OT: Coaching Changes

[Wood Hall]

I guess this goes to show you that just having a good basketball program does not make the a sound institution. Never would have guessed Xavier would be struggling like this, but then again my sole knowledge of Xavier is of their basketball program.

And if they are at 3,500 enrollment right now that is pretty close to UR. So, UR could be seen as attractive to the Big East IMHO. Of course, we aren't because our basketball program is an absolute dumpster fire, but in terms of university fit, we could be there. I'd imagine our women's team would be attractive for the Big East. I'd also imagine they would love our Lacrosse team in the Big East. Sadly, that is a MBB focused league so they would take one look at Hardt/Mooney mickey mouse operation we have going and we are a hard pass at present.

We don't offer volleyball, softball or men's soccer, sports that most conferences sponsor, and want. There are more than enough Big East wannabees who do, and thus are far more attractive candidates for admission to the Big East.

 

[SFspidur]

I don't think any of those minor sports factor into the equation. Any Big East invites will be almost entirely about hoops plus institutional fit. Our lax programs easily offset any small consideration of minor sports anyway.

Xavier as an institution might have a bit of a challenge scoring a Big East invite today given their financial and enrollment situation, but it was a different story in 2013 when they joined, and they of course have the Catholic connection.

I don't think our enrollment has been much of a barrier to a potential Big East invite. Besides Xavier, both Butler and Providence are in the 4,500 range for undergrads, really not all that much bigger than we are. Creighton is also in that range although they have substantial grad programs.

Positioning ourselves with hoops success and just waiting for the Big East to be ready to expand would have had us in the mix, but we've been unable to do that. SLU and Dayton always had a leg up on us with their combination of Catholic identity and hoops success/support, but we could have been in the mix. And of course hard to overlook VCU even though the institutional fit isn't quite there. (Having UConn back in the fold mitigates that somewhat.)

 

[URFan1]

think community schools are doing pretty well actually - for instance at least in VA, kids can go to the VCCS schoolsfor 1 to 2 years and then if they do well, have transfers paths to Va tech etc ...

That was to be my comment, more kids going 2 years at a cheaper CC, then shifting to a 4 year.