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Post by blackandgold on Mar 8, 2012 19:00:26 GMT -5
With Temple moving to the Big East, a few national media folks have noted that the Atlantic 10 will be looking to replace one of its staples in terms of basketball competitiveness. Today, ESPN's Andy Katz had this to say: Butler would be a home run addition to the Atlantic 10 if the league wants to maintain its basketball relevance after losing Temple. The Bulldogs would fit in with their proximity to Saint Louis to the west and the Ohio schools (Xavier and Dayton) to the northeast. Adding Butler to Xavier, Dayton, Saint Louis, Richmond and Saint Joseph's would offset the departure of Temple. If A-10 commissioner Bernadette McGlade was aggressive, she would be on the phone with Butler to gauge its interest and explore the "out" for the Horizon League. You can't compare the media markets in the A-10 to the Horizon. If that were ever to happen, the Horizon League might finally open itself up to adding a new team. I hope OU would be one of the first names mentioned in the conference room.
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Post by ouguy on Mar 8, 2012 19:07:37 GMT -5
I have two strong opinions about this:
- Without Butler, the Horizon isn't as Sexy. I'd love to have away games at Hinkle and I'd love to see Coach Stevens in person in the O. Sure the Horizon would be good without Butler, but how much better than the Summit?
- I have heard from the mouth of OU Athletics Department employees that U of D has either threatened to or has actually blocked OU's admission to the Horizon in the past. I'd imagine they'd do so again if offered to. Lame
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Post by blackandgold on Mar 12, 2012 9:34:20 GMT -5
Well, the first baby step has been taken. From Andy Katz: Butler has expressed interest in joining the Atlantic 10 and replacing Temple, according to multiple sources. The Bulldogs are intrigued by the major media markets and, of course, the increase in competition with Xavier, Saint Louis and Dayton among others. The A-10 will lose Temple in the fall of 2013 and must add a quality basketball program. espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/53114/3-point-shot-3
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Post by blackandgold on Mar 12, 2012 11:15:56 GMT -5
Interesting to read Butler fans' opinions on conference movement: buhoops.yuku.com/topic/8547/Butler-interested-in-going-to-A-10#.T14eJfVIvIgGenerally seem to think A-10 would be a better fit with a better chance for quality wins in Jan/Feb. But as many point out, it is likely that "the path" to the tournament is a bit tougher since in theory the Horizon League conference tourney would be easier to win. Should Oakland continue to progress, it will likely encounter the same discussion. In theory the Summit is an easier tournament to win (key word: in theory), but a conference such as the Horizon would offer a better chance at an at-large, even without Butler in the league in my opinion. And I love Sioux Falls as a tournament host for many reasons, but the Horizon sets up its tournament to favor the top seeds, which isn't necessarily the case going forward with the Summit tourney at Sioux Falls.
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Post by ouguy on Mar 12, 2012 11:48:14 GMT -5
This is a really interesting topic because Butler is pretty much my fav school outside of OU so it sucks to see any opportunity of playing with them slip away.
I think this is a good move for Butler, as they can slip into the tourney as an at-large potentially. I think their fans are overstating the value of recruiting in Chicago, because Butler is a much bigger name than it was a few years ago.
If Butler does go to the A10 and the Horizon needs another team, who do they go to? Do they even need another team? I really don't believe that we would get an offer
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Post by blackandgold on Mar 21, 2012 22:18:36 GMT -5
If some of the reports are true that Butler would not make an announcement until its season was over, then we can start that clock now. The Bulldogs lost in the semis of the CBI to Pittsburgh tonight.
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Post by blackandgold on Mar 23, 2012 13:05:55 GMT -5
The coach at Duquesne was fired today and CBSSports.com got a handle on the president's letter informing their board about the decision. That's not really that interesting for Oakland, but this little nugget jumped out at me: 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. More evidence to suggest Butler is going to the Atlantic 10. But notice how the president wrote programs, as in plural. What other schools will be finding a new home in the A10 this offseason?
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Post by Germane on Mar 25, 2012 15:43:46 GMT -5
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Post by blackandgold on Mar 25, 2012 16:25:00 GMT -5
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Post by blackandgold on May 15, 2012 10:44:09 GMT -5
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