stophorseabuse

I see Lasalle is number 295 on that list.

LaSalleFan

Very observant.

And I see Duquesne was #308, but you missed that. La Salle was very tough at home last season. They went 14-3 at Gola. Look for more of the same in 2012-13 and 2013-14 as the core of their roster remains intact for both years.

AdamtheFlyer

You can't really rank home court advantage by overall win %. Beside such different home schedules, they are comparing schools with 8 seasons in an arena to schools with 40 or more. Going to guess Gonzaga's home win % in the last 40 years is quite a bit lower than their win % at the new Kennel.

I think we all have a good idea of the schools who, year in and year out, are the best on their home floor. Both VCU and Butler join the likes of Xavier, Dayton, SLU and even SJU (and the departing Temple). Would put Richmond in that group, too.

__________________
Sure, I've been called a xenophobe, but the truth is, I'm not. I honestly just feel that America is the best country and the other countries aren't as good. That used to be called patriotism.

paulxu

While I'm not sure about exactly what goes into creating a home court advantage (crowds, student sections, history, psychology, etc.), I'm fairly certain that the way to measure its effectiveness is by winning percentage. If it's not, then you really don't have any advantage.

__________________
...he went up late, and I was already up there.

DistrictBaller

I agree. It is the most telling statistic in determining how much of an advantage a team has at home. I just don't think it's the only factor, that's all.

For example, comparing schedules is usually an apples to oranges comparison in many cases. Put VCU in the Big East and does it have the same advantage? Or the A-10 for that matter? We'll find out this season in the case of the A-10. Xavier's home court winning percentage is extremely impressive because they can schedule top competition to play them in the OOC at home. Others choose to play cupcakes or can't get established teams to come to their place. Many power-6 schools are below schools like Xavier, VCU, Temple, Dayton etc. but then we aren't usually facing the UNC's, Duke's, Georgetown, and Kentucky's of the world at home every year either.

There are several extremely tough venues to play at in the A-10. I'd like to think VCU will be among them.

__________________
"We will wreak havoc on our opponent's psyche and plan of attack."
- VCU Head Coach Shaka Smart

AdamtheFlyer

Far too many variables and huge gaps in sample sizes. There's really no way to compare it other than the eye test. We all know which buildings are always tough and which are only tougher than average when the opponent is in an upswing. It's not a secret.

__________________
Sure, I've been called a xenophobe, but the truth is, I'm not. I honestly just feel that America is the best country and the other countries aren't as good. That used to be called patriotism.

paulxu

It may look good, and it may feel good, and there may be a lot of people in the stands...but if you don't put up the W's, then you don't have an advantage. You've got window dressing.

__________________
...he went up late, and I was already up there.

BigE

ED MCLAUGHLIN NAMED VCU DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS

RICHMOND, Va. (July 24, 2012) – Virginia Commonwealth University President Michael Rao today introduced Ed McLaughlin as VCU’s new director of athletics, effective Aug. 13.

McLaughlin has been athletics director at Niagara University since 2006 and is credited with leading the greatest period of athletic success in that school’s history, improving the student-athlete experience and winning more conference titles in his six years at Niagara than in the previous 75 years combined.

McLaughlin, 39, was chosen after a national search that produced more than 50 exceptional candidates.

http://www.vcuathletics.com/features...nHiring-072412

FlyingElvis

What is that on top of his head?

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"US Bank Arena can't be that bad"

paulxu

Muskrat.

__________________
...he went up late, and I was already up there.

BigE

actually he dealt with that at the presser
apparently its his real hair

DistrictBaller

Interview with McLaughlin and Shaka Smart: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbV550eIjRo

VCUAthletics feature on McLaughlin: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJDkQjzpcx4

There is discussion on the move to the A-10 and how it factored significantly in McLaughlin's hire.

__________________
"We will wreak havoc on our opponent's psyche and plan of attack."
- VCU Head Coach Shaka Smart

DistrictBaller

Here's an article from ESPN's Dave Telep and Paul Biancardi on VCU's recruiting in 2012 and how the move to the A-10 has changed things: http://aroundthehorns.wordpress.com/...ruiting-front/

__________________
"We will wreak havoc on our opponent's psyche and plan of attack."
- VCU Head Coach Shaka Smart

BigE

RAMS SET TO ENJOY 10-DAY, FIVE CITY TOUR OF ITALY


RICHMOND, Va. – The 14 members of the VCU basketball program will start their history lessons a little earlier than usual this year. Those lessons will come during a 10-day, five-city and four-game tour of Italy that will begin on Aug. 5.

http://vcuathletics.com/sports/mbkb/...20120801n73hcr

DistrictBaller

Gary Parrish also leaked that VCU will be playing Memphis in the first-round of the Battle 4 Atlantis preseason tournament.

__________________
"We will wreak havoc on our opponent's psyche and plan of attack."
- VCU Head Coach Shaka Smart