Around the A-10 (2018-19)

[Jackson96]

Wasn't quite sure where to put this, so I just started the A-10 thread for the upcoming season so we can just use this for that moving forward.

Jeff Goodman has taken time away from fellating Jayson Tatum on Twitter to do an interesting look at conferences and where the coaching jobs rank within those conferences. He just posted the A-10 breakdown: https://watchstadium.com/news/atlantic- ... 0-17-2018/

It's pretty interesting to read -- especially since it breaks the stuff down into a variety of categories. Didn't know that about our admissions. Would've thought our facilities would rank higher given the Champions Center but not sure that factored in or not.

[Roadtrip]

Atlantic10 app out now too.

[m626t]

I found this interesting. "Can also get just about anyone who walks and chews gum into school.” – A-10 assistant coach

Guess he's referring to the program for non qualifiers.

[Roadtrip]

^And most of those kids in the hoops program graduate.

[Old Cage]

^^ The other state schools are also near the top on the A10 easy to get kids in list.

[InnervisionsUMASS]

Ouch:

The knock: Expectations. Calipari took UMass to the Final Four, so that’s still the benchmark – and some in Amherst feel as though the Minutemen should be a perennial NCAA tourney team.

[Marty Peretz]

That's not at all an accurate statement about the VAST majority of the fan base, but it's a line that certain past coaches would love the national press to believe because it justifies past failures. I'd be THRILLED going to the dance once every three years. Bruiser got screwed because of expectations but that was two decades ago. Times have changed. Lap had one winning season and it was narrowly above .500, TF left on his own terms and with widespread fan support after making zero NCAA's in three seasons, and DK got canned after going 1/9. Thrilled he got us back, but 1/9 isn't 1/4. Huge difference and not honest to suggest otherwise.

[InnervisionsUMASS]

That's not at all an accurate statement about the VAST majority of the fan base, but it's a line that certain past coaches would love the national press to believe because it justifies past failures. I'd be THRILLED going to the dance once every three years. Bruiser got screwed because of expectations but that was two decades ago. Times have changed. Lap had one winning season and it was narrowly above .500, TF left on his own terms and with widespread fan support after making zero NCAA's in three seasons, and DK got canned after going 1/9. Thrilled he got us back, but 1/9 isn't 1/4. Huge difference and not honest to suggest otherwise.

To be fair, he did say "some" rather than "most" or something along those lines.

[MJatUM]

^^ The other state schools are also near the top on the A10 easy to get kids in list.

Yeah I was going to say I wonder what coach from which private school had that comment. I wonder if it stems from Pipkins being a breakout star player when there were significant concerns about his qualification (if I remember correctly - not sure if that was all board conjecture or if that was a legitimate concern). Thus is the life of a public school, I suppose. Shame on UMass for giving kids an opportunity

[uz2b-len]

I'd be THRILLED going to the dance once every three years.

I don't think the majority of fans would be satisfied with that in the long term. More importantly, I think it's clear that the administration is looking for more than that.

[McKinney]

I found this interesting. "Can also get just about anyone who walks and chews gum into school.” – A-10 assistant coach

Guess he's referring to the program for non qualifiers.

Here are the admissions profiles for the class of 2022 from collegedata.com. Schools are sorted by a rough composite score. Maybe some athletics departments work with the admissions office more than others?

Code: Select all

		Accept	SAT	ACT	HS GPA
Davidson	20%	1394	31	4.29
Richmond	33%	1381	30	4.14
GW		41%	1319	30	4.06
Fordham		46%	1333	30	4.02
UMass		57%	1292	29	3.90
Dayton		72%	1259	27	3.99
Saint Louis	64%	1172	28	3.92
URI		69%	1238	27	3.62
VCU		77%	1236	27	3.75
La Salle	79%	1238	26	3.87
Duquesne	72%	1206	26	3.81
Saint Joes	77%	1222	27	3.64
St. Bona	71%	1135	25*	3.63
George Mason	81%	1224	25	3.69

*St. Bonaventure's ACT score was determined from their admission's website.

[Floyd]

I'd be THRILLED going to the dance once every three years.

I don't think the majority of fans would be satisfied with that in the long term. More importantly, I think it's clear that the administration is looking for more than that.

I don't know len, I think I agree with Marty here. Those off years we'd probably be in the NIT too. We might have a nice run of 2-3 consecutive years in the tourney, then maybe a dip, but on average every 3 years would be good and build on that

[McKinney]

I'd be THRILLED going to the dance once every three years.

I don't think the majority of fans would be satisfied with that in the long term. More importantly, I think it's clear that the administration is looking for more than that.

I don't know len, I think I agree with Marty here. Those off years we'd probably be in the NIT too. We might have a nice run of 2-3 consecutive years in the tourney, then maybe a dip, but on average every 3 years would be good and build on that

On average every three years would be great. Even every four years would probably keep the students interested.

I don't expect UMass to be in the tourney every year, but I can understand the expectation of NIT being the minimum acceptable level (barring major turnover).

[InnervisionsUMASS]

I'd have to dig the post up again, but I think we average a postseason roughly once every 4 years over the course of the program's history.

[McKinney]

I'd have to dig the post up again, but I think we average a postseason roughly once every 4 years over the course of the program's history.

I guess it'd depend on what you mean by the program's history. The program started in 1900, but they didn't join a conference until 1948. There were eight seasons during that time period where UMass did not sponsor a team. Additionally, I'm not even sure if they were playing at a major level (and therefore were ineligible for postseason). I say that because the vast majority of their schedule was what are now members of DIII. I also can't find any record of them being an IAAUS or NCAA independent.

So if their eligibility for postseason started in 1948-1949 then they'd have an NCAAT (9 appearances) about once every eight years, an NIT (13 appearances) about once every five years or so, and postseason in general about once every three years.