Bottom of a big conference or top of a middle/lower conference?

[BUBalum05]

Its looking like 1 of 2 scenarios is going to shake out. As much as I'd love for #1 to happen to run with the big boys, maybe we self actualize and set our sights on a more realistic #2?

Scenario 1: BU gets to fill the 10th, 12th, 14th, 16th spot of some big schools of Big East/A-10 amalgam. BU is not ready to compete at this level (See DePaul in Big East since CUSA). BU might rise up once a decade to an at-large bid or NIT, but I don't see us being able to sustain success here. A basketball super conference means only one AQ, and thats going to be much harder than running the MVC tournament.

Scenario 2: BU ends up in a middle/lower (maybe the new-look MVC) and can more easily rise to the top and get more NCAA AQ tournament berths. Winning makes everyone feel better, and success breeds success. This could mean that BU is in a better position in 5-8 years to jump up to the big boys when something else changes from the fallout around BCS football.

I guess time will tell what ultimately happens, but maybe BU shouldn't try to be something we're not right now.

 

[thefish7]

For me you go big or you go home. If you have a chance to move up, you do it. If we end up in a lesser conference then we have to try to dominate it.

 

[Gary the Gargoyle]

No doubt that if you could move up, you do it.

 

[Braves4Life]

For me you go big or you go home. If you have a chance to move up, you do it. If we end up in a lesser conference then we have to try to dominate it.

Agreed! Think of the money! $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

 

[ph]

You have to go up.
There's always the possibility D1 is split in all sports like the current BCS/FCS ...an you want to try to be on the BCS side of a split.

Now if you're talking scheduling, you want to play the leader of a lower conference team.

 

[SFP]

No question you move up and perhaps the school will be able to compete unlike DePaul has done in The Big East. It would make recruiting a bit easier don't you think?

 

[lake Camelot]

I guess if you can move up I am for it. I look at Depaul and think it has been a mistake for them though. I would prefer that a new Valley formed at about the same level or a little better. With a couple teams added from Dayton,SLU, Depaul, Detroit, UW-GB.

 

[saluki762]

Would you rather be Gonzaga or Depaul?

 

[BuAlum03]

Would you rather be Gonzaga or Depaul?

That's not really a fair question. It's based on the assumption that BU would end up like one or the other.

What about Gonzaga or Marquette? Or Butler? Or Xavier? Or Nova?

I, for one, don't believe that Bradley will always be relegated to the bottom of a better conference. Success helps create more success. That's a chance I'd be willing to take.

 

[thefish7]

That's not really a fair question. It's based on the assumption that BU would end up like one or the other.

What about Gonzaga or Marquette? Or Butler? Or Xavier? Or Nova?

I, for one, don't believe that Bradley will always be relegated to the bottom of a better conference. Success helps create more success. That's a chance I'd be willing to take.

If your goal is something other than trying to be better, I think you're doing it wrong. I think Bradley could do well in a "better" conference. Can't fear success.

 

[LittleBrave]

Would you rather be Gonzaga or Depaul?

Hmmmm...:?

 

[Gary the Gargoyle]

If your goal is something other than trying to be better, I think you're doing it wrong. I think Bradley could do well in a "better" conference. Can't fear success.

I agree with this. However, if Bradley does at some point end up in a hybrid, basketball only version of the MVC/Horizon/Summit leagues, then you also can't fear taking a run at being the next Butler.

 

[thefish7]

I agree with this. However, if Bradley does at some point end up in a hybrid, basketball only version of the MVC/Horizon/Summit leagues, then you also can't fear taking a run at being the next Butler.

Agree totally. Wanting to move up only means that that is preferable. If you end up even or down your goal should be to go ahead and make your case anyway by owning that conference.

 

[TheAsianSensation]

Move up. That's where the money will be in the future. Increased stature for the university as a whole.

And with a split within D1 looming, you have to go as high as you can go before it comes.

Also, the DePaul situation only happens when you have incompetent coaches and a lack of committment. That won't happen at Bradley.

 

[SFP]

Move up. That's where the money will be in the future. Increased stature for the university as a whole.

And with a split within D1 looming, you have to go as high as you can go before it comes.

Also, the DePaul situation only happens when you have incompetent coaches and a lack of committment. That won't happen at Bradley.

+1

BTW we need a like or thumbs up on this site :-o

 

[Bravesfan]

If your goal is something other than trying to be better, I think you're doing it wrong. I think Bradley could do well in a "better" conference. Can't fear success.

I don't know though. Gonzaga and Butler have shown that being the king of a smaller mountain can actually be more beneficial than being an lower or middle tier team out of a stronger conference. Just ask DePaul and Northwestern how things have gone as a BCS member all these years.

 

[Bravesfan]

I agree with this. However, if Bradley does at some point end up in a hybrid, basketball only version of the MVC/Horizon/Summit leagues, then you also can't fear taking a run at being the next Butler.

I think that's what those of us who might be a little hesitant to see Bradley in a stronger conference are thinking. Obviously if we stay in the MVC V2.0, I don't think anyone disagrees that we have to elevate ourselves into the next Butler or Creighton. I think it would make things a little easier, but obviously there is less margin for error with any future form of the MVC most likely a one bid conference, unless they're lucky to snag a Butler type team that was left out in the cold.

 

[SFP]

I don't know though. Gonzaga and Butler have shown that being the king of a smaller mountain can actually be more beneficial than being an lower or middle tier team out of a stronger conference. Just ask DePaul and Northwestern how things have gone as a BCS member all these years.

If DePaul and NW did not like their position they could have pulled out! It is as simple as that. The conference with the better brand gives you a foot up in recruiting. DePaul's failure has nothing to do with the conference and NW has everything to do with the style and a bit of the type of kids they can recruit. If they decide to recruit and give scholarships like Duke and Stanford they would be much better off. I give BU a ton more value and potential then you do!

 

[Bravesfan]

Move up. That's where the money will be in the future. Increased stature for the university as a whole.

And with a split within D1 looming, you have to go as high as you can go before it comes.

Also, the DePaul situation only happens when you have incompetent coaches and a lack of committment. That won't happen at Bradley.

Good point regarding DePaul. They are a "major" program with a mid-major philosophy, and they rank near the bottom of the current Big East in terms of their athletic department budget. Hopefully Bradley commits to allocating more money towards athletics irregardless of where they end up.

 

[SFP]

Good point regarding DePaul. They are a "major" program with a mid-major philosophy, and they rank near the bottom of the current Big East in terms of their athletic department budget. Hopefully Bradley commits to allocating more money towards athletics irregardless of where they end up.

Can only commit the revenue they generate. Its what you do with it that counts. DePaul has not been too astute. They are looking at building a new arena though close to their campus. If that happens that will be a great benefit for them.

On another note the C7 will be looking for schools that have their own arena. They ave said as much. The reason is that sharing your arena with a professional team really throws a wrench in scheduling. That is one reason I'm betting we have played a few games at the Ren Col.