Butler on A-10 move: We wanted 'challenge'

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - After 33 years in the Horizon League, Butler is making a major move to the Atlantic 10.

"We really did reach a conclusion that we wanted to push ourselves into this league, we wanted to challenge ourselves in terms of where we were going as an institution, and we are extremely pleased with the move that we are making here today," Butler President James Danko said Wednesday.

The move is part of a wave of conference jumping and realignment across the country. All the top leagues, from the Big 12, the Big Ten, the ACC, the Pac 12 and Big East have experienced recent change, but the Dogs think this one makes sense for them for now.

"We haven't seen the last of conference change, but we feel very good about the core that we are moving to and have confidence in that it's growing in such a way and evolving in such a way that meets our goals and aligns with us very well," Athletics Director Barry Collier said.

All sports except football and women’s golf will make the change, and with the 14-team A-10 comprised mostly of schools on the Eastern Seaboard, the travel budget will take a big hit, but with basketball being Butler’s golden goose, the Dogs think the numbers are worth it, especially when it comes to the NCAA tournament.

Count head coach Brad Stevens among them.

"Historically, you look at the numbers. number of at-large bids, the number of teams that advanced in the tournament, number of teams that have advanced in post-season play, and the A-10 certainly has had a lot more teams in that boat," he said.