FSU Realignment Update

Rumor now is that FSU (Florida St) is studying it’s expansion opportunities.  They have made a statement that they are happy with the ACC, however, they want to make sure they are in a good position when the super conferences come.  So from this, apparently we can take away that super conferences are definitely a very strong possibility.  There is a lot of talk going on behind closed doors at the moment.  Does this mean FSU is looking to leave the ACC, not necessarily.  I mean it certainly could, but the ACC is in a tough position and might not have a very good future ahead if they are raided by the Big 10 and the SEC.  Looks like FSU is just trying to cover their own.

NCAA Conference Realignment on the Horizon

I recently broached this topic a couple of weeks ago when I suggested that all hell was going to break loose.  You can read that post here.  Rumor has it that Texas A&M has all but decided to leave the Big 12 for the SEC.  Rumor also has it that the SEC is planning to offer an invitation to Texas A&M for 2012 and then another school in 2014.  While the rumors for the fourteenth school are not as solid (FSU, Missouri, or Virginia Tech), things appear to be imminent and will likely kick off a new series of expansion.

The Big 12 is looking to replace Texas A&M with someone like Houston or Louisville.  But if it is Missouri that leaves for the SEC, then that could spell the end of the Big 12.  Another potential loser could be the Big East, as if the ACC gets poached, they will likely target Big East schools.  Will the PAC12 look at the other Big 12 schools?  Will the Big 10 react?  One thing is for sure, the ACC should be proactive here and make a move soon.

Texas A&M has a meeting this coming Monday, August 15th – I’ll be watching earnestly as the excitement begins.

VCU to the Elite 8!

I can’t believe that I am saying my alma mater is going to the Elite 8.  This is a dream!  We have now knocked off the Pac10, Big East, Big Ten and now the ACC.  This last game against FSU about gave me a heart attack it was so intense.

I’m so amazed though at all the haters.  I go to the espn boards and all of these people after every game have talked about how VCU is pathetic and doesn’t belong.  They rag us VCU fans for being excited as if we won a national championship.  They point to all of the bad losses we have had all season as if to discredit our run and try to prove we are a bad team.

Colin Cowherd, who is the worst of all the espn talk show hosts, refused to talk about VCU claiming they weren’t a real program.  Not a real program?  Why?  Because they don’t belong to the Big East, SEC, Big 12, Big 10, ACC or PAC10?  Forget about the fact they have produced two first round draft choices in the last two years.  Forget about the fact they have made the NCAA tournament 3 out of the last 5 years.  Forget about the fact they have had 5 straight 20 win seasons.  Forget about the fact they have won at least 18 games 10 straight seasons.  Forget about the fact they are the winningest team in the state over Virginia over the last decade.  Forget about the fact their last 3 coaches have been the hottest coaches on the block in their last seasons.  Forget about the fact they have a knack for finding great coaching talent.  That doesn’t sound like a program to me.

Why can’t people just let the fan of a mid major that has had an incredible run enjoy their moment?  They act as if any other team that got in the tournament did not have a bad loss this season.  I’m sick of hearing about the losses to Georgia St, South Florida and Northeastern.  Those are the reasons we didn’t belong in the tournament?  We belonged in the tournament because we had a great season, we played in the toughest mid major conference in the nation.  A mid major conference that gets overlooked all the time.  Our 5th place team beat Louisville at Louisville this season.

I know the game against Kansas seems like an impossible task for VCU, but after every game we have heard the reasons why we will get destroyed.  They said that we couldn’t guard any of the Georgetown players.  They said that we would struggle for baskets against a very tough Purdue defense.  They said that we would not be able to handle the long players at FSU.  Every game, we have done what they said we couldn’t do.

This team plays with a ton of heart and a great attitude.  Way to go VCU Rams!  And to all you haters, let us bask in this and enjoy it!  We deserve to be this excited about our team!