The A10

[Tony]

Feb 27, 2013 14:56:15 GMT -5 mattglassman312 said:

I think a lot of posters are overestimating one of two things:

1. Siena's chances of being competitive in a C12 league; or
2. The value of being a lower-end team in a C12.

Yes, lightning can strike in any given year or two. And yes, lesser programs can be transformed into consistent BCS winners. But the BCS conferences *do* have bottom-feeders who go years and years without being competitive. There's a very serious chance Siena would assume that position in the C12.

But the more dangerous idea is the line of thinking that says "that's ok." Maybe it is, if all you want to do is get a chance to see the really good teams play in Albany eery year. But I don't think it's debatable that being a competitive upper-half A10 team would draw better attendance than being a bottom-feeder in the C12. And I think it's likely that playing in the A10 would generate more NCAA appearances.

It's entirely possible to improve the absolute quality of the basketball team, but end up with a losing hand that can't fill the stands and never plays in the post-season. I simply have no interest in being Northwestern. And there's a real danger of that if we were to get invited and accept the C12.

You make a lot of very good points..personally I'd rather be a competitive A10 program rather than a bottom feeding C12 team..of course right now I'd settle for competitive MAAC program

[parker]

Why stop at the ACC, or C-7?
How about a petition to the NBA for an expansion franchise?

[MTS]

I agree with Matt - no desire to be a Northwestern or Providence or Fordham in the current A10. Yeah it's nice to be mentioned with those schools but what good is it if we're in over our heads? The "new" A10 on the other hand would be a perfect fit. We could be more than competitive and have a chance for at-large bids and single digits seeds (and not having to go crazy like in 08-09 to get one) a better chance to make the sweet 16. And perhaps the Catholic-7 schools would give us some home and homes?

[lmnop22]

Even in the hey day several years back we would be a middle of the pack team in the current C12 if formed....A10 would be a different story

[wilpat]

I don't want to see Siena get pounded every night in the C12, I would be very suprised if Siena made that jump. Right now Siena is a bottom feeder team in the much weaker MAAC.

[gorvy]

Matt makes some good points but again it is all about commitment. If Siena decides to jump to the A-10 and run the program like it is in the MAAC it will fail miserably there as well. So Siena has to decide how committed it is to winning basketball games, and then schedule their course accordingly. Personally, if Siena had the means to do it after weighing all their options (if any exist), I would much prefer they were in the Catholic 7 than the A10. One reason why is that I value high quality basketball. Another reason is that the ceiling is higher in the Catholic 7. Middle of the pack C12 or Top of the A-10?-- sign me up for the Catholic 7 then, any day of the week.

If Siena was in either of those two leagues, I would tolerate a LOT more losing, especially in conference. Right now we are paying A-10 type prices for NEC quality basketball. In the A-10, if Siena was committed, it would be competing for at large berths and most years get into one tournament or another. The MAAC, with its parity and downgrading of hoops across the board, is dragging us down. We are never going to compete at the same level we once did in this conference. It is over, time to move on.

[Deleted]

Feb 27, 2013 18:45:57 GMT -5 gorvy said:

Matt makes some good points but again it is all about commitment. If Siena decides to jump to the A-10 and run the program like it is in the MAAC it will fail miserably there as well. So Siena has to decide how committed it is to winning basketball games, and then schedule their course accordingly. Personally, if Siena had the means to do it after weighing all their options (if any exist), I would much prefer they were in the Catholic 7 than the A10. One reason why is that I value high quality basketball. Another reason is that the ceiling is higher in the Catholic 7. Middle of the pack C12 or Top of the A-10?-- sign me up for the Catholic 7 then, any day of the week.

If Siena was in either of those two leagues, I would tolerate a LOT more losing, especially in conference. Right now we are paying A-10 type prices for NEC quality basketball. In the A-10, if Siena was committed, it would be competing for at large berths and most years get into one tournament or another. The MAAC, with its parity and downgrading of hoops across the board, is dragging us down. We are never going to compete at the same level we once did in this conference. It is over, time to move on.

I agree with alot of what you said but for the last 3 years we've been dragging the MAAC down.

[lmnop22]

Commitment = Money....you think 300,000 that was saved on Frans contract is enough to make that type of jump? Don't start talking about television rights either cause that is not getting split equally with that league and if you think so then your crazy....The school doesn't have the money to compete, they can't raise tuition because they are having a hard enough time getting kids to come to the school....it's all pipe dreams for this board

[Tony]

Feb 27, 2013 22:05:20 GMT -5 lmnop22 said:

Commitment = Money....you think 300,000 that was saved on Frans contract is enough to make that type of jump? Don't start talking about television rights either cause that is not getting split equally with that league and if you think so then your crazy....The school doesn't have the money to compete, they can't raise tuition because they are having a hard enough time getting kids to come to the school....it's all pipe dreams for this board

While I agree C7 is an extreme longshot- as usual you are way off. First off its not a pipe dream of this board—blame Feinstein . As for TV rights..long way to go just because the opening salvo by C7 is unequal TV rights. I don’t think TV networks will be clamoring for Seton Hall VS Providence. If the field is too uneven Xavier Butler etc won’t be running to join the C7, it has to make sense for them also

Siena will and should explore all options in regards to conference realignment. lmnop22 you have made it clear you feel Siena is better off in a watered down MAAC. And hey that’s fine so far only valid point you’ve made is easier path to auto bid. Other posters thinking about different conferences is not a “pipe dream” of this board

[section2]

Other things not often mentioned here: endowments(colleges spend where they want) and alumni donations. Siena isn't really poor, their endowment is larger than Xavier's. As for donations, pro athletes are normally among the highest paid alumni and biggest donors. Siena recently has Lannan, Ubiles, and Hasbrouck making big checks. Upgrading leagues gives more chances of getting your "student-athletes" paid.

[gorvy]

Feb 28, 2013 5:49:02 GMT -5 Tony said:

While I agree C7 is an extreme longshot- as usual you are way off. First off its not a pipe dream of this board—blame Feinstein . As for TV rights..long way to go just because the opening salvo by C7 is unequal TV rights. I don’t think TV networks will be clamoring for Seton Hall VS Providence. If the field is too uneven Xavier Butler etc won’t be running to join the C7, it has to make sense for them also

Siena will and should explore all options in regards to conference realignment. lmnop22 you have made it clear you feel Siena is better off in a watered down MAAC. And hey that’s fine so far only valid point you’ve made is easier path to auto bid. Other posters thinking about different conferences is not a “pipe dream” of this board

Agree. Plus, that auto bid has been made more difficult by the addition of two more teams, the neutral site tourney, and the MAAC's overall emphasis on equality despite how much money teams spend. College basketball should be much more than three days in March, even Penn State fans can now attest to that.

[glen]

By the way, I disagree that we couldn't be competitive in the C7. College hoops is ALL about coaching (though that does include recruiting by said coach). Providence is held up as the bottom feeder. The reason PC has been poor was due to 10 years of Tim Welch and a few years of Keano Davis. Look at what Cooley has done in just his 2nd season. PC will be at or near .500 in league play. That isn't the MAAC. In a year or 2 PC could be contending for a title. Demographically, PC is nearly identical to Siena. The key is making the tough choices and cutting bad coaches quickly. PC, like Siena, has had good ones (Pitino, Gillen, Barnes) and not so good ones. The good ones get them to Final Fours or elite 8's. Siena *could* be competitive in that company too. I'm just not sure the admins have the stones for it. Whether it is the C7 or A10 we could be successful. Whether it is the C7, A10 or MAAC we've also shown we can stink. I think the fan base is running out of patience paying for and A10 program and getting NEC results. If Siena is serious about their strategic plan they have to do more than simply talk about it and pray for good things to happen. The Lord helps those who help themselves.

[siena70]

I can't believe some of the samll thinkers on this Board.

With COMMITMENT from the Administation Siena DEFINITLEY COULD COMPETE IN THE C-14.

WE DON'T COMPETE IN THE maac RIGHT NOW , NOT BECAUE OF RESOURCES, BUT BECAUSE OF MISTAKES AND LACK OF COMMITMENT BY THE ADMINISTRATION.

IT IS UP TO ALL FANS AND ALUMNI TO PUT THE PRESSURE FON THE ADMINISTATION. THIS IS A ONE TIME ONLY OPPORTUNITY. JUST ASK HOLY CROSS.

[siena03]

Feb 28, 2013 8:30:35 GMT -5 siena70 said:

I can't believe some of the samll thinkers on this Board.

With COMMITMENT from the Administration Siena DEFINITELY COULD COMPETE IN THE C-14.

WE DON'T COMPETE IN THE maac RIGHT NOW , NOT BECAUSE OF RESOURCES, BUT BECAUSE OF MISTAKES AND LACK OF COMMITMENT BY THE ADMINISTRATION.

IT IS UP TO ALL FANS AND ALUMNI TO PUT THE PRESSURE ON THE ADMINISTRATION. THIS IS A ONE TIME ONLY OPPORTUNITY. JUST ASK HOLY CROSS.

I agree.. pressure should be put on the Admin to make a move to another conference

[nolesaint]

If the offer is extended: Siena BoT; senior leadership; alumni; corporate supports and athletic department should do EVERYTHING in their power to make it happen and support it with everything they've got for at least 5 years.

This is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity and Siena has the potential to become a true national power on the hardwood. It previous success as a mid-sized program in a pretty small time league; its market dominance; it proximity to incredible athletic recruiting grounds for ALL sports and for TV exposure make this a SLAM DUNK.

Just my $.02 for the 3rd or 4th time....