Losing VCU, George Mason From CAA Could Hurt Drexel

By Spike Eskin

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) –  This can't be good news for Drexel. Brett McMurphy of CBS Sports wrote yesterday:

VCU, George Mason and Butler have had discussions with the Atlantic 10 and indicated to the league they have potential interest in joining for the 2013-14 school year, sources told CBSSports.com.

VCU and George Mason are currently in the Colonial Athletic Association and Butler is in the Horizon League. All three schools would need approval from their respective school boards to make the move.

One of the issues Drexel had when it became time for selection Sunday for the NCAA Tournament was the fact that the CAA isn't considered strong. VCU and George Mason finished second and third respectively in this year's regular season standings in the conference.

Drexel was left out of this year's NCAA Tournament despite 27 wins. Their strength of schedule outside of the CAAwas also an issue.

"I guess we gotta play some tougher games," Flint told philahoops.com. "That's what they're telling me. Don't matter whether you win or lose them, just put somebody on your schedule that's got a decent RPI."

Losing two of the conference's top three teams won't help Drexel's situation next year, unless somehow VCU and George Mason are replaced by stronger programs. It will put even more pressure on Drexel to schedule tougher non-conference games, or consider a change of league themselves.