YES- Writer argues that A-10 should pursue Wichita State

[tgcshock]

Here is the link.

http://www.gazettenet.com/home/10858601-95/matt-vautour-atlantic-10-should-pursue-undefeated-wichita-state

QUOTE:
"Wichita fits that profile. The biggest drawback is geography, which isn’t that big of a drawback. Enough schools charter flights for road games so flying to central Kansas isn’t much different than travelling to Saint Louis or Dayton, Ohio. Rumors are constant that the Big East will eventually try to expand, adding two more A-10 teams. Saint Louis, Dayton and Richmond are the most mentioned teams in those rumors. Enhancing the league’s Midwest presence would make it attractive for the Billikens and Flyers to stay."

[wufan]

Gotta keep St. Louis and Dayton in the A-10 or they are the Valley except on Eastern Standard Time.

[tgcshock]

Gotta keep St. Louis and Dayton in the A-10 or they are the Valley except on Eastern Standard Time.

Agreed but that, of course, is the crux of his argument.

[Shock Top]

Gotta keep St. Louis and Dayton in the A-10 or they are the Valley except on Eastern Standard Time.

A Valley on the East Coast is a better Valley though (at least in the eyes of the media/pundits).

[The Mad Hatter]

Gotta keep St. Louis and Dayton in the A-10 or they are the Valley except on Eastern Standard Time.

They are clearly weaker without those two programs, but:
They currently have 7 schools besides SLU and Dayton in the top 100 of the RPI (9 of 13 overall - 69%, 7 of 11 minus SLU and Dayton - 64%)
They have only 1 school over 200 in the RPI (1 of 13 overall - 8%, 1 of 11 minus SLU and Dayton - 9%)
Even without SLU, they have 5 in the top 50.

The Valley has 3 schools in the top 100 (3 of 10 - 30%)
The Valley has 3 schools over 200 in the RPI (3 of 10 - 30%)
The Valley has 1 school in the top 50.

Granted, this is a down year for the Valley and a good year for the A10, but even so the differences are pretty staggering right now.

[jpshocker]

Here is the link.

http://www.gazettenet.com/home/10858601-95/matt-vautour-atlantic-10-should-pursue-undefeated-wichita-state

QUOTE:
"Wichita fits that profile. The biggest drawback is geography, which isn’t that big of a drawback. Enough schools charter flights for road games so flying to central Kansas isn’t much different than travelling to Saint Louis or Dayton, Ohio. Rumors are constant that the Big East will eventually try to expand, adding two more A-10 teams. Saint Louis, Dayton and Richmond are the most mentioned teams in those rumors. Enhancing the league’s Midwest presence would make it attractive for the Billikens and Flyers to stay."

YES, YES, YES and YES.

[Shocker-maniac]

Please get us out of the MVC.

[DwShock]

Stay in the MVC and win 10 straight MVC titles. Go to the Tourney and keep winning.

[Rlh04d]

I could see Saint Louis leaving for the Big East while Dayton stays. I would be okay with us being in that conference. I'd also like us to take Bradley in that scenario as a traveling partner to balance out some of the geography (and because, at some point, Bradley is going to get their act together).

If Saint Louis and Dayton both stay, the addition of WSU would make that a very attractive conference for an improved television contract.

I think the most likely scenario is that SLU and Dayton end up in the Big East within the next season or two. But if the Big East holds off, the A10 would be smart to grab WSU and Bradley, push for a strong TV contract, and increase the buyout considerably.

[Shock Top]

I'll donate a few more bucks for WSU to go private, if that is what we need to get respect (or join the Big East).

I may be kidding, but their might be some sad truth to this..

[DoubleJayAlum]

I think the most likely scenario is that SLU and Dayton end up in the Big East within the next season or two.

The BIG EAST will NOT be adding Dayton. Dayton and Cincinnati are too close to one another and Xavier will do every thing possible to block them. Since there are other schools that want to block certain schools themselves (Villanova, Georgetown) I don't see schools voting to add someone that a current member wants blocked.

I do firmly believe that SLU will be the next school added to the BIG EAST. If that is the case, an east coast school will be picked to come in with them. The schools on the east do not want more western schools than eastern schools.

[Shock Therapy]

The BIG EAST will NOT be adding Dayton. Dayton and Cincinnati are too close to one another and Xavier will do every thing possible to block them. Since there are other schools that want to block certain schools themselves (Villanova, Georgetown) I don't see schools voting to add someone that a current member wants blocked.

I do firmly believe that SLU will be the next school added to the BIG EAST. If that is the case, an east coast school will be picked to come in with them. The schools on the east do not want more western schools than eastern schools.

I don't know how anyone can take you seriously when you insist on capitalizing every letter of big east. It's weird.

[ShockerFever]

LOL. It does come off very mid-majorish.

[Topshock]

Interesting, but these are probably the best to options considering the Big East is a pipe dream.

Please view the following two great conference options for Wichita State:

1. American Conference 2014

West: Wichita State , Tulsa, Houston, Memphis, SMU, Tulane

East: Connecticut, Temple, Cincinnati, East Carolina, Central Florida, South Florida

Just look at the great geographic fit!

Remember that Louisville, Rutgers and Villanova will not be a part of the American as of July 2014.

Navy is football only.

Play your division home and home, the other one once per year.

This is a great conference for travel, with only 3 road games per year in the East Division.

Also a great conference for baseball!

2. Mountain West

East: Wichita State, New Mexico, Colorado State, Air Force, Wyoming, Utah State

West: San Diego State, UNLV, Nevada, Boise State, Fresno State, San Jose State

Road Trips to the East Division not much different than the Missouri Valley.

Once again only 3 road game per year in the West division.

[shoxlax]

Wouldn't the travel and costs associated therein with the minor sports eat us up?