a good thing going in the CAA. We are consistently in the top 4 of the conference and competing for the title. However, we are a 1 bid league and I doubt you miss out on the tournament if you have a season like Drexel did if you are a member of the A10.

Overall I think it would be a good move. The CAA is becoming more focused on football, so a move up to the A10 is probably best for VCU and Mason.

[O's are Legends]

Like I said Private O! They stole your idea!

I think it's a no brainer at this point.
The CAA is turning into a serious mess in a hurry. Towson and UNC-W are both suspended for postseason play in 2012. ODU athletics as a whole could be in serious trouble and in turn face suspensions. Georgia State is apparently leaving for the Sun Belt as well. Northeastern and Hofstra are tired of the travelling and want to switch conferences asap.

Mason Nation and I won't have to complain about playing in Richmond for the CAA tournament anymore. Plus it?s a complete dump and Yeager isn't moving it anywhere else. The A10 is going to have their tourney in a top of the line NBA arena.

Time's up for the CAA. It's time for Mason and VCU to pack their bags and hopefully meet Butler as well in the A10.
I don't know where I can look it up but it seems like every year the A10 is getting at least 3 teams in the tournament and every once in a while getting 4 teams or so.

All these teams in the same conference, yes please.

Xavier
Dayton
Saint Louis
St. Joe's
Richmond
The Bonnies
Mason
VCU
Butler

Don't worry PrivateO, Fordham and LaSalle can move to the CAA.

On a side note, a soccer player I work with suggested I scout a player from Fordham. The soocer player from Fordham "You've actually heard of Fordham?" Me: Yes, everyone knows Fordham, you guys are awful in basketball."

[Ellicott Forest]

Once the Big East football-side collapses for good (which I think is sooner rather than later) I bet they'll be a "Catholic" super conference with all the A-10 and the Big East Catholic schools.

[Goop]

Like I said Private O! They stole your idea!

I think it's a no brainer at this point.
The CAA is turning into a serious mess in a hurry. Towson and UNC-W are both suspended for postseason play in 2012. ODU athletics as a whole could be in serious trouble and in turn face suspensions. Georgia State is apparently leaving for the Sun Belt as well. Northeastern and Hofstra are tired of the travelling and want to switch conferences asap.

Mason Nation and I won't have to complain about playing in Richmond for the CAA tournament anymore. Plus it?s a complete dump and Yeager isn't moving it anywhere else. The A10 is going to have their tourney in a top of the line NBA arena.

Time's up for the CAA. It's time for Mason and VCU to pack their bags and hopefully meet Butler as well in the A10.
I don't know where I can look it up but it seems like every year the A10 is getting at least 3 teams in the tournament and every once in a while getting 4 teams or so.

All these teams in the same conference, yes please.

Xavier
Dayton
Saint Louis
St. Joe's
Richmond
The Bonnies
Mason
VCU
Butler

Don't worry PrivateO, Fordham and LaSalle can move to the CAA.

On a side note, a soccer player I work with suggested I scout a player from Fordham. The soocer player from Fordham "You've actually heard of Fordham?" Me: Yes, everyone knows Fordham, you guys are awful in basketball."

Just a few weeks ago, the AD of GW came out and said that additions would be announced in a couple of months. My guess is that Mason and VCU wait until July 1st when they get the CAA's cut of the NCAA tournament money, and then announce that they are leaving. http://blogs.gwhatchet.com/courtside...tions-to-a-10/

At this point, both need to go. It was just announced a few days ago that the CAA would no longer participate in the ESPN Bracketbusters. The A10 doesn't participate in it either, but being a member of that conference, you shouldn't need to. Time for VCU and Mason to say bye to the CAA.

[PrivateO]

Well, this whole discussion got a whole lot more interesting. The CAA was supposed to vote today on increasing the exit fees to $1M+ today, but they cancelled it. They would need more than 75% (i.e. 9 of 11 schools) to approve the change. I just don't see how they do it with ODU and JMU looking for football options and VCU/GMU thinking about the A10.