The Catholic 7 Continued

EDIT: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel is reporting this new league will include Xavier & Butler.

I say they add 3 teams and call themselves the Big 14 and then change it to Big 16 when the B1G expands again but I digress.

I want to follow up on what Brian posted earlier and take a closer look at the "others" that could be invited. An invitation doesn't mean they'll accept. And the 7 could just go join the A-10 and make all of this moot.

We know the 7:

1. Georgetown
2. Villanova
3. Seton Hall
4. Providence
5. St. John's
6. DePaul
7. Marquette

At this point, I'd like to note they could conceivably keep the Big East moniker but I have to believe it's best to leave that in the past and for other reasons we'll explore. Also, I see Notre Dame as a complete no-go, for now. The ACC is the next conference to go kaput and if Notre Dame keeps football independence, they might have little choice but to look at this league but I doubt it (there's also a possibility that at some point, the BCS super conferences could LEAVE the NCAA and then Notre Dame would almost be forced to join a league and Jim Delany would dance naked.). Finally, the league could keep its contract with MSG and have its conference tournament in NYC. They keep the NCAA auto-bid as well.

The potential invitees:

1. Xavier:

Location: Cincinnati, OH
Enrollment: 6945
Founded: 1831
Endowment: $117.4 million

Xavier is a natural fit based on geography and basketball success. The new conference will certainly like the Ohio footprint and Kentucky is just a jump across the border. Check Sweet 16 appearances in the last decade. You'll see a lot of Xavier. They are currently affiliated with the A-10.

2. St. Louis:

Location: St. Louis, MO
Enrollment: Over 10,000
Founded: 1818
Endowment: $880.3 million

St. Louis history with basketball is not as rich as other potential members. They have not made a sweet 16 appearance since 1957. The geography helps. St. Louis isn't necessarily a basketball hotbed but obvioulsy is a major city. They are currently affiliated with the Atlantic-10. They were founding members of the Great Midwest with Marquette and DePaul.

3. Dayton:

Location: Dayton, OH
Enrollment: 10,000
Founded: 1850
Endowment: $598.4 million

I've seen some reports indicating wherever Xavier goes, Dayton is somehow joined at the hip. I guess we shall see. Dayton was the national runner-up in 1967 but hasn't made a Sweet 16 since 1984. They are currently affiliated with the Atlantic-10.

4. Creighton

Location: Omaha, Nebraska
Enrollment: 7,730
Founded: 1878
Endowment: $375.2 million

The alma mater of Benoit Benjamin, Creighton has been very successful as a member of the MVC. This type of move would be a step-up for them from the MVC. There is no guarantee they'd actually jump, though. Omaha market isn't great, either. They do have a good baseball history but basketball rules. Not a must have, IMO but a good fit.

5. George Mason

Location: Fairfax County, Virginia
Enrollment: 33,320
Founded: 1957
Endowment: $51.6 million

Recent success and a dedication to fielding a competetive basketball team makes them worthy of discussion. I'm not certain Georgetown would be hip to this but I'd guess they'd be considered. They are currently affiliated with the Colonial Atheletic.

6. Virginia Commonwealth

Location: Richmond, Virginia
Enrollment: 31,899
Founded: 1838
Endowment: $349.7 million

Like GMU, VCU is a public university. Like GMU, they are also located in Virginia. they have made 6 tournament appearances since 2004 as members of the Colonial Athletic. They recently moved into the A-10. We are all aware of their recent success. It would be a significant jump for them to go from a league that fights for 2-bids to a league that would probably be expected to get 4-5 on a regular basis.

7. Butler

Location: Indianapolis, Inidana
Enrollment: 4500
Founded: 1855
Endowment: $155 million

I feel Butler's strongest appeal isn't their recent history but their location. Indiana & Purdue will get the most recognition in Indiana but Butler being in Indianapolis is a plus. And Indiana is basketball-crazy as we know and full of top flight talent. Like VCU, it would be a leap in a short time from Horison to A-10 to this new conference but they have a great coach and national attention at this moment.

8. Gonzaga

Location: Spokane, Washington
Enrollment: 7764
Founded: 1887
Endowment: $121 million

If expansion has taught us anything, we need to ignore geography. In this case, that might be easier said than done. Can the east coast schools afford to travel across country for non-revenue sports? Could the 'Zags be a basketball only member? Hard to say. But the pedigree is similar and is a footprint out west bad? There is alot of talent in Washington to be mined. They are currently members of the WCC.

9. St. Mary's:

Location: Moraga, California (Outside the Bay area)
Enrollment: 4100
Founded: 1863
Endowment: 4127 million

The Gaels have made 4 tournaments since 2000, including a Sweet 16 in 2010. They play at McKeon Pavillion which only holds 3500. I'm not sure that's something that can just be ignored. Carrier Dome to this? Hard sell but again, geography helps. The Bay Area is rich in talent. They are currently members of the WCC.

Also considered: St, Joe's, LaSalle, Richmond, Fordham, Siena, Old Dominion

The schools I would target would be:

1. Xavier
2. Dayton
3. Creighton
4. Gonzaga
5. St. Mary's

You'd have a western contigent with DePaul, Marquette, Creighton, Gonzaga, St. Mary's, Dayton & Xavier. I think St. Mary's arena is a very real concern.

If georgraphy is an issue, then I'd do the following:

1. Xavier
2. Dayton
3. Creighton
4. Butler
5. VCU

St. Louis seems to be a popular choice from what I've been reading but I actually think they're a better fit for the Valley than the A-10 anyway. Creighton may not feel comfortable leaving the Valley. If that's the case, I'd probably pursue SLU over GMU. Or get Notre Dame somehow.

How good would this conference be? I'm not as generous as Brian. It isn't better than the SEC or Pac-12. Currently, only G'Town & Marquette dance from the 7 and you get maybe 3 from the others listed. Good, solid but not great. BUT plenty of potential to BE great.

Ultimately, these schools leaving the Big East are between a rock and hard place. Stay, and see their league diluted for middling football revenue. Leave and wander into the unknown but control where you go and with who. I'll take the latter. I'm nervous as a Marquette fan. But I'm also excited as a basketball fan. I'd much rather see Butler at the BC than SMU, Xavier than Houston, VCU than Tulane. I'd love Syracuse and Pitt and Sarah Shahi...but reality is what it is and the 7 are making the best of it they can.