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