|
Post by sweat83 on Mar 3, 2021 20:27:26 GMT -5
La Salle and Fordham join the Patriot League. There are a few leftovers there from the ECC, which wasn't such a bad conference. Logistically is works, and you still have the DC, NY, Boston, Philly colleges there. The CBB Landscape has changed Bite the bullet and move on. This is who we are in 2021. Sweat, we don't fit a Patriot profile, I remember there was talk of this when the football team was competitive, but that was the issue back then. Got it. Forgot about Football.
|
|
|
Post by hykos1045 on Mar 3, 2021 20:31:31 GMT -5
That's always been the "how we got stuck in the MCC" narrative, but you're leaving out the part where Fordham, St Joe's and Temple's John Chaney stumped for Speedy and the Explorers to get an A10 invite!
|
|
|
Post by belfieldhappyhour on Mar 3, 2021 20:35:55 GMT -5
Maybe that long rumored National Catholic Conference will come to fruition and we can sneak in there. I love this idea but the days of getting Villanova or St. John's are over. Yeah, the current Big East is the closest you're gonna get to my rumored league. Plus, the travel would be insane. Would have to drop more sports if they wanted to compete financially.
|
|
|
Post by GlitterBro #2 on Mar 3, 2021 21:40:01 GMT -5
NPOA. Very thoughtful. As you mention, the tough part is that we have some sports now having success in the A10, but unfortunately not basketball. I like the idea of a new conference composed of some from these others...but I doubt St. Joe's goes along for the ride. Except for the past couple of years, they've had decent success during their time in the A10 and have been to the NCAA 7x and the NIT 7x during the timespan we have been in the conference. I just don't see them leaving over a few down years right now.
Also consider facilities. St. Joe's has a newer facility, and Duquesne just built theirs. Recruiting against them will remain difficult in a head-to-head facilities comparison if they are in a new conference with us. La Salle is in a tough spot with this. Would fans be happy in a "lower" conference if it meant more championship banners and a crack at the NCAAs...even as a 14 seed? As a '93 alum, I'll admit to being spoiled at having gone to 2 NCAAs and an NIT during my time at La Salle. I want us there again....I want us to be playing in March...and I don't feel staying in the A10...as it is right now...gets us there in the near future. We went when I was 21, and when I was 42. I don't want to wait until I'm 63 before going again.
|
|
|
Post by heftyexpl on Mar 3, 2021 21:48:57 GMT -5
The NEC would be a better fit than the MAAC LOL
Yeah because playing at St Francis of Brooklyn, where their campus consists of 1 building, would be more exciting than a coaching match up with Rick Pitino š¤£š
š¤£
|
|
|
Post by JoeFedorowicz on Mar 3, 2021 21:52:09 GMT -5
coaching match up with Rick Pitino š¤£š
š¤£ Even money Rick Pitino is coaching there in 2022.
|
|
|
Post by calsufan on Mar 3, 2021 22:11:58 GMT -5
That's always been the "how we got stuck in the MCC" narrative, but you're leaving out the part where Fordham, St Joe's and Temple's John Chaney stumped for Speedy and the Explorers to get an A10 invite! I thought I had heard that St. Joe's was campaigning against us joining the A10.
|
|
|
Post by manayunk53 on Mar 5, 2021 11:21:18 GMT -5
This is a good write-up Joe. Nice job of breaking everything down.
I think it's pretty clear that there aren't many easy answers for La Salle right now (in basketball, in sports, in academics, in facilities, or really in anything else). It's just not a good time to be a school like La Salle, and I can't see that changing anytime soon.
It's not all bad though. I'm currently in Atlantic City for my annual A-10 Tournament protest weekend. So at least I'm having fun.
|
|
|
Post by explorer88 on Mar 5, 2021 11:37:09 GMT -5
Finally got to reading all of this.
Joe, you have the same idea I have been hoping for but unfortunately it is not going to happen.
I would love to partner with the A-10 schools you mentioned that fall within La Salle's wheelhouse and then poach 2-4 of the better schools from the lower level conferences. Problem is I just don't see it happening.
So where does that leave La Salle? In the gap where it has one foot in the A-10 and one foot out (Can't match the budgets or facilities). So where does La Salle go? That is where all of us probably has a lot of differing opinins.
John Glaser had it right in my mind. Took me 10 years to come to terms with it. Hire a coach the runs the Princeton offense and recruit gym rats that can play it. La Salle can get both and be competitive. I would settle for a a good system coach if not Princeton style but I get what John was saying now.
As long as we remain in the A-10 and do not upgrade the facility or become more attractive that is what I would like to see us do.
If the A-10 hybrid/top lower conference schools ever shook out for La Salle than perhaps we would have more freedom on the type of coach and player we recruit but until then I think the Glaser recommendation is the way to go.
|
|
|
Post by thelasallelunatic on Mar 5, 2021 14:57:01 GMT -5
Finally got to reading all of this. Joe, you have the same idea I have been hoping for but unfortunately it is not going to happen. I would love to partner with the A-10 schools you mentioned that fall within La Salle's wheelhouse and then poach 2-4 of the better schools from the lower level conferences. Problem is I just don't see it happening. So where does that leave La Salle? In the gap where it has one foot in the A-10 and one foot out (Can't match the budgets or facilities). So where does La Salle go? That is where all of us probably has a lot of differing opinins. John Glaser had it right in my mind. Took me 10 years to come to terms with it. Hire a coach the runs the Princeton offense and recruit gym rats that can play it. La Salle can get both and be competitive. I would settle for a a good system coach if not Princeton style but I get what John was saying now. As long as we remain in the A-10 and do not upgrade the facility or become more attractive that is what I would like to see us do. If the A-10 hybrid/top lower conference schools ever shook out for La Salle than perhaps we would have more freedom on the type of coach and player we recruit but until then I think the Glaser recommendation is the way to go. I did stump for Sydney Johnson 10 years ago when Princeton was doing their thing. Unfortunately, he didn't do anything of note at Fairfield.
|
|
|
Post by diehardexplorer on Mar 5, 2021 15:05:26 GMT -5
That's always been the "how we got stuck in the MCC" narrative, but you're leaving out the part where Fordham, St Joe's and Temple's John Chaney stumped for Speedy and the Explorers to get an A10 invite! I thought I had heard that St. Joe's was campaigning against us joining the A10. not sure if they campaigned against la salle getting in, but they sure as hell didn't stump for la salle to get in. we can thank john chaney for stumping for us. someone also mentioned in an earlier post that st joe's (pa) was interested in joining the mcc if they went to east/west divisions. they had zero interest in that. why would they want to leave the a10. it was duquesne (who joined the mcc for maybe a few weeks) and maybe fordham.
|
|
|
Post by glorydays on Mar 5, 2021 15:14:03 GMT -5
Finally got to reading all of this. Joe, you have the same idea I have been hoping for but unfortunately it is not going to happen. I would love to partner with the A-10 schools you mentioned that fall within La Salle's wheelhouse and then poach 2-4 of the better schools from the lower level conferences. Problem is I just don't see it happening. So where does that leave La Salle? In the gap where it has one foot in the A-10 and one foot out (Can't match the budgets or facilities). So where does La Salle go? That is where all of us probably has a lot of differing opinins. John Glaser had it right in my mind. Took me 10 years to come to terms with it. Hire a coach the runs the Princeton offense and recruit gym rats that can play it. La Salle can get both and be competitive. I would settle for a a good system coach if not Princeton style but I get what John was saying now. As long as we remain in the A-10 and do not upgrade the facility or become more attractive that is what I would like to see us do. If the A-10 hybrid/top lower conference schools ever shook out for La Salle than perhaps we would have more freedom on the type of coach and player we recruit but until then I think the Glaser recommendation is the way to go. I did stomp for Sydney Johnson 10 years ago when Princeton was doing their thing. Unfortunately, he didn't do anything of note at Fairfield. I had the pleasure of a few long conversations with John. I truly miss his insights. One more time for the road: 4Ever has cred!
|
|
|
Post by 23won on Mar 5, 2021 16:56:00 GMT -5
The Glaser idea has great merit. It's essentially why Davidson is so good regardless of lineup and Schmidt to a decent degree also in Bona.
I have to say my biggest concern three years ago with hiring Ash was that he was going to coach more like Bruiser and less like Jay. After three years, I am concerned. He really ought to take a few pages out of McKillop's book.
|
|
|
Post by JoeFedorowicz on Mar 5, 2021 17:03:48 GMT -5
The kids you need at this level have to want to run back door cuts all day. Donāt see a lot of that in high level aau.
|
|
|
Post by 23won on Mar 5, 2021 17:23:47 GMT -5
Now, to address the conference idea. I think we stay in A10. Have the recent high performers in one division, play division foes 2x and 1x the other for 19 games. D will go bonkers, but no P6 school wants to schedule A10 willingly, so go for the quadrant quality wins and mo tourney $$$ for A10.
To keep things interesting, bottom three of upper division are eligible to swap at season end with upper three of next division as long as 5,6,7 are within 40 points in NET power rating of 1,2,3 of lower division. For example, if U7 is #85 NET, L1 is 120, then they swap. If U6 is 80, L2 is 125, no swap.
St. Bonaventure, Duquesne, Dayton, SLU, VCU, Davidson, Richmond
Mason, George Washington, La Salle, Saint Josephās, Fordham, URI, UMAss
|
|
MisterD
The Baptist Himself
Voted Most Popular Poster 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023
Posts: 8,481
Member is Online
Likes: 6,376
|
Post by MisterD on Mar 5, 2021 17:59:15 GMT -5
The kids you need at this level have to want to run back door cuts all day. Donāt see a lot of that in high level aau. I haven't checked their tourney records, but I'm also guessing perpetual backdoor cuts work a lot better against Ivy League schools than they would inside a/the top mid-major conference.
|
|
|
Post by a10champion15 on Mar 5, 2021 19:13:04 GMT -5
This conversation ends for me because of three points...
1. No other conference provides La Salle with the highest ceiling or upside. The A10 is a multi bid conference and that fundamental aspect shouldnāt be undervalued. Itās the most important metric of any conference.
2. What would be the point of being a upper mid level team in the MAAC or wherever? To make the tournament as a 16th seed, get crushed and be forgotten?
3. Point 2 falls into this but the A10 teams even the worst such as Fordham are able to recruit a certain tier of recruits that you will not be able to recruit if you leave for a low mid major.
You can argue about fit, budget or facilities but IMO these 3 points are the most important metrics and it isnāt close.
|
|
|
Post by walkon on Mar 5, 2021 19:21:05 GMT -5
This is a good write-up Joe. Nice job of breaking everything down. I think it's pretty clear that there aren't many easy answers for La Salle right now (in basketball, in sports, in academics, in facilities, or really in anything else). It's just not a good time to be a school like La Salle, and I can't see that changing anytime soon. It's not all bad though. I'm currently in Atlantic City for my annual A-10 Tournament protest weekend. So at least I'm having fun. It is hard for so many facets of life these days, including small universities. Despite all of the problems, we will make it through. I know people on here are critical, but itās because we love our small school. La Salle is a special place, one that shaped our lives in many ways. It is a small oasis in an urban environment, and it is hard to put in words how much we love that place... itās the kind of place that looking back on it, you really had to be a part of it to really understand why it is so special. I miss the little things there, but most importantly you feel like you are a part of something as an alumnus. Anyone can attend a big state university, and be a fan of their programs- thatās easy. Nothing will ever compare to how La Salle made me feel in the 2013 tournament run, walking into a sports bar in New York City with the place packed with Explorers that came out of the wood work to see us knock off big time schools. I know itās hard..... but try to believe! Have a great spring and summer guys.
|
|
|
Post by theneumann64 on Mar 5, 2021 20:48:47 GMT -5
This is a discussion with a lot of facets and layers, but one argument I really donāt like is that making the tournament somewhat frequently just to be a 16 seed and get crushed would be pointless (letās leave whether or not weād make the tournament with any frequency aside for a moment).
Because right now weāve made the tournament once in 30 years. By the skin of our teeth. Yes, the Sweet 16 run was magical as a fan and Iād never trade it. But it also ended up meaning nothing for the fortunes of the program long term. So in reality, it would probably be better to make the tournament 3 times a decade and get wiped out by Duke or whoever, than it would be to make a run like that once a generation.
and (preparing to duck)....that run was a fluke, due a confluence of several things, and Ramon Galloway being a singular figure in terms of impact on the program the 2 years he was here. We shouldnāt be pointing back to it as a sign of āthings that are possibleā with any great frequency.
|
|
|
Post by GlitterBro #2 on Mar 5, 2021 21:33:15 GMT -5
I wonder if UMBC hated being a 16 seed a few years ago.
|
|
|
Post by thelasallelunatic on Mar 5, 2021 21:53:36 GMT -5
This conversation ends for me because of three points... 1. No other conference provides La Salle with the highest ceiling or upside. The A10 is a multi bid conference and that fundamental aspect shouldnāt be undervalued. Itās the most important metric of any conference. 2. What would be the point of being a upper mid level team in the MAAC or wherever? To make the tournament as a 16th seed, get crushed and be forgotten? 3. Point 2 falls into this but the A10 teams even the worst such as Fordham are able to recruit a certain tier of recruits that you will not be able to recruit if you leave for a low mid major. You can argue about fit, budget or facilities but IMO these 3 points are the most important metrics and it isnāt close. I'm right there with you at point #1....It starts and ends there for me.
|
|
|
Post by JoeFedorowicz on Mar 6, 2021 6:06:36 GMT -5
This conversation ends for me because of three points... 1. No other conference provides La Salle with the highest ceiling or upside. The A10 is a multi bid conference and that fundamental aspect shouldnāt be undervalued. Itās the most important metric of any conference. 2. What would be the point of being a upper mid level team in the MAAC or wherever? To make the tournament as a 16th seed, get crushed and be forgotten? 3. Point 2 falls into this but the A10 teams even the worst such as Fordham are able to recruit a certain tier of recruits that you will not be able to recruit if you leave for a low mid major. You can argue about fit, budget or facilities but IMO these 3 points are the most important metrics and it isnāt close. I'm right there with you at point #1....It starts and ends there for me. Sure, I want to buy a five million dollar house and I probably could afford the down payment. But then I have to pay the taxes. And the upkeep on a house that big is expensive. And I only have two kids so what am I going to do with the other three bedrooms. Takes a long time to mow the lawn with a push mower. I'm being glib and again, I don't think they should just go to the MAAC. I just think La Salle is going to drown in the A10 long term.
|
|
|
Post by 23won on Mar 6, 2021 15:15:45 GMT -5
You folks are too pessimistic.
What makes the A10 the most $$? Tourney money.
Who has kicked in in the last 7-10 years - La Salle, along with the big names.
Who hasn't in that period? Duquesne, Mason (not a member for part), Fordham. UMass is 1x with no win $$. Bona has been in 3x with 1 win so they contributed about as much as we did.
So that's 4 teams below us and one comparable. GW and UR are only slightly above us. So I am not going to cry in my beer on this. A change down makes no sense.
|
|
|
Post by calsufan on Mar 6, 2021 15:51:08 GMT -5
The kids you need at this level have to want to run back door cuts all day. Donāt see a lot of that in high level aau. I haven't checked their tourney records, but I'm also guessing perpetual backdoor cuts work a lot better against Ivy League schools than they would inside a/the top mid-major conference. I disagree. It really comes down to how well the other team plays defense. La Salle for a number of years under G (and to a lesser extent under Ash) would consistently get abused by back door plays by multiple teams. I haven't watched Richmond lately but they used to run a lot of them. Davidson runs them and I believe the Bonnies do as well.
|
|
|
Post by belfieldhappyhour on May 6, 2021 22:48:13 GMT -5
A little apples to oranges here, but if people could see my twitter timeline right now and how badly Hartford officials are getting torched for announcing they approved a drop from DI to DIII, no one would ever want La Salle to drop any level of conference affiliation
|
|
|
Post by crayzeeguy on May 7, 2021 5:05:53 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on May 7, 2021 7:49:04 GMT -5
Hartford Facilities aren't spectacular, but they are almost perfect for the level they are at (right now) in my opinion. Looks like Rose Hill Gym (Fordham) Old Duquesne and Davidson's arena had a love child. This seems very short sighted. You don't move down to cut costs, because you will be cutting revenue even moreso. I'd expect them to reverse course and jobs to be lost over this one.
|
|
|
Post by GlitterBro #2 on May 7, 2021 7:58:38 GMT -5
When do the players hit the portal?
|
|
|
Post by explorer88 on May 7, 2021 8:02:21 GMT -5
Jared Kimbrough back to La Salle
|
|
|
Post by GlitterBro #2 on May 7, 2021 8:04:04 GMT -5
Jared Kimbrough back to La Salle we have one scholarship available
|
|