Butler and Xavier Status

[xu39]

The New York Post article said that Gonzaga is in Seattle. Gonzaga is not in Seattle, Gonzaga is in Spokane, Washington, which is about 4.5 hours(278 miles)to the east of Seattle. Obviously an error by the Post, and I guess some people still don't know where Gonzaga is, despite all the success that Gonzaga has had.

At least most know that Gonzaga is located somewhere in Washington state. That's like saying Xavier is located in Chicago or Pittsburgh. At least most know that Xavier is located somewhere in Ohio.

[JTG]

The New York Post article said that Gonzaga is in Seattle. Gonzaga is not in Seattle, Gonzaga is in Spokane, Washington, which is about 4.5 hours(278 miles)to the east of Seattle. Obviously an error by the Post, and I guess some people still don't know where Gonzaga is, despite all the success that Gonzaga has had.

At least most know that Gonzaga is located somewhere in Washington state. That's like saying Xavier is located in Chicago or Pittsburgh. At least most know that Xavier is located somewhere in Ohio.

The vast majority of the US is probably not up on their Washington State geography...besides Gonzaga gets way too much publicity for their meager accomplishments...just another media darling like, the Jets, Lakers, Red Sox, and Yankees...another grouping who the rest of the country could care less about,especially the Jets.

[Jesseandrippers]

Butler and Xavier have been offered spots in the new "Big East" and will be accepting.

Look for a Press Conference around Wednesday. The delay is likely due to determining who will be the 3rd Team.

Spot on...

[mumuskie87]

Great piece...I get Lunardi's connection to SJU but he lays out a decent argument for inclusion of more A10 schools.
Bottom line is that 4 of the BE7 - SH, St. Johns, Depaul and Providence - have not been very good over the past 10 years or so. They are dogs...just with less fleas that the A10 dogs - Fordham, LaSalle, Duquense, URI..
Xavier and Butler are in the driver's seat. I think Creighton makes more sense every day...maybe more than SLU. The other question is Richmond vs. VCU. VCU doesn't fit the "private school" model but has a better program than Richmond at this point in time - based on recent NCAA tournament performance.

Hello Xavier fans (sorry about the loss last night). I hope you guys get an invite to the New Big East soon (and accept). It's been interesting to see other programs perceptions since this started breaking. People think because a program has been down (and PC hasn't been to NCAAs since 2004) it dictates future performance...even if there's been a coaching change (the most important part of any program). The Friars held onto one coach too long (Tim Welsh) and made an awful hire in Keno Davis and are now rebuilding. Xavier fans haven't experienced the impact a poor hire can have on a program recently (amazingly you guys just keep going). Ed Cooley is in his 2nd year and making major strides. A quick snap shot of where PC stands TODAY:

- They play in a 13,000 seat stadium that went through an 80 million renovation a couple of years ago...it's essentially a new facility. When full a solid college bball arena.

- Opened a 15 million dollar weight training and sports medicine facility a couple of years ago and are currently starting plans on building a multi million dollar basketball practice facility.

- PC's team for next year will have Bryce Cotton (currently leading the BE in scoring), Kadeem Batts (productive inside player currently averaging 17 and 8), and LaDontae Henton (All BE freshman last year and very solid).

- Freshman McDonald's All American point guard Kris Dunn just played his first game for the Friars (injury) and should be ready to go next year. Promising sophomore center Sidiki Johnson (Arizona) also just became eligible and played his first game.

- The best talent in the program is currently not playing. Ricky Ledo (considered a top 10 talent in HS by some sources) is on the team as a partial qualifier and if all goes well with his studies will be playing next year.

- Transfers Carson Derossiers (7 footer from Wake Forrest) and Tyler Harris (6'9" swing player from NC State) will be eligible. While neither put up big stats at their first school both are seen as very solid parts to the puzzle.

- Oh yeah, their top recruit for next year is arguably the top player in Philly and another top 50 guy nationally (picked PC over UCONN and Texas)...6'6" combo guard Brandon Austin.

While they will have a lot of unknowns with first year players, talent wise they will get many mentions for top 25 preseason. It will be Cooley's challenge to mesh the talent together.

So how does that compare to the "dogs" of the A-10???

Purnell at DePaul and Willard at Seton Hall are also making strides. While it's not going to be the old Big East I think Xavier's fans are going to see a much higher level of competition overall as compared to the A-10 over the years.

Anyway, best of luck to the Musketeers.

Friar Fan - Thanks for the update. I do believe that the "dogs" of the BE7 should be an upgrade over the "dogs" of the A10. My point was that Butler and Xavier have had stronger performing b/ball programs in recent history than several of the BE programs.
Would love to see PU get back to the level when the legendary duo of Ernie D and "Bad News" Marvin Barnes played for them - one of my alltime favorite teams.
This youtube video of Ernie D' s half court behind the back pass thru 3 guys for a layup is a classic.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTOtagUt ... 813B500F6D

[xu39]

Would love to see PU get back to the level when the legendary duo of Ernie D and "Bad News" Marvin Barnes played for them - one of my alltime favorite teams.
This youtube video of Ernie D' s half court behind the back pass thru 3 guys for a layup is a classic.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTOtagUt ... 813B500F6D

Man, those were some SWEET behind the back passes. Wow!

[ChitownSteve]

Butler and Xavier have been offered spots in the new "Big East" and will be accepting.

Look for a Press Conference around Wednesday. The delay is likely due to determining who will be the 3rd Team.

Spot on...

While recognizing that when in a hole, one should stop digging, I will violate that principle.

Tonight's SI article, posted by Muskieman, as its own thread adds much. In it, Butler and Xavier are noted as in.

Subsequent to the original post, there apparently was a determination that for X and Butler to announce prior to a full complement of schools being locked in, to a yet unnamed Conference, which does not have a Commissioner, and some other loose ends, might be premature.

Hope this explains the announcement delay. Posters have been rather kind and could have been blistering. Castigation may still be in order, but figured it worthwhile to add this and let the chips fall as they may.

Again, the good news is there is no reason to doubt that X and Butler will be in the mix. Timing is taking a bit longer than any of us prefer.

[musketeer3]

BYU Possibly?

[musketeer3]

What about UNLV or San Diego State?

[FriarFan]

Friar Fan - Thanks for the update. I do believe that the "dogs" of the BE7 should be an upgrade over the "dogs" of the A10. My point was that Butler and Xavier have had stronger performing b/ball programs in recent history than several of the BE programs.
Would love to see PU get back to the level when the legendary duo of Ernie D and "Bad News" Marvin Barnes played for them - one of my alltime favorite teams.
This youtube video of Ernie D' s half court behind the back pass thru 3 guys for a layup is a classic.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTOtagUt ... 813B500F6D

Thanks...but it's PC (Providence College) not PU!

That pass from Ernie D (behind the back from half court) may have been one of the best I have every seen. The pass in itself was incredible, but factor in I believe it was against Memphis St in the Final Four (not exactly a scrimmage game)...truly amazing.

I want to get this new conference done and get rolling! Maybe they do 10 teams to start but I'm thinking they go to 12 teams very shortly after (if not immediately).

[N67ER]

Thanks for the Ernie D clip. He was a magician with the dribble and the pass. A mini Pistol Pete! His performance in the Olympics was tremendous - even if the Russians stole the gold!