March 1, 201313 yr That means nothing in basketball, but it could be a thought behind Olympic sports like baseball and softball. I know that isn't driving the bus, but this league isn't going to be swimming in money like the Big 10 or SEC, so cutting down on costs in the minor sports could be appealing. Again, I can tell you with great certainty that the divisional make-up of this new league (the 2014 focus, especially) is top-of-mind with those folks. It does matter in basketball from a scheduling stand-point, a balance stand-point, and a rivalry / energy stand-point. While the Olympic sports aren't top-of-mind, this group is saying the right things about not wanting to over-burden those SA's that don't get charter flights everywhere and have to go on most trips in wheeled-vehicles.
March 1, 201313 yr Again, I can tell you with great certainty that the divisional make-up of this new league (the 2014 focus, especially) is top-of-mind with those folks. It does matter in basketball from a scheduling stand-point, a balance stand-point, and a rivalry / energy stand-point. That does make some sense. I'm guessing the league won't be divided into East/West like the SEC used to be in basketball, but I could see some type of East/West division for scheduling, with all playing toward the same league title.
March 1, 201313 yr Let's just say I stand by my prediction that in 2014, with 12 teams, there will be two divisions. They'll play 16 games, home-and-home with the 5 in your division, and the other 6 just once. I'm just spit-balling here.... Guessing that will largely depend on who they add to get to 12 if they go that route. If it is an even type split between east coast and Midwest it will make some sense in scheduling, but these teams are all going to be flying charter planes to games either way so at least for hoops it isn't a huge factor either way. Basketball leagues have been going away from the division format and instead using unbalanced scheduling to make sure the number of marquee games that get prime TV exposure aren't dictated by a division format that isn't fluid. We shall see...
March 1, 201313 yr To add to GT's post, I'm guessing that with the new FOX network going all in with the Catholic 7, the TV folks with want to dictate as many matchups as the can. So even though geographically Marquette should play more games against "western" teams, TV will want them playing more against Georgetown, St. John's and Villanova.
March 1, 201313 yr "Should we just go ahead and cancel the basketball program now or wait for the formalities?" - Dayton. That's an exaggeration, but UD fans on Twitter and the message boards are hilariously downtrodden... or trying really hard to downplay the move. We all knew we weren't in line for this thing, but we're feeling a little down about it anyway. Just the latest disappointment on the gradual 30-year decline. What's that? Another beer? Yeah! Great. ...what were we talking about? You want to see some self loathing, go to The Bulls Pen. Sad, sad place. I, on the other hand, doubled my donation and am looking for better seats with all the "I hate myself" departures, football and basketball.
March 1, 201313 yr Again, I can tell you with great certainty that the divisional make-up of this new league (the 2014 focus, especially) is top-of-mind with those folks. It does matter in basketball from a scheduling stand-point, a balance stand-point, and a rivalry / energy stand-point. While the Olympic sports aren't top-of-mind, this group is saying the right things about not wanting to over-burden those SA's that don't get charter flights everywhere and have to go on most trips in wheeled-vehicles. So why did the SEC abandon divisions for basketball?
March 1, 201313 yr You want to see some self loathing, go to The Bulls Pen. Sad, sad place. I, on the other hand, doubled my donation and am looking for better seats with all the "I hate myself" departures, football and basketball. Oh you misunderstand me. Dayton's still going to sell out almost every game. We live for this sort of thing. I don't know what do when something goes right for UD basketball; it's like the world's turned upside down. Until you watch a UD Arena crowd have that "Here we go again" feeling come over it then absolutely flip out on the team, you're missing out. It's something to behold.
March 1, 201313 yr So why did the SEC abandon divisions for basketball? It became an issue with tournament seeding. A couple years ago the four best teams were all from the East (Kentucky, Florida, Tennessee, and Vanderbilt). The third and fourth place teams had to play an extra tournament game, while the two best teams in the West (Mississippi State and Alabama? I could be wrong) got tournament byes. Many coaches felt that was unfair and a change was made. It was a valid point considering the Eastern 4 had better records while playing a tougher schedule (you played division opponents twice, non-opponents once) than the Western 2 did with easier roads.
March 4, 201313 yr Greg Auman @gregauman USF, like Cincy and UConn, should get between $18 million and $25 million from Big East reserve fund, @mblauds says @ ajerseyguy.com This may not be so bad after all, at least for the short term.
March 20, 201313 yr Beat writer for the Dayton Daily News: "Source: 'Unless the Big East were to add Dayton before July 1, don't expect a Dayton/Xavier game next year." The official announcement of the Catholic Seven adding Butler, Creighton and Xavier and the likelihood that Dayton and Xavier will no longer play feel like fitting cappers to Dayton's 20-year slide into irrelevance. Dayton and Xavier have played at least once every season since 1945.
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