{"id":2279,"date":"2011-03-27T21:58:49","date_gmt":"2011-03-28T01:58:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/jmusportsblog.com\/?p=2279"},"modified":"2011-03-28T08:15:39","modified_gmt":"2011-03-28T12:15:39","slug":"you-cannot-spell-ncaa-without-caa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jmusportsblog.com\/?p=2279","title":{"rendered":"You Cannot Spell NCAA Without CAA"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>The VCU Rams defeat of the Kansas Jayhawks might have shocked the world, but it just proved what many of us have been screaming all season, the CAA is a damn good baskeball league. There isn’t much we can say\u00a0on the topic\u00a0that hasn’t been said already, but here are\u00a05 quick thoughts on VCU’s run to the Final Four.<\/p>\n

1. JMU Beat\u00a0a Final Four Team This Season<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Dukes defeated VCU in Richmond about a month ago, so yes, they beat a Final Four team. It shows that when at their best this season, JMU could definitely run with the big boys. Of course that might make the inconsistency and the losses to W&M and Georgia State even more frustrating. Still, this is the first time JMU can ever say that it beat a Final Four team, so let’s be proud of it.<\/p>\n

2. Jay Bilas, Hubert Davis, et al Can Shove It<\/strong><\/p>\n

I’ve heard a lot of people say that the fact that VCU won games in the tournament doesn’t mean that it deserved to get a bid. I guess you could logically say that the there is no correlation between the two and VCU still hasn’t validated its selection. I wouldn’t, but you could. I still say Bilas, Davis, and everyone else who ranted against VCU’s selection\u00a0can get bent. Watch the league before you attempt to comment on it fellas.<\/p>\n

Prior to today’s win, I also heard other people try to discredit VCU’s run. Their argument was that USC was bad, Georgetown didn’t count because they were beat up, and FSU isn’t anything special basketball-wise. So essentially they were saying that VCU’s run isn’t extraordinary\u00a0because they were better than the teams they beat. And these\u00a0same people claim VCU didn’t deserve a bid. Does not compute.<\/p>\n

3. The CAA Just Got a Whole Lot Better<\/strong><\/p>\n

Readers of this blog know that the\u00a0CAA is a\u00a0great league.\u00a0It’s about to get much better though. The level of play in the league improved since GMU’s Final Four run in 2006. Now that VCU proved that it’s possible for another CAA team to do it,\u00a0it’s going to\u00a0give every team in the league the\u00a0chance to improve recruiting and out of conference scheduling.\u00a0In addition to\u00a0giving the league greater credibility,\u00a0VCU’s run brings financial rewards to the\u00a0CAA.\u00a0 Each team gets a cut of the millions VCU\u00a0has earned.\u00a0With a few more strong showings in March by\u00a0CAA teams, the league could see an uptick in tv revenue. All this money\u00a0will help\u00a0close the gap\u00a0with the power programs. VCU made its run after spending $2.3 million on hoops this season. The Kansas team they beat spent $10.9 million. That’s a huge difference. Calipari probably spends more that $2.3 million\u00a0paying folks to take his recruits’ SATs.<\/p>\n

4. This Is Awesome for Mason Haters<\/strong><\/p>\n

VCU’s run isn’t over and you’d have to be crazy at this point to assume the Rams can’t win this whole damn thing. Even if it ends here though it at least means that Mason isn’t the only CAA team to make a Final Four. That’s like a gift from heaven for Mason haters (guilty as charged) who are sick of hearing Mason fans crow about the 2006 team. Maybe by the time JMU makes a Final Four it will be a cliche.<\/p>\n

5. Congrats to all VCU Players, Coaches, and Fans<\/strong><\/p>\n

I wish it was JMU, but I’m thrilled for everyone associated with VCU and the rest of the CAA.\u00a0Good luck. Now go win 2 more!<\/p>\n