Big East article from Omaha paper - "unified in purpose"

[Omaha1]

Nice preseason article from our new beat writer on the state of college athletics and the Big East's place in it.

Seton Hall’s coach doesn’t usually watch NCAA championship games. But he was paying close attention last April.

All of the Big East coaches were.

Villanova beating North Carolina? They knew how important the moment could be for a reconfigured league that’s trying to reclaim its place in the college basketball landscape without any boost from the kinds of exorbitant revenue figures enjoyed by so many of its peers. Football dollars do not help fund Big East basketball coaching contracts, recruiting budgets or facility updates.

So for this conference’s programs to keep pace with the sport’s bluebloods, they have to produce on the court. The Big East teams want to advertise themselves as the nation’s premier basketball league, so they know they better live up to that standard.

Which is why Seton Hall coach Kevin Willard had a rooting interest after his team got eliminated from last year’s NCAA tournament — and why he and his Big East colleagues were celebrating as Villanova’s Kris Jenkins hit a buzzer-beating 3-pointer to clinch the title.

“I partied hard that night,” Willard said at Big East media day. “I chest-bumped a lot.

http://www.omaha.com/creighton/mens-bas ... a7133.html

[GoldenWarrior11]

It was heavily stated after Nova won in April, but there is no other conference in America that has as much unity and self-rooting interest than the Big East. By fate and decisions beyond control, our 10-team conference has an "us against all" mentality. We were left for dead, we were discarded by ESPN and many other major media sports outlets as no longer being able to compete on a national stage. Villanova winning last year is, arguably, the single most important victory for a conference in history. It solidified that we belong, and more importantly, that we can compete.

As a Marquette fan, I am honored to share this new conference with each member. Inviting Xavier, Butler and Creighton was an absolute grand slam, and my only hope is that Marquette can start pulling its weight in basketball so we can help elevate our league even more.

Excellent article.

[sju88grad]

Great post Goldenwarrior! I could not have said it better myself. Throw St. John's in there with Marquette. I am really hoping that St. John's is on the right track with Mullin. As an alum, I want SJU back on top but it also would be great for the league for us to be relevant again.

[gtmoBlue]

No offense folks...however, I hope that the teams who are struggling a bit CONTINUE struggling for several more years. This is a great conference, one helluva tough conference. Although I am pulling for StJ and have historic luv for the Warriors - take your time, there's no rush, work on it in phases - to return to prior levels of glory. This is one tough league and my Jays are taking their turn at the top. Besides Butler, Prov, and DePaul need someone to keep them company, so Marquette and StJ will do for now. Later G'twn, 'Nova and the Hall can rotate down a few spots. It's all good.

[ArmyVet]

I read this and it reaffirms my opinion that the league is perfect as is.