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Post by JohnnyJones on Dec 29, 2012 10:16:25 GMT -5
As a few people have said, one of the most important things this conference needs to do is establish itself as a high major right off the bat. If people start thinking of us as a mid-major, it's going to be hard to change their minds. For my money, only three non-FBS teams help with that - Xavier, Butler, and Gonzaga. Any other team arguably hurts the conferences' rep in the short-term. If instead we go to 12 adding teams like Dayton, St. Louis, and even VCU or Creighton it could be a big mistake. Yes, those programs may have potential to become bigger deals in a higher-level conference - but by the time that happens, the new Big East may have already fallen into the mid-major pool in the eyes of the media, fans, and mot importantly, recruits. I suppose I'm in the minority who would be happy coming to some sort of deal with Memphis, Temple, and possiby even UConn, although obviously there as risks there. I really want this conference to start off with the strongest grouping possible. I understand what you are saying, but I'm not sure I agree that adding, for example, a University of Dayton would change the perception of the league any more than simply having Seton Hall, PC, DePaul etc already in the league? Someone else can waste time looking into this for other schools being considered, but Dayton is 19-8 v. BCS schools in the last 6 years! I believe they have won a Championship more recently than any other team in or being considered for the league (NIT in 2010, beating Il St, Cincy, Illinois, Ole Miss and UNC in the process). They have some really head scratching losses, of course, but they have beaten a bunch of good BCS teams (many of them ranked at the time) away or at neutral courts. Not to mention what everyone has been talking about playing in front of 12,000 rabid fans every game in a city starved for big time sports. I agree that Xavier, Butler and Gonzaga shoud be first, but if the league goes to 12, I don't think adding UD would be such a disaster or turn the league into a mid-major. Between January 9th and February 2nd, Dayton plays VCU, Butler, Xavier and Saint Louis (3 of 4 on the road though) so that will be interesting.
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Post by JohnnyJones on Dec 28, 2012 22:58:44 GMT -5
I disagree that this is great to hear. There is little reason for Dayton to be considered the 12th addition, certainly no reason for them to be lumped with Butler and X. Only one school merits automatic inclusion with Butler and Xavier and I don't care if i is in Spokane. Butler, Xavier, Gonzaga aree the no brainers, with Creighton and VCU being the two strongest remaining to get to 12. I was referring to all of the efforts being made at PC, which is a already a member of the conference.
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Post by JohnnyJones on Dec 28, 2012 14:11:02 GMT -5
Insider on our board with ties to somebody way up the food chain at Marquette is saying that Butler, Xavier and Dayton are done deals and the other 2 at the moment looking like Saint Louis and Creighton. For what it's worth. I personally think the Zags piece is on hold for the initial setup. I will also say that there is a significant amount of momentum being built with the C7's announcement, people around the country are realizing again what the BE was all about and can be again. Keeping the name is imperative. In regards to continuing the momentum, PC is making huge $ investments in it's athletic profile that comes on the tail of multiple big investments recently. PC administration is completely aware of the fact that they must continue to pick up the pace with this latest conference shuffle. Here is some recent changes, announcements All new basketball offices and new on campus athletic complex. Complete new state of the art lacrosse and field hockey complex New soccer complex with seating to be able to host NCAA tournament games New outdoor track facility On campus bassketball arena just got a multi-million dollar face lift. Hockey arena to get a huge redo, including luxury boxes and training facilities and PC just announced a new dedicated men's basketball practice facility. Plus working on a new 10 year contract for Cooley, we should be very good next year and I hope Cooley can keep it going. I really believe he is our JT. Once again believe me when I say the PC President understands how critical it is for PC to compete in this new conference and they are spending big bucks to do it. My understanding is all of the C7 have made these commitments to compete and make sure we are not viewed as a mid-major. Quite honestly the only school I'm somewhat worried about of the 7 is SHU. They are broke. This is interesting info and great to hear. Thanks for sharing and being part of the discussion here.
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Post by JohnnyJones on Dec 13, 2012 17:53:02 GMT -5
I'm neither thrilled, nor depressed. I'm anxious. This is a big move. Both sides, in my view, have rational arguments. I could have supported hanging-on and trying to cobble together football if the money was right, but if there were good reasons to make a move now (because doing so now is financially beneficial as opposed to waiting), then I understand it. What I don't understand, frankly, is anyone being confident that his or her opinion is undoubtedly correct. Exactly how I feel as well.
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Post by JohnnyJones on Dec 11, 2012 0:04:48 GMT -5
Hopkins really needs to stop trying to score. He can't. Not right now. He simply cannot score on his own. He needs to get the ball in the post, get it out, play off others, rebound and score on putbacks and dunks off others penetration. Anything more than that, he's killing us. Every single time he tries to make a move, he either turns the ball over or throws up a shot that has zero chance of going in, which is as good as a turnover. Right now, he's like the worst player in the gym during YMCA runs that thinks he's the best and keeps shooting. I hate playing with those kinds of guys, and I'm hating anytime he gets the ball because I inevitably know what's going to happen. His game is not there yet, and he's killing us offensively because he keeps trying to do what he's absolutely not capable of. I think this is what SF has been saying for a few weeks now (reciting the % of possessions he uses or something to that effect). It is really true. He has become a black hole when he gets the ball. It is killing us (or at least it will starting 1-5-13) and he needs to be so much smarter with the ball.
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Post by JohnnyJones on Dec 7, 2012 18:03:47 GMT -5
Is there any way to follow the game online?
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Post by JohnnyJones on Dec 5, 2012 14:37:13 GMT -5
By "richest basketball history" ...GTown owes a large part of their success to PC alumnus JT Jr as well. Well now that's an understatement.
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NYC
Dec 5, 2012 14:32:34 GMT -5
Post by JohnnyJones on Dec 5, 2012 14:32:34 GMT -5
NYC Hoyas have seen only one fewer game (3) in person this year than the DC Hoyas (4)! Yes, but JohnnyJones has seem them ALL. That is pretty cool - having seen all 11 of our games in person heading into Marquette on 1/5. My wife is particularly impressed.
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Post by JohnnyJones on Dec 3, 2012 17:13:47 GMT -5
The following email was just sent out by the Providence College AD:
Dear Friar Fans:
Providence College takes its commitment to the College's athletic programs, most specifically, the men’s basketball program, very seriously. The Friar men’s basketball program is the cornerstone of our athletic department and a key component of Providence College. I want to assure our alumni and our fans that we are taking the necessary steps to ensure the future success of all of our athletic programs, including men’s basketball. We believe that Ed Cooley is one of the top coaches in the nation. In the last 18 months, Coach Cooley and his staff have brought some of the top players in the nation to Providence College. Ensuring that Coach Cooley is here to guide our program and that he has all the essential elements to run a championship caliber program is something we are working to solidify. We believe that Providence College men’s basketball is poised for a run of great success and is on the verge of becoming one of the top college basketball teams in the country. We want to create an environment that allows us to sustain success and provide you, the fans, with the excitement that you deserve. While it may appear to some that recent realignment news is eroding the environment for our men’s basketball program, we remain optimistic about our future. We believe that with change comes opportunity. There are opportunities now for us to position our athletic department and our men’s basketball program for long-term success. We will explore every opportunity in order to reach our goal. We have some of the greatest fans in the nation. Please continue to support us and know that we working tirelessly to ensure that Providence College athletics and its men’s basketball program will continue to be strong and proud. Sincerely, Bob Driscoll Athletics Director Providence College
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Post by JohnnyJones on Dec 3, 2012 11:52:04 GMT -5
Roll call. Will be there with SFO. Anyone else? I will be there with FHills - meeting at Cafe 31 between 530-600 p.m.
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Post by JohnnyJones on Nov 30, 2012 16:06:48 GMT -5
In other news, did anyone else get their email yesterday with seat locations? Fairly happy with what I got and looking forward to gouging some Pukie, Wildcat, Gator, etc. I did not get this email. Did others?
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Post by JohnnyJones on Nov 23, 2012 12:52:07 GMT -5
Three items: 1. How many will attend the game? 1. JohnnyJones and a cast of thousands. I guarantee there will be at least 12 people there...
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Post by JohnnyJones on May 5, 2012 22:28:36 GMT -5
Has anyone asked us for money yet? Yup. The AD, JT3, Paul Taglibue and Jeff Green asked the people at Wrigley for money and told us to ask our friends and fellow alumni to donate as well. So, I'm going to do what they suggested and ask you and everyone else on this board to donate to the IAC and to talk to your friends and fellow alumni about donating. The contacts to make a donation are Assoc. AD W. Blanton Jones (2026872394; wbj@gtown.edu) and Brenda Smith, Dir. of Athletic Development (2026871814; bms43@gtown.edu). Tell them its for the IAC. And if you have any suggestions about the best way to approach more alumni or induce them to donate, you should let them know. The IAC won't get built until they have 50% of the funds donated and rest of them pledged. If fundraising for this is now a reality, shouldn't we expect some type of formal communication/request for support from someone at GU? Is there some reason why that can't or won't happen?
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Post by JohnnyJones on Mar 18, 2012 12:33:03 GMT -5
Barkley with a good point that Hoyas "fell in love with the jump shot" ... true, but ignores the fact that the refs took the Hoyas most reliable inside threat (Sims) off the court 6 minutes into the game. Sorry, Dan, but Henry took himself out 6 minutes in, not the refs. Give me a break.
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Post by JohnnyJones on Mar 18, 2012 11:36:43 GMT -5
That was not a foul by Sims. The defender was moving... It was close enough. Henry needs to be much smarter than that.
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Post by JohnnyJones on Mar 16, 2012 23:40:48 GMT -5
I see the title of this thread now refers to our game as being at 12:15 p.m. on Sunday. Is that confirmed? I am still seeing "TBD" everywhere I have looked?
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Post by JohnnyJones on Mar 16, 2012 21:10:53 GMT -5
The lessen here is that majors that rely on three point shooting are very vulnerable to good mid majors. Mid majors are used to playing teams with shooters. Missouri, Michigan, and Duke attempted 29, 27, and 26 threes. Only Missouri shot well but they could not defend Norfolk State. Reliance on threes usually means no strong inside presence which results in suspect defense and rebounding. Charles Barkley just said the same exact thing in some of the post game coverage.
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Post by JohnnyJones on Mar 16, 2012 19:20:23 GMT -5
Rick Byrd - ``If Syracuse is better than that, I'm glad we didn't play Syracuse.'' How about, great game Hoyas. What a Edited. I had a totally different reaction to this. I thought it was a real strong compliment.
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Post by JohnnyJones on Mar 10, 2012 2:29:55 GMT -5
Put together, we are only 9-8 vs the top100. Isn't another way to look at that 9-8 that we have nothing close to a bad loss.
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Post by JohnnyJones on Mar 6, 2012 12:41:19 GMT -5
Pitt is playing in the BE again next year I believe. Sorry, you're correct. I still want the chance to kick them while they are down though. I understand, and agree.
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