George Mason and VCU to the A10 talks heat up again

Back in October we talked about how the Atlantic 10 conference expressed informal interest in adding both George Mason and VCU as members, citing an article from the NY Times. Now with Temple on it's way out of the A10 and moving to the Big East, or should we say Gigantic East, talks of the conference adding new basketball members have started up again.  Per the Philly Inquirer:

"Obvious A-10 targets to replace Temple would include George Mason and Virginia Commonwealth, two schools that reached the Final Four in the last six years out of the Colonial Athletic Association. Maybe the biggest target would be Butler, a Final Four participant the last two years out of the Horizon League."

George Mason and VCU seem like very obvious targets to me, considering neither has football and both have proved they can do more than just compete in the NCAA tournament. Personally I would love the move if it happens, especially since the CAA is slowly becoming more about football each year, and this season has proved that the conference getting multiple bids isn't always going to be a lock. Having Xavier, Dayton, Saint Joseph's, and Richmond regularly on the schedule would be a huge boost for Mason and VCU and definitely help their chances going to the big dance each season. And oh boy, what if Butler was added too?

We will have to wait and see what happens because it is all just speculation now and perhaps athletic director Tom O'Connor has no intentions of accepting any possible invites. However with the school showing no initiative towards starting football, I can't imagine during down an invite would make much sense.