VCU joining Atlantic 10 this fall
VCU is leaving the Colonial Athletic Association and will join the Atlantic 10 Conference, industry sources told CBSSports.com on Monday.
VCU was expected to join the A-10 in 2013, but because it didn't want to spend a lame duck season in the Colonial, the Rams will join the A-10 a year earlier in 2012, sources told CBSSports.com on Tuesday.
CAAHoops.com first reported Tuesday morning that VCU would be joining the A-10 for the 2012 school year.
If VCU had remained in the CAA, the Rams would have been ineligible to play in the CAA men's basketball tournament and the automatic NCAA tournament bid to the conference champion. VCU still could have been considered for an NCAA at-large berth. So instead, VCU decided to make its move to the A-10 immediately.
VCU is the second new addition to the Atlantic 10, joining Butler, which is leaving the Horizon League for the A-10. Butler will not join the A-10 until 2013.
VCU and the Atlantic 10 have called press conferences for Tuesday afternoon to announce the move.
CBSSports.com reported two months ago that Virginia Commonwealth, George Mason and Butler were in discussions with the Atlantic 10.
On Friday, George Mason, which along with VCU and Butler had discussions with the Atlantic 10, announced it was staying in the CAA. However, sources told CBSSports.com at the present time the Atlantic 10 was looking to add only one more school and VCU got the nod over Mason.
The addition of VCU and Butler offset the losses of Temple to the Big East and Charlotte to Conference USA.
The addition of VCU and Butler is huge for the A-10. VCU went to the 2011 Final Four and Butler went to consecutive Final Fours in 2010 and 2011.
One reason VCU was interested in a move to the Atlantic 10 is the CAA is considered a “one-bid” league. Most seasons if the Rams don't win their conference tournament, they usually don't earn an NCAA tournament at-large berth. However, the A-10 has received multiple NCAA bids for five consecutive seasons.
Since 2000, the Colonial Athletic Association has received only four NCAA tournament at-large bids. By comparison, the Atlantic 10 had three at-large NCAA bids just this season and has had 20 NCAA at-large bids since 2000.
Since 2006 – even with George Mason and VCU reaching two Final Fours – the CAA only accrued 24 NCAA tournament units (awarded for every round advanced in the NCAA), compared to 36 for the Atlantic 10. Each unit is worth about $250,000.
VCU's departure is the latest defection from the Colonial Athletic Association. CAA Football member UMass left last season for the MAC and Georgia State announced it's heading to the Sun Belt.
Old Dominion also may be leaving. The school is considering a move to Conference USA and is expected to announce its decision by June 30.
VCU was expected to join the A-10 in 2013, but because it didn't want to spend a lame duck season in the Colonial, the Rams will join the A-10 a year earlier in 2012, sources told CBSSports.com on Tuesday.
CAAHoops.com first reported Tuesday morning that VCU would be joining the A-10 for the 2012 school year.
If VCU had remained in the CAA, the Rams would have been ineligible to play in the CAA men's basketball tournament and the automatic NCAA tournament bid to the conference champion. VCU still could have been considered for an NCAA at-large berth. So instead, VCU decided to make its move to the A-10 immediately.
VCU is the second new addition to the Atlantic 10, joining Butler, which is leaving the Horizon League for the A-10. Butler will not join the A-10 until 2013.
VCU and the Atlantic 10 have called press conferences for Tuesday afternoon to announce the move.
CBSSports.com reported two months ago that Virginia Commonwealth, George Mason and Butler were in discussions with the Atlantic 10.
On Friday, George Mason, which along with VCU and Butler had discussions with the Atlantic 10, announced it was staying in the CAA. However, sources told CBSSports.com at the present time the Atlantic 10 was looking to add only one more school and VCU got the nod over Mason.
The addition of VCU and Butler offset the losses of Temple to the Big East and Charlotte to Conference USA.
The addition of VCU and Butler is huge for the A-10. VCU went to the 2011 Final Four and Butler went to consecutive Final Fours in 2010 and 2011.
One reason VCU was interested in a move to the Atlantic 10 is the CAA is considered a “one-bid” league. Most seasons if the Rams don't win their conference tournament, they usually don't earn an NCAA tournament at-large berth. However, the A-10 has received multiple NCAA bids for five consecutive seasons.
Since 2000, the Colonial Athletic Association has received only four NCAA tournament at-large bids. By comparison, the Atlantic 10 had three at-large NCAA bids just this season and has had 20 NCAA at-large bids since 2000.
Since 2006 – even with George Mason and VCU reaching two Final Fours – the CAA only accrued 24 NCAA tournament units (awarded for every round advanced in the NCAA), compared to 36 for the Atlantic 10. Each unit is worth about $250,000.
VCU's departure is the latest defection from the Colonial Athletic Association. CAA Football member UMass left last season for the MAC and Georgia State announced it's heading to the Sun Belt.
Old Dominion also may be leaving. The school is considering a move to Conference USA and is expected to announce its decision by June 30.
